Help me hit that Golf Ball!!!

[theantiquetiger]

Another piece of advice that I might give is to stop buying stuff and studying stuff and just go out and take photos. and more photos. Learn the equipment that you have.

Here I will have to disagree with you. Photography and golf are just alike. The better equipment, the better results. I can pick up a cheap set of used Wilson golf clubs for about $5 at any garage sale. I can use them to hit the ball, play a fun round of golf, etc, but if I buy a set of $1000+ set of Ping golf clubs, my game improves just because the quality of the equipment. The better equipment helps you control the ball.

The same goes with photography. I noticed a HUGE difference in my images when I went from my Canon XSi to my 60D, and from my cheap kit lens and others, to the three lenses I have now. Now please don't think I believe you cannot take great shots with less expensive equipment. My greatest image so far (IMO) was taken with my XSi (daughters with umbrella).

Also, just getting out and shoot pictures is not good advice in my mind. I remember reading a quote somewhere about golf that went something like this, "To be a good golfer, it doesn't take hours of practice, it takes hours of correct practice!" If you consistently practice something incorrectly, no matter how much you practice, you will not improve.

Hitting a golf ball correctly in order to control it to where you want it to go consistently, is considered one of the hardest things to do in the sports world. When you hit it correctly, you feel it in your bones, almost like a quick high from your stroke. When I "nail the golf ball perfectly" in my photography world, I get the same quick high (I play golf as well, about as well as I photograph ).

[Bambi]

I think you misunderstood me AT- I didn't mean to not buy good stuff I meant that always focussing on the next purchase to improve your photography might not be the best approach.

[Marko]

I wonder AT, how many times have you gone back to reshoot one of your 'misses'?

Just going out to shoot when you know basic photography rules (as you do) in and of itself WILL 100% make you a better photographer, I stand by that.
This same principle applies in golf or with a musical instrument. We are not talking about a complete novice with a brand new tool that has had zero guidance.

That said, people learn a million times better when they review their mistakes and better them by going out again to correct the error. (in different light perhaps, using a faster shutter speed perhaps, using manual focus perhaps). Maybe learning from our mistakes with the IDENTICAL subject matter (when possible) is valuable.

I wonder if an additional sub-forum called "reshoots critiques" might be a useful learning tool.

[JAS_Photo]

A really good discussion in this episode of the Grid that I found is encouraging and that you may find interesting too.

The Grid: Episode 68

[theantiquetiger]

A really good discussion in this episode of the Grid that I found is encouraging and that you may find interesting too.

The Grid: Episode 68

That is a very good video and hits the nail on the head for this topic. I stole a quote for my signature from that video. (I still have about 30mins left to watch)

[JAS_Photo]

I have been on a bit of a "The Grid' kick lately.