Pixiq

Tilting your camera because you can't find a good composition for your image. I mean on occasion tilting your camera i sO.K., but those are very rare instances. I have found when people tilt their camera it is because they are out of ideas, and have no idea what they are trying to convey in an image. Falling back on this will hinder you from seeing the good shot, and learning strong composition skills.

Learn with what HAVE. Don't get caught up in the "gear race." Having a "better" camera/lens will NOT make you a better photographer and will NOT give you better photos. I know a gal who has an 8 year old Canon PowerShot (3.1 MP). She travels the world snapping beautiful images and submits them to travel agencies and gets paid top dollar for them. Use what you have and learn it in and out.

I personally am tired of seeing the over processed images....once in a while it can be great but not for every occasion, it loses it's uniqueness and just becomes another distorted image. Just my opinion....

I have to admit that I've used that "trick" in the past. I found myself doing it when I'd get bored shooting family portraits or babies or something that I just wasn't into at the time.

This one's tough. I think most photographers feel the same way you do but I find that many non-photographers don't mind at all. I'm thinking of a handful of people that have directed me to several photographers' websites that are all processed (and a tad too much at that) the same way.

How about trying to learn everything all at once?

Trying too hard to be "original" for the sake of being original... and bashing other photographers in the process. I've recently been to a well respected fine art show where a photographer exhibiting there told me: "See the other photographers here? I can do everything that they do, but they can't do what I do." I was floored. I'm honestly left to wonder whether this person really enjoys doing what he does or just does it to stick out. Having a vision is important. It takes time to refine it. I think we all aspire to develop it. However, trying too hard might sometimes throw you off course.

Although, I do love all of Trey Ratcliff's work. His "stuck in Customs" site is like candy. So I guess it just depends...your right that is a tough one.

It seems to be the recent trend, everyone loves this specific photographer because of her 'style' - and yet I and other photographer friends get so tired of all the images having that same 'gimmick'. Yet somehow, that photographer just gets more and more popular and has people copying that over-processed look everywhere I turn.

That's a good one. You can really get overwhelmed and burned out that way.

Wow...that photographer sounds pretty damn pretentious. It wasn't me was it? ;)

I remember reading a great article a few months ago (can't remember where) about how "serious" photographers sometimes tend to look down on things like HDR images, but those are the ones that non-photographer's enjoy the most. For me, the only post-processing I do comes from the basic Canon software that my camera came with, but I can understand that work that's gone through a lot of processing might be more pleasing to look at.

You should not be so focused on your subject that you forget that the environment is as much a part of your photo as your subject is. Changing angles, letting the light fall differently, and simply *moving* your butt can transform the image.

When I see tourists snapping shots, I see them pick the most obvious place to stand for a photo. But often, they're ignoring something beautiful that can frame the shot, or something useful to lead the eye into and around the frame. I see them positioning people to stand somewhere and forget that it's just as important where they stand. I see them failing to get dirty by kneeling or sitting on the ground in order to change perspective and get a great shot and instead they settle for an okay shot with mediocre composition.

Notice the environment, and move.

:)
Rich

Overuse of processes such as HDR! Makes a photo lose its soul.

I know what stops me every time. That's a fear of failure. I turned down an opportunity to shoot a wedding because of failing to produce a quality product for the couple. I know it happens to everyone but to some more than others!

I mainly edit photos at the moment but i am just beginning to learn the ropes of photography. Some interesting tips here. Thanks gang ;)

DO NOT learn about and use white balance!

I have to admit that I'm a bit confused by why you wouldn't want to learn about or use white balance?

Yeah, why not? It's essential.

Constantly compare yourself to other photographers. While striving to improve is great, constant comparison does nothing but discourage and prevent you from finding your own style.

I like to shoot oompa loompas.