Learning from Mistakes: How They Shaped My Photography Journey

Throughout my photography journey, I've encountered various mistakes that have served as valuable learning experiences, ultimately shaping my understanding and approach to the craft. In this blog post, I'll share some of these mistakes and how they've contributed to my growth as a photographer.

Gear isn’t the magic wand:

Now I know we all like having the latest shiny gadget or in photography terms the latest camera, lens and all the trimmings, however, it is important to recognise that all of these tools will only serve us if we totally understand the fundamentals of photography first. If we don’t fully understand then all that this new camera is going to do is produce a better quality bad image. Instead I would recommend mastering the settings of even the most basic of cameras first before even considering upgrading to that monster megapixel beast. Then when you do eventually upgrade you will know what you are doing and be able to do it well.

Not Understanding the Exposure Triangle:

Early on, I underestimated the importance of mastering the exposure triangle. By learning to manipulate aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings, I gained greater control over exposure and creative effects in my photographs. Understanding the exposure triangle has enabled me to overcome exposure challenges and achieve the desired results consistently. This will be the difference in being able to bag that shot when you get fleeting light or conditions that you need to think and act fast.

Not Having a Subject Identifiable:

Initially, I struggled with compositions lacking an identifiable subject. This mistake taught me the importance of identifying and emphasizing the main subject within the frame. By learning this skill through making mistakes, I've created more compelling and impactful compositions, drawing viewers' attention to the focal point of my photographs. I would highly recommend you also make mistakes, but also learn from them. Study the compositions of other photographers and see how they have identified the star of the show and try to then emulate the same approach when you are at a location.

Not Shooting at the Right Time:

Another mistake I made was not considering the timing of my shoots. Through trial and error, I learned the significance of capturing images during the golden hour, leveraging soft, warm light to enhance the mood and atmosphere of my photographs. Understanding the optimal times for shooting has elevated the quality of my images and allowed me to convey the desired emotions more effectively. This can be achieved by also going out at the wrong time on purpose, using the outing as an opportunity to fine-tune a composition, ready to take the shot when the light does arrive at the right time. I also learned that giving yourself enough time is also key, don’t rock up to a location 10 minutes before sunrise or sunset, instead get there well beforehand to scope out the location fully.

Not Forcing Myself to Get Out of Auto Mode:

Remaining in auto mode limited my creative control and hindered my growth as a photographer. Transitioning to manual shooting modes empowered me to take full control of my camera settings, resulting in images that better reflect my creative vision. Embracing manual mode has unlocked new possibilities and expanded my capabilities as a photographer. I could only do this once I fully understood the exposure triangle of course, so don’t stay in the comfort of auto, instead make mistakes and learn from them in manual mode.

Not Shooting in RAW:

For a while, I overlooked the benefits of shooting in RAW format. However, by embracing RAW files, I gained greater flexibility and control during post-processing. RAW images retain more detail and dynamic range, allowing me to fine-tune exposure, colour, and other aspects of the image to achieve the desired look. Shooting in RAW format has enhanced the quality and versatility of my photographs. JPEGs are output files and should never be edited as you simply don’t have the data to play with in the file.

Only Shooting at Eye Level:

Initially, I tended to stick to shooting at eye level, limiting the variety and creativity of my compositions. Exploring different angles and perspectives has broadened my creative horizons and enriched my photography. By diversifying shooting perspectives, I've been able to capture more dynamic and visually engaging images that stand out from the crowd.

Buying Cheap Tripods:

Investing in cheap tripods proved to be a mistake that compromised the stability and reliability of my photography equipment. Recognising the importance of quality tripod support, I upgraded to a sturdy and durable tripod, ensuring stable support and consistent results in various shooting conditions. Investing in a quality tripod has been a worthwhile investment, contributing to the overall improvement of my photography. Why would you spend all that money on a camera body and lens, to then put it at the full mercy of a 50$ tripod?

In conclusion, each of these mistakes has played a crucial role in shaping my photography journey and enhancing my skills as a photographer. Embracing these learning experiences and applying the lessons learned has been instrumental in my growth and development. My advice to all photographers is to embrace mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth, as they can ultimately lead to significant improvements in your photos.

You can watch the video I made about this below, I hope it helps you also on your own journey and don’t be afraid of mistakes