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2 Lies Photographers Tell Themselves

It was a hot day in Tunisia when it happened.  I had flown to North Africa to study Arabic for a summer, but I admit I was perhaps less diligent in studying than I was in photo-blogging the whole adventure.  I wandered the streets photographing old mosques, kids playing pick-up soccer in empty lots, the bustling fruit and vegetable market, the piles of peaches and watermelons, the dazzling mosaics and decorative doors.  Classmates swiped my photos and made them their profile pictures, and I soon started hearing comments on our field trips like “oh good, Jenika brought her camera, that means I don’t have to take pictures.”

One afternoon we were all crowded into the whitewashed library (the only air-conditioned room in the school) when the program director came in to see me.

“We need a class photo, and I heard that you have a great camera.”

“Uhhh…..not really.”  I fished into my blue backpack and produced my battered, outdated, 5-megapixel point and shoot.  I dangled it by the strap and held it up for him to see.

He stared at it.  “Oh,” he said.

The whirr of the ceiling fan filled the silence.  And then he left.

This story has nothing to do with my photography.  The images I was taking weren’t going to win any awards.  But I reflect on this incident often, particularly when I’m feeling sorry for myself.

It took the director less than two seconds to ascertain the obvious – everyone on the trip had a better camera than I did.  I had just bothered to figure out how to use mine.

By simply taking hundreds of photographs, I had figured out what conditions it worked well under, and how to rig the non-manual settings to produce what I needed it to produce.  Which naturally meant that the images were going to be stronger than if I had only occasionally pulled it out and hit a button, relying on luck and the camera’s sensor alone.  There’s no magic to it – people simply become better at things they practice doing. 

When you practice something, your neurons change. 

You react more quickly.  You make faster connections.  Your brain recruits new areas to process what it’s seeing – in greater depth and specificity.  You notice relevant patterns more readily.  You perceive potential problems with greater ease.  You use your increased knowledge to solve those problems swiftly and with greater confidence.  Over time, you start to do many things without even having to think about them – freeing up mental resources to handle more advanced issues.

When Emerson said “That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do, not that the nature of the thing itself has changed, but that our power to do it is increased,” he wasn’t spewing new age, self-helpy nonsense.  That’s neuroscience, my friend.

And it doesn’t happen while you’re sitting around.

There are two lies that are responsible for a whole lot of inertia and stagnation in the photography world.  They aren’t necessarily things you say out loud, but subtle beliefs that shape your behavior in ways you may not realize.  Time to call them out and give ’em the boot.  They are:

Lie #1: “I don’t have any clients today, so there’s no need to pull out the camera.”

In the words of Helen Hayes, if you rest, you rust.  There is always – always – more to learn, and some things will only be learned by wandering the streets with your camera, playing with light.

You know how you always mess that one thing up?  How your images are never *quite* what you want them to be in that one respect?  Grab a friend, set up a personal shoot, and fix it.  Stop waiting for someone to hire you – hire yourself.   The money will follow.

Lie #2:  “I’ll take better photos when I have X camera, Y lens, or Z light modifier”

Don’t put a cast on a leg that’s not broken – you’ll be limping for no reason.  Your gear that you have right now is fine.  Shoot more with it and your images will improve, guaranteed.

I recently watched a documentary called A Man Named Pearl.  Pearl Fryar lives in an impoverished town in South Carolina.  One day, he decided to start building a decorative garden with junk plants from the trash heap at a local nursery.  He had no formal training in horticulture or sculpting with plants – he just went into his yard and started working.  He worked every spare moment he had, sometimes late into the night.  Today, his garden draws thousands from around the world.  He guest lectures at prestigious universities and has appeared multiple times on national television.  The tourists who flock to see his garden have revived the economy in his hometown.

As I watched the documentary, I couldn’t help but consider: What if Pearl had sat around thinking “Oh, I’ll work more when I get a better saw,” or “I’ll be able to really do something when I get a taller ladder,” or “I could do so much better if I had a few thousand dollars to spend on real plants”?

All of that may have been true – but that kind of thinking would never have landed him on Good Morning America, would it?  I’m not saying that a new lens would absolutely have no effect on what you’re doing.  I AM saying that spending too much time pining after that new lens WILL affect what you’re doing.  Do what you can with what you have – and it’ll always be more than you think.

Gretchen Rubin wrote: “[Money] often stands for the things we feel we are lacking: If only we had the money, we’d be adventurous or thin or cultured or respected or generous.”

I think you could subsititute the word ‘money’ for ‘better gear’ (or ‘better Lightroom presets’ or ‘a better logo’ or whatever you’re currently stuck on).  Far too often we waste time wishing for things because we’re sure that they’d make us a better photographer.  YOU make you a better photographer.  You can be a killer photographer right now with whatever you have in your pocket.  Joe McNally has all the gear in the world, but I’d bet he could put me to shame with an iPhone.  Images are created by your mind, not the camera.

And please note: If you have finally gotten the camera of your dreams, don’t use that as an excuse not to practice.  My beautiful L glass has produced some crap images, and that was my fault – not Canon’s.  The fact that the 5D Mark ii allows me to get lucky and land more shots more often doesn’t mean I should count on that happening during a real shoot.  Professionalism is about consistently producing great work no matter the circumstances.  Professionalism comes from practice and experience, not a camera.

This post is as much for myself as anyone else. 

But since I have you here reading, let me say – you’re doing fine.  Things will get better.  And they’ll get better much faster if you get out there and work.  Back to it!

 

Jenika

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53 Comments

  1. Libby on April 19, 2012 at 1:02 am

    AMEN!! I feel this way, WAY too often! Thank you for this!

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 1:03 am

      high fives Libby!

  2. Libby on April 19, 2012 at 1:03 am

    Amen!! I feel this way, WAY too often! Thank you for writing this!

  3. Kristy on April 19, 2012 at 1:16 am

    You know how sometimes you hve to be reminded of something all the time to really get it? Yeah, me too. I am bookmarking this post! Thank you!

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 1:23 am

      Yes I do – and indeed, this post was partly me reminding myself! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

  4. Allison on April 19, 2012 at 1:31 am

    Well, a virtual hug to you, too! 🙂

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 1:44 am

      Thanks Allison!

  5. Joni Bilderback on April 19, 2012 at 1:37 am

    “When people ask what equipment I use –I tell them my eyes” -anonymous

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 1:45 am

      LOVE IT!!!!

  6. Becky on April 19, 2012 at 1:46 am

    Love your posts, this one is no exception. Back to it…:)

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 6:03 am

      aww yeah!! thanks Becky.

  7. Madeline on April 19, 2012 at 1:52 am

    That was an awesome blog. It rang so true. Great work!

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 2:00 am

      thanks for the kind words, madeline!

  8. Misty Bradley on April 19, 2012 at 3:48 am

    Jenika, I really think you are writing some of the most refreshing and important info for photographers today. Thank you for sharing your gift!

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 6:03 am

      Thanks for the kind words, Misty – they are always appreciated.

  9. Meeshi on April 19, 2012 at 4:06 am

    Wonderful post! I loved that you quoted emerson, you’re at the top of my blog list now!!

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 4:14 am

      haha, thanks! Glad you stopped by!!

  10. maria ramil on April 19, 2012 at 12:08 pm

    OK, I agree in principle…
    But when starting in business there are so many other things (besides the camera) that you need to learn by practice too… marketing, newsletters, blogging, logos, branding, accounts, pricing, workflow, customer service… That’s my excuse (and the light is dull today)

    But thanks for sharing Jenika. Brilliant post as usual

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 2:51 pm

      Oh sure – practice applies to everything, but not feasible to cover everything in one post 😉 I did try to hint at that at the end, though – thinking ‘I’ll be a better editor when I get better LR presets’, for example. There are lots of planets to align, so to speak, in starting a business! I know in my first year of business I wasted too much time reading blogs instead of taking action – on both fronts.

  11. Jennifer on April 19, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    New reader, but wanted to say thank you for posting this! Great reminder that practice does really help in the long run. I’m still learning the ins and outs of my DSLR and often feel like my photos are horrible (for lack of a better term). Bookmarking this and plan to refer back to it often!

  12. Christy on April 19, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    Oh this is sooo good!! And oh soooo true!!

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 2:46 pm

      🙂

  13. Britt Anderson on April 19, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    It is hard holding out for the new camera, lens, etc….but when you get it when you actually need it, it makes a world of difference!!! Great post!

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 2:46 pm

      amen! of course new gear is great – I just know that people hold off on doing great things ‘until’ they have it – which is tragic!

  14. Heather on April 19, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    It’s kind embarrassing how long I go between picking up the camera sometimes. Thanks for this kick in the pants. I really needed it!

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 3:16 pm

      🙂 Haha, we all need it sometimes! Thanks for the comment!

  15. Julio on April 19, 2012 at 5:10 pm

    My jaw kind of dropped while reading this, realizing I’ve been blaming the size of my school bag for not carrying my camera around as often as I should be – everyday.

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 5:12 pm

      🙂 I hope you get going again!

  16. Rayleigh Leavitt on April 19, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    I love this post. There are many photographers who put down others who don’t have the greatest gear. Like they aren’t “real” photographers if they don’t have the Mark III. But I love how you encourage those with modest equipment to use what they have and continue to grow and learn. You don’t put down those who are working their way up. Thank you.

  17. Abby Hacker on April 19, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    What a wonderful post! Thank you!

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 6:29 pm

      thanks for dropping by! 🙂

  18. Nigel Merrick (Photography Coach) on April 19, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    An excellent post and thanks for sharing the entertaining story! I hear these same “lies” and others from my coaching students all the time, and it’s amazing how they try to justify the desire to purchase that brand new Canon or Nikon, when yesterday they were doing just fine without it!

    Then, I hear lie #3 – “I won’t hire a coach because I can’t afford it… oh, and, by the way, can you tell how me I deal with prospects who won’t hire me as their photographer because they say they can’t afford it…” 🙂

    Look forward to reading more of your blog!

    • Jenika on April 19, 2012 at 8:47 pm

      LOL – your “lie #3” made me laugh out loud. 😉 I’ve been trying to figure out a polite way to address the ‘double standard’ actually….photographers complaining about cheap clients, then turning around and complaining about ‘outrageously expensive’ education/gear/templates, etc. It costs money to get exactly what you want, and that works both ways….

  19. Marie on April 19, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    Wow. Nailed it.
    Great post, Jenika.

  20. Charlene Thomas on April 20, 2012 at 12:34 am

    This is wonderful food for thought. It is SO easy to slip into the laziness. And other than practice making me a better photog, it is also pure joy to roam around with my camera in my hands! Great job!

  21. Viki Reed on April 20, 2012 at 10:58 am

    My fav part of the Pearl documentary is how he’d approach neighbors and say, ‘oh man, you don’t need that trimmer…lemme take that off your hands…’woosh! Before they knew it their tool that they didn’t really need would be gone. He changed their neighborhood. EVERYONE started doing topiary and landscaping. He even knew to trench the beds-even cooler…his garden is evergreen.

    • Jenika on April 23, 2012 at 12:38 am

      haha, I loved that too! So much that was inspiring about the documentary – what an incredible man!

  22. Tim on April 20, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    So true! Your blog posts amaze me every time I read them! You seems to address so many things I go through or have thought about. Thank you.
    From Dedicated Reader!

  23. ashlee on April 29, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    I LOVE UR POSTS !!!
    Images are created by your mind, not the camera.- thank you – i needed to hear this – Its so easy to say we cant get there because of our gear – ! Love this post – thanks again !

  24. miranda on May 21, 2012 at 2:37 am

    thanks for the spanking….plus i love Pearl!

    • Jenika on May 21, 2012 at 5:06 am

      Isn’t he incredible?
      🙂

  25. Tabitha on February 1, 2013 at 6:47 pm

    So very, very true and thanks for the reminder to get out my camera and use it everyday!

  26. Jenna on April 7, 2013 at 12:59 am

    Wow, for once a blog I could actually see my self reading every single post… Good job!

  27. Penelope on April 23, 2013 at 9:19 pm

    “Images are created by your mind, not the camera.” <—-So profound! Thank you for this post. I really needed to read it!

  28. Ramy on June 8, 2013 at 7:41 pm

    I am currently reading a book titled, “Picture Perfect Practice” written by a wedding photographer L.A. He says the same thing and it’s true! During the winter months, I practiced, practiced and practiced some more on my composition. Well, until my daughter got tired of me.

    I noticed a big difference in how I photographed my first wedding in 2013. Yes, practice makes perfect.

  29. Cassandra on October 15, 2013 at 10:37 am

    I have just found your blog and I’m reading through it! I just wanted to say a huge thanks cause I am thoroughly enjoying it!!

  30. Ashley on January 23, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    I really needed to hear this. Thank you for sharing!

  31. Belinda on January 30, 2014 at 6:04 pm

    Some great reminders! I love the photos by the way!

  32. LeTonya on February 15, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    This is the motivation I REALLY needed!!! Words can’t describe what this single blog means to me. Thank you sooooo much!

  33. Chelsea on March 29, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    This is SPOT ON! Definitely needed to see this this weekend. Thank you!

  34. Joshua on June 28, 2014 at 11:06 am

    Hi Jenika, this is a very refreshing post! As someone who does photography for a hobby and who is starting to write about psychology I’ve been enjoying your content 🙂

    Just a question, did you take these photos in this post with that point and shoot camera? 😀

    Joshua

  35. Kenneth Ingham on December 3, 2014 at 9:05 pm

    I just read this while procrastinating photo editing. OK, the universe is trying to tell me something 🙂

    Back to work.

  36. david on August 3, 2015 at 10:15 am

    I love this – Thanks!

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