I feel like I'm not even half way through my photography education, and sometimes I hate my work. Regardless, it's comforting to look back at the worst shots. It puts things in perspective and reminds me how much I've learned.
Shoddy lighting, weird poses, crazy Photoshop. All part of the learning process when one starts out shooting portraits. I want to share some of my worst work! Please by all means, rip it to shreds. These shots were taken around 5 years ago when I was still cutting my teeth. As crumby as they are, they bring back fond memories for me. I learned so much and made so many friends during that first year shooting portraits and joining the local "strobist" group.
This is Kiera. Such a lovely subject to shoot, and yet for some reason I chose to put a strobe at her waist and "monster light" her. She also glows, apparently...
More weird editing. I really hope I get the opportunity to shoot Sara again some time, and make up for this dodgy shot. Actually I don't especially hate the shot, but I made it worse with my mushy Photoshop edit, and worse still, I didn't even save the RAW file. That's worse than a "schoolboy error". That was just plain dumb.
Set design was never a strong point for me and my portfolio is packed with cringey examples like this, where I draped random stuff around to fit some vague concept. Sandra here (below) is a dancer, so I'm not sure why I shot this wonderful woman sitting down and didn't think to try catch her in motion. Again, I don't completely hate this shot. Sandra is especially easy on the eye, but the background is terrible and I made her elbow look huge
Finally, the lovely Elena. I'm happy to say I've never shot a model doing a peek-a-boo from behind a tree, or with a guy behind her doing a "hand-bra". I have however done a "sexy shush" shot, and I'm not proud.
Anyway, these are the mistakes I've learned from, and there's something about all of those shots that I like, even if it's just a weird sentimental attachment.
Omg your photos are still better than when I started :P I still used Picasa for editing like! I am in love with your style of images now though, you know what you want and have a very keen eye for detail. Some people after 15 years of experience still take photos like you did 5 years ago which shows that not everyone has talent, even if they have skill ^_^
If this is your worst picture I am curious to see the best! I will follow you because you have a lot of talent. Good job.
LOL You're too kind. Cheers
Yeah... Good you realise that their are bad. I think would be disaster if you think they are good..... I like to come back seeing my pictures from 7-8 years ago, it's long way to learn photography. I'm still crap though....
You're so modest! I've seen your work and I love it. Still, it's probably good to be really hard on yourself in a way.
@condra there is 2 ways at looking at it. It depending where you put yourself. I always try to look at the best in the league. I know photography I'm good at certain level, however if I'm happy with it it means that I could become too delusional. Thank you for doing this post, because that make me realise that I want to come back to my earliest photos and post here to show the journey with photography though. Keep posting it !
The worst picture you can ever take is when you leave the lens cap on. :)
haha
Wow!
These are sure winning photos. I ain't seen anything worse about it.
Keep steeming Cool pics @condra
.. and do stay in touch.
I made lots of shitty photos and work with some bad photographers for my modelling but I think most important is you have fun and make friends just be happy!
Man ... This is the worst photos?
Imagine the best :)
Thanks for sharing this. I always like to see the work that people aren't super proud of, I think it helps to have something to compare your own not-so-good work to.
A lot of my photography is pretty bad, I think one in ten shots end up turning out the way I envisioned in my head. Usually my mistakes revolve around bad focus, bad exposure, and terrible framing. Most of it comes from trying to get to grips with a new camera, or just some experiments gone awry. I'm also mostly shooting street shots and candid portraiture which requires a bit more speed than I'm capable of, haha. If I had a scanner I'd share a few examples.
What an utter n00b!!
Just joking mate, those are great, people like you are inspiration to nubs like me :)
great talent, alot potential, very great photo's, i'l be kepping an eye on your blog for more. upvoted.
I used to do a lot of over cooked HDR, absolutely terrible stuff but I thought it looked amazing at the time. It's like when you are beginning, you fall into the same traps, HDR / Selective Colour / Over Airbrushing
You sir are very talented... we all had to start somewhere!!!
Really good shots.especially 2nd one the clarity in her eyes caught my attention. Everything else sharp, perfect I say.Really good work. You a pro. Upvoted
These worst photos came out more beautiful hahah and you are saying them worst why ?
I'm terrible at taking photographs and this is 10 times better than anything I could do haha.
Most of these are truly wonderful and if this is your worst then I wonder what is your best.
Keep your chin up!
whats to hate? i dont get it..
and i was thinking this is the BEST.
oh man i loved these pics.
@condra why you always lying ahahah great shot these are !!
click here!This post received a 4.7% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @condra! For more information,
you are that much talented that even your worst photos looks the best to me hahah
Don't worry @condra , I used to take terrible photos too, but since then I've eaten a good breakfast and watched two youtube videos, so I should be much better by tonight :P Thanks for sharing. It's caring.