ONE IN ONE HUNDRED - THE PHOTOGRAPHERS LEARNING CURVE
I took some advice and purchased a new 85 mm lens a few months ago. I am a landscape photographer for the most part, but occasionally I find myself dabbling in portrait work. I had high hopes of making dreamy images with this new lens. The man at the camera store assured me as I paid for the lens that I would not regret the purchase. But I have to admit - I am suffering some buyers remorse - just a little bit.
Perhaps because despite practicing with it, I just can't seem to make those beautiful images I see in my mind. I'm back to getting one keeper out of 200-300 shots taken. Ugh. It's so disheartening and now I'm in this terrible self fulfilling cycle - I don't get good shots with the darn lens, so I don't use it, so I don't get better - you know how it goes.
The easy solution would be to just sell it and use the money to buy number two on the lens list but I don't give up easily. So the other day I decided I would try a new approach with this elusively fabulous lens and use it only when the pressure is off - when I can just play. And bam. I got one. One. Out of one hundred. Just enough of an improvement to convince me I can't give up yet.
Have you got a stick with it story? I'd love to hear it! I could use some inspiration. Or maybe you've already been down this path with an 85mm and you could share the secrets to unlocking its potential.