As a self-taught photographer, I’ve learned many things over
the last 5 years. Some because I had questions and actively researched the
topic, some because I made a mistake on the job and realized I needed to do
things differently.
The most important lesson of all? NEVER believe you’re done
learning.
This is an incredibly difficult, yet humbling lesson to
embrace. Difficult, because as artists, we want to own our artistry. Sit
comfortably in our little slice of photographer heaven where every time we
click the shutter button, we’ve created a masterpiece.
Humbling, because the reality is that doesn’t always happen.
And we should be able to accept that and push ourselves to achieve greatness,
knowing that greatness doesn’t truly exists as a tangible thing. That we will
forever search for the next best subject/project/light
source/angle/landscape/whatever….learning new things along the way. And NEVER
thinking “okay, now I’m the best I can be.”
As a newbie, my false confidence got in my way. And I’ve seen it in the industry many times. Photographers who have recently started out, or have been in business for many years but can’t seem to get “there” (wherever there is). They have what I had. That sense of “I can do this, I am good enough, you have hired me because you like my work, and you can’t complain, because I’m a professional!” These ideals come from many sources, forums, blogs, photography articles and motivational speakers. YES this can be true!! BUT only if you have the experience/consistency to back it up. Because behind closed doors, I (you) shouldn’t be stalking every other photographer out there, thinking of reasons why I’m better, or not understanding why I don’t have as many ‘likes’ on facebook, or why I don’t seem to have the volume they do. This sure does take A LOT of energy, energy that could be put to better use such as:
What is it about “so and so photographer’s” work? Is it the editing process? The way they pose their subjects? The way they use light?
More importantly….how can I apply it to my work? How can I achieve that greatness? (the greatness that isn’t tangible but will get you out of the false confidence and into a comfort zone which will make you soar.)
It is okay to open your mind, let down your guard and be willing to learn new things. No matter what stage you’re at in your photography. You aren’t doing it because you suck, you’re doing it because you’re awesome and you want to be even more awesome. Change is good.
More importantly, in this industry, change (or at least flexibility) is necessary.
Happy shooting!
As a newbie, my false confidence got in my way. And I’ve seen it in the industry many times. Photographers who have recently started out, or have been in business for many years but can’t seem to get “there” (wherever there is). They have what I had. That sense of “I can do this, I am good enough, you have hired me because you like my work, and you can’t complain, because I’m a professional!” These ideals come from many sources, forums, blogs, photography articles and motivational speakers. YES this can be true!! BUT only if you have the experience/consistency to back it up. Because behind closed doors, I (you) shouldn’t be stalking every other photographer out there, thinking of reasons why I’m better, or not understanding why I don’t have as many ‘likes’ on facebook, or why I don’t seem to have the volume they do. This sure does take A LOT of energy, energy that could be put to better use such as:
What is it about “so and so photographer’s” work? Is it the editing process? The way they pose their subjects? The way they use light?
More importantly….how can I apply it to my work? How can I achieve that greatness? (the greatness that isn’t tangible but will get you out of the false confidence and into a comfort zone which will make you soar.)
It is okay to open your mind, let down your guard and be willing to learn new things. No matter what stage you’re at in your photography. You aren’t doing it because you suck, you’re doing it because you’re awesome and you want to be even more awesome. Change is good.
More importantly, in this industry, change (or at least flexibility) is necessary.
Happy shooting!
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