Happy Friday! And welcome to another installment of Thank Goodness it’s Foto Friday. Today I’d like to tackle some myths that have continued to float around in the photography realm. So here we go…
Myth #1 – Gear Garauntees You to be a Better Photographer
This myth will most likely never go away. As photographers we are always interested in the next fun new gadget that we think will change our life. The fact is that the new expensive, top of the line, camera, lens, etc…. isn’t going to make you a better photographer. It’s just not. What makes a better photographer? You. You’re hard work. The day-in and day-out practicing. The trial and error. The joy and the tears. It’s through those lessons that you learn technique and your photographic vision. Because it’s not the camera that ‘takes the picture’ it’s the photographer who ‘makes it.’
Myth #2 – Photography is Easy
The truth is – Photography is very challenging. It takes years of practice to learn the perfect moment to click the shutter. To capture emotion perfectly. To have impact in your images. It’s a marriage of technical understanding, artistic vision and patience. One of history’s greatest photographers, Ansel Adams has some great quotes on this subject…
“In my mind’s eye, I visualize how a particular… sight and feeling will appear on a print. If it excites me, there is a good chance it will make a good photograph. It is an intuitive sense, an ability that comes from a lot of practice.” – Ansel Adams
Myth #3 – Success Happens Overnight
Whatever your measure of success is with photography the truth is – it doesn’t happen overnight. For the longest time I would beat myself up for not getting THE perfect shot on the first try. I was obsessed with becoming a better photographer and to this day I still am, but I realized that becoming an artist doesn’t happen overnight, I freed myself from that guilt. Of not being ‘perfect.’ I still strive each and every time for perfection, but when I fall flat on my face I no longer beat myself up. I start over realizing that perfection isn’t a place, but a journey. Cue the public service announcement music… Apologies for the cliche comment, but it’s true. Striving for and working towards your definition of success is an everyday adventure.
I made this image using my iphone with my favorite camera app, instagram.
by Shannon Rosan