The "Un Photographer" - - WARNING...this is a MIZ posted thread

[rjmiz]

I started in June of 2005, with a Canon Rebel 350D.
Never knew microstock existed.

Quickly switched to Canon 1Ds and took thousands of photos. Made a few dollars on microstock.
It is a sad thing what has happened to me in the few years that followed...I became an "UnPhotographer"

It began as a gradual transition. I didn't even see it coming. A little photoshop tweak here, and then one there.
I began to realize as time passed I was using my camera less and less. The callouses on my snap finger began to disappear.
I looked in the mirror one morning and discovered I had become a "UnPhotographer".

Is there no hope for me as I suffer from this dreadful disease?

Cranky MIZ
The voice of reason

PS anyone want to buy a 1Ds and a bunch of "L" lenses?

[cdwheatley]

Ya can't fight it. I think people just evolve and look for new inspiration. I haven't been at photography long enough to make to many changes, but agree photoshop is becoming more and more interesting. To be able to create something that is impossible in the real world.

I had a similar experience with music. Started off with just an acoustic guitar. Fast forward 20 years and ended up with studio filled with tons of equipment and spent most of my time tweaking dials. Would have never thunk it.

Now I just hope to enjoy what I am doing.

[camera shy]

Hey Miz, I think I have the same dreadful disease.  I may have caught it from you.  More and more of my approved images are photoshop creations.  It is your fault, I started watching your tutorials and this disease began to spread.  I still enjoy taking pictures with my 40D and L lenses........when I can get myself away from the computer

[Read_My_Rights]

Clear case of designitis and illustritis. Very infectious - transmitted mostly through vectorus tutorialis. Watch out.

[rjmiz]

Is there any hope for me though?

Can I ever return to being a "NORMAL" photographer?

Cranky MIZ
The voice of reason

[PeterChigmaroff]

When photoshop was still in version 4 and you had to scan a tranny to "go digital" I became inflicted with this most unfortunate of ailments. My wife installed a hydraulic pry to try and get me away from the computer. I was one of the lucky ones; my disease turned out to be a benign version of this most dreaded and insidious   killer. My brain, which was atrophying at an astonishing rate is mostly recovered now. I can again see in RGB and CMYK simultaneously, I don't rely on limiting color spaces such as Adobe RGB 1998 and best of all I don't sit and aimlessly stare into space while a beach ball spins without end.

[tan510jomast]

I am a photographer. nothing else. even though I was in fine arts and all that jazz in school. I don't have the urge to be anything other than a photographer as I see so many things that I have yet to shoot digital or otherwise.
However, when I see some of your works MIZ and other UN-photographers, I enjoy and admire the creativity . What I cannot stand is just taking a photo and making it like a painting. Why?
But when you take something out from nowhere and make it into something "unreal", this is interesting and I know it's not child's play.
So, why are you wishing to be a photographer again?
Leave that to ppl like myself, you got something cool going too...
and it's cool being an UN-photographer, if you can do it well.
And seeing your stuff here, I think you do.

[HermanM]

Life is change... You're alive... You changed and will change.... It�s only natural.

[RacePhoto]

I think your un-photography is well done and creative.

If the goal is creative works, you're doing just fine. If your goal is to get outside and get 100 mosquito bites, capturing a Sunset on a marsh, then just grab a camera and go torture yourself. 

[rinderart]

It's about art in any form. No matter the medium. It always has been and will always be. I have changed mediums so many different times I can't tell ya. Ya always must go with your heart. And do what turns "YOU" on. Forget anyone. Thats the only thing that will make you unique.

[chellyar]

Can I ever return to being a "NORMAL" photographer?

Define 'Normal'

What you're doing works for you apparently in terms of stock, so stick with it in that context.

My 5 year old daughter could teach you a lesson about enjoying photography if that's what you want to do...

She finds joy in capturing her own reflection in the mirror, she takes photos of her dolls in their bed, on the floor, on the couch.  She takes photos of drawings in the sandpit (And gets sand in the camera...  Mutter mumble) she scribbles in the condensation on the windows and then takes photos of it.

We went on a 4 day photo trip with the local camera club down to Otago a few months ago, and I showed her photos instead of mine after the trip at a club meeting.  Photos of single leaves in a stunning forest of autumn colors.  The swing in a playground, her feet on the dash of our 4x4, and barbie sitting on a headstone in a cemetery.  Her lunch on the car seat.  The 'One Way' sign on a narrow bridge.  Dad taking photos.  She even went around and took a photo of everyones shoes during one of the evenings...

Many of her photos are out of focus, and don't appear to have an obvious subject, but she enjoys what she's doing, and that's what photography is about to a 5 year old.  It's a game.  If she's not having fun doing it she moves onto something else...

If I go for a walk around home (Rural) I take my P&S and take photos of leaves in puddles, electric fence signs, fence posts, haystacks, cow s__t, thistles, muddy ditches....

It's very cathartic to think and act like a child at times.  Impulsively capture what's around you, not because the lighting is right, the composition is good, or you'll get $0.33 in stock revenue per month from it...  Just because it's there, and it's what you see.

As for there being hope?  I think not, you're beyond redemption. 

Just my 2c worth. :-).

[Leo Blanchette]

You should join the dark side and start using adobe illustrator!

[Gregor909]

You should join the dark side and start using adobe illustrator!

Exactly! Same thing happend to me. I became an un photographer but now I'm an illustrator, a special breed ,higher in the food chain than photographers! 

[vonkara]

...

My 5 year old daughter could teach you a lesson about enjoying photography if that's what you want to do...

She finds joy in capturing her own reflection in the mirror, she takes photos of her dolls in their bed, on the floor, on the couch.  She takes photos of drawings in the sandpit (And gets sand in the camera...  Mutter mumble) she scribbles in the condensation on the windows and then takes photos of it.

We went on a 4 day photo trip with the local camera club down to Otago a few months ago, and I showed her photos instead of mine after the trip at a club meeting.  Photos of single leaves in a stunning forest of autumn colors.  The swing in a playground, her feet on the dash of our 4x4, and barbie sitting on a headstone in a cemetery.  Her lunch on the car seat.  The 'One Way' sign on a narrow bridge.  Dad taking photos.  She even went around and took a photo of everyones shoes during one of the evenings...

Many of her photos are out of focus, and don't appear to have an obvious subject, but she enjoys what she's doing, and that's what photography is about to a 5 year old.  It's a game.  If she's not having fun doing it she moves onto something else...

If I go for a walk around home (Rural) I take my P&S and take photos of leaves in puddles, electric fence signs, fence posts, haystacks, cow s__t, thistles, muddy ditches....

It's very cathartic to think and act like a child at times.  Impulsively capture what's around you, not because the lighting is right, the composition is good, or you'll get $0.33 in stock revenue per month from it...  Just because it's there, and it's what you see.

That's a good lesson. Too bad I didn't discovered photography at this age

[rjmiz]

My 5 year old daughter could teach you a lesson about enjoying photography if that's what you want to do...

Sounds like a capital idea chellyar. Lets make an appointment soon so I can begin my lessons as soon as possible.
I am free M thru F 9am to 5pm everyday. Please inform me how much I should expect to pay, and how many lessons I might need.

Cranky MIZ
The voice of reason

[chellyar]

My 5 year old daughter could teach you a lesson about enjoying photography if that's what you want to do...

Sounds like a capital idea chellyar. Lets make an appointment soon so I can begin my lessons as soon as possible.
I am free M thru F 9am to 5pm everyday. Please inform me how much I should expect to pay, and how many lessons I might need.

  - Any time, I'm unemployed currently, so I can be the classroom assistant...

Probably not that many lessons, although the commute would be a bit of a pain, it's about 14 hours by air to NZ from the US isn't it?

Edit:  Forgot, the lessons would be free if you agreed to play with barbie for a while and watch some episodes of Bob the Builder or Jane and the Dragon with Phoebe.  I'd even throw in a cuppa coffee for any microstockers who want to come and shoot the breeze with her Dad. 

[rjmiz]

You mean you wont rent me your kid, and send them on a plane to the USA?

Cranky MIZ
The voice of reason

[chellyar]

Hmmmm, tempting offer, but she'd miss pre-school...