You can’t improve your photography using a camera
I have a theory. Bare with me as I explain and before you assume I’m affected by drugs (only a few) or full of manure.
You can’t improve your photography using a camera.
You can’t improve your photography using photoshop.
You even can’t improve your photography with one of these:
A few things over time have made me realise this:
I took a bubble break a while ago and in using a notepad I found more ideas coalescing there than behind the viewfinder. I realised photographic ideas didn’t have to be instant fast food but could be slow cooked over time. I can revisit and add to the notebook and it has become invaluable. Some ideas are over a year old and yet unrealised. This one was four months on the pages of the notepad.
I spent time on a long vacation recently and towards the end I found myself shooting less. Instead I found myself experiencing the world first hand and not exclusively though the viewfinder. Interaction with people and the environment didn’t give me photographs but it did help me find inspiration amongst, sometimes the most trivial, things.
In these latter stages If I took a photograph it was with my point and shoot and a sort of visual note – a stepping stone to other ideas and possibilities.
I realised that nudity, HDR and texture layers didn’t add to images unless there was a story to tell or artistic vision to enunciate from their inclusion. I started to loose the fear of not using them.
Re-reading some old and new information on the bubble gave me cause to think.
So what do I think the key is?....It’s this:
Feed your mind.
- Talking to writers is a particularly good form of mind food. It may sound obvious but they use words as images – they photograph things in language. If you understand how they change media then you can become more adept at adapting yours.
- Meet and get to know someone you want to photograph – What are their dreams? What gives them passion? Do you know how they like their coffee?
- Try writing down little random snippets and collecting them – they are your ingredients for a good recipe. Don’t rush things, if your thoughts are sparse then don’t despair – they will grow.
- Go slow. For example: if you post one image a day here then after a while your throttling of work makes you start to self analyse and look for your best rather than what is acceptable.
Go out and experience things, meet the world not always with a camera in hand. Improve your photography by getting a better, sharper and greater….....mind.
midzing
fantastic ideas John,,,I always carry around a little note pad,,,,I find inspiration in listening to conversations on the tram/bus/train,,,, I also have an ideas journal,, which is chocka block,, and things I have written down a year ago, I still havent attempted to do yet,,,, some ideas as you say take time,,, love your advice,,,, wendy
Jan Piller
Well said John! So true but we wouldn’t want that pretty camera to just rot away in your closet – how about you send it to me for safe keeping?? hmmm??
John Robb replied
They didn’t rot away in the closet – I loaned all my gear left behind to good photographic friends, including a few bubblers, when I went traveling recently.
Mike Emmett
Indeed. If it helps, I’ll take that lens off your hands.
chris Whitney
Great food for thought and way to raise our images to a deeper level.
Matthew Dawkins
Well said. Anytime I’m shooting someone I get to know everything I can about them. One of my recent shoots I talked cars with a model most of the time. One thing lead to another and we ended up doing a shoot on her car. Very rarely do I end up talking about what we are doing or anything photography. Also, I recommend everyone do this….always carry a notebook with you. I have one at home, in my car, and in a desk drawer at work that I always scribble ideas in.
Christine Wilson
I have a little note book by the computer that I write stuff in, it maybe a title for a shot that hasn’t even been taken yet, or it maybe an idea for a shot that I want to do . I rarely come in from taking photos and put one up straight a way.Sometimes a years can pass between taking the original shot and finally doing something with it I need to sit and think about what I’ve done only occasionally will I put a shot from a recent shoot but it usually takes at least a week.
Melinda Kerr
Sounds like wonderful ‘photography fuel’ :)
Shoaib .
hey thats funny i found this journal .. and you said .. talk to a writer..
i first joined RB to post my writing only … and i fell in love with the art aspect of it … now i m def far from a photographer but … a thinker for sure… so i have tried to make images that reflect what i write….
That is why i couldnt agree more with you on this journal… after a while no photos stand out unless they are creative….. here is an example of how i wrote something the cherry blossom and then added to a photo to complete a vision
Paul Clayton
John,
Some fantastic advice is contained in your musing.
Thanks
Paul Manning
I think you’re on the money! cheers Paul
transmute
One of my favourite quotes, and I don’t know who to attribute it to, is “Vision without craft remains
unfulfilled. Craft without vision is meaningless.”
John Robb replied
....and a quote in reply:
“Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.”
John Lennon
animo
i like your little blue camera—and your insights. thanks for sharing JR.
John Robb replied
The cool chicks dig the little blue one.
earthairfire
Seeing as you’ll not be needing it anymore, can I have your 400mm please?? :)
Roger Barnes
Great thoughts. The title bugged me a little, but it did make me click through. I guess “You can’t improve your photography much using just a camera” doesn’t sound as confronting. :)
John Robb replied
Perhaps it is a little confronting because we invest money in our camera equipment. We also tend to hide behind it and use it as a shield sometimes – as an example if a camera can’t technically do what we ask we forget that sometimes we were the ones to ask too much of it in the first place.
Bruce Watson
Generally what you say rings true John. Just last night I went to a big event and deliberately didn’t take my camera. I didn’t regret it. The interior vision and imprint of the experience is always with us for recall, regardless of whether its been recorded externally or not.
JimFilmer
amen – John… wise words well spken
Josie Jackson
Thank you for sharing your thoughts John, taking notes is a great idea, I have a few myself, and never take a picture just for the sake of itGreat words of wisdom, thank you.
John Robb replied
Thanks Josie.
zoompix
True , a camera is just a tool the skill is within the user
Jo O'Brien
this has been featured in today’s daily wrap
John Robb replied
thank you Jo
aglaia b
a wise man once said hehe
in total aggreeance here. ;-) xox
John Robb replied
Oh a wise people have probably said what I mentioned many times before but thank you all the same. :-)
Paul Louis Vil...
I’m totally in love with your cowboy boots! ;p
Paul Louis Vil...
Ok… that was pretty random! hehe!
Your journal is sooooo spot on, inspiration can be gathered from all parts. Usually it is another persons talent, looks, brains, smile or just their conversation that sets the creative fire ablaze!
John Robb replied
“inspiration can be gathered from all parts”
....even a pair of cowboy boots :-)
linaji
Gosh John.. I really really feel what you are saying.. I am in a break now after a very successful show and I think that getting some stuff done just for me is important too. I am going to museums and out to the park.. your advice is so right on time for me.