Transitioning from a novice to a seasoned photographer involves more than just mastering technical skills. It also requires shedding misconceptions that can hinder your growth and creativity. These misconceptions often stem from outdated advice, gear obsession, and a misunderstanding of what truly makes a great photograph.
Coming to you from Scott Choucino with Tin House Studio, this insightful video tackles some of the most prevalent myths that new photographers often hold onto. Choucino, a successful commercial photographer, draws from his own experiences and observations to offer valuable guidance for aspiring photographers. Understanding these misconceptions and moving past them is crucial for developing your own photographic style and achieving your full potential.
Choucino debunks the idea of "getting it right in camera," emphasizing that post-processing is a legitimate tool, not a form of cheating. He also addresses the obsession with sharpness, highlighting that affordable lenses are more than sufficient for most situations. He further challenges the notion that equipment is the key to success, sharing anecdotes from his career where he achieved outstanding results with basic gear.
The video also dives into the misconception surrounding "model photography" as a viable career path. Choucino clarifies that the real opportunities lie in fashion and portrait photography, where photographers are commissioned by clients, not the models themselves. He also dismantles the fixation on camera settings and finding the "best" aperture, explaining that these are situational and dependent on the desired outcome.
Finally, Choucino addresses the popular "365 project" trend, where photographers take a photo every day for a year. While acknowledging its potential for fun and exploration, he argues that it can hinder growth by encouraging quantity over quality. He emphasizes the importance of taking time to analyze your work critically and implement deliberate improvements. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Choucino.
Really like this guys straight talking common sense..Take note, he's not on FS talking about which is better, Canon,Nikon or Sony.
Most EXCELLENT sit down talk most all photographers if new need to hear and old need to wake up and realize about cameras, lenses, and light. I started digital with a crop sensor back in '10 with a Canon T2i and went Sony with the A7S in '14 mainly for the software that was just $30 vs PS/Lr that was +/- $800 each and for every full update. Failed at not getting the A7SM2 that had IBIS just a couple months later so I was stuck in film days carrying sticks not knowing what IBIS was. What I would say about SW is it is so much more for the buck today and if you have no idea about it and were around when HDR was king and played with images that looked like cartoons go back and redo a set of images and the cartoons will be gone. The reason for HDR was for low dynamic range cameras but really was used to do indoor image with a natural outdoor look.
As far as cameras any and all will get the image you want with today's software and not talking about AI either. I bought a Vivitar 8300s point and shoot in '06 for a trip to Hawaii where it was like film days and you took the SD card to a store to get prints but you could also save images to a computer. Those images look great today with no editing.
1. '06 Vivitar 8300s
2. T2i image when looking back at old images saw the MW barely and redid with Lr.
3. When I thought the higher the f/# ment sharper and did at f/22 using my Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS also Bracketed 5 at +/- 2EV (HDRing) and got this pirate in the sand so maybe f/22 is sharp, A7S, to this day I still do the Bracketing of 5 at +/- 2EV but at 2 stops above wide open for blue, golden hour and sunsets/rises
4. Today why you should not be afraid of the light when doing Milky Ways because of greater dynamic range of cameras now old A7M3 and the not so wide FE 20mm f/1.8 captured in less than 2 minutes, learn panoramas and save money not using super wide lenses!