Personal Rant: Photography

I grew an interest in photography when I was about 13 which went from vain webcam photography to owning my first digital camera at 16 but felt like I could never do very well with the camera so I just pointed and shot things that I liked and didn't think much of it other than that.

I upgraded to another digital camera and then to another one back in 2008 as my Christmas present, this year I received my first DSLR in July and I've been trying to learn how to get the best pictures, I am no good at remembering the technicalities and learning how to optimise the pictures I take and I've not even touched software I could use to enhance the pictures qualities which I'm sure would change another aspect to photography for me if I tried.

I have started to develop my own photographer eye for things and especially with how I want my pictures to look and that it's ok to take many pictures of basically the same thing but with different settings, a slightly different angle/perspective and playing with lighting, I even notice if something is out of focus somewhere in the picture that I don't want it to be.

My frustration is that I seem to get confused with what does what, I learn when I find a problem and if I don't find a problem then I find it difficult to learn how to improve and appreciate the difference even if it's subtle in the 'normal' persons eye if they looked at the picture, I've learnt that there's so many small changes you can make to make a picture look incredible, but to someone who only looks at the picture they will only see it looking clearer or more appealing, but they won't notice the actual difference and I'm proud that I've started to notice the difference myself and become more picky and proud of some of my pictures.

I've recently been learning a bit more into flash softeners and polarising, I know I like to take pictures of people and scenery which are probably the two most expensive choices knowing me, I love to see pictures come out and what I learn is achieved through the picture, it's a sign of improvement and if I can adjust the settings on my camera and get shots I've been trying to get for a while without seeking help or set up on the first or second attempt and the pictures come out how I hoped then I am left with a deep sense of satisfaction.

I am still intimidated and find photography daunting to learn through, I am learning what I need to do to achieve what I want but it's tough knowing it's not completely you that is at fault for not achieving what you want but your lack of finances to afford the right kit for your camera to be able to get that result and knowing how to use that kit as well, I'd like to learn why I need to adjust such and such and need kit to help but right now I don't think my brain could take that in, only the basic knowledge of how to adjust the settings for my pictures without getting confused and understand how they help each other and why.

Just a little rant to get this off my mind I guess.