I was just thinking about some of the many lessons I’ve learned in my years as a photographer. One thing I have learned is to be particularly careful in making sure I am asking the right questions.
We always see tons of ads by all the various companies who make cameras, and lenses, and other gear. Of course, the photos used in the ads are usually amazing, and the implication is that if you buy their camera or lens or whatever, your photos will suddenly be wonderful. Or, you might get the feeling “if I just had more megapixels, my photos would be so much better.” Or, if you just purchased this brand of lighting, all your portraits will be as good as this shot of this gorgeous professional model.
We all can fall into this trap. I have noticed on so many social media posts or photography blogs or forums, someone will post this amazing photo, and people will immediately ask “what camera did you use?” or “what lens did you use?” Or maybe they’ll ask what shutter speed, aperture, and ISO was used.
All of this may be somewhat relevant, but often we end up asking the wrong questions, and that my friends, is part of the lesson to learn. The real key to improving our photography is to ask the right questions. If you do that, and get helpful answers, your photography will improve way more than buying that one specific camera or lens or brand of lights.
Here are some example questions, that often serve to be “the right questions” to ask: (but not limited to these)
- What inspired you to take that shot?
- How did you capture that beautiful smile?
- The lighting is beautiful. How did you get that highlight on their hair so perfectly?
- That was very clever. What moved you to place the camera on the ground for that shot?
- There is something that feels a bit mystical in that shot. How did you do that?
- How did you capture that animal leaping at just the right moment?
- You shot that photo at noon on a sunny day, but the lighting on that portrait is beautiful! How did you do that?
- That’s a gorgeous shot you created in your studio. Where did you place the lights, and how did you combine the lighting so perfectly?
- Did you have to wait long for that special moment to occur? You captured that so beautifully.
- What was your thought process in composing that shot?
- How did you get all those kids to be smiling all at the same time?
- That photo of the bird is so perfectly focused on the bird, in spite of all the branches that were in front. How did you do that?
- How did you entice him to do something so silly? It is a bizarre photo, yet I love it!
While the conversation might include a mentioning of what camera or lens was used, but it’s these other questions that matter much more.
Ask lots of questions. Try things. Make mistakes. Learn from your mistakes. Keep at it.
Just remember to ask the right questions or you might waste your time upgrading your camera when that might not have been the problem. 😉
P.S. You might consider taking some of my classes, especially my Finding Your Way class.
