Live, Learn, and Create
“Expressive photography doesn’t begin until you learn the fundamentals, develop a willingness to break the rules, and return to a childlike, imaginative play mindset.” Steve J. Giardini
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Most photography enthusiasts follow predictable stages of learning and development.
The first stage covers basic camera operations, exposure management, rule learning, and hands-on field practice. This stage is primarily mechanical and yields immediate, highly objective feedback.
The second stage centers on gear obsession, fueled by the false belief that better equipment guarantees better images. That belief is so far from the truth.
The third stage focuses on mastering composition and editing. This is the first opportunity for photo enthusiasts to exercise their subjective judgment. However, to take full advantage of this newfound freedom of self-expression, enthusiasts must be willing to loosen their grip on the rules, recognizing that conformity breeds sameness.
Practitioners who survive these early stages are ready to enter the Creative Stage.
However, disillusionment often sets in before the Creative Stage can begin. The repetition of creating representational images, often for an unknown audience, can sap the creative life right out of you.
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A period of second-guessing begins with questions like: Why am I taking photos? What is the endgame? Do I have anything new to offer? Is my work good enough? There must be more to this than mechanics, technique, and the pursuit of iconic locations. What do I need to do to rekindle my interest in photography?
The search for more - more personal satisfaction, more enjoyment, more creative exploration - can lead to registering for a photo workshop. But for those truly driven to stretch their creative wings, workshops can bring more disappointment. It is difficult to find workshop leaders who foster an environment that prioritizes exploration, experimentation, and spontaneity. The end result: more of the same, treading water in search of a positive incentive to continue the practice.
I've personally gone through these stages and have almost quit my photography practice several times.
What saved me was a deliberate, self-directed, broad study of the psychology and evidence-based practices of creativity. I explored other art forms. I adopted an imaginative-play mindset.
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Some might dismiss my early missteps as ‘just part of the learning process’. I don’t. They cost me creative time. And when you’re on the shorter end of the lifespan continuum, as I am, it’s hard to recoup that time.
To be clear, adopting new expressive practices requires risk-taking. Expect self-doubt, fear of failure, and the possibility of being misunderstood. Developing a strong personal constitution and adopting a mindset of divergent thinking are essential.
Despite these potential risks, the benefits of expressive creativity include: freedom of expression, breaking the cycle of sameness, and personal discovery and satisfaction. No regrets.
Thank you for your continued interest and support. You make the effort that much more fun.
Cheers
Steve
Next Time: Committing Too Early
