I'm certain that there's something to the statement "practice makes perfect". Obviously, if you work hard at something, you're most likely going to improve, and I can see the opposite being true as well: if you don't practice a skill, you're going to quickly notice when you finally return back to it.
For example, there was a few months awhile back when I didn't pick up a single book. That was extremely unusual for me since I typically go through one to two novels in a week. Anyways, after a period of not reading, I notice my vocabulary starting to shrink and the next time I did pick up a book, it took me an extremely long time to read and comprehend it.
The same is true with my photography. In eighth grade, I started really getting into it and was doing photoshoots with friends on a regular basis. I saw myself improving. However, due to lack of models and time, I haven't done many photoshoots since last year and as a result, have seen my photographs getting worse and worse. When I take a big batch of pictures (around 500 a shoot) there are only a lucky few that I deem "decent but definitely needs work".
It's actually really depressing.
On my snow day last month, I convinced my lovely friend, Anna (say hello to Anna everyone!), to model for me and she did a wonderful job. It was my first photoshoot in almost a year though so I was a bit rusty (aka I had to double check where the shutter button was). However, I wanted to share a few of my pictures because by forcing myself to show people my failures makes me want to improve myself so I have something stunning to show y'all in the future.
For example, there was a few months awhile back when I didn't pick up a single book. That was extremely unusual for me since I typically go through one to two novels in a week. Anyways, after a period of not reading, I notice my vocabulary starting to shrink and the next time I did pick up a book, it took me an extremely long time to read and comprehend it.
The same is true with my photography. In eighth grade, I started really getting into it and was doing photoshoots with friends on a regular basis. I saw myself improving. However, due to lack of models and time, I haven't done many photoshoots since last year and as a result, have seen my photographs getting worse and worse. When I take a big batch of pictures (around 500 a shoot) there are only a lucky few that I deem "decent but definitely needs work".
It's actually really depressing.
On my snow day last month, I convinced my lovely friend, Anna (say hello to Anna everyone!), to model for me and she did a wonderful job. It was my first photoshoot in almost a year though so I was a bit rusty (aka I had to double check where the shutter button was). However, I wanted to share a few of my pictures because by forcing myself to show people my failures makes me want to improve myself so I have something stunning to show y'all in the future.
Re-looking (that isn't a word is it?) at these pictures makes me realize how much more I need to and want to practice. I want to be great at what I do. I'm still learning though, and my understanding of photography and how it works is growing and maybe one day I will be great. For right now though, I'll just try to be content with my current skill level and try to not beat myself up over mistakes or a set of pictures that only contains one "decent but definitely needs work" photo and 499 other displeasing ones.
After all, it is said that your first 40,000 pictures are your worst. I still have at least 30,000 to go! #confidenceboost
I just have to keep on practicing and taking advantage of Anna's loveliness! Thank you for being a perfect model Anna, even though I ruined your gorgeous face with my rusty photographer skills.
After all, it is said that your first 40,000 pictures are your worst. I still have at least 30,000 to go! #confidenceboost
I just have to keep on practicing and taking advantage of Anna's loveliness! Thank you for being a perfect model Anna, even though I ruined your gorgeous face with my rusty photographer skills.