Isn’t it wonderful to have a crystal ball to reveal our future and what lies ahead? Sadly, such a thing does not exist, and we must navigate life, learn from our errors, and continue moving forward. I often wish I had one, particularly when I embarked on my photography adventure. Here are five lessons I had to discover the hard way.
It’s Not Just About the Equipment
We have all experienced it: a new camera or lens is unveiled, tempting us like a carrot on a string. We are encouraged to reach for our wallets and anticipate the arrival of the package at our front door.
Don’t misunderstand me; equipment is crucial, and you need it to attain specific outcomes. However, the primary emphasis should not rest solely on equipment. As photographers, we can adopt a mindset, as I did initially, that photography primarily revolves around gear. In reality, photography should focus on telling a story, crafting impactful images, and finding fulfillment in our craft. Occasionally, we realize that we are pursuing the wrong things, and photography can operate this way too. We pursue equipment, believing it will enhance our skills as photographers. As the sales manager at our neighborhood camera shop, I frequently encountered this situation—especially when a gentleman came in intending to sell two Canon 1D X, EF 400mm f/2.8, EF 300mm f/2.8, EF 24-70mm f/2.8, EF 16-35mm f/2.8, and an EF 70-200mm f/2.8. I inquired why he was selling them, and he indicated it was because his son no longer participated in high school football, and he never managed to capture great photographs; they were often blurry or out of focus. It wasn’t a gear issue; it was an education challenge and a misconception that superior equipment guarantees superior photographs. Keep in mind that gear is a component of the equation, not the solution to the problem.
Challenges Will Arise
I observe individuals entering photography for one of two motives: monetary gain or artistic satisfaction. If you are pursuing photography for financial benefits, it is a well-known truth that challenges will arise. Clients don’t call, and you begin to worry about finances. If you lean towards the artistic side, it’s no different; you will encounter moments when you lack passion and motivation, thinking your photos are utterly terrible.
I wish I had realized sooner that difficulties would occur—though, in time, I did comprehend this. All you can do is strategize effectively and seek solutions to the challenges. At times, you must compel yourself to take action.
Cease Comparing Yourself
Feeling like an imposter, anyone? I’ve heard this countless times while mentoring students and over the camera shop counter: “I want to emulate Photographer X.” No, you don’t. The world already has this individual; why do we need another? Each of us brings a unique viewpoint to the world as creatives.
At times, we perceive a specific photographer as thriving, and we aspire to be them, yet we remain oblivious to the underlying circumstances. I’ve been in that position and eventually spoke with someone I assumed was achieving great success. Don’t get me wrong; they produced stunning work. However, what I failed to see was that the shoots they were showcasing were complimentary for the client. That sophisticated gear? It was all bought on credit. The reality was much different from what I believed. After that, I no longer wished to replicate their journey. Remember, there are multiple facets to every narrative, sometimes with hidden struggles. Comparing your work or achievements to others will only hinder you in the long run and could lead to a negative mindset eventually.
It’s Acceptable Not to Be a Technical Photographer
You may disagree, but not being overly technical can be an advantage in the early stages. When we become excessively technical, we confine ourselves, and our creative process is no longer open to possibilities. We feel compelled to adhere strictly to certain methods to achieve desired outcomes.
Consider this: you may have felt more inventive when you first delved into photography. Why was that the case? It’s because we were uninformed about what we didn’t know. We weren’t preoccupied with the technical nuances of photography—shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. We simply picked up the camera and began creating images.
Eventually, you will need to embrace the role of a technical photographer. What I mean is that you will need to incorporate the technical elements into your photography journey and learn to strike a balance between creativity and technical know-how.
It’s Absolutely Fine to Fail
Failure is a term that frequently evokes feelings of insecurity: Am I sufficient? What led me to this? And countless other questions. Failure can equate to success—not immediately, but eventually. Whether you acknowledge it or not, failure imparts valuable lessons if you allow it.
You understand what went awry when you attempt something, and it fails. It indicates that you must pursue a different route or modify your current one. How many times have you missed the ideal shot? Did you find that the next time you had a similar opportunity, you succeeded? If you did, that’s failure teaching you a lesson—and a crucial one at that. Life is replete with failures, and perfection is unattainable. Remind yourself to learn from those experiences and not sweep them aside, regardless of how strongly you might feel about them.
Ultimately, these are just a handful of insights I wish I had grasped sooner. It wouldn’t have rendered the journey simpler, but I would have been more informed about what lay ahead. Photography resembles life: it is filled with numerous setbacks, and the journey is lengthy, but it’s about what you choose to create from it. We can fixate on other people’s images, stress over difficult times, concentrate on misplaced priorities, and strive to be someone we are not.