Lost19 comments
I’m not one to put myself out there but the reaction to our re-brand was an eye opener for me. Tenielle and I are still digesting it all however we couldn’t be happier with our new site and our decision to move back to film.
What I realised though, is that there’s a lot of people out there desperately seeking to ‘find’ themselves creatively, particularly in our industry. The rapid progress in photographic technology has allowed more people than ever to take what used to be a profession mastered by few, and has made it available to the masses.
This isn’t a bad thing by any means but there is something to be said about that.
The mass distribution of information largely brought on by the development of the internet has taken our industry and many other creative industry’s to whole new levels. Again, this has been a good thing in many ways.
However, you can have too much of a good thing. Too much information.
Too much information means one doesn’t have to think for themselves anymore. One no longer has to find the answer to a question by trial and error, if you’re stuck, just look it up on the web. And if it’s on the web, then it must be the right. Right?
Wrong.
The internet can be as misleading, if not worse than a newspaper or television. It’s too easy to jump online, start reading what other photographers are doing and decide it must be good, adopting it into your process. Not giving it enough thought as to whether or not it’s good for you.
Before you know it you’ve lost yourself, your creativity and how you see the world. You’re left feeling even more confused than before. Left wondering, how can I get my work to look like that, or feeling like you can never achieve what your peers seem to so effortlessly.
It can become a vicious cycle of self-doubt and leaves one feeling uninspired, inadequate, lost.
In the context of this article I’m urging photographers to question everything.
Experiment. Look outside of your industry for your inspiration. What are you about, what are your experiences, what do you love? I’m not even talking about photography, just who you are in everyday life.
If you don’t know how to do something, try to figure it out yourself before asking your peers or looking it up on the web. This will help you grow and come into your own stride. Who knows, maybe you will develop your own method? Something no one else has done before.
The reality is though, that only 20% of people will ever lead an industry and 80% will follow.
If you’re satisfied with being the 80% that’s totally OK. Each to their own.
However, if you want to grow creatively, find your “own thing”, then dig deep and fail.
Try something new and fail.
Learn from it.
Try again and fail.
Continue learning.
This process is slow but the end result is not disappointing.
All of the sudden you’ll find yourself coming into your own stride, no longer anxious about what other people are doing, just focused on your own findings.
Now, please don’t get me wrong. I’m NOT writing this because I think people are copying us. We’re a very small drop in a very large pond of talent.
These are just my thoughts and some tips for people who may feel like they’re stuck in a rut. We’ve been there plenty of times and this is the process that helped us get out and stay out.
I have more to say on this subject but I’m not very good at expressing myself in writing. But at least this is a start, although it’s left me exhausted. Until then, if this helps any of you out there that are feeling a little lost, even one of you. It was worth it.
Just know, you’re certainly not alone.
- Seth
WOW!!! & Hmmmmm….yes your making me think!! this is exactly how Ive been feeling about photography & our industry. this industry has openned up due to the net with lots of people being photography course junkies & net junkies instead of discovery of themselves & their talent. I love yourthoughts & your particular talents…congrats guys
Really enjoyed this post and I fully admit to being one of the people who jumps to Google to find answers sometimes, but you’re absolutely right about taking time away from the net. Going for a walk will do you a lot more good 90% of the time. Thanks for the tips.
I think this post is really insightful, it really shows the journey that you guys are on so thank you for sharing. I agree with you completely and I too strive for the truth with my art, I look at paintings, graphic design, fashion magazines and listen to music and also looking at everyday life to inspire me. This is so apt, I shot a wedding and really pushed myself and just editing it and going with something new for me so thinking about your words as I am editing and feeling bit scared. to grow and know one self is challenging and I am a firm believer that fortune favours the brave. Great post, fab new branding and inspiring thank you x
Seth. Awesome. Seriously important stuff you just said.
heck yes. so true. love the new site too. keep up the eye candy, your art is sweet :)
Thanks for your honest post. I think this whole process requires a never-ending cycle of experimentation and refining. I don’t think you can ever be complacent and having a little fear will make you strive to be the best you can be. But you’re completely right: too much doubting can make you feel lost. Just because one photographer does it one way doesn’t mean it will work for another. I admit I have a teeny crush on your rebranding but that’s okay, I can live with it!
I totally agree. I receive a lot of emails from new photographers asking me what camera I use, and which software I use for my editing… as if something that works for me will work for them and will turn them into a successful photographer!
I’ve found my own style, I’ve build my workflow to suit my personality. This is not something you can exchange with someone, everyone is different and has to find its own path.
I Like this, it’s so true, if I am learning something new, like for example when I wanted to learn about light metering, I tried and failed and repeated, so instead of just finding the answer, it look up the concept so I could understand what I was doing and what I was controlling, and once I knew what it was, I tried, and failed, repeated and finally started being able to understand and control it, to help me grow. :)
love these words :) xx
Lots of good things said. I think it also comes with maturity… and understanding yourself. Some people dont have these motives, and never will.. as you said it is ok but for those that have gotten into the industry for the right reasons.. this is very sound advice.
I think everyone has been guilty of doing it, to be honest if you are in a down patch its hard not to look at other people’s work.. get self critical and start thinking maybe you should switch it up a bit.
Eventually everyone does find their place.. as a team you two have a lot of respect from friends and followers, and giving back this kind of vital information I think is always a great show of character.
Especially if there are some people new to the business here, or looking to get started.. they will get some straight up guidance!
Peace
love.
Love your honesty (and truth) x
Spoken with truth, love and honesty. Those who go exploring and pave their own path will always go on a far more honest and rewarding journey. Allowing yourself to fall over the rocky winding paths, rather then just simply ask for directions and following the pavement is what sets you apart, and it shows in your work time and time again! Chins up, your awesome!
Kudos to you : )
I’d say you’re very good with words, Seth. Thank you for the reminder to look deep and look inward and for me, most importantly…to embrace the process. Much love to you and Tenielle both from a big fan in Florida :)
ahhhh! i love this.
Yes. Yes, indeed.
As someone who is just starting out, I often find myself comparing my work to that of others and feeling inadequate as a result. I then find it hard to even bother taking photos because I feel they will never be “good enough”. Reading this post makes me put everything into perspective; trying and failing and experimenting can be tough, but it is also half the fun, and is so worth it in the end. Thanks for reminding me of this :)
Nice! Very good. So I got this shoot coming up and was wondering if I should do it like this or like that, your thoughts..