Shutter Sisters

advice

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While updating my personal blog last week I stumbled upon across a link I had shared a while ago titled Advice. It’s a collection of thoughts on what every aspiring photographer should know that range from “learn to say I’m a photographer out loud with a straight face” to “style is a voice, not a prop or action” and my favorite “never compare your journey with someone else’s. It’s a marathon with no finish line. You will never “arrive”. No one ever does.” I read this list a long time ago, but I realize how some of these words have settled somewhere in a remote corner of my mind, offering comfort, encouragement and perspective when I most need them.

What are the advice, the words, the thoughts that other photographers, friends, teachers shared with you that have helped you when holding a camera? Please share with us today.

Comments

  4. I recently read a couple of things that said "It's the person, not the equipment" when it comes to photography. I hang on to this because so many people get focused on what type of camera or lens someone has but a lot of it has to do with how a person views things and being in the right place at the right time.

  6. I've also heard "it's the person, not the equipment" especially when I get down on myself because I haven't gotten my pro camera yet… (saving up for it)… and that keeps me going more than anything. It's so important we share also with each other in a community of photographers, and not keep good ideas to ourselves. Everyone shoots differently. It's art. We can all learn so much from each other. Thank you for this post.

  7. I agree with 'it's not the equipment" sentiment. I have even heard 'I'd like to travel to capture images like those'. But I believe it is simply looking for the interesting in the moment.

    Joined my guys while they fished for salmon on the Klamath River yesterday afternoon. The sun reflecting off the water meant anything interesting I saw was backlit and the surrounding light was hard. I turned my attention to my feet, and couldn't believe I found this – I snapped some pictures, then remembered I could video too 🙂 At 42 seconds long, this is the interesting I found on a shoreline fully of rocks.

    http://youtu.be/4Szs3BZFHiU

  9. the quote from jim elliot: "wherever you are be all there," has stuck with me in many ways. in photography, it can be easy to wish for something more, somewhere different, better light, better this or that, less mess, but the simple reminder to be in the moment fully, to be all there, opens up new perspective & possibility in reality.

  10. i love the photo!!!!
    i also love these qoutes, what a good collection, i like particulary the one about saying with a straight face that one is a photographer! the idea had come to my mind, but now when i see it black on white it makes so much sense, it is funny but so true and i definitely must try to practice! the one about style is very good said also, and i so love about the journey, it makes so much sense! i am a firm believe all about the eyes not the equipment saying,mentioned above; i never update my equipment but lately i am so guilty of wanting to get myself a pro camera one day! the advice that i believe & cherish most is about believing in your inner voice while on your way to find your own style and i try to think about that in my hardest moments.

  11. Great topic!

    “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all of time this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”
    — Martha Graham, dancer and choreographer

    http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2011/11/silent-saturday-nov-12-2011.html

  12. oh my word…this photo…takes my breath away!!
    so extraordinary.

    i decided to call myself an artist several years ago…. it was the best gift I could have given myself….

    thank you for the link to 'advice'…i'm off to take a look…..
    a perfect monday am beginning.

    xo

  13. 1) What made the biggest difference to me: Introduce myself as a photographer.
    This opens up all sorts of doors and opportunities, and it's amazing who people know and what stories they will love to share with you, you who are brave and chasing your dreams, and it doesn't matter whether you happen to have an unrelated job that pays the bills, this is who you ARE.

    2) Take opportunities when they are presented, even if they are scary… especially if they are scary. Get out there.
    (and I mean that in the "omg can I really do this" way, not the un-safe way!)

  14. I call myself an avid amateur photographer. It is flattering when people say nice things about my photos. There are so many people who like to take and post their pictures. I look at my own with a very critical eye. Other people just like to post a picture they took for fun. I think, in the end, you are a photographer if you look at pictures with a critical yet loving eye.

  15. One of the best pieces of advice about taking photographs I ever got was from a photography artist… who also happens to be my sister. She said: "look with your mind, not just your eyes". I think she meant a kind of aware, creative, and intelligent kind of "looking" at the world around you to find that perfect shot.

    I personally would add "look with your heart" to that! Feel what you see as you see it.

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    For myself, an amateur photographer with a great passion to feature what possibly others do not see. One feels so alive looking through the lens.
    The best advice I've been given so far is follow my passion and don't be afraid to experiment. Mostly, enjoy myself first and then be grateful for those who appreciate and wish to purchase a piece I created.

  18. This is my first visit to this blog and I've really enjoyed both the information and the comments.
    For myself, an amateur photographer with a great passion to feature what possibly others do not see. One feels so alive looking through the lens.
    The best advice I've been given so far is follow my passion and don't be afraid to experiment. Mostly, enjoy myself first and then be grateful for those who appreciate and wish to purchase a piece I created.

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