The 3 Big Photography Traps That Cost Me Years

Summary

In this video, the photographer shares personal insights about common creative traps that can hold you back in photography. From over-focusing on sharpness and technical perfection to getting lost in the lure of new gear, the photographer emphasizes the importance of developing your own style. They also caution against letting social media, particularly Instagram, dictate your work or alter your creative direction. Instead, the advice is to return to the roots of your passion, focus on real-world engagement, and prioritize authentic creative growth over external validation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Stop obsessing over sharpness in photos. While technical quality matters in certain situations, artistic photos benefit from texture and movement more than perfect clarity.
• 📸 Gear doesn't make the photographer. Instead of constantly upgrading, focus on developing your own unique style and understanding your creative process.
• ⚠️ Instagram and other social media platforms can distort your sense of success by rewarding consistency over quality. Don’t let the algorithm dictate your artistic choices.
• 🖼️ Posting for likes can cause you to lose your personal style. Avoid copying trends just to gain followers or engagement.
• 🌍 Focus on real-world photography experiences—such as local exhibitions and printmaking—rather than relying solely on social media validation.
• 💡 Rediscover your roots and shoot what you genuinely enjoy. True creativity comes from passion, not from trying to please an audience.
• 🎯 It's more important to refine how you shoot than to focus on the equipment in your hands. Master your approach and vision.
• 📚 Invest in your learning and personal growth. Practice, experiment, and educate yourself on what truly excites you in photography.
• 🤳 Don’t let your work become dictated by trends. Shoot from your heart and stay true to what inspires you, not what’s currently popular.
• 🎨 Photography should be about expression and creativity, not just technical execution. Embrace the imperfect and the spontaneous aspects of shooting.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script?

The main theme of the video is about overcoming common traps in photography, such as focusing too much on sharpness, getting caught up in expensive gear, and changing one’s style to fit social media trends, while rediscovering personal photographic style and authenticity.

How did the speaker's perspective on sharpness in photography evolve?

Initially, the speaker valued sharpness and clarity in their images, believing that super-sharp photos equated to good photography. However, they later realized that sharpness wasn't as important when aiming for more artistic, textured, and emotional images.

What is the first trap the speaker warns against in photography?

The first trap is focusing too much on achieving perfect sharpness and clarity in images. While sharpness may be essential in certain contexts, it can detract from creativity and artistic expression when it's overemphasized.

What role did gear play in the speaker's journey as a photographer?

The speaker became obsessed with upgrading their gear, including using high-end film cameras like the Pentax 67. However, they realized that having great gear doesn't automatically make one a better photographer, and that developing personal style and technique is far more important.

What is the analogy used to explain the importance of personal skill over gear?

The speaker compares the situation to putting an unskilled person in an F1 car. No matter how good the car is, the lack of skill will result in failure. Similarly, great gear won't make someone a world-class photographer without the right skills and style.

How did Instagram impact the speaker's approach to photography?

Instagram led the speaker to post frequently, focusing on quantity over quality to satisfy the platform's algorithm. They found themselves shooting images that were more popular but less authentic, and eventually realized that chasing likes was damaging their passion for photography.

What does the speaker suggest photographers should focus on instead of Instagram popularity?

The speaker recommends that photographers focus on creating work they genuinely enjoy, rather than altering their style to fit the expectations of social media algorithms. They emphasize the importance of real-world engagement with photography, like creating prints, books, and attending exhibitions.

What is the biggest trap the speaker identifies in the current state of social media?

The biggest trap is the pressure to change one’s style to fit Instagram’s algorithm, which prioritizes frequent posting and certain types of content over authenticity and artistic merit.

How does the speaker suggest escaping the trap of Instagram's algorithm?

The speaker suggests rediscovering and sticking to what you love to photograph. While you can still share work on social media, it should not be the main driver of your creative decisions. Engaging in offline photography activities is more fulfilling and meaningful.

What is the speaker's perspective on Instagram photographers with large followings?

The speaker acknowledges that some photographers with large followings are genuinely talented and deserve their success. However, they also point out that not all popular Instagram content reflects high-quality work, as the platform often rewards certain content styles over true artistic value.