Why Taking Bad Photos is Good For You
Each time you step out the front door with your camera in hand it’s natural to think you’re going to return with a collection of fantastic photos worthy of going straight into a showcase or an album. Furthermore, it’s also safe to assume by doing this we put ourselves under increasing amounts of unnecessary pressure.
In turn, this leads to you feeling the negatives and getting stressed out and annoyed at not getting the results you wanted. As a photographer, it’s a good sign that you set yourself high standards and want to improve and grow, therefore in this blog we will be discussing and looking at the flip side and positives of this in Why Taking Bad Photos is Good For You.
Now, firstly of course each individuals definition of a bad photo will be different, and that’s because photography is subjective, a reason why it makes the subject so great. Personally, and speaking from experience, I feel a rubbish or a bad photo is when you are just spraying and praying almost if you like, and are just hoping for the best. Composition, angles and the basic framework all goes out the window, there’s no story within your photos and instead you are left with a random collection of snaps.
This can be for a variety of reasons, one because you’re falling out of love with photography, which at some stage will happen to all of us rest assured, two because you are frustrated that you aren’t achieving the results you envisioned, or alternatively as I had experienced over the past few months, burnout from photography. Sometimes you just need a break even from the things you enjoy, a fresh start is beneficial in the long run.
After a few years experience with photography, you will gradually start seeing the positives even in the most negative of experiences or days out. For example, now if I find myself coming home from a day out with the camera with a bunch of okay shots and overall bad photos, I feel it’s what you take away from that what counts. Ask yourself, how can I learn from this shot and improve the composition next time, how can I use different angles to make the scene become more of an easy sight on the eye for the viewer.
Simply put, as they say everyday is a school day, and this is a main reason why I feel taking bad photos is good for you. Each and every photo you take is a learning curve in your strive for photography perfection, use your previous experiences to your advantage and build on the foundations, from there set upon what you can improve.
As mentioned, to combat a period of frustration with your photography, taking a step back and having a rest from using the camera allows you to approach the subject again at a later date with a fresh mindset.
A way I’ve recently reconnected with photography is by taking a far more relaxed approach, and therefore putting more emphasis on enjoying and exploring the world around you instead of the actual photography itself. I’ve recently written a blog regarding this matter called When Photography is Not About the Photos, which can be read here. In short, this approach will hopefully allow you to enjoy the process, and not just the end results. Ultimately, it’s about finding that balance of enjoying exploration first and then letting the photography coming to you as second nature.
Next time you go for a walk, take your camera, and more importantly take your time to notice the smaller aspects of life, visualising the details around you. Use basic imagery as your gateway to reigniting your passion for photography again, and honestly, you’ll be surprised with the end results.
