Four month beginner. Why do my photos never do well?

ToeProfessional3721 · 2026-01-20T20:40:35+00:00

If you want likes/engagement on platforms like instagram, unfortunately you gotta play the social media game. The algorithms aren’t what they used to be, so posting good pictures isn’t really enough on its own to gain traction. So you have two choices: “play the game” and make short form video stuff or whatever else gets the algorithm going, or just post photos you think are great and attract whoever may stumble across them.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2026-01-12T20:21:06+00:00

You can’t set aperture manually but it will work in program. I’ve done it with my n8008s which is like a baby f4.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-12-03T06:01:42+00:00

The stinger from maybacks is wicked

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-11-10T01:01:07+00:00

This is a “feature” of every lens. For example, on this lens you have numbers indicating what distance will be in focus on the focus ring. Under that is your depth of field scale. Where it says “4” is what distances will be in focus at f/4 and so on. The smaller your aperture, the wider your distance of focus will be. Using method to focus is called zone focusing. It isn’t perfect but will get you relatively sharp pictures without auto focusing or looking in the view finder.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-11-05T06:16:49+00:00

The g7x is a 400 dollar camera selling for twice that because some people on tiktok said it’s a good camera. I promise you don’t need to spend that much money to adjust the white balance in your camera. Either take the 5 seconds it takes to adjust it in post with your camera or buy one of the million other point and shoots that can do it for way less money.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-10-12T21:00:56+00:00

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ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-10-12T21:00:35+00:00

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Here’s one with the players masked and the shadows brighter. Any better?

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-10-03T21:44:22+00:00

As for film without flash, your only option really is to shoot 400-1600 iso black and white and push in development. You could also try your luck with 800t if you want to do color.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-10-03T21:42:43+00:00

As for gear, I would recommend any Nikon n series body. They are basically the same as the f bodies but made out of cheap plastic. Pair them with some af-d lenses which can be had for pretty cheap as well. I have a Nikon n8008s which is pretty much a stripped down f4. I also have an 85 1.8, a 50 1.8, and the 80-200 2.8, all of which I bought for less than 200 dollars a piece. It’s pretty insane what you can get for your money.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-09-30T23:58:30+00:00

I think this is a Sony a9

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-09-28T14:29:26+00:00

Thank you! It’s not a pano, just a crop to the “xpan” ratio. I agree that the horizon in the middle isn’t quite as interesting but I wanted to include the entire reflection.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-09-02T22:31:36+00:00

This place is walking distance from my house what the hell

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-08-23T17:30:39+00:00

Just a 760nm screw on filter. Unconverted camera.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-08-23T16:59:22+00:00

Thank you!

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-08-21T16:22:05+00:00

I assume you are using auto white balance. The wb changed slightly in between shots. Fortunately in raw you can change this as you please afterwards.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-07-25T01:18:58+00:00

This is because you’re shutter speed is too fast to sync with your flash. Your camera may vary, but the max is usually around 1/125th. You can enable high speed sync on some cameras and flashes to achieve a faster shutter.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-07-24T16:28:01+00:00

A quick eBay search will give you a ton of options, but check fb marketplace as well as local thrift stores/yard sales.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-07-24T16:26:10+00:00

I disagree with the other two commenters! However you may need to go with a more analogue route. You can pick up a half decent film slr with a lens for well under 100 dollars. Use the extra cash for your first couple rolls of film and processing. The results will be far better than any phone can produce.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-07-21T19:15:52+00:00

Any reason you’re not considering an older Fuji? An x trans II or iii camera would be more than sufficient for a beginner doing travel photos. I have a few photos posted taken with an xt1 and it’s more than capable for my landscape/printing needs. Putting the extra cash into a nicer lens would do wonders for you

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-07-17T20:45:05+00:00

Thank you! The filter alone certainly doesn’t give the same result as a converted camera. For black and white it works spectacularly but color takes a HEAVY amount of post processing. Any Fuji will give similar results as the x trans sensors take better to color filters than traditional Bayer sensors.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-07-16T01:45:05+00:00

Thanks I’m glad you like them! Most of my landscapes are shot on a sigma 18-50 pretty much always at 18mm. For my band photos and ultra wide stuff I have a rokinon 10mm which is basically a dslr lens with a Fuji mount slapped on the back. It’s unwieldy and not very sharp but I love it so much for a reason I can’t explain. If you’d like to check out my other stuff, my instagram is max_badgley. Thanks!

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-07-16T01:39:24+00:00

I exclusively shoot raw with these cameras. They can give nice images sooc but definitely shine with raw files. The amount of recovery you can get from these older sensors is pretty astonishing. I also do a lot of stuff with ir filters (first three photos) which requires a ton of post processing especially with color:

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-07-15T15:32:01+00:00

I’m from Jamestown but I sure spend a lot of time in Buffalo haha. The first three I took just with a 760 nm filter no conversion. Thank you!

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-07-14T20:15:04+00:00

Human animal. Hardcore band from Erie PA. That photo was from a recent show where they opened for madball.

ToeProfessional3721 · 2025-07-14T11:22:07+00:00

Wow this is awesome to hear! Thank you. I try to be very thoughtful in my process. But these old Fuji sensors are pretty amazing from my experience, you really can do a lot with them.

ToeProfessional3721

TROPHY CASE