Continuous improvement should be at the core of every creative person's ethos, be they professional or amateur. While this video might be aimed more at beginner photographers, the tips offered here are relevant to anyone who really wants to improve their photography.
Landscape photographer and educator, Gary Gough, is no stranger to offering helpful advice to those who wish to improve their photography. With nearly twenty years of experience as a professional photographer, he's seen his share of obstacles faced by budding photographers, so his list is practically all-encompassing for any beginner.
I found Gough's first tip — photograph for other people — quite challenging. On one level, I disagree with him, yet on another, I can definitely see his point. I just think that it all depends on where you're coming from and what your end goal is.
I'm currently in the mindset where I crave personal projects. I had been photographing for other people — be they my peers on Instagram or potential clients — for so long that I started to become a little disillusioned. In order to combat that, I'm making time to focus on something just for me. From Gough's perspective, however, if you want to gain the attention of the editor of a magazine or place well in a competition, then you should absolutely think about what they would want to see from you. Working out how to see your own work from the perspective of someone else is an incredibly powerful exercise if done correctly.
Be sure to watch for the bonus tip, which is perhaps the most important.
