are you as lazy as a cat?
My advice to any new photographer, and for that matter many older photographers who have been photographing for a while, is “Don’t be a lazy photographer.” Digital technology has made it easier than ever for someone to begin photographing, and unfortunately many people do just that. Now I am not saying that there is anything wrong with engaging in a hobby, or preserving your family memories, or just taking pictures for the sheer joy of it. But I think that people should spend some time learning this craft and not just be some rank amateur who thinks that they are the next gift to the world of photography. Please people, get real! Have at it all you like, but learn the craft, gain the necessary skills, and respect the art form. There is so much information out there now in the form of books, classes, webinars, forums, and videos that there is little excuse to not get proper training. The only excuse that I see is that some people are just plain lazy.
You see this everywhere now that so much technology and software is readily available. I became interested in Photoshop years ago not because I was eager to switch from film to digital, but because I was seeing so much lousy Photoshop work and crappy retouching that I had to try it out and prove that it could be done better. I have jumped into several fields that have been invaded by the dabbling masses just to show that you can make good product and produce competent images if you take the time to learn and practice. I studied Photoshop on my own with a book and an on-line testing bank for about 4 months. Then I played around with the program at least an hour a day for almost a year. Subsequently I took three basic Photoshop classes and started attending the annual Photoshop World conferences. I learned Photoshop like I was learning a musical instrument. I invested time and money and I practiced as much as I could. And that is the way that people should approach any creative field; with respect and discipline. The dictionary definition of discipline is “…activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training.” Live it, learn it, love it.
I have written about this idea in several post before including ‘Don’t Be a Lame Photographer‘, and ‘Mediocre is Not Acceptable.’ If I did not think that it would bore most of my readers I would write about this more often then I do. I see it as being that important. So if you are one of these dabblers I am here to tell you that there is a way out. Make the commitment today to give time back to an art form that gives you happiness and helps to preserve your precious memories. Like the old saying goes, anything worth doing is worth doing right.
Gary Miller
Houston Fine Art Wedding Photographer
Eye Candy and Brain Veggies
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