Invest in Yourself. Shoot in Raw. Stop Comparing.

Welcome to the third installment of "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants," a blog series dedicated to guiding new photographers on their journey to mastery. In this post, we'll explore three foundational principles that are crucial for any aspiring photographer, especially those just starting out: investing in yourself, shooting in RAW format, and resisting the urge to compare your work to others. These seemingly simple concepts can have a profound impact on your photographic journey, fostering growth, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the craft.

Invest in Yourself, Not Just Your Gear

The world of photography is rife with tempting gadgets and gear. It's easy to get caught up in the allure of the latest camera, lens, or filter, believing that these acquisitions are the key to unlocking your photographic potential. However, many seasoned Toronto photographers and Toronto portrait photographers will attest that this is a misconception. While quality gear can certainly enhance your workflow, it's ultimately just a tool. The true magic lies in your ability to wield that tool effectively.

Instead of chasing the next big camera upgrade, focus on investing in yourself. This means prioritizing education and practice over gear acquisition. Attend workshops, take online courses, read books, and study the work of master photographers. Learn the intricacies of composition, lighting, and exposure. Develop your artistic eye and cultivate a unique style that reflects your vision.

Practice is equally crucial. The more you shoot, the more you experiment, the more you refine your skills. As the adage goes, "The best camera is the one you have on you." So grab your camera, explore your surroundings, and capture the world through your lens. Don't let the pursuit of the next gadget overshadow the importance of honing your craft.

A personal anecdote: Like so many new photographers, I fell victim to the gear acquisition trap, purchasing used lenses based on online reviews that promised to fulfill a specific need. A drained the bank account ultimately didn't teach me anything new (about photography). The regret far outweighed the fleeting satisfaction of acquiring new gear. A year later, the LRC metadata makes it clear that two lenses make up the majority of my shutter clicks: my 35mm and 50mm, and my headshots sessions are exclusively shot with my 85mm. My other lenses are rarely used, reserved for specific situations.

Ultimately, investing in education and dedicating yourself to practice will not only improve your photography but also likely save you money in the long run. You'll be less tempted by unnecessary gear purchases and move closer to the path of generating income from your passion.

Shoot in RAW: Unlock Your Photographic Potential

One of the most fundamental practices for any aspiring photographer is to shoot in RAW format. RAW files capture all the data recorded by your camera's sensor, providing maximum flexibility in post-production. Think of it as the digital equivalent of a film negative – it contains all the raw information captured by your camera, allowing for far greater manipulation and creative control during editing. Here are three compelling reasons to shoot in RAW:

1. Unparalleled Editing Control: RAW files offer greater latitude for adjusting exposure, white balance, and color tones without compromising image quality. You can make significant changes to the overall look and feel of your images, fine-tuning them to match your artistic vision.

2. Preserve Highlight and Shadow Detail: Recover details in overexposed highlights and underexposed shadows that would be lost in JPEG format. This is particularly useful in challenging lighting situations, where you might need to recover details that were initially lost in the highlights or shadows.

3. Non-Destructive Editing: Edit your images without permanently altering the original RAW file, allowing for endless experimentation and revisions. This means you can always go back to the original file and re-edit it with a fresh perspective or new techniques.

A word to the wise: Even if you're not a savvy editor now, trust me, you will be one day. As your photography skills evolve, you'll likely want to revisit your older images and re-edit them with your newfound knowledge and techniques. Shooting in RAW ensures that you'll always have the flexibility to do so, unlocking the full potential of your images, even years down the line.

A common argument against shooting in RAW is the larger file size compared to JPEGs. While this was a valid concern in the early days of digital photography, it's less of an issue now. With faster file transfer speeds, affordable cloud storage options, and the ever-increasing capacity of external hard drives, managing larger RAW files is no longer a significant burden. Furthermore, many camera manufacturers now offer proprietary compressed RAW formats, like Canon's CR3 format, which provide near-lossless compression, significantly reducing file sizes without compromising image quality.

Break Free from the Comparison Trap

In the age of social media, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing your work to the curated perfection often displayed online. However, this constant comparison can be detrimental to your growth as a photographer. Remember that social media platforms showcase a highly curated version of reality, often obscuring the effort, experimentation, and failures that go into creating exceptional images.

Instead of comparing your work to others, focus on your own progress. Compare your current images to your older work. Are you seeing improvement in your composition, lighting, or storytelling? Is your artistic vision becoming more refined? These are the metrics that truly matter.

Remember the 10% and 1% rule discussed in our previous blog post. Don't compare your entire body of work to a professional's carefully curated 1%—it's an unrealistic and disheartening comparison.

Conclusion

The journey to photographic mastery is paved with dedication, practice, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures. Invest in yourself, hone your skills, and embrace the creative process. Remember, the most valuable tool in your photographic arsenal is not the latest gadget but your own evolving vision and dedication to the craft. By prioritizing education, practice, and self-evaluation, you'll be well on your way to achieving your photographic aspirations.