Clipped wings, out of focus, underexposed – They can’t all be winners! I post lots of successful bird photographs here and on social media. But please realize that I spend hours each day, and many days each month to get the one or two gems you see here. Much of the time, things just don’t work out like I hope they will. That is usually because it’s my fault. I am somehow deficient. But I will never give up because when it works, it is so rewarding that I will gladly suffer the slings and arrows of failure.
If you have tried to do a certain kind of photography yet failed, you are not alone. I too have failed. Many times. Probably more often than you. But I keep trying. In fact, I have to keep trying. And so do you.
The worst thing anyone can do is go through life without trying. That is FAR worse than failing. Whatever you are afraid of, run towards it. I know it’s counterintuitive, but it’s true. Just get it over with. The worry you feel about what might go wrong is almost ALWAYS worse than what ACTUALLY does go wrong. Embrace your fear, take a chance, try, try and try again.
If you are truly passionate about something, and you have applied yourself, studied, practiced and put your heart into it, you will eventually succeed.
If I can do it – anyone can. Really.
I am rooting for you.
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11 Responses
Thanks for the encouragement Scott!
Thanks. Encouraging words from someone with your skill sets provide inspiration to trudge on!
Thanks.
Thank you for taking the time to encourage those of us reading this. It’s true that we see images and think that others are able to capture these but we lack in some way. Which reminds me: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” —Thomas Edison.
Scott,
It’s good to know that you are mortal as well. One thing I struggle with, and I’m sure others do as well, is how to evaluate if an image is ‘good enough’. We are bombarded with amazing pics, and every pic we take may not be as amazing, but there are plenty we make that are ‘good enough’. Is there a process you go through to evaluate an image? Do you gauge the quality be reactions on social media? This may be too much to respond to in a comment response.
Hi Jeff the bad news is that evaluating your own work is hard no matter how much experience you have. Personally – just speaking for myself – I rarely give any consideration to the mass of social media likes/dislikes regarding my images because I am shooting for publication. The person who licenses my photos is the only critic I really trust. I do believe that critiques from published pros is something that is valuable but most newbies take such criticism poorly. It’s an area of photography that is difficult for sure.
Great advice. Can’t wait to see you again at the birding fest in St. Augustine. Thanks for all you do.
Well said and do true. Cheers.
Nice to hear that form a pro. We see all the great shots that Pro’s post and we don’t even think about all the trial and error that one goes through. Makes it easier to accept mistakes and move on when we are reminded that it happens to everyone.
Thank you for all the tips, information, and encouragement you share.
Good advice. Practice makes perfect. You can’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s one of the ways you learn!