Photography can be a journey filled with self-doubt, but it’s likely that you’re better at it than you give yourself credit for.
Coming to you from Scott Walker with Walks on the Wild Side, this insightful video highlights the importance of planning in photography. Walker emphasizes that great photos don’t just happen—they’re the result of careful planning and thinking ahead. He shares his own experience of photographing seals, where he planned the shoot by considering factors like light, tide, and location. By choosing the right spot where the sun would be behind him and the tide would bring the seals closer, he ensured that his photos had the best possible chance of success. This kind of forethought is what separates a good photographer from a great one. If you’re someone who meticulously plans your shoots, you’re likely on your way to creating consistently strong images.
Walker also discusses the importance of constant improvement and a growth mindset. He points out that many people get caught up in seeking validation through likes and followers, but true growth comes from focusing on how to make the next photo better. It’s about pushing yourself to experiment and try new things, even if it means risking failure. Walker explains that those who are always looking to improve are the ones who will continue to grow as photographers. They don’t dwell on past successes or failures; instead, they focus on what they can learn and how they can apply that knowledge to their future work. This forward-thinking approach is a hallmark of photographers who are better than they think they are.
Another critical aspect Walker touches on is reflection. How you view your past work can significantly impact your future growth. Some people are embarrassed by their old photos and try to hide them, but this mindset can hold you back. Instead, Walker suggests that you should take pride in how far you’ve come. Reflecting on your development as a photographer is a powerful way to build confidence and stay motivated. If you can look at your old work and appreciate the progress you’ve made, you’re more likely to continue improving and reach new heights in your photography.
Walker’s message is clear: if you recognize yourself in these traits—planning, continuous improvement, experimentation, and pride in your progress—you’re likely a better photographer than you think. Embrace your journey, keep learning, and stay open to new possibilities. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Walker.
I'm already poised for a follow-up article ......... "You Aren't as Good of a Photographer as You Think You Are"
So which is it - are we better than we think? Or are we not as good as we think? It can't be both, as they are mutually exclusive.
My first thought, Tom, in response to your follow-up article is the people here who always seem to be the loudest most obnoxious critics, the ones who make short snarky comments, but have few or no photos of their own to show in a portfolio. Those are the people that I'm imagining are not as good as they think they are. Good, bad, better, worse, and opinions of that nature are entirely subjective though, and can co-exist as different perceptions in a group of people.
Either way, the points he makes about planning or thinking ahead are reasonable ideas for improving our photography. Experimentation too... many photographers go to the exact same spot and shoot virtually the exact same style of pictures for years. Those are the people in my opinion who aren't as good as they think they are. So both ways of looking at the subject (you are or you aren't as good as you think) are two sides of the same coin.
Edward wrote:
"... many photographers go to the exact same spot and shoot virtually the exact same style of pictures for years. Those are the people in my opinion who aren't as good as they think they are."
This resonates strongly with me. The thing about photography that makes it so deep and intriguing is that one can photograph the same things in the same place, yet create so many photos that look completely different from one another. Those who fail to do this, and just keep taking the same kind of photos over and over, with no aesthetic diversity, are not employing any of the vision that is there to be had. They are, rather literally, just plagiarizing themselves repeatedly.
Conversely, those who photograph the same things at the same place, yet continually create new and different looking images, are the ones who may be much better photographers than they realize, because they are being creative and exercising artistic vision.
I like the ideas presented in this video, but might add that planning can work for or against you. If you're following a plan too rigidly, you can easily miss other photo opportunities... the small close-up view of a plant or flower while being obsessed with the clouds or mountains in the distance. I think good photographers have great imaginations, and keep an eye open to all photographic opportunities beyond just the ones they set out to shoot.