{"id":37308,"date":"2017-01-20T21:30:32","date_gmt":"2017-01-21T05:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=37308"},"modified":"2017-01-20T21:30:32","modified_gmt":"2017-01-21T05:30:32","slug":"how-to-build-good-habits-in-your-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/20\/how-to-build-good-habits-in-your-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Build Good Habits in Your Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Sapa, 2017 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

For me, photography is all about self-development, self-growth, and self-introspection.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Photography is less about examine the life of others. When you photograph others, you examine yourself. You examine what you find interesting, you capture what is beautiful to you, and you capture what brings you joy or excitement.<\/p>\n

There are no \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d habits in photography. But there are \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d habits for you<\/em> in your photography.<\/p>\n

We are our habits<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Sapa, 2017 (photo by Cindy)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ultimately, I do believe as Aristotle said\u00e2\u20ac\u201d we are our habits. Our habits guide our actions. And by building \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d habits\u00e2\u20ac\u201d we make it easier to live our lives consistent to our own morals, ethics, and wants.<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been trying to build my own habits in photography\u00e2\u20ac\u201d to be the photographer I wish to be. Here are some personal habits I try hard to implement in my life:<\/p>\n

1. Whenever possible, have my camera in my hand<\/h2>\n
Sapa, 2017 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I always have my camera with me, in my backpack. However when my camera isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t in my hand\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see as many photography opportunities.<\/p>\n

Or other times, I will see a good photo opportunity, yet be too slow to take the camera out of my backpack. Therefore I have missed tons of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153decisive moments\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (because my camera wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t ready and in my hand).<\/p>\n

Over the years I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve experimented with different cameras and different systems. Ultimately I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve discovered that the lighter, more compact, and smaller the camera\u00e2\u20ac\u201d the better. I am currently using a Ricoh GR II camera with a wrist strap, which I barely feel. This way I can walk all day without feeling any fatigue. The lighter my camera, the more likely I will have it in my hand. And the more often I have my camera in my hand, the more photo opportunities I will spot, the more photos I will take, and the more likely I am to make a good photo.<\/p>\n

2. When in doubt, click<\/h2>\n
\"sapa
Sapa, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The beauty of digital photography is there is essentially no cost of taking extra photos. In my personal experience, the more photos you shoot, the more likely you are to get a good photograph.<\/p>\n

There is a myth of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153the decisive moment\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d that the master photographers only shot one photo of the scene, and somehow magically captured a great photo. But even Henri Cartier-Bresson said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sometimes you need to milk the cow a lot to get a little bit of cheese.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d For many of HCB\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s great photos, he took many photos of the scene, and decided what was the best photo afterwards<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Therefore whenever I see something that I have even a small feeling that might be a good photo \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I just shoot it. I use my guts, my instincts, and my intuition to guide my shooting.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, whenever I think a photo is boring or uninteresting, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t<\/em> photograph it (even if someone else tells me it might be interesting). To avoid what is boring to you is often a better strategy than following what is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153interesting\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to you.<\/p>\n

As a random side note, one of the best ways to find your style in photography is to figure out what styles of photography don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t appeal to you. To find your style in photography is to avoid<\/em> types of photography which bore you. For me, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m generally not interested in standard pretty landscape photos, macro photos of flowers, studio portraiture, wedding photography, and many others. Therefore the only styles of photography which are left include street photography, personal documentary, urban landscapes, and portraits.<\/p>\n

Going back to the point at hand \u00e2\u20ac\u201d whenever you see a potentially interesting photo, just take the photo. You can decide later whether to keep the photo or not to keep the photo.<\/p>\n

3. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t check social media everyday<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Sapa, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the ways I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found more creativity, personal satisfaction, and enthusiasm for my photography is to spend less<\/em> time on social media.<\/p>\n

The problem with social media is that it is a numbers game. We value our self-esteem for our own photography based on how many likes, comments, and followers we have. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think anybody is immune to it \u00e2\u20ac\u201d especially myself.<\/p>\n

Even though I might get 1,000 likes on a photo, if my next photo I upload \u00e2\u20ac\u0153only\u00e2\u20ac\u009d gets 300 likes, I feel downtrodden. Not only that, but I am prone to envy \u00e2\u20ac\u201d people who get 2,000 likes, 3,000 likes, 5,000 likes \u00e2\u20ac\u201d or people with more followers than me.<\/p>\n

I know envy is a futile emotion, but something I still haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shaken from myself. Therefore the less<\/em> time I spend on social media, the less<\/em> envious I am of other photographers, and the more I can focus on my own photography.<\/p>\n

I still do think that social media is useful, especially in photography. But as a practical habit, I try to not<\/em> look at social media everyday. And honestly, it helps me to focus on myself and my own photos. Rather than thinking, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How much will others like my photography?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I think to myself, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How much do I<\/em> like my own photos?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

How to create your own habits in photography<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Sapa, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I feel one of the best ways to build good habits in your photography is to not<\/em> judge your habits according to others.<\/p>\n

For me, it means not forcing myself to build habits that others tell me is good. That means, knowing what I<\/em> prefer, my preferences, and what I<\/em> want from my photography. Therefore, I only put pressure on myself to create good habits for myself. It is easier to build these habits because I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m doing it for myself, not just listening to some schoolteacher.<\/p>\n

Some practical ideas:<\/p>\n

1. Do more of what you like, do less of what you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like<\/h3>\n
\"\"
Sapa, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First of all, if you want to build habits for yourself\u00e2\u20ac\u201d you need to be self-driven, and you need to know what you like, and what you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like.<\/p>\n

For example, I like taking photos, I like \u00e2\u20ac\u0153marinating\u00e2\u20ac\u009d my photos (letting them sit for a while before publishing them), I like finding personal satisfaction from my photography, and I like challenging myself.<\/p>\n

I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t<\/em> like to compare my photography with others, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like lusting for new camera equipment, and I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like being caught on a social media treadmill of wanting to get a lot of \u00e2\u20ac\u02dclikes.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

Therefore, I know that in order to take more photos, I need to have my camera ready more often. Therefore, I set the habit of trying to have my camera in my hand as much as possible. Furthermore, I try to distract myself less so I can see more photo opportunities. For me, that means turning off my phone\u00e2\u20ac\u201d because it always distracts me. The less I look at my phone, the more I look at the world around me.<\/p>\n

I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like to feel pressured to constantly upload photos to social media. Therefore, I train myself by uninstalling all social media apps from my phone. If I really want to share something on social media, I will do it from my laptop. Because my laptop isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t always on and with me in my front pocket, I am less likely to build a habit of always checking social media, and constantly uploading images.<\/p>\n

I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like comparing myself with other photographers, so I also try to spend less time on social media. I know that I am easily envious of other photographers (who have more likes\/followers than me) \u00e2\u20ac\u201d therefore I try to keep more of my photos offline, and to enjoy my images for myself.<\/p>\n

As with not falling victim to GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I have blocked all distracting camera and tech websites\/blogs from my browser. I know that I am prone to wanting new tech stuff, so I am like Ulysses (blocking my ears with wax, to prevent being tempted by the sirens).<\/p>\n

2. Control your environment<\/h3>\n
\"Sapa,
Sapa, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Therefore to build new habits, you need to know your personal weaknesses. Therefore, you build roadblocks for yourself, to prevent yourself from \u00e2\u20ac\u0153relapsing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d into bad habits.<\/p>\n

Alcoholics are instructed not<\/em> to put themselves into social situations or environments which will \u00e2\u20ac\u0153trigger\u00e2\u20ac\u009d their alcoholism. It is easier to abstain from alcohol if they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t always go to the pub, to the local bar, or associate with friends who are heavy drinkers.<\/p>\n

3. Surround yourself with good role models<\/h3>\n
\"eric
Sapa, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you want to be a better photographer, surround yourself with the best photographers. That means, hang out with photographers whose work you admire. If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have any photography friends in \u00e2\u20ac\u0153real life\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d learn from the masters of photography, look at a lot of photo books, and listen to interviews with them on YouTube.<\/p>\n

All the good \u00e2\u20ac\u0153habits\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I learned from the master photographers are from their example. Henri Cartier-Bresson always had his camera around his neck, or in his hand. Josef Koudelka always traveled light (like a homeless person)\u00e2\u20ac\u201d another habit I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve picked up. Richard Avedon made it a habit to photograph his subjects against white walls\u00e2\u20ac\u201d another habit I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve tried to integrate into my photography (choosing the simplest background possible).<\/p>\n

Also on the other hand, you want to subtract<\/em> negative influences from yourself. There is an ancient Arabic saying \u00e2\u20ac\u201d keeping your distance from an ignorant person is equal to keeping the company of a wise man.<\/p>\n

If you want to improve your photography habits, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t<\/em> associate yourself with those whose photography habits you dislike. If you want to be less addicted to wanting new camera equipment, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hang out with photographers always talking about gear. If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to be caught up on the social media treadmill, spend less time with your friends who are always on Instagram.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Sapa, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ultimately, you are your habits. And you can choose your habits, and choose who you are as a photographer and human being.<\/p>\n

But we all fall victim into bad habits \u00e2\u20ac\u201d because we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not sure what direction we want to take our photography. Rather than thinking what we want for our photography, we just follow the herd. We feel pressured to always do social media, because we see everyone else doing it.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, create your own set of rules, habits, and a direction for your photography. Do what you want to do in your photography. Follow your gut, and what feels right to you. Ignore the crowd.<\/p>\n

Always,
\nEric<\/p>\n

Photography Motivation Articles<\/h2>\n
\"Garden
Garden Grove, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Re-inspire your photography:<\/p>\n