As a photographer, there shouldn't be any thinking that will take you away from getting the shot.
Our brains are processing so much already with exposure, composition, color cast, backgrounds, foreground and clutter in the shot - I can't remember ever over analyzing a shot.
The technical stuff (should) happen almost instantaneously, everything else is reaction.
If you're spending time deciding whether or not to take the shot, you're either shooting film and worried about the cost of the click or you're not serious about getting better as a photographer.
Photographers take photos, just like writers write.
Let anyone or anything get in the way (including your brain) and you're doing yourself a huge disservice.
Shoot, shoot, shoot, dump the duds, keep the killer ones and get out there and shoot some more.
Interesting topic Tomasz. Many of us find the mental hamster wheel of thinking is spinning too much and too fast, and want some kind of brake and balance. I wrote about that in case you're interested. ⬇️
This is only a question: Might you be overthinking overthinking?
On the other hand, I find with people I have taught many have not found a way to connect who they are (their psyches or souls) with their desire to express themselves photographically. And yes, many amateurs are obsessed with gear and technique and seemingly less invested in meaning, in using their skills to serve their community and people's real needs for grasping truths. Thank you for addressing the problem as it gave rise to me responding and therefore considering and thinking.
Hi Tomasz, your question makes me think that “looking” “observing”, being aware of all the different elements of where you are and suddenly “seeing” a photo has nothing to do with thinking, even less with overthinking. Of course you have to do a little bit of thinking but walking around even in a familiar/unfamiliar place without taking photos like you do is such a good training for a photographer: you train your “seeing” eyes!
Yes, I think you're right about rethinking. In the past few months, my approach to photography has been changing very slowly. Basically, if I find that the tree is boring and uninteresting, I look at the shadow the tree casts on the ground or on the wall.
I like your take on this, Andrew!
As a photographer, there shouldn't be any thinking that will take you away from getting the shot.
Our brains are processing so much already with exposure, composition, color cast, backgrounds, foreground and clutter in the shot - I can't remember ever over analyzing a shot.
The technical stuff (should) happen almost instantaneously, everything else is reaction.
If you're spending time deciding whether or not to take the shot, you're either shooting film and worried about the cost of the click or you're not serious about getting better as a photographer.
Photographers take photos, just like writers write.
Let anyone or anything get in the way (including your brain) and you're doing yourself a huge disservice.
Shoot, shoot, shoot, dump the duds, keep the killer ones and get out there and shoot some more.
Interesting topic Tomasz. Many of us find the mental hamster wheel of thinking is spinning too much and too fast, and want some kind of brake and balance. I wrote about that in case you're interested. ⬇️
https://open.substack.com/pub/bairdbrightman/p/mental-exhaustion-is-a-danger-to?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Extremely interesting read, Baird. Thank you so much.
Glad you enjoyed it, Tomasz. Happy to return the favor of all your great Photosnacks!
This is only a question: Might you be overthinking overthinking?
On the other hand, I find with people I have taught many have not found a way to connect who they are (their psyches or souls) with their desire to express themselves photographically. And yes, many amateurs are obsessed with gear and technique and seemingly less invested in meaning, in using their skills to serve their community and people's real needs for grasping truths. Thank you for addressing the problem as it gave rise to me responding and therefore considering and thinking.
Always ready to join you in an adventure....
Hi Tomasz, your question makes me think that “looking” “observing”, being aware of all the different elements of where you are and suddenly “seeing” a photo has nothing to do with thinking, even less with overthinking. Of course you have to do a little bit of thinking but walking around even in a familiar/unfamiliar place without taking photos like you do is such a good training for a photographer: you train your “seeing” eyes!
Thank you 🙏 Exactly — it’s all about training the eyes and letting them guide us, not overthinking every step.
Yes, I think you're right about rethinking. In the past few months, my approach to photography has been changing very slowly. Basically, if I find that the tree is boring and uninteresting, I look at the shadow the tree casts on the ground or on the wall.
Regards,
Pedro
That’s a beautiful shift, Pedro — sometimes the shadow tells the story more strongly than the object itself.