Is it Better to Specialise or Generalise?

[jaydeeare]

I've only been into what I call serious photography for a little over a year now. Before that it was just taking holiday pictures etc.

Since getting my D-SLR (Nikon D60 with 180-5mm kit lens, Nikor 55-200mm and an Opteka semi-fisheye macro lens) I have been at pains to try to obtain reasonable landscape, wildlife, macros and flower shots.

My problem is that I am on a very tight budget, but feel I need to maybe specialise in something rather than generalise.

So, do I keep spending lots of money on lenses so i can generalise, or is it better to save up for a better quality lens with which to specialise e.g. macros?

I really enjoy taking macro shots, but also i enjoy the ''thrill of the chase' in getting reasonable bird and wildlife shots.

I suppose I am the only one who give a definitive answer, but has anyone else out there been through the same situation, and which way did you go and why, please?

Thanks for your time .

[chris-p]

Hi Jaydeeare, welcome to the forum

I don't know what other members think but I've always tended not to specialise. I suppose, at most you could call me a "natural world" photographer, but even that is stretching it somewhat.

I don't see the need to pigeon-hole yourself. And you don't need to spend a fortune. If you want to increase your lens collection, try a wideangle zoom for landscapes or a cheap prime (the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 is probably my most used lens and doesn't cost the earth).
Or go down the route of poor-mans macro. I bought a reversing ring and picked up an old M42 mount 50mm f/2.8 (for free) for macro. Or try a coupling ring with the two lenses you already have.

I've been shooting for about 2.5 years and, after 1 year I upgraded my camera. That was all. I wondered about specialising and I found that I enjoyed too many types of photography to specialise too much.

[Cutter]

Hi Jay, Welcome
I started trying to improve my portraite shots, came on this forum and have seen so many great pictures that you just want to try everything out. I started with a 17-85 kit lens for my canon 50d saw some great bird shots so bought a canon 100-400l lens wanted to get in close so bought a canon 100 macro, saw some of chrises (above) lanscape so just bought a 10-22 wideangle lense BEWARE its a desease, but a pleasurable one. so to answer your question variety is the spice of life

[ianpinion]

Hi Jay and welcome to the forum. I too wondered whether I should specialise in a particular field, but then I have found that you have to start by learning the basics and developing your general understanding of photography. You need to get a firm grasp of the many rules, relations between the various camera settings and the multitude of techniques one employs to help you get the most out of your equipment for each type of shot you may take. That's before we even look at the editing skills and all that entails.

So I would suggest, like me, that you learn how to get the very best out what hardware you've got, in every given situation that you use it, before you even consider trying to specialise.

[jaydeeare]

Thank you all for your time and feedback.

I've already posted a few of my shots in Photoradar and looking to build up a reasonable portfolio here (Photoradar)

On reflection, and from your pointers, it does seem better not to specialise at this early stage as I do enjoy taking all types of shots.

I'll look into that lens Chris and see what pans out

thanks again for sharing your experience, it is very much apprciated.

[donoreo]

Welcome. Perhaps you need to figure what type of photo makes you happy? If you like macros best, do that, landscapes, do that, etc. However, if there is no answer to that question, then you might want to generalise. Just an idea. Myself I just go with photos I do not want to take weddings and wildlife.

[jaydeeare]

Thanks for the comment I think I need more time really to fully explore all aspects of photography. I do enjoy everything I shoot, but get frustrated when they don't turn out right, but ecstatic when they do! that's art!

Thanks everyone for reading and taking the time to comment.