5 Lessons From 5 Years of Photography
January 1st 2018 is when I decided to really push my photography hobby and see how far I can take it. Although prior to that photography was still a hobby for years, this date marked a huge shift in my commitment to this art form. Fast forward 5 and a bit years and I feel I have learned a lot about photography that I can share with you. Specifically this will focus on more holistic high level lessons rather than what focus mode to use.
Shoot what is around you
When I first got into photography, I dreamed of shooting in these distant exotic locations. Specifically I wanted to shoot landscapes, mountains and remote little villages. The reality was that I lived in London, didn’t have much money and not much free time either. I remember spending hours watching landscape photographers on YouTube which as you know is not the same as photography. Weeks would go by without me even touching my camera because I was too busy dreaming and watching others. That’s when I decided to just shoot what’s around me rather than living in a dream world.
Most of you know me for street photography. However I didn’t know what street photography even was when I started. It is only through shooting my immediate environment did I discover this genre. Your immediate environment might be different. You might not even have somewhere close by. However find the closest thing to shoot and start shooting that. If you live near a city, begin there. If you are in the countryside, start shooting landscapes. If you live in a boring location, find the nearest interesting location to visit. Failing that, try to focus on light. Even the most boring location can look good under great light. Start where you are and shoot what’s around you because you never know where it can take you.
Remember your why
I started photography because I enjoyed walking round with the camera taking random snapshots. For me that was my meditation and my time to escape the day to day noise. Photography is my vehicle to be creative, see the world and meet new people. I never started out with the intention of making it into a business. I never started out because I wanted to grow an online audience. I never started out because I wanted to be recognised or have my work exhibited somewhere. As we progress in our photography journey, it can be easy to lose sight of why we started. As we become better photographers or grow on social media, we can start encountering paid opportunities, collaborations and other perks. Before you know it, you are being asked to shoot events or corporate head shots. Or your initial love for nature photography has turned into you posing in zip off hiking pants for some cash. Or sitting in some boring finance company taking photos of people in suits. Of course there is nothing wrong with any of that at all if that’s what you want to do. Although I wouldn’t be seen dead in zip off hiking pants. Jokes aside, I had a very serious think about my why and how I protect it. I say this because I have come across freelance photographers who no longer shoot for themselves. I have also come across photographers who are exclusively posting trendy reels and have lost touch of why they started.
For me, being able to go out and take random snapshots to mentally switch off is at the core. If I get to the stage where I can no longer do it, because my photography business has become this all consuming thing, then I will pull the plug, I will either get a job or start a different business. This is why I have steered away from freelance photography unless it directly aligns with my philosophy. This is also why I say no to 99% of brands that come to me with opportunities.
Consistency is everything
Think of photography as exercise. Getting better at photography equals getting in better shape. Being able to take great photos equates to being in great shape. Now how do most people start their fitness journeys? Well they realise they are a bit fat and they go crazy in the gym for a week or maybe a month. They do every workout under the sun and are so sore that they walk round the next day like they shit themselves. After a while they get tired of it and don’t do anything for 6 months. Then they again realise how unfit they are and the process starts again. In the end, no meaningful results appear and instead a bunch of wasted time, money and energy.
On the other hand, people who do stay in shape all year round, have one thing in common. They do a little bit very often. They might only do 30 mins of exercise a day, but they do it consistently for years. They might take the stairs instead of the lift. They might walk instead of taking the bus. These small and consistent little habits over a long time equate to huge long term progress. Even though on a daily basis you see no progress at all.
Think of photography in the same way. Most people don’t touch their camera for weeks, then go crazy one weekend, then not touch the camera for weeks again. Then they wonder why there is no progress. Instead make sure to use the camera every day even if it’s to document your walk to the supermarket. If you’re out with the kids, take photos. If you’re commuting to work, take photos. Make it a habit to always take random snapshots and watch your skills transform. This is why cameras like the X100v are so popular. Small consistent effort is the only way to achieve any meaningful long term results in anything.
Creativity is a cycle
Over the years I noticed a repeating pattern in my photography. I noticed that sometimes I couldn’t wait to get outside with my camera. All I wanted to do is shoot non stop. Now and then I wanted to just lock myself in a room and re-edit old images or try to come up with new looks. Other times I didn’t want to even touch my camera. I wanted time away from photography completely. Sometimes I wanted to shoot my go to scenes while other times I wanted to try something new. Same with editing where most of the time I would use the same editing methods but now and again I just wanted to try something different.
I’ve come to notice that photography has 3 cycles. The first cycle is experimentation. This is where you try different things, make mistakes, get frustrated and have breakthroughs. After that is the work cycle. This is where you have found something you like and you keep at it till you get bored or burn out. Then you have the rest cycle where you feel like you need to step away from it all. From here on the cycle just repeats itself.
Sometimes these cycles last months and sometimes years. However do your best to be self aware regarding what cycle you’re in. Because that will help you make the most of it.
Keep it simple
The final lesson is one that I have already mentioned a few times and that is to keep it simple and minimal. This applies for gear choices, how you learn and your general attitude to photography. Less is always more and the the more minimal tour set up and approach, the more enjoyable the process will be. From a gear perspective it might mean just starting out with one camera and one lens. Then not upgrading or adding more lenses till you have mastered what you have. From a learning perspective, it might mean focusing initially on finding good light and compositions before moving onto editing. Finally from a general attitude to photography, it might mean just focusing on one type of photography till you’re confident before trying other genres or approaches. Take things slow and keep it simple because in the long run, it will pay dividends.