My Opinions Have Changed
The wind is howling outside, roaring through the trees. August is going out with a bang. Winslow is tucked in a blanket next to me, he doesn’t do well with the high winds and rain battering the cottage. It’s a cozy Sunday with lots of tea and time to reflect. One task I’ve been wanting to do is revisit my old photos and organize some files. I couldn’t hold it off any longer as today’s downpour and a raging storm is the perfect opportunity. Going through some files, I’ve realized how much my beliefs have changed since I first began. As we grow and evolve, it’s natural to change your style, your beliefs, and opinions. Photography is something we will have with us throughout our lives, and for me, it’s been a constant companion that has been a source of joy, curiosity, and creativity. Sifting and sorting out old hard drives and photos, I've discovered how some of my opinions have changed over the years. Maybe you will resonate with some of them too…
Not every photo needs to tell a story.
While visual storytelling is at the heart of what I do, not every photo needs to have a story. Are photos with a story interesting? Yes. Is it necessary to have a “good photo?” No. Sometimes we just want to take a photo of a beautiful scene or document a moment and there is no further story behind that than simply for what it is. It’s ok if your photo doesn’t have a story or a deeper meaning, It can be just exactly what it is. A one-note photo, it is what it is. It can be just a photo of a blooming rose because it’s beautiful or a statue in a square. Or it can be a dramatic landscape without a story. It’s ok if there isn’t subtext or layers of meaning, symbols, or a greater story.
2. Less is more.
When I began, I was under the impression I needed all the gear, all the things —a fancy tripod, the best camera, filters, a hefty bag, all the knickknacks. But after a while, I realized half of the stuff was useless and not relevant to the type of photography I shoot. Tripods are the bane of my existence! Maybe that’s just me but I get so frustrated with them most of the time. All that stuff gathered dust in my closet. Now, I prefer a much smaller kit that is discreet, not in a massive (and usually ugly) camera bag, that I can easily carry with me. Just one lens or two and a cleaning kit is all I need, bigger isn’t necessarily better nor make you a “professional.”
3. Niching is not necessary
As you may know, I started out primarily shooting food and creating recipes for food brands because I love home cooking and seasonal living. But that wasn’t all of me. The more I tried to stay in that niche the less meaning and enjoyment I felt. I believed that I needed to niche down in order to be “known” for something or have a '“signature” but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We can explore where our lens and eye take us, and let our creativity and curiosity run free.
4. A good photo doesn’t need to be technically perfect
After coming back from a shoot, I would sort through the images and toss out the ones that were blurry, not exactly perfect and didn’t have a good overall image quality. But I’ve realized over the years that a photo doesn’t need to be technically perfect to be beautiful, tell a story (or not), or be interesting. If a photo captures the essence of the moment or emotion, then it’s ok if it’s a little blurry or not technically perfect. You can have a photo that is shot technically perfect and still be very boring. Now, what matters most is the quality of light, composition, and how the photograph captures the essence of the subject or moment rather than being tack sharp or checking all the boxes of a “technically perfect” photo,
5. The bad photos are worth something
Believe me when I say I have hard drives of photos that will never see the light of day. When I first started, I would feel so disappointed after a shoot if I didn’t come away with anything worthy or “good.” It all felt like a total waste of time. But now, I’m ok if I don’t come away with a “shareable” image or a portfolio-worthy photo because I am learning along the way. I learn from those mistakes or that day out of shooting and reflect back on why it didn’t work. As long as I’m out shooting, experimenting, and documenting an interesting scene then it doesn’t really matter if I come away with an “Instagram-winning photo. The bad photos are just something that comes with the territory of being a photographer.
Do any of these resonate with you? If so I’d love to hear some of the opinions that have changed for you. Maybe in five years, these will change again; who knows, but one opinion that hasn’t changed and never will is that the best camera is the one you have with you. Forget the body type, the format, the brand, the only one you need is the one you have with you. Now it’s time to refill the teapot and find something sweet to weather this storm.
Alanna
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