Why Your Photography Is Not Getting Better

I have encountered so many photographers who are frustrated with their photography. They want to “move to the next level” and improve their photography, but then they start reading various blogs and ads that convince them the real key is to buy better gear, move to a full frame sensor, better lenses, the most expensive lighting systems, etc. The next thing you know, they have spent many thousands of dollars and their photography has not improved at all!

Granted, better gear will give you more capabilities, but it may not improve your photography at all.

Beware the temptation to think the problem is your camera gear. I hate to say this, but the problem with your photography might be YOU. Ouch. I know I am stepping on some toes when I say that, but I can say that about myself just as easily. My biggest problem with my photography is often ME. If I don’t know how to create the image I want to create, the problem is often with me, not my camera.

A few months ago, I noticed an ad on craigslist for a camera, and the posting said “takes great photos.” That would be like posting an ad for a paintbrush saying it “paints great paintings.”

The key to creating great art is for the artist to know how to use the tools they are using.

Here are some insights I have discovered:

If you are frustrated with your camera, FIRST make sure you take the time to learn how to use it, and know what features it offers. Most modern cameras have all the features you need to create great images. The key is knowing how to use the features, and work around any limitations it might have.
Be careful when upgrading to a “better” camera. It may or may not really improve your photography. Before you decide on upgrading your camera, know WHY you are upgrading! Were you just attracted to the new camera because of some slick ad that included a photograph you loved and you thought “I want to take pictures like that!”? That is NOT a good reason to upgrade. You need to know what specific features the new camera has that your current camera does not have. Otherwise, you might be wasting your money.
“More megapixels” is frankly not a good reason to upgrade even though thousands of photographers think that will make their photographs so much sharper. They are often surprised that just having more megapixels doesn’t really improve their image sharpness. If you want your photos to be sharper, focus on these areas first:
- Make sure you know how to use your camera’s focus system really well so you can ensure you are getting accurately focused shots
- Properly manage depth of field through your choice of aperture value
- Make sure shutter speeds are fast enough to elimination motion blur of the subject or due to camera vibration/movement
- If you do the above really well, then (and ONLY then) will having more megapixels really matter at all, and still it won’t matter a whole lot to have more megapixels.
The real deal about better camera sensors has more to do with better sensitivity in low light (higher ISO capability) and better dynamic range. Pay attention to that more than the number of megapixels. If you consistently shoot hand-held in low light circumstances then this matters a lot.
Push yourself to learn more. Do not get stuck in a rut where you remain in your “comfort zone” always just taking photographs in the same camera mode in the same way. If you keep doing what you have always done, you will keep getting what you’ve always gotten. Want to do more? Push yourself! Challenge yourself! Try new things. Make mistakes. Then LEARN from your mistakes, and then you will improve! If you are not making mistakes, you are probably not trying hard enough.
To avoid getting “stale” in your photography, try different things. If you are always shooting landscapes, try doing something completely different like studio lighting or portraiture or birds or dogs jumping in the water. Try new things. Create new things. You may find a new love of photography as a result.
Resist the temptation to think you have to copy what other photographers are doing in order to find acceptance and affirmation. It’s not about getting more “likes” on facebook. Seek to excel at your art as YOUR art. Be the best “YOU” you can be! Be unique. Be creative. The world’s best artists were not just copycats of other people’s work.
Be patient and persistent. Photography is a technical art. Some of you “get” the technical stuff more quickly than others. If the technical part is overwhelming, just be patient and keep trying. If you run into problems or questions, you are more than welcome to email me any time with your photography questions. Oh and then of course, remember I DO teach classes and offer private instruction on almost all photographic topics. 😉