Dispelling The Doubt (A Brief History)
Trying to get better…
Aren’t we all? The effort, the time, the study. No matter how much we put in it’s easy to get bogged down in self-doubt. And there are so many things that distract us every day from the core goal; making excellent images.
One of my favourite phrases is the paralysis of analysis. There have been times, when under no pressure, my mind has frozen. A complete lack of confidence or inspiration. It has happened when I’m alone on some rock near the sea, a time that should be close to a state of meditation. I just can’t see the shot.
It’s a very unpleasant experience. And I think it comes at very unexpected moments. But it’s normal. I’ve found the only cure is to keep doing more. It has never failed. Perseverance.
This was the third exposure on my first camera, The Fujifilm X10. 30/12/2011
I’d love to have experienced photography before the internet really kicked in. At times looking on Flickr, Facebook, or Instagram can be overwhelming. So many images, so much time wasted, and so many distractions. I know that these media have their uses, but give me a book of photographs and I’m happy. No overload, no boredom, pure quality and inspiration. Now don’t get me wrong, there are some amazing images online, and I’ve found some great, like-minded photographers as well. But I have realised that browsing millions of images is not going to help my photography.
It’s too easy to get caught up in the game of comparing your work to others’. And it’s far too easy to not concentrate on the masters like Richard Avedon, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, and Sam Abell (probably my favourite photographer).
Photography is like music in the sense that classic songs will last the test of time. I understand that not all songs have to be classics, and not all images have to be iconic. To get one iconic image in a lifetime would be an amazing
This is Julianne, a good friend who was kind enough to be my subject for my first portrait shoot. 04/06/2012
achievement. But what’s wrong with thinking, “wow, maybe someday I could create a photograph that makes a real difference, that stands out from the crowd.” I’m sure every photographer has had this thought. I know every musician has about their music.
Now let’s talk about everybody’s favourite topic, gear. Amassing it, reading about it, talking about it, lusting after it. I have gone through G.A.S. in a big way with musical instruments and recording equipment. The more I had the less I did. I found myself having too much choice in what guitar to use, what effect to use, should I get this or that or whatever. All brilliant ways to take me away from the core goal, expression. So I have been there, I know what it’s like to have your brain filled with technology and not music. If I’m honest, it’s a disgusting state of mind. That might sound strong, but to me, that’s what it felt like.
When I started photography I promised myself I wouldn’t get carried away with bodies and lenses and accessories. I think I’ve done ok. I have a DSLR and I have three lenses, wide zoom, standard, portrait. That was my “masterplan” and I’ve achieved it. To finance my purchases I sold, and am selling, a lot of the musical equipment I don’t use, so I’m not going into debt.
I have two smaller ‘mirrorless’ cameras that go everywhere with me, and I’m considering selling one of those. So having the experience of gear lust already has helped me realise it’s not going to help me be a better photographer of musician. Just to make it clear, I’m not talking about reading opinions on what a cameras strengths or weaknesses are, I’m talking about buying things because they’re shiny and new and everybody has got one.
I’m coming up to my second year in photography and I know there’s no end to what I can learn. That’s the beauty of it. It’s not a race to a finish line, it’s not a competition, it’s not a means to an end, it’s a road with no red lights. There is no stopping.
The most important thing I have learned is to keep focus on the photograph, not the tool. Perseverance and passion are the basic requirements, whether you want to be a professional, or an amateur with a professional mindset. If you’re not enjoying the process, something is wrong. Sort it out. But be under no illusion, I’m still trying to dispel the doubt…
Every image doesn’t have to be tack sharp. Capturing the moment is all that matters, and enjoy it. 03/11/2013
Amen. Attaboy, Brian, let it all out, I love hearing guys do this! So much more enlightening and inspiring (yes, you) than that BS gear-babbling and whining you see on “certain” sites (hello, dpreview). Ahhh GAS. I call it the Ghastly Creeping Malaise (GCM) and we need to rid ourselves of it as it affects all levels of ownership. 40mp Hasselblad users lusting over 80mp Phase Ones. Enough I say! Instead let us bare our souls a little as you have and encourage one another to raise the bar, think outside the box, and make for that photographic “horizon”, no matter how impossible or unattainable it seems. It’s so easy to stumble and fall and so hard to get back up sometimes. So we need help. A column like this could be the answer. A word from a friend. Or this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZYlQ4Wv8lE Finding a great photographer in your chosen genre is invaluable, particularly if you can latch onto a quote to live by. Mine is by W. Eugene Smith : “What’s the use of a great depth of field if there is not an adequate depth of feeling?” And my favourite subject – self-doubt. Man this can kill you if you’re not careful. OR it can force you to pick yourself up and strive even harder to lift your own bar, wherever it may be set. It’s helpful to remember that all the greats were terrible at some stage, they just persevered. And that’s what we must do – persevere. And be inspired, which may come from some unlikely sources. Mine are guys like Smith, McCullin and Nachtwey. And I’m mostly into beauty portraiture! But my thing is emotion, and those guys are masters of that. So be encouraged and encourage others. Like the author of this blogsite. I’ll leave with another Smith quote – “Never have I found the limits of photographic potential – upon every horizon being reached there is another one beckoning”. ;-) Mark
Great video. I swear I’ve never seen it before. Some parts got scarily close. But I guess it’s common sense. Dude you should start a blog. Big style :) Thanks a million for the feedback.
Now watch this! Zack’s roadie! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GFwmmC0E-I
Brilliant :)
A very enjoyable read, well done Brian.
Thanks a million Kieran. I appreciate it.
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