Every time I pick up my camera and head out for a shoot, whether it’s for personal enjoyment or professional work, I know there’s no guarantee I’ll come back with the perfect shot. Sometimes, I succeed blissfully, capturing moments that make my heart sing. Other times, I fail miserably, returning home with nothing but frustration. But that’s the nature of photography—it’s a numbers game.
The more you shoot, the more you increase your odds of success. It’s through our failures and inabilities that we often find the inspiration and motivation to keep going. Each missed shot, each imperfect frame, is a stepping stone towards improvement. It’s a process of learning and growing, and it’s essential to embrace it.
There are days when the weather seems to be fighting against you, when the light is all wrong, or when the rain just won’t stop. On other occasions, time isn’t on your side. You might have a perfect scene in mind, but the sun sets too quickly, or the moment passes before you’re ready. And then there are those times when you just fuck up—settings are off, focus is wrong, or you simply miss the shot. It’s frustrating, but it’s part of the journey. Relax. Even enjoy the mistakes. You’re growing in photography.
The key is to get over yourself. Don’t let a morose frame of mind hold you back. Keep shooting. Keep pushing through the challenges. Every failure is an opportunity to learn, to adjust, and to improve. It’s easy to get discouraged, but remember that even the best photographers have bad days. They have moments when nothing seems to go right. What sets them apart is their persistence and their willingness to keep going.
I’ve found that quite often, when you feel the least inspired, a creative spark awaits just around the corner. In those moments of doubt and frustration, you might stumble upon something truly extraordinary. Maybe it’s a unique angle you hadn’t considered before, or a fleeting moment of perfect light. Inspiration can strike when you least expect it, but only if you’re out there, camera in hand, ready to capture it.
So, to all my fellow photographers, I say this: Embrace the journey. Accept that not every shoot or shot will be a success, and that’s okay. Learn from your mistakes, and let them fuel your passion. Keep shooting, keep experimenting, and keep pushing your boundaries. The more you shoot, the more you’ll grow, and the more likely you will capture those magical moments that make it all worthwhile.
Remember, photography is not just always about the end result. It’s about the process, the experience, and the joy of creating. So, get out there, face the challenges head-on, and keep shooting. Your next great shot could be just around the corner.
These shots from Molde, Norway are a good example of both the struggle and triumph of the process of creating.
This Port, for reasons unknown, didn’t thrill me upon arrival. Plus I was fighting a cold and time constraints, in addition to grinding through some personal issues in my head. Ughhh. I wasn’t in the mood for photography but went out anyway to explore.
But after a short afternoon, I managed, not unsurprisingly, to walk away with a few keepers and ditched the clunkers.
Embrace the Journey: Keep Shooting Through the Highs and Lows. It’s worth the effort.
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Jack
