I get a lot of messages from new photographers telling me they're
disappointed with their photography
some even go so far as to say they despair of taking a good image
now if this represents you then please don't despair because great photos are
completely achievable
but first you have to give up your attachment to shooting
amazing images yes I know that sounds completely ridiculous, so be patient
for the next coupla minutes and let me explain
first of what causes us to become disappointed?
any disappointment not just with photography think about anytime
you've been disappointed what made you feel
disappointed was it because an image was too dark
or not sharp or uninspiring maybe it wasn't how you remembered the place?
maybe you've been disappointed because the meal wasn't great or your date didn't
show up
it doesn't matter any disappointment these are all
expectations we have about how something should
or should not be should is a dreadful word because it implies there's something
wrong
for example the picture should be brighter should be sharper should be
inspiring, it should be how i remember the place.
the food should have been great, my date should have been there,
you get the idea but the truth is
the images and events are what they are
and the fact they didn't or don't meet our expectations leaves us feeling
disappointed
and we shouldn't be disappointed right it's not fair
I spent all his money and my pictures are crap, and my date didn't show up.
the key thing here is not the physical aspects
the image or the meal or the date, that leave us disappointed
it's the unfulfilled expectation how they should be
that is what leaves us feeling pissed off, disillusioned and fed up.
so please ask yourself this: how often
does anything in life match our expectations, it's almost always better
or worse, or just plain different. when our expectations are exceeded
it's a fantastic feeling is like wow I gotta
really good shot, I'm not sure how I did it but
Wow you know. But when things don't
live up to our expectations we get upset we get fed up and
pissed off so how can you avoid
that disappointment well how about giving up
unrealistic expectations of how your images should be
so you don't have to beat yourself up about them
or think you're no good be honest accept them for what they are right now
this minute especially if you're a beginner I mean
would you buy a saxophone and expect to play sexy jazz after just a week or
two
or an airplane, would you expect to just jump in it and fly of to brazil,
I mean that'd be crazy, so why do you expect these kind of things with your photography?
now some of you'll be saying, but I've been into photography for years and I
still don't take good photos
well have you been into photography for years really
how many hours a week do you spend on your photography?
how often do you watch a video or complete a section of one of my courses
take notes, then go and practice it for an hour? just watching or going for a walk
with your camera, now that doesn't count.
I mean really concentrating without distractions
on a regular basis the sexy jazz saxophonist would have practiced over
and over and over until their instrument has become a part of themselves
to be brutally honest now how much dedicated time
have you put aside to improve your photography in the last two months
and remember when you look at those breathtaking images
you're not seeing the out takes the number of times the photographer
revisited a location
the time they got it wrong you're only seeing the pinnacle
of that photographers work in that instance there's something else which can
disappoint
photographers the glossy advertising campaigns telling us to buy this or
that camera because he can shoot all these breathtaking images
in the hands of an experience photographer it certainly can
but for beginner enthusiast photographers it can lead us to compare
our images with the ones in the advert then are brilliant brains say
my images don't like that something wrong with me
and you're gonna feel disappointment, you bet you're gonna feel disappointment
so please just be kind to yourself cut yourself some slack and be honest about
your abilities
right
now and set some realistic goals give up the expectation an attachment to
stunning images
just for a wall and let your photography be what it is
right now there is no shame in that invest in yourself
on learning and practicing techniques like exposure
focal length: debt the field composition all these can be practiced anywhere
in the living room the garden the car park at work in your lunch break
and the really cool thing is as you practice these things and you learn how
to control your photography
those exciting images that we all crave will start to come along
on their I absolutely promise you that now
I am NOT saying in any way don't challenge yourself
I wanna be very clear about this challenges are great
they help us grow they help us learn more achieve more and consequently feel
good about ourselves
set yourself challenges that will lead you to become more fulfilled
and are aligned with the commitment to improving your photography
allocate time each week to learn the technique maybe a lunchtime challenge
like five long lens photos in my place to work into a wide lens
image challenge the next day use your imagination
and you'll see the possibilities are endless so in a nutshell
my three steps to avoiding disappointment
all one be honest with yourself about your abilities and skills
as they are now to stop comparing
your photos with the work experience photographers who displaying the very
pinnacle
their achievement and three set tough goes by all means
set appropriate goals for your skill level goals that are achievable
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