Photographic New Year Plans/Resolutions

[Niall]

So, does anybody have any particular aims for this year to do with photography? To improve; to photograph new things; to get some new gear?

Personally I want to continue my progression, I want to do more paid work and also I want to gain experience in paid work that I can use when it comes to looking for professional photographic work. With leaving school this year it means that I will (after a more conventional first job) be looking to look for professional work with the aim of making this my career, which has always been the plan. I don’t want to waste any time with getting on the ladder and to start pursuing the career that I’ve always wanted. So hopefully this year is set to be a large step for me.

I’ll probably be buying more gear as per usual, well, should funds allow.

So as I said, has anybody else got any plans or ideas they would like to implement in 2014?

 

[Brazo]

Well I'd like a sony rx10 as a travel cam. And of course to develop myself photographically, not quite sure what yet, I am enjoying architecture at the moment but want to get back into landscapes again, and I have a load if flash equipment and modifiers just begging to be tested!

No firm plans just want to see where 2014 takes me

 

[JamesBryan]

A change of camera for me, had the 5d Mk2 for a few years.

Me and my dad are going to get a 1DX between us.

 

[Scrooge]

Get some more bloody lenses.

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

I'd love to upgrade body and lens but I doubt that will happen this year as we are planning to start a family. Good bye any extra cash for the foreseeable...
I'd like to get more night pictures, this summer I'm going to try to get a few good milky way shots.
If I do manage to upgrade my camera then it will be something with very good high iso handling. Could also chop in all of my lenses. I'd be happy shooting wide angle and 50mm for a while.

 

[Jay_A]

Continue to get my glamour work published, and concentrate on working with a select few models who don't do my nut in.

Also want to continue with my erotic / artistic photography, sell more prints and perhaps run a stall at erotica this year.

 

[Dan...]

I hope to improve on my photography in general - I'm going to use it a lot more and really read up on how to use it properly.

I also really want to get a 70-300mm lens for when I go to BTCC events - really enjoined using the lens last year when I hired it

 

[JamieG95]

I hope to learn a lot more around the post production stage but also upgrade my body and possibly go full frame. Also hope to gain more paid work and start attending some of the meets & shows in England now that I live in London as opposed to just Northern Irish meets and shows!

 

[SharkyUK]

My plans are simple this year... get the ageing Canon 40D repaired (shutter mechanism broken) and sell it on and look to purchase a 5D MkIII. I also need to get a couple of L lenses repaired as they - for some reason - only now work at their extreme focal lengths!?!?!?!?! I'll also be taking note of other photographers in the hope that my own photography will improve.

 

[JamesBryan]

Must have battered those L lenses Andy, they are normally pretty tough.

Which lenses are they?

 

[SharkyUK]

Must have battered those L lenses Andy, they are normally pretty tough.

Which lenses are they?

That's the thing though, mate... they haven't been battered! :S They were loaned to be by a close friend who used to run his own motorsport photography business. The business wrapped up and he lost all interest in photography. I've had the lenses over a year now and they've been looked after. As he is not bothered about having them back (I know, awesome freebies!) I will obviously pay to get them fixed. I'm not sure why they have both stopped working and show the same problem though... my other lenses are fine (although not L lenses).

The two malfunctioning lenses are:
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM

I'm not sure where the best place would be to get them repaired. Probably a local indie specialist rather than Jessops or similar. Although I expect they might get sent to Canon? Not sure... I should pull my finger out. The few photos I have taken this year have been on the working 'lesser' lenses.

 

[JamesBryan]

Hmmm... that's weird then.

So is it the zooming in and out that doesn't work?

I'd get it done by a Canon authorised dealer or Canon themselves, as you'll get a years warranty with the repair.

If it's quite expensive to repair the 70-200, I have one you can buy

 

[SharkyUK]

So is it the zooming in and out that doesn't work?

Yes mate - if the lens is at the min or max zoom / focal length then the lens works. Anywhere else in between fails and throws an error! (Can't remember what the error is off the top of my head).

I'd get it done by a Canon authorised dealer or Canon themselves, as you'll get a years warranty with the repair.

Good call, chief - worth it for the warranty I reckon.

If it's quite expensive to repair the 70-200, I have one you can buy

LOL! Mate - I'll get back to you. Is it the IS or non-IS version? I know someone who might be interested anyways... I'll give them a shout. How much are you looking for? Feel free to PM me you prefer. To be honest, I'd probably be tempted right now if I didn't still have an outstanding high-compression engine build to pay for and in the process of buying and building my new PC.

 

[JamesBryan]

LOL! Mate - I'll get back to you. Is it the IS or non-IS version? I know someone who might be interested anyways... I'll give them a shout. How much are you looking for? Feel free to PM me you prefer. To be honest, I'd probably be tempted right now if I didn't still have an outstanding high-compression engine build to pay for and in the process of buying and building my new PC.

It's the 70-200mm f4 L non-IS. Looking for £350, over £500 new a few years ago.

 

[SharkyUK]

Cheers fella - I'll pass the word on. I'll be seeing / speaking to him at the weekend.

 

[l33th3tr33]

I'll be getting into macro more this year, I've got myself a reverse ring to use before I splash out on a dedicated lens just in case I lose interest. I'm also going to get some more night photography done now, hoping to get a decent shot of the milky way and get some interesting star trails done too.

 

[Hixle]

One direction or another for me, either use it more or sell all my stuff. Really not sure what to do!

 

[Andy.]

That's the thing though, mate... they haven't been battered! :S They were loaned to be by a close friend who used to run his own motorsport photography business. The business wrapped up and he lost all interest in photography. I've had the lenses over a year now and they've been looked after. As he is not bothered about having them back (I know, awesome freebies!) I will obviously pay to get them fixed. I'm not sure why they have both stopped working and show the same problem though... my other lenses are fine (although not L lenses).

The two malfunctioning lenses are:
- Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM

I'm not sure where the best place would be to get them repaired. Probably a local indie specialist rather than Jessops or similar. Although I expect they might get sent to Canon? Not sure... I should pull my finger out. The few photos I have taken this year have been on the working 'lesser' lenses.

Have you tried cleaning the contacts with the rubber on the end of a pencil? It has been known to solve a load of problems...

 

[Andy.]

My plans are to sell all my studio stuff. I don't have time for it anymore.

 

[SharkyUK]

Have you tried cleaning the contacts with the rubber on the end of a pencil? It has been known to solve a load of problems...

Thanks for the suggestion mate. I have tried cleaning the contacts, but not in the way you suggest - I'll give it a go!

 

[Yanoo]

I guess, it's a snapped cable, not dirty contacts.

 

[Matt_90]

My Plan for this year is to keep pushing my wedding work and become more creative with it. I am looking at getting new gear and also looking at d4. I have two wedding bookings for Cyprus this year and one for Canada next year which should be very fun.

The main goal is to go self employed in 2015, I have am aim of how many weddings I need to shoot this year to cover my current full time wage.

I also want to shoot some more cars inbetween all the weddings and maybe some more natural portrait work.

 

[Cup_Phil]

My plan is to just get out and photograph more

Because last year I was renting/borrowing lenses and didn't have much spare time I didn't do a lot - but now a few of my Tin Top photos have been featured I really want to push to go to all the BTCC/Tin Tops/French Series races this year. Now I've got my own gear too I really need to get out and use it more

I want to push to get a media pass end of this year / next year as I'm sick of shooting from the wrong side of the fence now

 

[Pint]

My Plan for this year is to keep pushing my wedding work and become more creative with it. I am looking at getting new gear and also looking at d4. I have two wedding bookings for Cyprus this year and one for Canada next year which should be very fun.

The main goal is to go self employed in 2015, I have am aim of how many weddings I need to shoot this year to cover my current full time wage.

I also want to shoot some more cars inbetween all the weddings and maybe some more natural portrait work.

When I finally pop the question I will be sure to speak with you!

 

[v15ben]

My plan is to just get out and photograph more

Mine as well to be honest, barely touched the camera since September.
I took a few on my Christmas holidays in the US and would like to take a whole lot more.
Not sure it'll happen though, so busy at the moment!

 

[riz]

Mine as well to be honest, barely touched the camera since September.
I took a few on my Christmas holidays in the US and would like to take a whole lot more.
Not sure it'll happen though, so busy at the moment!

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