How do you know if you’re making progress in your photography? Is it important to make progress in your photography?
What is progress?
Progress means to move forward, to walk forward; to advance.
I think as humans, we delight in movement and change. Perhaps it comes from our nomadic DNA; we thrived when we hunted for new resources, foods, and places to live.
Also, humans were created to walk. We are bipeds (two-legged animals) to walk more effectively for long distances. Also much of our human brain is for movement, coordination, and balance.
Therefore, it’s in our DNA to move. I theorize that a lot of our modern mental diseases spring from the fact that we don’t walk much anymore. If we don’t walk, we don’t use critical parts of our brain dedicated to movement. Perhaps this lack of exercising our walking and coordination part of our brain is what causes certain mental illnesses and disorders.
Change is good
Anyways, it is evident that humans delight in change, and seeing positive progress; seeing numbers rise, percentages rise, or for things to get bigger, faster, etc.
I think in our artwork and photography, we delight in perceiving that we are progressing. But what does that really mean?
Perceived Progress vs Real Progress
This is the question we must address;
Is there a difference between perceived progress, and “real” progress?
Also,
What if we are in-fact progressing and evolving (positively) in our photography, yet we don’t perceive it?
Because this is the thing — a lot of us are in fact progressing and developing as photographers and artists, yet we don’t perceive it or know.
Thus,
If you perceive you’re not progressing in your photography or artwork, ask yourself: “What if in-fact I am progressing and I don’t know it?”
Most likely, you’re making progress (without even trying to)
This is my thought:
If you’re shooting photos everyday, or studying photography or art everyday, it’s impossible not to be progressing.
What is progress in photography?
To progress in your photography means:
- You’re cultivating your own visual and aesthetic style
- You’re pursuing more ambitious and interesting photographic projects
- You’re taking bigger risks in your photographic composition, adding more depth and complexity to your work
- You understand more why you make photos, and your own personal motives and reasons for shooting photos
- You know what differentiates yourself from others as a photographer
How to make more progress in your photography
And the simple way you can accelerate your progression as a photographer is:
- Shoot more
- Review and self-critique your photos more critically
- Integrate your learning points into your photographic process, rinse and repeat.
This is a good “positive feedback loop” in your photography.
Avoid boredom
Ultimately the last piece of advice:
Avoid boredom at all costs in your photographic life.
If you’re not bored, you’re challenging yourself. And the more you challenge yourself, the stronger you will become!
JUST SHOOT IT.
ERIC