If I were to pick up a musical instrument for the first time today, I wouldn’t expect to be able to play it proficiently by tomorrow. In fact, I’d know it might take years to get to a level I’m happy with, conscious of the fact that it’s a multifaceted skill, requiring not only technical ability, but also patience, and the ability to enjoy the process throughout.
That last part, enjoying the process, sounds like it should be a given. But with landscape photography, it’s not always the case. When you put considerable effort into finding a new location, travelling to your chosen destination, then spend hours photographing it, only to be disappointed when you finally get home and look at your images, that joy can quickly dissipate.
Perhaps it is the ease with which we can view amazing photography online that has created the sense of urgency I’ve felt since first picking up a camera. Whatever it is, the tendency to set high expectations every time I go out with my camera can be a demoralising force, leading to a hobby that can become more of a slog than an inspiration.
More recently, though, I’ve made a point of tackling this problem head on. Now, when I go out, I set myself a much looser set of goals, rather than just aiming for a stellar photograph at the end of it. This could include discovering a fresh composition, trying out a new technique, or even just having an interesting conversation with a stranger. With less rigid expectations comes less pressure, and ultimately more enjoyment.
To illustrate this, I will show you a couple of recent examples. Below is an image of Loch Lomond; hardly a memorable photograph, but not a terrible one either. It was blowing a gale (up to 40mph gusts) and the conditions, I felt anyway, didn’t suit the image, or at least my ‘style’. Nevertheless, by going out I had stumbled upon a solid composition, and one I’ll be returning to when the conditions are right.
The next image was taken at Portencross in North Ayrshire. On this day I had set myself a goal of trying out intentional camera movement (ICM) photography for the first time. I didn’t need to come home with an amazing image, I just needed to try the technique out. As with the last photograph, this one probably won’t be featuring in any portfolios. Nevertheless, I had pushed my photography a step forwards, trying out something new and exploring my creativity in the process.
So, the next time I’m out with my camera I’ll be lowering my expectations and setting myself more achievable goals. I took up photography to enjoy it, not to beat myself up about it. And neither did you, I bet.
Well said, Ryan. And the first image does work for me - the way you timed and framed it and the energy of the scene!
Great perspective, thanks for sharing! I don't know why I approach photography different to an instrument as you say, but that's a great way to reframe it and enjoy the whole process with hopefully less frustration!
I do love just being out and how photography helps me notice the world, even if the pictures rarely come out as I imagined!