Improving in photography means taking clear-eyed, practical advice seriously. Good photography demands more than just pressing a shutter—it requires honest self-assessment and the willingness to change habits.
Coming to you from Justin Mott, this concise video delivers photography tips without frills or filler. Mott emphasizes a fundamental idea: your photography should always offer viewers something fresh or familiar from a surprising angle. Rather than capturing the expected, strive to create visuals that make viewers pause and notice details they've overlooked before. He stresses being purposeful: arrive early, stay late, and always have a clear plan. Being well-prepared opens opportunities for unique images you might otherwise miss.
Mott then shifts focus to light, highlighting its critical role in making photos memorable. Truly understanding how to identify, use, and expose light correctly can transform your photography. Mastering this skill is central to storytelling through images. Mott's advice to avoid overexposure is practical: the brightest spot will always draw attention, and overexposed skies or concrete typically weaken a photograph's impact. Investing time into refining these aspects of your craft, he argues, is far more valuable than simply buying gear.
The video continues with blunt yet useful reminders about discipline and excuses. Mott suggests setting goals through specific projects, a practical way to develop your skills systematically. He warns against justifying poor outcomes; excuses won't improve your photography or enhance the viewer's experience. He also tackles composition directly—calling out sloppy habits like allowing distracting background elements or awkward framing errors. A strong photograph should never require explanation; it should clearly communicate its story and intent without words.
Mott’s video also provides quick bonus tips that reinforce these concepts, emphasizing clean composition and intentional photography. He advises photographers not to accept mediocrity or laziness in their work. If you catch yourself explaining why a photo works, you've missed the mark. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Mott, and be sure to stop by his site for more.
