As photographers, we often seek out advice and inspiration from those who have achieved success in the field. We devour tutorials, attend workshops, and follow the journeys of renowned photographers, hoping to glean insights that will propel us towards our own goals. However, it's crucial to remember that the path to success is rarely linear and is often paved with failures.
Coming to you from e6 | Craig Roberts, this insightful video explores the importance of failure in the context of photography and creative pursuits. Roberts challenges the notion that success is solely determined by following a prescribed set of rules or emulating the strategies of those who have "made it." He argues that the individuals who haven't experienced setbacks often lack the understanding and perspective necessary to provide truly valuable guidance.
Roberts emphasizes that failure is an inevitable part of the creative process. He draws upon his own experiences, highlighting how his early struggles and setbacks shaped him as a photographer and ultimately contributed to his later achievements. He encourages viewers to embrace failure as a learning opportunity, a chance to refine their skills, and discover their unique artistic voice.
The video delves into the concept of "magic dust," the element of luck and timing that often plays a significant role in success stories. While hard work and dedication are essential, Roberts acknowledges that external factors can heavily influence outcomes. He encourages aspiring photographers to focus on their own journey, rather than comparing themselves to others who may have experienced a more fortunate trajectory.
Roberts concludes by highlighting the value of learning from those who have overcome failures and setbacks on their path to success. He suggests that their experiences offer more relatable and practical insights compared to those who have experienced a relatively smooth ascent. By embracing failure and learning from our mistakes, we can develop resilience, refine our skills, and ultimately find our own path to success in the world of photography. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Roberts.
Not sure I like using the word failure in my photography. Very often I can go out and don't get any interesting photos but I don't like to use a negative word like failure because it could make me want to give up. Setbacks, not getting any photos remotely usable on a particular day still teaches me something, even if it's just never to go back to that particular place or to come back when the weather and other conditions are better. There's always a positive to take (at least I think so with my photography), even just reflecting on the day and working out what didn't work out so that the next time I could change my approach and hopefully see some progress.
Totally for those wanting to be a PRO and not for the HOBBYIST. For the hobbyist a capture for just being in the right place at the right time and nature provides a great view is all that is needed for success! What was done for success before the WWW a magazine spread or a image in a paper or just a storefront with walk in's and calls. For me it is the image and making it great just for me like the old days of film with image info on the back but just put in a shoebox, well today a bootbox, saved if I make it to the old photographers home to look through and tell a nurse the story of an image. Other than that I can not explain the call you get to put yourself out somewhere to capture something, that pulling you get, that feeling of having a camera in hand wherever you are that brings the calm after an image in taken with skill from years practice. But to head out because you have to, well I hope it is a happy life! For me if someone is in a capture I get a name and address and send a 5x7 to frame. 2 and 3 it took years to find the farm owner I sent both in half poster size on metal everytime he or family see me they brag how people love them. 4. I gave about 40 to my doctor photos of the town she grew up and they are framed and are all over her office to add I give an image picture to any doctor I see and always on the wall of their office, someone took one and I replaced it. Success takes many forms with one of a kinds' with the story on the back of a picture and no name! To give an example of the pulling felt I need no alarm to awaken to go out to do Milky Ways when years before I needed two alarms to get up and go to work.