Everything on planet earth requires growth, or we die.

Apparently even when we are in a state of homeostasis— we are still technically “growing.”

Even the old— it seems that their bodies are breaking down. But their minds continually expand, their wisdom keeps growing, and the ones that live the healthiest are always beginners— hungry to keep learning.

One of the things that excites me the most about photography is the potential for growth. The potential to keep learning. The potential to improve.

For me, one of the best ways to keep growing is to stay humble. Once we feel like we’ve discovered everything — that is when we start dying. We start to close off our ears and eyes to the opinion of others, and we stop taking in new ideas, information, and creative potential.

For me, I am always trying to add more complexity, interest, and edginess to my own work. I want more dynamic images, with more emotion, and more visual impact. I am my most critical critic— and I feel that is what keeps me growing.

When it comes to fitness, I am obsessed with building the strongest body that I can. I believe a strong link of the body and mind. The stronger I make my body, the stronger I make my mind. Therefore everytime when I workout, I try to increase the resistance, weight, or difficulty just a little. And I don’t take plateaus for an answer. I know my body has no limits, which allows me to keep getting stronger.

The more I discover about photography, the more ignorant I realize I am. There are dozens, hundreds, thousands of photographers whose names I don’t even know. There are lot more masters of photography I can continue to learn from, and to share this information with others.

Prune

I also feel an important part of growth as a photographer is knowing what to prune.

If you’re a gardener, you know that you need to prune or cut the weaker stems, leaves, or parts that is holding back our growth.

In photography, we might need to prune the number of people we follow on social media. Or perhaps we need to prune the weaker photos from our portfolios. Or perhaps we need to prune negative people, who always talk smack about others and themselves.

We need to nourish ourselves with the best nutrients. To look at the work of the masters, to look at work of compelling contemporary photographers, and to expect the best of ourselves.

I feel the more I grow as a photographer, the more my personal philosophy of photography evolves. I used to be much more about social media “success”, but now I am more interested in discovering why I photograph— my intentions, purposes, and emotions. I don’t want to make photos to just get a lot of likes on social media anymore— I want to make bodies of work that can empower, uplift, and inspire others. And furthermore, make images that help me appreciate the beauty of life— to document the beautiful people I meet, the lives of my loved ones, and for me to grow as a human being.

So friend, focus on growth in your photography and life. Don’t settle for what you already have. Don’t stagnate, or hit plateaus. You must continue to grow, or you will die.

Be strong always,
Eric

Learn more: Motivation >