Have you ever felt like your photos just aren’t cutting it? Even after 15 years of photography, I still often feel that way. In his recent video, Mike of North Borders delves into the five biggest mistakes that can hold back your photography and gives practical solutions to overcome them.
1. Lack of clear goals
One of the most common mistakes photographers make is not setting clear goals. Your brain is wired to seek rewards, and having a well-defined goal can ignite your motivation and drive you toward success. Without a specific direction, it’s easy to lose focus and become overwhelmed.
Solution: Start by setting a larger, overarching goal, such as becoming a professional photographer or specializing in a particular genre. Then, break down this goal into smaller, more achievable steps. For example, if you want to improve your portrait photography, focus on mastering specific techniques like lighting, posing, or composition over a set period of time.
2. Trying to do too much at once
Another common mistake is attempting to tackle too many aspects of photography simultaneously. This can lead to decision fatigue (or, my favorite term, analysis paralysis) and overwhelm your brain with information. When you’re trying to juggle too many tasks, it’s challenging to truly focus on any one of them.
Solution: Keep your goals simple and focused. Instead of trying to learn everything at once, concentrate on one thing at a time. It’s tough, I know. 🙂 But by dedicating your energy to mastering a specific skill, you’ll make more significant progress and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
3. Not seeking inspiration effectively
Inspiration is the fuel that drives creativity. Without a constant influx of inspiration, it’s easy to fall into a creative rut. While social media can be a source of inspiration, more often than not, it’s just overwhelming and distracting.
Solution: Look for inspiration in places other than social media. Explore museums, art galleries, and bookstores. Read books by renowned photographers and artists. Even spending time in nature can spark new ideas and perspectives. Remember, the goal is to find inspiration that resonates with you and fuels your creativity.
4. Perfectionism
Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword. While it can drive you to strive for excellence, it can also paralyze you with fear of failure. In fact, it more often ends up paralyzing you than pushing you forward. Constantly striving for perfection can limit your willingness to experiment and take risks, which are essential for growth.
Solution: Embrace imperfection. Remember, done is better than perfect. Focus on the process of creating and learning rather than achieving a flawless outcome. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; they are opportunities for growth and learning.
5. Comparing yourself to others
Comparing yourself to others can be a toxic habit, both in photography and other aspects of life. It can erode your self-confidence and make you feel inadequate. Remember, everyone’s journey is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all path to success.
Solution: Focus on your own progress. Only compare your current work to your previous work to see how far you’ve come. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem.
I find Mike’s advice critical, not only for photography but for any other art or craft you may be into. I’ve practiced all of this a lot ever since I took up photography, as well as embroidery, crochet, and other hobbies I do. I still fail to follow them sometimes and fall into the loop of perfectionism and thinking I’m not good enough. But it’s always useful to have these techniques in mind or even written somewhere, return to them when you feel stuck, and remind yourself that your path is yours only and that you’re doing a great job!
[Why Your Photos Might Suck… via FStoppers]
