You’re Better Than You Think
I have been feeling in a creative rut so I tried to muster up some creativity by capturing a common scene on Maui. I experimented with slow shutter speed and movement with the recent winter swells.
Not my typical subject but it got me out of my comfort zone to try something different
At some point as photographers, we will second guess ourselves. We will doubt our abilities, our progress, and our general approach. “Am I even improving?” That is a constant thought I have had fluctuated in and out of my mind over the years. While I think it's best to avoid comparing ourselves to others and their progress at all costs, sometimes we can’t help it. We’re human, And comparison just comes with the territory and is even amplified by social media and likes on Instagram. There were some points along my journey that I lacked an overall feeling of growth or that my photos were improving. My photos felt like they flatlined at a plateau and it was an uphill battle to get my creativity back or find any inspiration when I felt like I wasn’t improving. Though there are subtle signs I think that your photography is improving which you might not necessarily see at first. These are just a few insights I've uncovered over my years of shooting, and they’ve brought me a sense of solace, grace, and self-compassion.
Signs that you’re better than you think
Your camera feels like an extension of you. You don’t have to think about your settings or fumble over them. Sure you have to take in the light and scene and select your settings, but it has become second nature to you. You have mastered the technical side of your camera and it feels very natural to be with you and shoot.
You are more observant with and without your camera. Photography, I think, is all about observation, It’s about being tuned into our environment, what’s happening around you, and what may potentially happen. It’s noticing the little things. How the light changes from soft pink to gold. Or the natural framing of your backyard tree is framing your child. Observation is key to photography because, unlike the first point, while mastering technical abilities is essential, I’d argue the ability to observe and reflect is more so.
You treat your editing process like polishing. Rather than editing your photos to death or spending hours trying to “fix” your photos in Lightroom or another post-processing software, you treat the editing process like the cherry on top of what is already an incredibly delicious ice cream sundae. It’s just the sparkle that makes a raw diamond really become that dazzling jewel. You “get it right” in your camera more often than not and don’t need to do much to it in your editing to really bring it to life.
You aren’t shooting as often as you once were. This sounds backward but when you start to come into your own, and develop your signature look and feel, you are more intentional with what you shoot and why. You may pause more or go through periods of not feeling as inspired because some of that “shiny newness” has worn off. You are more deliberate in what you showcase in your portfolio and the clients you take in. You focus more on quality and sharing only what feels “right” or aligned with who you are at the moment, not just for the sake of sharing on social media.
You feel bored with what you’ve been shooting or your creative process. This kind of goes hand in hand with the last point, that when you start to discover your signature style or your story of who you are as a photographer, you start to get bored because it becomes the same old same old. Maybe you’ve been shooting portraits in the same old way in the same light over and over again when you go do it in your sleep. If you are feeling bored in your photography, it’s time to switch things up get outside of your comfort zone, and try something new. Maybe even dabble in an entirely new genre altogether just for kicks! When something becomes easy and second nature, it can lead to boredom if we aren’t challenged and pushed to grow.
You’re not looking for external validation. Hundreds of likes or none at all on Instagram don’t mean much to you because you inherently know you’re work is good. You know deep down that your photography speaks for itself and is “good,” and you are the only one’s opinion that truly matters. So long as you love it and are happy with it, who cares how many likes or comments it gets?
You can clearly describe your style and what kind of photography you do. When someone asks you what kind of photographer you are, you can easily explain what kind of photographer are you, what type of genre, and your aesthetic and style without missing a beat. It rolls off the tongue and feels natural to say so. You have a clear sense of “self” in your photography and who you are, what you do, and why you do it. It will be easy for you to say a few adjectives or aesthetic qualities about your work when asked. And on top of that, people say “Oh I knew that was your photo before I even saw the name". You have a clear and distinct style, which has evolved, but right now in this season, you feel firm in your style, aesthetic, and the subjects you shoot.
You are getting paid and building more clients slowly. If you are getting paid to take any kind of photo whether it’s a portrait a landscape or a style food scene, you are far better than you think. People actually are paying you money for your photography! If that doesn’t say you’re better than you think then I don’t know what does! Or even if you’re not getting paid because you’re a hobbyist if you regularly get compliments or inquiries from friends and family such as “Hey would you ever consider taking our family portrait for our Christmas card this year ?” You are better than you think! (And maybe it’s time to start charging a little if that’s the case!”)
You don’t follow trends and stay authentic to you. Photography trends come and go like any other trend be it fashion or art. You acknowledge them, maybe dabble in them if they feel aligned with your style but ultimately you’re not swayed by them. They don’t dictate your next creative step. You let the pass, maybe play a little, but you stay your course and are true to your North Star, your vision, and your style. You realize it’s just noise that will slowly pass before a new one comes along, but regardless you are still “doing you” and focusing on what you enjoy shooting and what brings you joy behind the lens.
You are more confident. You know you’re better than you think when you have a deep sense of core confidence in your work. While you understand that there is always room to grow and you are constantly looking to improve your skills, you have a solid core confidence in where you are right now, in this moment in time. You may falter with some moments of self-doubt or insecurities or maybe even imposter syndrome, but deep down you are more confident in your abilities and your photographic eye than you once were.
There are so many other signs to include, but I think these are the top signs that you are a better photographer than you think. Give yourself some credit for how far you’ve come and what exciting new growth awaits you. We all start somewhere and it’s totally natural to feel lulls in our creativity or inspiration. Henri Cartier-Bresson said “Your first 10,000 photos are your worst.” and it’s true! You have to go through a period of bad compositions, wrong camera settings, and wrong lighting to get to the good stuff. And if you resonate even with just a few of these you are doing far better than you think. Keep going with an open heart and trust that the journey will keep unfolding as you courageously keep shooting, sharing, and creating.
Alanna
x
