Being a better photographer gets harder the better you get

[Derek Lofgreen]

Lately I have been frustrating myself with my work and it’s made me think about how I have grown in skill and my creative path forward. Sitting down and thinking about why my work wasn’t meeting my expectations was an interesting exercise.

Click here to watch the full blog entry content.

Don't hesitate to comment about this blog entry.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Yesterday I watched an interview with movie director Steven Spielberg, who made ET, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Saving Private Ryan, Schindlers List, Jurassic Park, and other all time favorites. He said he never watches his movies after they're done because he always finds places where he wishes he had done it differently, or better.

 

[tstroh]

I agree with Alan’s sentiment and a good message from the doc. I’ll admit I haven’t read the blog yet, but this struggle is one we are all faced with. I think its important to figure out where it’s coming from, is it insecurity in defining voice? Comparisons to others work? Or are you seeking some form of perfection? The latter is futile and delusion, and in my own work fight constantly.

 

[Harry Callahan]

...

Click here to watch the full blog entry content.

...

When i click on this i get to a lot of articles of different people, but not where you describe why you are frustrated.

But in general i think one reason for getting frustrated is that your own expectations rise when you`re getting better. When i started (analog) i was happy when i produced a recognizable print, today my expectations are (a lot) higher...

 

[awty]

I'm no better or worse than I was 10 years ago. Once a picture is done, I usually can't think of anything to improve. Creativity comes in waves, when your on the wave ride it, when not wait for the next one to come...and it will.

 

[koraks]

When i click on this i get to a lot of articles of different people, but not where you describe why you are frustrated.

This is a bug we have yet to resolve. @Sean, apparently it wasn't fixed yet when this blog was submitted yesterday. Could you please have a look at it? Thanks!
The blog in question can be found here: https://www.lofgreenimages.com/blog...-photographer-gets-harder-the-better-you-get/
Apologies for any inconvenience!

 

[pentaxuser]

Just seen your blog, Derek, thanks to koraks. Sorry I can't help all the pics I saw looked perfect to me


pentaxuser

 

[Harry Callahan]

This is a bug we have yet to resolve. @Sean, apparently it wasn't fixed yet when this blog was submitted yesterday. Could you please have a look at it? Thanks!
The blog in question can be found here: https://www.lofgreenimages.com/blog...-photographer-gets-harder-the-better-you-get/
Apologies for any inconvenience!

Thanks for the info!

 

[Harry Callahan]

Now that i can read your blog, i see that you`re having it all together already.

Maybe one thing i could add: Sometimes it can help to remember what expectations/skills you had when you started. If you can recall your starting point you may be able to value your today`s work more.

 

[Derek Lofgreen]

Thanks for reading my thoughts on my blog. It means a lot that you had something to say. All good comments above. Thanks for the fix on the blog posting side too @koraks!

What I was mostly trying to work out was, why I was loosing the "mojo" and joy in making photographs? I would try harder but come back from the field not excited or happy with my results. It wasn't a matter of comparing my work to others, or trying to please others. I was just not excited to get out and shoot or disappointed when I was excited and came back with junk.

To some degree creativity comes in waves, but I don't think it's some voodoo thing that when your on a streak roll with it. After taking some time for self reflection and sticking too what I think I have learned, I have found the fun and "flow" in my photography again. Creativity takes work and execution takes practice. In this case, for me, it was a matter of seeing differently. Challenging myself to look beyond the expected or do the same thing I have done before.

Thanks,
D.

 

[koraks]

Thanks for the fix on the blog posting side too @koraks!

Sure thing! For any structural work there's really @Sean to thank. I've also fixed the link in post #1 of this thread, which I had overlooked before.

What I was mostly trying to work out was, why I was loosing the "mojo" and joy in making photographs?

What's so interesting/relevant is that this question pops up from time to time for most of us regardless where we are on our journey. And also that these words from your conclusion will always remain applicable, just with different outcomes of the process of reflection:

taking some time to re evaluate, meditate or take a close look at your motives, past work, goals etc.

 

[Vaughn]

There is much you wrote that I agree with and some that I do not. But my agreement and disagreements are minor issues and rise from personality differences in ones approach to photography.

If something is easy, one is not moving much.

 

[David Brown]

Years ago, I looked at my photographs and decided I did not need to make any of those same types of photographs again. The operative word is "need". I still make them, but it's because the images present themselves and well, why pass them up? But I wanted to do something different, and I have had less success than I would have wanted. Moving forward is hard. Staying in one place is easy. Every artist (in any medium) that I know struggles with the same thing. You're on the right path, and many of us are right there with you!

For what it's worth, this happens in a lot of endeavors. I am a musician. In high school, I was a section leader and a bit of an elite at that level. In college, everyone had been a section leader in high school. But I was one of the top students in my college. In grad school, everyone had been at the top of their undergrad class. I had reached my level. It helps that both music and photography became mostly recreational (I have made a little money from both) and I can do what I wish. Having nothing to prove takes the pressure off.