Technical Skill is Overrated
There are so many skills that are needed as a photographer. Starting out I assumed that 90% was technical and 10% was creative skill. As I’ve matured that realization has flipped.
90% Creative Skill // 10% Technical Skill
When a person is starting out in this craft, we are so focused on how the camera works, what camera to use, which YouTuber to watch, what camera gear is needed, and so much more, that we lose focus on the creative aspect. It’s also easy to be influenced by other photographers and social media “experts”.
As I said in previous blogs, I started my journey in 2011. Looking back on my photos I really started improving in 2015-2016. It took me a full 4 years to get over learning how to use the camera and focus on the creative side.
But even as experienced photographers, we can slip right back into the basics and be influenced by others. That’s exactly what happened to me in 2021. I was being overly influenced by landscape photographers on YouTube. I was hyper-focused on the technical aspects and gave myself unrealistic expectations.
Every photo had to be:
Portfolio Quality
Tack Sharp
Taken with a tripod
Only 100 ISO
Only F11
Only Manual Mode
When I started these concepts in 2020, I gained a lot of technical knowledge and I made a lot of great landscape images. But, when I boxed myself with restrictions, it was extremely stifling and hurt my creative process.
Then came 2021. We are back to in-person work, all of our free time is being filled up and there is no more time to create. (or so I thought) Because I put myself in this box, I didn’t take photos. My creative outlet was no longer fun or creative. Don’t get me wrong, I still made some great photos in 2021, but they were limited.
Deep down I knew I needed to change something. When your hobby becomes stressful, you know you have a problem.
I then picked up my Canon AE-1 film camera. It changed everything for me. I wasn’t focused on the technical specs of a photo but on the fun unknown of the film process. I actually started embracing the flaws such as light leaks, film dust, and grain. It was extremely freeing and I found my passion again. And that passion seeped back into my digital photography as well.
My takeaways:
Don’t focus on tech specs
Focus on your creative skills
Camera gear doesn’t matter
Ask yourself, what is my motivation
Take photos for yourself, not others (especially on social media)
Even National Geographic photos are not perfect!
This image is technically terrible, but it’s creatively perfect.
