Why photography is difficult (and how to overcome it)

Why photography is difficult

Henri Cartier Bresson once wrote “Photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as of a precise organization of forms which give that event its proper expression”.

Delving into Bresson’s quote, we come to understand that in order to take a successful photo, a quick, almost subconscious, process of correct framing is required. Many photographers, especially young ones, fail at this.

Photography therefore requires the deep understanding of photography techniques (operating complex cameras), artistic predisposition and knowledge (frame composition, color harmony, light manipulation, etc.). This becomes even more difficult, considering that it is a broad field, with different requirements for equipment and photography techniques for each of them (eg a different approach to covering sports events vs studio portrait photography).

In order to capture the decisive moment correctly, knowledge alone is not enough. It also takes a lot of practice.

Social media platforms, like Instagram and Facebook, have revolutionized the promotion of photography. While the possibilities they offer can act as an incentive for new photographers to share their work, they can also act as a deterrent, as they compare their level to that of more experienced and successful ones. This process, misguided as it may be, can discourage new photographers, lacking confidence.

Photography is an expensive business or hobby. Cameras and lenses cost hundreds of Euros, especially professional grade or special purpose equipment. There are additional accessories such as tripods, filters and flashes that can further increase the cost.

How to overcome it

Being honest about the reason why you engage in photography. Do you use it as a means of artistic expression, as a distraction from everyday life, as a means for more likes on social media, or with the expectation of financial benefit? Every reason is legitimate. When this comes clear, then everything becomes easier.

It takes patience. You must understand that photography is complicated and that it takes time for tangible results. You must persevere despite initial disappointments. Let's not give up early.

It takes effort. Expecting quick results without effort, leads to disappointment.

It takes a plan. Don't try to tackle all areas of photography all at once. Initially, set the camera on automatic (modern cameras are very good at this) and focus on frame composition (rule of thirds, leading lines, frame within the frame, etc), on principles of color harmony, on when to shoot in black and whit or in color. Practicing them, will soon improve your level of photography and boost confidence. In a later time, you can practice the camera functions and how they affect the final result (eg how the aperture affects the depth of field and what aesthetic effect we get from it). At an even further future you can practice artificial light (steady and flash).

Determine what genre of photography, initially, attracts you the most. Draw your focus on it in order to develop skills and build confidence. Later, nothing prevents you from experimenting with other genres.

Invest in knowledge. This era allows easy access to photographic knowledge, through books, free videos and comprehensive courses at a very affordable cost. The latter present a good choice for the novice photographer, as they offer knowledge in a structured way and they often include practice.

It takes a lot of practice to learn to capture the decisive moment. Knowledge by itself is not enough. You should develop self-discipline to make time for photo shoots, especially on subjects of interest. It helps to always carry a small camera (cell phones fill that role nicely). A walk in the park, going for a coffee, even work obligations can provide opportunities for practice and beautiful frames.

You must learn to make healthy comparisons. The wright mindset is to compare your recent photos with older ones. If you observe improvement, then you are on the right track. You must not compare your photos with the ones on social media, keeping in mind that these are portfolio and not typical work. Remember that even experienced photographers also take bad photos and have their own frustrations. You must treat these photos as a source of inspiration and not dive into comparisons that will grow negative emotions within you. When you feel this happening, it is better to stop watching them.

You must seek participation in photography groups, online or even better, in person. High quality work never pops up in vacuum. It is created within a group of creative people, with common interests, interacting with each other. These people will be few but they are more important than a large number of faceless followers on social media.

Be aware that equipment acquisition does not end when you purchase a camera. It is a mistake to spend all our budget on this. Lenses, tripods and flashes play a very important role. All of them come at a cost. A good solution to save you a lot of money is to buy used. If you have no prior knowledge of this market, it is better to ask for the advice of more experienced photographers.