and be an encouragement to newbies. None of these images are good enough to post in the gallery, but all of these images were taken on my one day with Ron Bielefeld, my first day to try any birds in flight. I mentioned this in my post about that day, but seeing is believing. While these are all very deficient images (light, distance, etc.), it is still amazing to me that I shot them, and I really want to share them and to be an encouragement to newbies by sharing them. I think there are four.
There is something that bothers me with this post Barbara, and that is your use of "not good enough" & "deficient". Success must first start with an attitude and these words will not work if success is a goal.
I have read many posts over the years that start off with why the image in question is "not good enough", honestly I think that is a lousy way to present work. Take pride in what you do, it will show in not only what you but why you do it as well.
Actually I ended up posting something else instead. But if you see this, Brad, would you think these images would meet whatever standard there might be for posting in the Avian Gallery? I don't mean to be negative about my work. I only mean to be realistic at any point in time. But if any of these are postable, I'll gladly post them.
Barbara, you are being too modest. You are doing great, I envy these BIF shots! Post away, get the feed back and continue shooting. Did you shoot these with your 50-250 or a different lens? Just curious.
This is actually a BIG discouragement to me! I think these photos are great. If I cannot tell that these are not worthy in the avian gallery, I'm ready to stop posting any avian shots! I thought the galleries were for critiques, not kudos. I don't mean to sound angry, but just very disappointed!
I also reall like the vulture image. I am fascinated by these guys and you've captured it very well. Of course there may be things you can do to improve them, as we all can do that, but that IS why you want to post them.
I have tried several BIF shots and others not as good as these and always get great feedback on them, and the feedback is always helpful.
Post some od these up with your specs and watch how many helpful tips you get here. It is amazing!
I think I should have thought about this more before posting. Lucy, I never would have wanted to discourage anybody. My thinking was that if I already know there is something "wrong" (the eagle is very much too far away, the light makes the top of the osprey's head too bright) there is no need to post to get those critiques since you already know them, but that I wanted to share the images anyway, because getting images of birds in flight is completely awesome. I sincerely apologize for discouraging you.
Posted by Greg Lessard on March 4, 2011 at 4:12 PM
Barbara,
Have confidence in what you do. You may be relatively new to photography, but you are learning quickly and you have come to a great community to learn more. You have already established a lot of skill!
Your vulture and gull images are excellent. Whether it was your intention or not, you shot these in a style that reminds me of Arthur Morris. I am not comparing you to him, but even to make me think of him, you must have done a lot of things well!
I once received some excellent advice from a master musician. "You must be your own worst critic and your own best friend." I think you have the critic part of that down.
Be positive! Enjoy your work and celebrate it as you grow!
Sincerely,
Greg Lessard
These are all fine images, especially for the very first day shooting BIF!!
There are no "standards" at NPN. Sure, there are lots of very fine images that are posted - but please remember that most of us started off much less skilled. (Some, of course, first join here at the top of their game).
When I look back a few years to the images I posted here (still in my files, but thank GOD not in the Galleries any longer) I cringe to see what I thought then was a good image.
Thanks to lots of honest critiques, I learned and grew and hopefully improved - just as you are now. you've made a lot of progress in a short time, and it's great to see!
Don't hesitate to post ANY of these images!!
Sandy
Posted by Barry Southon on March 6, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Barbara
It's a confidence issue which I too have asked myself, should I be here, am I out of my depth?
The magic of the NPN format comes through when you consider it's a steep learning curve and what fanrastic value when those that know take the time and trouble to offer critique and advice to those of us that seek knowledge.
Post away we all learn from each other how bad is that?
Posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 19, 2011 at 7:10 PM
Barbara, the gull, vulture, and eagle are really, really good. The Osprey is good too, just the top of the head is too bright, but that is very easy to have happen. It happens to me all the time. These are great. I would post them in the critique gallery if they were mine. Very well done and keep up the great work. If you are ever down my way again, I now have a boat so we can head out after some other birds in different areas. Cheers.
Discussion
22 repliesI have read many posts over the years that start off with why the image in question is "not good enough", honestly I think that is a lousy way to present work. Take pride in what you do, it will show in not only what you but why you do it as well.
This is actually a BIG discouragement to me! I think these photos are great. If I cannot tell that these are not worthy in the avian gallery, I'm ready to stop posting any avian shots! I thought the galleries were for critiques, not kudos. I don't mean to sound angry, but just very disappointed!
I also reall like the vulture image. I am fascinated by these guys and you've captured it very well. Of course there may be things you can do to improve them, as we all can do that, but that IS why you want to post them.
I have tried several BIF shots and others not as good as these and always get great feedback on them, and the feedback is always helpful.
Post some od these up with your specs and watch how many helpful tips you get here. It is amazing!
Have confidence in what you do. You may be relatively new to photography, but you are learning quickly and you have come to a great community to learn more. You have already established a lot of skill!
Your vulture and gull images are excellent. Whether it was your intention or not, you shot these in a style that reminds me of Arthur Morris. I am not comparing you to him, but even to make me think of him, you must have done a lot of things well!
I once received some excellent advice from a master musician. "You must be your own worst critic and your own best friend." I think you have the critic part of that down.
Be positive! Enjoy your work and celebrate it as you grow!
Sincerely,
Greg Lessard
There are no "standards" at NPN. Sure, there are lots of very fine images that are posted - but please remember that most of us started off much less skilled. (Some, of course, first join here at the top of their game).
When I look back a few years to the images I posted here (still in my files, but thank GOD not in the Galleries any longer) I cringe to see what I thought then was a good image.
Thanks to lots of honest critiques, I learned and grew and hopefully improved - just as you are now. you've made a lot of progress in a short time, and it's great to see!
Don't hesitate to post ANY of these images!!
Sandy
It's a confidence issue which I too have asked myself, should I be here, am I out of my depth?
The magic of the NPN format comes through when you consider it's a steep learning curve and what fanrastic value when those that know take the time and trouble to offer critique and advice to those of us that seek knowledge.
Post away we all learn from each other how bad is that?