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Lauri Novak's avatar

I feel like I fluctuate between levels 2 and, once in a great while, 5. I get lazy and I know it. I get bored and stop. I let life get in my way as well. Thankfully, I'm pretty aware of where I am and why and know that it's a cycle for me that has to be gone through.

Excellent explanation.

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Don Giannatti's avatar

I think most of us do, Lauri.

I have worked with a lot of professionals who can deliver amazing work. They also have thousands of 'meh' stuff no one sees. Attaining the ability to shoot 4s everytime is probably not in the cards for most of us mere mortals (Sabastio Salgado excepted). But in keeping these ideas in our minds does make it more conscious of our decisions.

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William Crawford's avatar

Everybody has an opinion. I don’t think the first photo is weak. It is just poorly framed and presented. I would have moved in very close with an ultra wide angle 17 and shot an upward panorama skyward with vastly modified framing. The problem is not the photo; it is presentation.

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Don Giannatti's avatar

Yes. Correct.

That is exactly what I am talking about.

You make my case perfectly.

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J D Ramsey's avatar

Nice article. It reminds us all that getting truly memorable photographs takes experience, hard work, and craft. So long as we are critical and honest in evaluating our own work shooting regularly should bring our work further up the pyramid. Not being self-critical and honest just means we will be first-year photographers for eternity. Thanks for the focus.

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Ronald Smeets's avatar

I got a lot of ones, a lot of twos and a good amount of threes (in the sense of putting the effort in to get the result). I'm not sure if I ever get fours of more and I'm not even sure if I strive for that. I'm fine with that btw 🙂

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Don Giannatti's avatar

Me too.

I have no illusions.

I know what needs to be done, but also know limitations. If I can up my number of 3s, I stand a better chance for a 4. But I also shoot a hefty amount of 2d and 1s. We all do.

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Ronald Smeets's avatar

Maybe the fives are meant to be never reached 😉 Like to have a 'vision', something you strive for but never reach (otherwise you can't improve further)

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Don Giannatti's avatar

They are rare. And I think you are correct.

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