Step Back
Sometimes, in order to move forward, we need to take a step back. Take a moment to evaluate what we are truly trying to accomplish. To better consider the methods we are using to accomplish our goals. Take some time to contemplate what the desired outcome or motivation is for creating our art in the first place. This step back can be a doosie sometimes. It could be a small tweak to what you are already doing, or a complete change in direction. Either way, I believe it is just another part of the process. One more step on a journey that is (in my opinion) a never-ending road.
I feel like I am at one of these stepping off points in my own personal expedition of photography. This is an exciting time for me. I have begun to recognize my “type” of photography, the things that I enjoy photographing, and how I like to photograph them. I am excited to go out and to create the images that I do. I am even happy with a few of them from time to time. But I have to admit that my successes are more often luck than skill at times. And this is where my stepping off point comes into play.
I am pretty sure my detour involves patience. I need to step back, literally, from my subject and think it through. More often than not, my attention is grabbed by a subject, and I take the image from that initial vantage point. This is not always a bad thing. My problem is I don’t take the time to consider other options. As varied as they may be. I need to step back and think. Would the subject benefit from a wider angle, a macro lens? Would this image be better from the left, the right, the top, or the bottom? What depth of field better conveys the way I “see” the subject? Would a different time of day or even season of the year be a better option? This is a laundry list of options that could go on for quite some time. My point is that there is always something to consider. My job is to consider them. Take the time to think it through. Be patient and try any one, or all, of the items on my laundry list of options. Take a moment and take a step back.
