Your vision. Your way.

Comparisons. They, unfortunately, are a way of life. From our early childhood we rank and label things. We categorize things as good, bad, right, wrong, tall, short, fat, thin, pretty, ugly, etc. Photography is not exempt from these attitudes. How many times have you thought that you should start a project, or perhaps should sell your work because it would mean that you are a ‘better’ photographer? I know that I’ve been down that road many, many, times.

I read a number of blogs daily and sometimes get hit with that feeling. For example, Mark Graf has a great gallery, sells his print, and is a prolific photographer. There’s always something new and wonderful to look at. Paul Butzi frames his prints and does gallery showings, Chantal Stone is shooting weddings, etc. Sometimes that little voice says: Hey! If you want to be better, you have to ____. However, I always come back down to reality and realize that each of us has a vision and a purpose for our photography. Each and every vision and reason is valid, even if no one else agrees with it.

When someone new to photography asks me what they should do to get better, my answer is usually the same. It’s the same answer for the question: Hey buddy! How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice!

How does one get better? It is a multi-step process, requiring the same time and effort as acquiring any other skill. Photography, while dealing in aesthetics, is a craft. This craft requires the artist, or crafts person, if you prefer, to become one with their tool so that the tool becomes an extension of the artist, not an impediment. The tool, much like a chisel or a paintbrush, is essential in helping you to convey your particular vision.

I think that once you get over the technical aspects of the camera:

• Depth of field
• Shutter speed
• Aperture
• Lens choice
• Perhaps filter use

Then you can start working on the ‘soft’, or non technical parts of the picture such as composition, tonal range, color, etc. The next step then is your particular work flow. How do you get that picture to say what you want it to say. You’ve got a great exposure, lovely composition, great tonal range, but it’s missing something. This ‘something’ could be taken care of with programs, such as Photoshop, or Lightroom.

The next step, you may or may not choose to pursue, printing. It is a craft of its own.

Lastly, there’s the story itself. If you choose to do one. Do you pre-visualize and have an idea for a story up front? Or, do you post-visualize, that is assemble the story after the fact. Both are equally valid and, I think, equally powerful. Also, having pictures stand on their individual merit works well, too. A story need not always be told. For an interesting read, check out Julie’s post on the topic of projects. As for me, if I were to do a project, it would be after the fact. I usually don’t find good, heartfelt shots when I go out looking for them.

In the end, it’s about your vision and your decision is always the right one for you, at the moment. You even have the right to change your mind as frequently as you want to! However, during that time, practice, practice, practice. The more that you are out there shooting, the better ‘luck’ you have!

Thanks for reading!