Creativity often drives you to pick up a camera, but certain habits can hold you back. Some mistakes are so subtle that they creep into your workflow unnoticed, slowing your growth.
Coming to you from Cody Mitchell, this engaging video highlights three mistakes that plague both beginners and experienced creators. The first mistake is chasing trends. Social media has amplified the temptation to replicate popular images for likes and validation. While recreating iconic shots can teach you valuable technical skills, it risks limiting your creativity. Mitchell explains how chasing trends leads to stagnation, as you rely on the approval of others instead of exploring your unique vision. He emphasizes the importance of experimentation and letting go of the need for perfection.
The second mistake involves relying too heavily on gear. Mitchell uses the metaphor of a chef who buys appliances to solve every problem rather than learning the craft. As you progress, it’s easy to justify purchases as solutions to creative roadblocks. New equipment can be exciting, but it won’t address deeper issues in your technique or composition. Mitchell advises focusing on refining your skills with the tools you already have, rather than falling into the trap of believing that better gear equals better photos.
Mitchell shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how these mistakes have affected his journey. By addressing these habits, you can focus on what truly matters: creating images that resonate with you and express your unique perspective. That's just the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Mitchell.
Toward the end of the video: "Photography is essentially the art of arranging elements beautifully within the frame." Sounds like good advice to start the photographic journey, but how does a person recognize beauty, or if composition is good or bad, or if we're improving? Can the answer to that question be wrapped up in a nutshell, or is it too complicated?