What was the hardest thing...?

[HotHolly]

Well, I was wondering what was the hardest/ most challenging thing about photography when you 1st started shooting?

For me it was totally taming the camera...or learning how to use it. I read the manual 5x and was still utterly confused. Its kinda funny thinking about it now.

[Mindy H]

Fill flash - I still even struggle with it sometime.

[HotHolly]

Hey - if you click other feel free to share!!!

[johnastovall]

Learning to follow my vision and not doing what others liked or did.

And always trying something different and looking at one's work in the overall context of Art not just photography.

[CaptainTom]

MARKETING !!! MARKETING !!! and MARKETING !!!

I have pretty good technical ability and great customer service.
I just haven't figured out how to get those customers.

[J Eddington]

You said started in Photography. I would say learning to use a black bag to change film that had not all been exposed! THEN be able to put it back in the camera and finish the roll later where you left off.

[MT Stringer]

Focusing on the subject. That was 35 years ago and I still have that problem at times!
Mike

[Bella]

Self-confidence in my abilities . . .

Cindy

[HotHolly]

Thanks all for sharing. Its insane to see how far you can go in a short time. Ive always wondered if everyone found one particular area elusive...and I always assumed I was the only one with technical issues when I started.

And I did say when you 1st started - so well say from the time you 1st picked up a SLR or DSLR and tried to shoot stuff. Im assuming we all found the film/ CF card, batteries, and the shutter button without reading them manual. What gave you the most grief after that?

;o)

[Coelus]

It was technical stuff for me because my dad started me shooting when I was about 8 years old. I stopped when I went to college and picked it back up again when I was thirty.

[HeatherLou]

Mine was and still is to a point, the technical and the lighting. Now its more the lighting I struggle with. I have a friend that says I know just enough to be dangerous LOL!

[The Philos]

Finding and sticking to a committed artistic vision. I had someone to guide me through the technical bits when I was younger and first learning to shoot. I also had a mentor as I transitioned to digital who helped me regain confidence in shooting and getting started. IT IS REALLY HARD to get those first few clients even if you're just shooting TF* or whatever it is you're gateway to getting more work is.

I find it's still hard to stick with my artistic vision and defending it without people calling me arrogant and then getting defensive - especially when they're attacking style and not technicalities that would make the photo better.

[carrbowl]

Definitely technical..but not just the camera technical..it's putting all the technical together. Putting up the lights, using the light meter, adjusting the camera, so they all sync. Yeah you can read the camera manual, yeah you can read the light meter manual, but it doesn't tell you how to do it with the system you have. And I am sooooo not technical. As I tell my husband..I don't care how the car runs, I just want it to run. Make that statement to you husband and it will sent him into orbit!!

[SaSha]

Art stuff. I am an fine art artist and still find it hard to find the most creative shots.
Must have been my background in product photography.

[Cajungaltx]

I'm creative, and I'm a geek... I figure that crap out easily enough.
I'm in sales, that stuff is fine.
The thing I have the WORST time with... is actually putting stuff in the mail.
Actually GETTING IT TO THE MAILBOX.
I work from home, everything is emailed or faxed, and despite the fact that I 'do' leave my house, I suck at remembering to just get stuff IN THE MAIL.

I want the mail guy to show up and knock on my door. It's like a 'block' that I can't get past. lol...