aows #16
stick with it
when experimentation becomes procrastination
The key to a consistent body of work is that, consistency.
I believe that experimentation is the only way to come up with new ideas, but at some point, we are going to need to stick with something for a significant amount of time.
There are a lot of variables in photography: camera gear, developing and printing techniques, subject matter, style. Add to those the many ways we share our work: website, social media apps, exhibitions, books, zines. Each one of these subject to experimentation.
Experimentation is really important in photography, something we should embrace in our work. Experimentation can push our art forward. But experimentation can easily become procrastination if we are not careful. We procrastinate when we change something for the sake of changing it, probably trying to avoid a challenge we are currently facing. It doesn't improve our art and we remain exactly where we were and even worse, feeling like we did something. Which can make us go even deeper into the rabbit hole.
I've fallen into this trap many times in the past. I'd tweak my website very often, trying new layouts, sections, options... while at the same time neglecting the content. I’d change the way I edited my images dozens of times, forgetting to make new images. I'd try the newest and shiniest social media app. New presets. A film stock I hadn’t tried before, always with a new one on my list to try next. A different developer or recipe.
Experimentation should be intentional. It should happen often, but ideally on the side. Give those experiments some time: don't declare victory too early, don't give up too soon. Most importantly, do not disturb your main work, do not stop working on it. If something seems to work, start including it into your work, little by little.
Experiment often. And then, stick with it.
new images
new videos
You’d think -at least that’s what I thought- that I became a professional photographer the day I quit my job. Turns out, that wasn’t the case. For a while, I was just a full-time casual photographer. But one day, I finally realized it was time to turn pro.
new adventures
As much as I love the winter landscapes in Indiana, this part of the country is pretty flat. Like really flat. I haven’t seen a hill, let alone a mountain, in months. Soon, I hope.
One thing I see every day, though, is water. There is no shortage of lakes in this part of the Midwest, and I try to make the most of them in my photography. Until now, that meant working from the dry land. Which is not always easy, given that most of the shores are private.
That changes today. I received a kayak I intend to use to get even more from the beautiful lakes we have around here. Private land won’t be limiting me anymore, as I can jump anywhere on the lake and row.
I tried it this afternoon and I loved it. Tomorrow morning, I’ll be on the water before sunrise, and hopefully making some images. I’m very excited about this.
I hope you all have an amazing week,
Adrian
I needed to hear this, haha! Have been distracted by different cameras, formats, lenses... Almost forgot that I had a whole project going on with a particular camera, film stock and format already. Thank you - and I hope the kayaking treats you well!
As someone who is always tinkering with illustrations, layouts, textures, presentation...I definitely needed to read these words today. I struggle with consistency because I always want to try something new, but lessons can be learned in the consistency while experimenting on the side like you suggest. Thank you for the words of wisdom.