Two Hurdles You Will Face In Photography

The Two Inevitable Hurdles of Your Photographic Journey and How to Overcome Them

Self-discovery. You would think this would come naturally for each of us. After all, who knows you...better than you?

And yet, self discovery and self realizations are a billion-dollar industry.

Two Hurdles You Will Face In Photography

We are always aware of our own needs, we just donʼt necessarily know how to take care of them. Photography is no exception because it explores and captures life through our eyes.

But at some point, the lack of understanding begins to take hold, and it can cast doubt upon our photographic journey.

You might ask yourself "Am I doing this correctly?" Why are my photos looking like this, when all the other photographers images I see out there look just as good? They must be better. Am I taking the best pictures that could possible take? And with so many different photography styles and techniques to choose from - why do some of my photographs work out while others don't seem to measure up? What is wrong me?! Everyone seems to love street photography these days but that's not for me. I don't get the fascination. All want is beautiful floral shots or light trails or vibrant colors.

You might start asking yourself questions: am i actually performing well enough in certain areas or what can make a difference between mine seeming worse than everyone elseʼs image quality.

Ah, the age old question of whether or not we are photographing well. Itʼs a good thing I have my gut as an honest-to-goodness truth teller to keep me grounded in reality when it comes to myself and photography. Do I always now how I captured a particularly good image? No.

I can't always figure out what's going on with my camera during shoots, but thankfully I've got this little voice inside that tells me how things really are - at least most of the time.

Thatʼs ‘phase oneʼ of the photographic journey that every photographer goes through after acquiring their beautiful new camera.

Then comes ‘phase twoʼ... Youʼll recognize ‘phase twoʼ when you start saying things like, “I canʼt think of anything to photograph”.

As a photographer, one of the most common phrases Iʼve heard is "I can't think of anything to photograph." This is mostly because you havenʼt gone through exploration or self-discovery.

Don’t worry. If this happens too often, then usually there are some go-to topics that work for everyone: landscapes and nature shots; urban architecture photos with people in them; street photography as well. There are so many possibilities.

Here is a secret- Outside of photography, you have interests and predetermined personality traits and talents that can and should sway your photographic journey.

Letʼs review a shortlist of photographic opportunities and what they might potentially require of you-

Night Photography - Are you a night person? Would it excite you to be out somewhere in the middle of the night, staring at your camera with a flashlight? Have you actually attempted this genre, or do you simply harbor an idle curiosity about it? But you donʼt know where to start?

Travel Photography - Do you enjoy going to new places and interacting with strangers? Do you consider traveling to a city two hours away just as exciting as traveling to a country 5,000 miles away? Are you mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared to deal with the unexpected?

Landscape Photography - Do you enjoy spending hours alone out in nature? How do you feel about getting up out of bed several hours before sunrise? Do you enjoy hiking and exercise?

As you can see from this concise list, each genre has specific requirements for you to fully succeed.

If youʼre not keen to set up a camera in the middle of the night, then night photography may not be your thing. Or, maybe it is, and you simply havenʼt discovered that fact yet, because youʼve been hesitant, and you havenʼt gone through the steps of exploration and self- realization.

Establishing what you love to photograph is essential; however, there is another crucial element to self-realization in the photographic process. That element is your technical and aesthetic training and understanding of the photographic process.

You know that youʼve always had an artistic mind. You are consistently the one in a crowd to see the dramatic angle or the delicate spiral that everyone else misses. You wonder, “How can I use that effectively in my photography?”

Ask yourself - Are you interested in self-discovery?

Would you like to try different types of photography with a specific goal plan rather than just guessing at how to go about it?

Would you enjoy self-guiding through a fun and entertaining photographic program? Are you an explorer that isnʼt satisfied with the ordinary?

Are you tired of not understanding the tech and art of photography? Is it time to become excited again?

You are? Grab the moment.