When it comes to learning new skills we all have our own pace, everything about us is unique so why should we all learn at the same rate? This obviously applies to your photography and much can be attributed to you getting out as much as you put in. I couldn’t imagine going for much over a week with out picking up a camera (not including my iphone that is always in my pocket) either my dslr or my smaller G11 point and shot. After even a few days I feel the need to take a picture of something. I get busy and side tracked like everyone else these days but daily I see things that I think would make a good photograph. It’s always on my mind and this leads me to practicing on a very regular basis. Yesterday about 7 hours was spent out in the Flint Hills and on the prairies doing just that, practicing. I consider every opportunity or shoot practice. If you asked me for what I would probably him-ha around and tell you for making better images I guess. The truth of the matter is it’s practice for the rest of your lives if you chose to stay with it in the same way the middle of the season is practice for the end of the season in say baseball to draw a sports comparison. They both are the real deal but there is always room for improvement.
I think it’s rather easy to get frustrated when one puts in lots of time and doesn’t get the results desired. But that is were the analogy of sports and photography differ. There is no final inning or 7th inning stretch, no base stealing or sacrifice flies that makes a difference on a scorecard. It’s not about 1st place so you get all the money and glory, it’s about enjoying the 1st inning as much as the 8th. We need to be mindful of today’s society of winners and losers, oh there are times and places where that still applies but photography isn’t one of them. Getting the chance to be involved with a craft you love is the only winning atmosphere necessary. When practicing what you love you are already standing in the winners circle, all you have to do is hold the trophy high and savor it.
© Brad Mangas
Thanks for reinforcing the importance of practice, Brad. It is probably the one thing that will improve the skill and talent of any photographer.
I love the simplicity of this photo, too.
Brad, great post. Practicing is productive and can be quite fun too – a great way to get your mind off the day to day drudgery. Besides, I’m partial to images of prairie too!
Thanks for the comment Derrald, one can never get enough practice especially when it involves what they love.