I will give you my two cents worth as I have been photographing nearly 50 years. I don’t remember any of these stages because after 50 years I still feel like a newbie. I get incredibly excited when I’m outdoors regardless of what I’m photographing I have had many challenges, assignments and I’ve done a lot of work over the years. I am very eclectic and I have sold a lot of my work but it has always been about the enjoyment that brings me not what other people say. I sincerely doubt that Picasso when he was making one of his masterpieces was thinking about what other people thought, he basically just started painting. I think that’s what photography is for me? It brings me great joy and pleasure, if somebody likes it and that’s OK, good for them. If not, it doesn’t matter as the result is to put a smile on my face.
No stalling here! I'm 100 per cent obsessed with bird photography. Just 6 months and I'm happy with my results so far. Lacking sleep and in pursuit of the perfect image, with my greatest love being nature itself. Now at 60, I see myself going hard well into my eighties ...love your videos. 😅
Hilariously uncanny how accurate this is!! When I started bird photography 4 years ago, it was during Covid lockdown. It was the most exciting thing in my life and the had almost unlimited time. That season was a gift!! In the last year I lost my job, got a new job, moved to a new part of the country and became a first time home owner… I got busy! But now I’m starting to settle again, albeit with my time more divided, but I’m now in the 4th and 5th stage! Now I’m pursuing again and doubling down on investment and creativity. I’m also very much in that artist stage where my goal is to create artistic images that really speak to me. ❤
I feel like I'm slowly climbing out of the valley of despair, the gradual improvement is still encouraging. I get way fewer shots that i'm happy with, but I'm much more happy with my keepers than i've ever been.
Very interesting. I have been a hunter and photographer most of my life. Sociologists have defined hunters into five stages, similar to what you have shown here. Whether I use a bow or camera, the stages are the same. I also believe that people cannot accurately be aware of themselves in any category until they move on to the next category and look back.
I've been doing photography seriously for 40 years. I have been through all those stages and as I get older realize I just am not able to hike carrying gear long distances like I did years ago. Now I am happy to set up a blind in my yard to shoot songbirds. I have much more control of lighting and backgrounds. If what I do is enjoyable and makes me happy nothing else matters.
Hi Scott, Todd Carlson here from Lehigh Valley United. Just found your channel. I moved down to Lake Mary Florida, so I've been doing a lot of bird photography myself. I've got three Sandhill Cranes that visit my backyard daily. We're in prime bird migration and nesting season now (March to end of May). Great locations down here. We'll have to catch up some time. Best wishes!
Interesting timing. Just came across a few days ago on a landscape photographer's channel the idea termed expressive photography. The main idea being to make images by focusing on escape, engagement, and joy. Escape from the daily grind, engage with the environment your in and the subjects you're photographing, and making images that give you joy. I think that's the self actualization process you're talking about Scott. Of course the other stages you mention are necessary - I think you hit the nail on the head and photographers have to go through some aspects of the earlier stages to have some competency and awareness of basic skills so you can get to the joy part.
I've started photography 2 years ago. I think I'm now at the Artist Stage, but still sharing on Social media! The Technician part was rather short in my case. A few weeks researching gear and buying what fit my needs. Since beginning this hobby, my main goal has always been to improve my composition. Rather than have the perfect technical shot, when I'm out there taking picture, I aim at bringing back pictures that remind me of the good times I had in the field. Thanks for this video. It was nice to reflect back on my journey.
This is a great breakdown Scott! I actually get a lot of my inspiration from YOUR videos/ photos, and am working on trying to achieve similar results using your guidance. I’m currently at the ‘stall/ pursue’ stage after 2 years of birding. I do have plans and strategies to try, as well as still trying to find a really GOOD location to practice. I am just very limited by working and lacking energy in my time off… but am going to keep going, because I love being out there, and find it so rewarding when I get a really great shot!
Interesting video, I really got interested in photography a little before Covid and got myself a Canon 90D and Sigma 150-600C before visiting Colombia returning to Australia days before borders were closed. I have been steadily improving my skills and I am now moderately competent in Lightroom and I am paying a lot more attention to composition, I do love posting on IG and FB. I have joined a great camera club and we have evaluations by external judges and I have been able to produce good photos and generally get commended or highly Commended. I guess that is my competitive nature coming out. I have also got involved in a U3A group, where my skills are greater than most of the others and I am now leading the group, so I can get a lot of pleasure helping the others improve their skills. The photography club is brilliant because it is pushing to expand my photography into other areas apart from wildlife.
The order of these stages are quite accurate! I believe I am currently on stage 4 and 5 for sure. Often feel like needing a break. Become more aware of background, composition and use of surroundings.
Similar concept explored to the Consciousness/Competency stages - Unconscious incompetence (I'm unskilled but dont know/care), Conscious incompetence (I'm unskilled and I'm aware), Conscious competence (I've worked hard to become skilled but still have to be intentional) to Unconscious competence (My skills are second nature)
The Valley of Despair....it keeps raising its ugly head every now and then - LOL. What a great video and topic Scott. I have been thinking about the Dunning Kruger effect but did not know what it was called. It really hit home. Thanks.
excellent Scott,I agree with you .I have been photographing birds now for around 15 years and am in the artist stage have been for 8 or 9 years and love being here. thanks again from Canada, your right on with this....
I started doing photography in August. The first 5 months definitely was about fine tuning my craft until I could get highly technical photos. Good lighting, sharp, close to the subject. I remember it all clicked around the time where I got a stunning photo of a white breasted nut hatch. I had a “woah” I took that moment. The next big moment “woah” moment was a month later when I was shooting photos of cedar waxwings and they were absolutely beautiful. After those photos, I realized that I wanted more than just my subject to look good. I wanted to really make the photos something special. Now I’ve been working on getting birds in certain environments and with more pleasing backgrounds. That and I want my photos to be more than the subject sitting there.
I think you got it right. it's a fun journey. I am not a pro. I have no interest in doing this for a business at this time. I just enjoy improving my work no matter what subject or style I work in. Love you Chanel
That is indeed accurate.I currently find myself on the artist's stage, or rather, on my own artistic stage. Where bringing back home my own memories and my own style that pleases me.
Great topic! I prefer to think of the artist phase as finding or developing a style that suits you. For me, that's shooting in the field in natural habitats. I was heavy into posting for over a year, but now I rely on intrinsic motivation much more.
Great stuff Scott, You’ve hit some really interesting points in this film! My own journey with photography is over thirty five years, I’m still as enthused as I ever was, I watch people like you because it’s impossible to have too much inspiration! It does make me a bit sad when I meet people who say they only photograph nature, variety helps us develop a broader skill set which we can often use whatever our subjects may be! I know some folks go through low periods in their photography I would say switch things up and try using different techniques and methods and apply them to different genres it can be such fun and we educate ourselves into the bargain! Keep inspiring Scott, all the best from the UK. 👍👏😀
Very interesting but I would suggest that there are both major and minor cycles at play here. The transition between the stall and explore phases seems to repeat in a more iterative manner as one may make small advances in their photography and personally I find that it is these small advances that keeps me interested and motivates me to keep moving past the stall.
All sounds familiar. I started wildlife work about 15 years ago and I have realised these stages really overlap and are certainly not sequential. Right now maybe I'm in all 5 stages at the same time!
I always enjoy your content and your insight. I first and foremost love nature, do bird photography as a hobby, and as such, I don't think I personally experienced the "moment" stage. The others, though, are pretty spot on! A previous video of yours has inspired me to experiment with including environments, so I guess I would be in the "artist" stage, although I could also be in the last stage, since my photography is for my own enjoyment and I'm happy with what I do.
Another interesting "Quick Thoughts" video, Scott. (FYI, there's a typo in the "Quick Thoughts" graphic) I came to wildlife photography after many years as a landscape photographer. I wasn't a beginning photographer. I wound characterize my initial phase doing wildlife photography as, "Discovery." I had found a new interest and was exploring it. The "Technician" phase, in my experience, is something that can overlap a range of creative phases. For me, it was about the search for an approach to the tasks of working the camera, choosing settings and getting the results I wanted that was instinctive. That was about five years ago and it opened the "Artist" phase for me. I suspect a lot of photographers pursue that technical place when the process is instinctive. The gear becomes an extension of the self. One envisions how a photo will look and instinctively operates the camera to make that image. It's a pursuit of technical competence that translates to releasing the inner artist. I'm in the "Self-Actuated" phase. I'm retired and wildlife & bird photography is what occupies my time. I pursue and make photos that satisfy me and my creative soul. Do I enjoy positive responses to and compliments about my photos? Yes. Does the fact that I'm not - and almost certainly never will be - the next Thomas Mangelsen or Arthur Morris bother me? Not at all. I spend hours in nature, am blessed to occasionally witness awe-inspiring animal behavior, and once in a very blue Moon come home with a great image that has a chance to outlive me. Thank you for your service to the larger photographic community!
I agree with what you are saying here, Scott, but those stages were somewhat different for me because I probably started doing photography before you were born. I bought my first 35mm camera in 1961 right after I graduated from Jump School and started receiving an additional $50 a month for jumping out of airplanes. (Brought my gross pay up to $148 a month). So I went through many stages in my progression with film. Mostly b&W. I didn't enter into the phases you are describing until I started shooting digital cameras around 2005. But, thinking back to then, I mostly agree with what you are saying about the stages of development with beginning digital photographers. Although I had done a good bit of professional work with film (weddings, portraits, models, magazine articles, etc) the immediate gratification of digital imaging was so fulfilling that I started over with a completely new excitement. Plus, I had the advantage of already having a good background in photography so my rotation through the phases was mostly limited by the quality of the cameras and processing software of the time. That whole experience kept me excited and motivated. Now I'm winding down and I haven't bought a mirrorless camera. I'm happy with my images from the D850 and don't feel like I have enough time left to start a new learning experience with a new system. So many days I don't feel like taking the camera out, but when I do I still enjoy it as much as ever. Today I was able to get some shots of Canada geese in flight, both individually and in formations, and I felt so thankful to have the strength to be out there with my camera again. So, Scott, you might add one more phase to your steps in photography.......the winding down phase that is eventually forced upon some of us. But it has been a fine ride.
I love your comments Clifton. It is inspiring to know you are still out there connecting. And no I was not born in 1961, but I appreciate age and the wisdom that can often come with it.
I think I’ll forever be in the technician position; it’s just how I am with anything from photography to tech to whatever I do. Although there’s the element of the pursue going on and I’m trying to be more of an artist
I continue on with my photography and I'm always trying to improve my photography. I have been serious about photography since 2019 and still serious about it, but I started off in Photoshop since 2006 or so. I kind of started backwards with Photoshop before Photography. I love seeing photography from really good photographers especially in wildlife in an attempt to get better and hopefully I will.
The Beginner - Spot on The Sharer - Spot on The Technician - Not for me, I have been a photographer for the past 35 years. I knew my gear very well. Only doing bird photography since 2020 The Moment - Spot on….I just finished this stage (I think) The Artist - I’m just starting this phase and I’ve never enjoyed photography more than I do right now Great video and I thought it was accurate
I am at the beginning stage with a cheap, used Bridge camera using it almost like binoculars. I hike a National Wildlife Refuge here in Montana 8 miles every morning and take opportunistic photos as I'm hiking. Posting to forums and facebook. Having fun and learning. For me I think the second stage would be where I actually sit in a blind and practice patience and concern about morning light, background, etc. I think of opportunity, equipment, skill as important. Right now I am low on skill, low on equipment, high on opportunity. We winter in Montana and summer in Alaska, so opportunities galore. My favorite is ducks here in Montana.
Hi , Good video and sharing insights, I guess I am in stage 3 or 4 pointed out by you, by the way spelling mistakes in captions in initial stage of video is intentional?
My opinion is that while there is validity in the stages you list and I won't bicker about the order, for me the stages are not necessarily sequential. I may get to a certain point in one aspect of photography and then decide to try something new, cycling back to the Beginner stage. For example, time motion using a slider or panorama stitching multiple shots into a single image.
Scott, I've been doing bird photography for just 6 months and feel like I've already gone over the initial stages. No longer want that close up shot or those ID shots. I'm already eager to get more artistic shots, with habitat along with the bird. Wondering if photographers now can go through these stages much quicker than before; given the amount of educational content there is out there. I've basically captured all the birds in my local area and now on the lookout for more artistic images with light/shadows/habitat and not just a bird on a stick.Is this quick progress through early stages common. Wondering what others think ?
Hi Scott! 👋 During the “Moment” stage I call the stall or pursuit decision a fork in the road. It’s at this fork where photographers make a mistake of calling the fork “a creative block” and it’s usually manifested in a social media post. In actuality we miss the dopamine associated with the attention of growth and it’s really a public plea for the attention we miss. A wildlife photographer should step back from social media, passionately embrace learning the biology of their subject and take great pleasure in being outdoors. That is to say pursue new sources of dopamine that compliment carrying your camera into the wilds.
I agree with all of this except maybe technician. I don’t think everyone goes through that phase and if you’re very focused on gear, you likely were from the start. I am on year three of my wildlife/bird photography and feel like I’m more at the artist stage now but who know, maybe I’m stuck in the moment phase where I have crap work and think it’s good. Who’s to say 🤣.
@@WildlifeInspired I mostly mean regarding waterfowl and getting out of my comfort zone! The ratio of pictures I like vs total pictures I take has gone way, way down, too.
A couple things about stage 4 I find is also true, once you have improved your technical knowledge and you have improved your photos you reach a point where you find your equipment is limiting your creativity, but better equipment is a significant investment. The other thing you realize in stage 4 is that no matter how hard you work, how early you get up or how far you drive, the books you read, the equipment you own, someone will always take better photos than you and that can be the thief that steals the joy of photography.
You nailed it. I'm at the 3 year mark. I'm definitely going to continue and try new things. I'm 61 and just wished I started younger. The best part of photography for me is the exercise. Going out looking for birds and animals is a great way to walk long distances without even realizing it. Walking back to the car is another story. LOL. Just want to keep improving.
Interesting topic and your stages with differentiating characteristics are spot on. Regardless of what stage we find ourselves in, for me there is a central component not to be overlooked- find JOY throughout the journey!
Although I do wildlife and landscape photography for me, I'm on the "phases" highway this video speaks to, and it's because I want to get better. Thought provoking, because before this, I never looked at it this way. Thanks...........
An interesting overview, I am a long way off stage 6. Something to strive for. I wonder how many who think they are at "Self Actualization" or Enlightenment" in other speak are really there. In photography who would be the master to bestow this state. Fellow Peers Social Media Competition Acceptances The obtaining in the "Letters" after our name LRPS, ARPS and FRPS etc Financial success, selling images Just plain contentment with where we are ? What is success in Photography, there is such a gulf between a social media poster and a fine art photographer [could be the same, but you know what I mean] Depending on our end goal or perspective I think in Photography and life that end goal is hard to qualify
Definately at the Technician stage myself looking for the artist stage. Im about 6 months in with bird photography but have been semi professional for 20
Been doing photographyfor almost 30 years. I would say the beginner and the sharer are in the same phase just either end of it. Also I believe once you get to the artist phase, you are competing with yourself for improvement. The self actualize stage is when what you see in front of you and the image you take become one.
I was on that stall faze for years then by the time FB came around to being popular and I made an account I realized I really knew nothing, my backgrounds were in focus for many of my photos of birds, many were above or below eye level, and that's when I knew I needed to learn what Fstop to use and I learned to be more manual with my camera. I got into photography at 6 or 7 and My space was just hitting it's peak.
Hi Scott, thanks for making this video. I think you hit the stages perfectly. I am in the pursuit stage I suppose. I have been involved in photography since the film days. Life called and I was inactive for many years and picked it up again when digital cameras hit the shelves. Started with the base model and kept improving and updated my equipment to fit my needs. I see what you mean about your bird photos. I love that you are adding in the habitat with the birds, those photos are incredible and so much more interesting than "just a bird." I am still developing that artistic part of my photography and I think I may be getting close. Definitely moving in the right direction. 😊
Great topic, Scott. I appreciate your enthusiasm listing all ghe possibilities around wildlife photography. Sometimes people get the "imitator" stage after the newbie stage, and stay there (often along with the technical stage) for ages. You go to workshops with your expensive reference photographer and get the same images, technically perfect but zero creativity. You know what I mean?
What a wonderful video Scott! I've been shooting for 50 years and can still remember the "Beginning Stage" and still correct myself from some of those experiences. I was fortunate enough to travel the world as a military photographer for a decade and really develop my technical skills from some masterful photographers. I later spent years working in labs and did jobs on the side. I eventually got burned out and lost my desire and passion for photography, it became a job and I pushed it aside for years. When I picked up my cameras again I decided to shoot for myself, your "Self Actualization" stage. I share my work with other photographers that I've know for decades and they give me suggestive criticism that helps me along. I am doing the best work of my life and still learning and experimenting and have myself back into the "Artist and Experimental Stage". Thank you for helping me sort a half century of photography in my head. I'm livin' life through the lens.
You certainly nailed that Scott! I'm 59 been fascinated with photography since dad and I made a darkroom in the laundry when I was 10. Thing is, I'm still at the 'curiosity stage' LOL. (after all, it killed the cat - right?)
Mine went from 1,3,2, valley of despair, 4, valley of despair, 4…… beginnings of stage 5 in the sense that I don’t really care what people think and I don’t share as much. Doing it for me.
I think you're on to something. I've come to similar conclusions. I'm at a stage where I feel that every time I head out with the camera I can take a pretty picture and that doesn't satisfy me. I want to take brilliant, superb images. Those only come around very rarely.
I have been in this hobby for three years now and I can say that I have stalled. I dont really pursue to be good at it but I just enjoy nature. I love taking pictures of animals and how they behave. I just walk around and just see how nature presents to me. I dont like to be competitive coz I only do this as a stress reliever and for my sanity.
For this genre, I think the nature part for those intrinsically motivated by it, will keep them going. It is part of what is unique about nature and wildlife photography.
Absolutely spot-on for me. I am an enthusiastic hobbyist and not concerned with making a living in photography. My main focus in recent years has been wildlife (incl. birds) and natural wild landscape. Personally, I am in a blend of stages 2, 3, and 4. I still share on social media, care about technical quality, but am looking to become more artistic and caring more about backgrounds, etc., and combining concepts of both landscape and wildlife photography. I have been through the “valley of despair” but remain passionate and hope to continue pursuing excellence. Thanks for this thought-provoking video.
I'm definitely coming out of the stall period and am trying to double down and pursue. My mind set has shifted from "I need to get out so I can share more photos" to "go out when you can make the time and be patient to develop your craft". I can also see this turning point in others when I scroll their feeds over the years. I'm honestly a lot happier and have removed a lot of stress from my photography. I think this is where I'll settle into a patient state of quality over quantity and hopefully, one day, I'll have a steady stock of images worth being truly proud of years from now. As they say, "enjoy the process".
You hit the nail on the head, in my 50 year journey , many cameras and lenses, styles, hiccups, and I’m back again retired and exploring again😎👍
I will give you my two cents worth as I have been photographing nearly 50 years. I don’t remember any of these stages because after 50 years I still feel like a newbie. I get incredibly excited when I’m outdoors regardless of what I’m photographing I have had many challenges, assignments and I’ve done a lot of work over the years. I am very eclectic and I have sold a lot of my work but it has always been about the enjoyment that brings me not what other people say. I sincerely doubt that Picasso when he was making one of his masterpieces was thinking about what other people thought, he basically just started painting. I think that’s what photography is for me? It brings me great joy and pleasure, if somebody likes it and that’s OK, good for them. If not, it doesn’t matter as the result is to put a smile on my face.
No stalling here! I'm 100 per cent obsessed with bird photography. Just 6 months and I'm happy with my results so far. Lacking sleep and in pursuit of the perfect image, with my greatest love being nature itself. Now at 60, I see myself going hard well into my eighties ...love your videos. 😅
Hilariously uncanny how accurate this is!! When I started bird photography 4 years ago, it was during Covid lockdown. It was the most exciting thing in my life and the had almost unlimited time. That season was a gift!! In the last year I lost my job, got a new job, moved to a new part of the country and became a first time home owner… I got busy! But now I’m starting to settle again, albeit with my time more divided, but I’m now in the 4th and 5th stage! Now I’m pursuing again and doubling down on investment and creativity. I’m also very much in that artist stage where my goal is to create artistic images that really speak to me. ❤
That's awesome. and good to see your name pop up my friend.
I feel like I'm slowly climbing out of the valley of despair, the gradual improvement is still encouraging. I get way fewer shots that i'm happy with, but I'm much more happy with my keepers than i've ever been.
Very interesting. I have been a hunter and photographer most of my life. Sociologists have defined hunters into five stages, similar to what you have shown here. Whether I use a bow or camera, the stages are the same. I also believe that people cannot accurately be aware of themselves in any category until they move on to the next category and look back.
Interesting! I'll have to look for those stages
I've been doing photography seriously for 40 years. I have been through all those stages and as I get older realize I just am not able to hike carrying gear long distances like I did years ago. Now I am happy to set up a blind in my yard to shoot songbirds. I have much more control of lighting and backgrounds. If what I do is enjoyable and makes me happy nothing else matters.
The home experience is also rewarding in different ways!
Hi Scott, Todd Carlson here from Lehigh Valley United. Just found your channel. I moved down to Lake Mary Florida, so I've been doing a lot of bird photography myself. I've got three Sandhill Cranes that visit my backyard daily. We're in prime bird migration and nesting season now (March to end of May). Great locations down here. We'll have to catch up some time. Best wishes!
That's awesom Todd! Hope you are enjoying it (too hot for me!) Good luck with the birds!
Interesting timing. Just came across a few days ago on a landscape photographer's channel the idea termed expressive photography. The main idea being to make images by focusing on escape, engagement, and joy. Escape from the daily grind, engage with the environment your in and the subjects you're photographing, and making images that give you joy. I think that's the self actualization process you're talking about Scott. Of course the other stages you mention are necessary - I think you hit the nail on the head and photographers have to go through some aspects of the earlier stages to have some competency and awareness of basic skills so you can get to the joy part.
I've started photography 2 years ago. I think I'm now at the Artist Stage, but still sharing on Social media! The Technician part was rather short in my case. A few weeks researching gear and buying what fit my needs. Since beginning this hobby, my main goal has always been to improve my composition. Rather than have the perfect technical shot, when I'm out there taking picture, I aim at bringing back pictures that remind me of the good times I had in the field. Thanks for this video. It was nice to reflect back on my journey.
Thanks for sharing.
This is a great breakdown Scott!
I actually get a lot of my inspiration from YOUR videos/ photos, and am working on trying to achieve similar results using your guidance.
I’m currently at the ‘stall/ pursue’ stage after 2 years of birding.
I do have plans and strategies to try, as well as still trying to find a really GOOD location to practice. I am just very limited by working and lacking energy in my time off… but am going to keep going, because I love being out there, and find it so rewarding when I get a really great shot!
And if the images get frustrating, take a step back and enjoy the process more..... I promise this will help keep you engaged.
Interesting video, I really got interested in photography a little before Covid and got myself a Canon 90D and Sigma 150-600C before visiting Colombia returning to Australia days before borders were closed. I have been steadily improving my skills and I am now moderately competent in Lightroom and I am paying a lot more attention to composition, I do love posting on IG and FB. I have joined a great camera club and we have evaluations by external judges and I have been able to produce good photos and generally get commended or highly Commended. I guess that is my competitive nature coming out. I have also got involved in a U3A group, where my skills are greater than most of the others and I am now leading the group, so I can get a lot of pleasure helping the others improve their skills.
The photography club is brilliant because it is pushing to expand my photography into other areas apart from wildlife.
The order of these stages are quite accurate! I believe I am currently on stage 4 and 5 for sure. Often feel like needing a break. Become more aware of background, composition and use of surroundings.
Similar concept explored to the Consciousness/Competency stages - Unconscious incompetence (I'm unskilled but dont know/care), Conscious incompetence (I'm unskilled and I'm aware), Conscious competence (I've worked hard to become skilled but still have to be intentional) to Unconscious competence (My skills are second nature)
The Valley of Despair....it keeps raising its ugly head every now and then - LOL. What a great video and topic Scott. I have been thinking about the Dunning Kruger effect but did not know what it was called. It really hit home. Thanks.
excellent Scott,I agree with you .I have been photographing birds now for around 15 years and am in the artist stage have been for 8 or 9 years and love being here. thanks again from Canada, your right on with this....
Fantastic!
I started doing photography in August. The first 5 months definitely was about fine tuning my craft until I could get highly technical photos. Good lighting, sharp, close to the subject. I remember it all clicked around the time where I got a stunning photo of a white breasted nut hatch. I had a “woah” I took that moment. The next big moment “woah” moment was a month later when I was shooting photos of cedar waxwings and they were absolutely beautiful. After those photos, I realized that I wanted more than just my subject to look good. I wanted to really make the photos something special. Now I’ve been working on getting birds in certain environments and with more pleasing backgrounds. That and I want my photos to be more than the subject sitting there.
I think you got it right. it's a fun journey. I am not a pro. I have no interest in doing this for a business at this time. I just enjoy improving my work no matter what subject or style I work in. Love you Chanel
That is indeed accurate.I currently find myself on the artist's stage, or rather, on my own artistic stage. Where bringing back home my own memories and my own style that pleases me.
Great topic! I prefer to think of the artist phase as finding or developing a style that suits you. For me, that's shooting in the field in natural habitats. I was heavy into posting for over a year, but now I rely on intrinsic motivation much more.
Great stuff Scott, You’ve hit some really interesting points in this film! My own journey with photography is over thirty five years, I’m still as enthused as I ever was, I watch people like you because it’s impossible to have too much inspiration! It does make me a bit sad when I meet people who say they only photograph nature, variety helps us develop a broader skill set which we can often use whatever our subjects may be! I know some folks go through low periods in their photography I would say switch things up and try using different techniques and methods and apply them to different genres it can be such fun and we educate ourselves into the bargain! Keep inspiring Scott, all the best from the UK. 👍👏😀
Very interesting but I would suggest that there are both major and minor cycles at play here. The transition between the stall and explore phases seems to repeat in a more iterative manner as one may make small advances in their photography and personally I find that it is these small advances that keeps me interested and motivates me to keep moving past the stall.
good perspective
All sounds familiar. I started wildlife work about 15 years ago and I have realised these stages really overlap and are certainly not sequential. Right now maybe I'm in all 5 stages at the same time!
I always enjoy your content and your insight. I first and foremost love nature, do bird photography as a hobby, and as such, I don't think I personally experienced the "moment" stage. The others, though, are pretty spot on! A previous video of yours has inspired me to experiment with including environments, so I guess I would be in the "artist" stage, although I could also be in the last stage, since my photography is for my own enjoyment and I'm happy with what I do.
Awesome, thank you!
Genuinely thought you were talking about me so, yes, you got it pretty much spot on!
Another interesting "Quick Thoughts" video, Scott. (FYI, there's a typo in the "Quick Thoughts" graphic) I came to wildlife photography after many years as a landscape photographer. I wasn't a beginning photographer. I wound characterize my initial phase doing wildlife photography as, "Discovery." I had found a new interest and was exploring it.
The "Technician" phase, in my experience, is something that can overlap a range of creative phases. For me, it was about the search for an approach to the tasks of working the camera, choosing settings and getting the results I wanted that was instinctive. That was about five years ago and it opened the "Artist" phase for me.
I suspect a lot of photographers pursue that technical place when the process is instinctive. The gear becomes an extension of the self. One envisions how a photo will look and instinctively operates the camera to make that image. It's a pursuit of technical competence that translates to releasing the inner artist.
I'm in the "Self-Actuated" phase. I'm retired and wildlife & bird photography is what occupies my time. I pursue and make photos that satisfy me and my creative soul.
Do I enjoy positive responses to and compliments about my photos? Yes. Does the fact that I'm not - and almost certainly never will be - the next Thomas Mangelsen or Arthur Morris bother me? Not at all.
I spend hours in nature, am blessed to occasionally witness awe-inspiring animal behavior, and once in a very blue Moon come home with a great image that has a chance to outlive me.
Thank you for your service to the larger photographic community!
Thanks for the heads up...... typos are a big challenge! I just struggle with seeing them.
A few samples for each stage would be wonderful
I agree with what you are saying here, Scott, but those stages were somewhat different for me because I probably started doing photography before you were born. I bought my first 35mm camera in 1961 right after I graduated from Jump School and started receiving an additional $50 a month for jumping out of airplanes. (Brought my gross pay up to $148 a month). So I went through many stages in my progression with film. Mostly b&W. I didn't enter into the phases you are describing until I started shooting digital cameras around 2005. But, thinking back to then, I mostly agree with what you are saying about the stages of development with beginning digital photographers. Although I had done a good bit of professional work with film (weddings, portraits, models, magazine articles, etc) the immediate gratification of digital imaging was so fulfilling that I started over with a completely new excitement. Plus, I had the advantage of already having a good background in photography so my rotation through the phases was mostly limited by the quality of the cameras and processing software of the time. That whole experience kept me excited and motivated. Now I'm winding down and I haven't bought a mirrorless camera. I'm happy with my images from the D850 and don't feel like I have enough time left to start a new learning experience with a new system. So many days I don't feel like taking the camera out, but when I do I still enjoy it as much as ever. Today I was able to get some shots of Canada geese in flight, both individually and in formations, and I felt so thankful to have the strength to be out there with my camera again. So, Scott, you might add one more phase to your steps in photography.......the winding down phase that is eventually forced upon some of us. But it has been a fine ride.
I love your comments Clifton. It is inspiring to know you are still out there connecting. And no I was not born in 1961, but I appreciate age and the wisdom that can often come with it.
I think I’ll forever be in the technician position; it’s just how I am with anything from photography to tech to whatever I do. Although there’s the element of the pursue going on and I’m trying to be more of an artist
And there is nothing wrong with attaining technical excellence!
I continue on with my photography and I'm always trying to improve my photography. I have been serious about photography since 2019 and still serious about it, but I started off in Photoshop since 2006 or so. I kind of started backwards with Photoshop before Photography. I love seeing photography from really good photographers especially in wildlife in an attempt to get better and hopefully I will.
The Beginner - Spot on
The Sharer - Spot on
The Technician - Not for me, I have been a photographer for the past 35 years. I knew my gear very well. Only doing bird photography since 2020
The Moment - Spot on….I just finished this stage (I think)
The Artist - I’m just starting this phase and I’ve never enjoyed photography more than I do right now
Great video and I thought it was accurate
Thanks so much for the positive message!
I am at the beginning stage with a cheap, used Bridge camera using it almost like binoculars. I hike a National Wildlife Refuge here in Montana 8 miles every morning and take opportunistic photos as I'm hiking. Posting to forums and facebook. Having fun and learning. For me I think the second stage would be where I actually sit in a blind and practice patience and concern about morning light, background, etc. I think of opportunity, equipment, skill as important. Right now I am low on skill, low on equipment, high on opportunity. We winter in Montana and summer in Alaska, so opportunities galore. My favorite is ducks here in Montana.
Hi , Good video and sharing insights, I guess I am in stage 3 or 4 pointed out by you, by the way spelling mistakes in captions in initial stage of video is intentional?
Spot on!
My opinion is that while there is validity in the stages you list and I won't bicker about the order, for me the stages are not necessarily sequential. I may get to a certain point in one aspect of photography and then decide to try something new, cycling back to the Beginner stage. For example, time motion using a slider or panorama stitching multiple shots into a single image.
Scott, I've been doing bird photography for just 6 months and feel like I've already gone over the initial stages. No longer want that close up shot or those ID shots. I'm already eager to get more artistic shots, with habitat along with the bird. Wondering if photographers now can go through these stages much quicker than before; given the amount of educational content there is out there. I've basically captured all the birds in my local area and now on the lookout for more artistic images with light/shadows/habitat and not just a bird on a stick.Is this quick progress through early stages common. Wondering what others think ?
yes the timing is variable for sure
You nailed it!
For me it little blend, I pass the moment stage and almost leave the hobi but the passion is hard in my heart, now in artist stage.
Idk. I really just like taking cool photos and if they make me happy maybe they can make others happy too
My on the spectrum personality made me a technician before even getting a camera.
Hi Scott! 👋
During the “Moment” stage I call the stall or pursuit decision a fork in the road. It’s at this fork where photographers make a mistake of calling the fork “a creative block” and it’s usually manifested in a social media post. In actuality we miss the dopamine associated with the attention of growth and it’s really a public plea for the attention we miss. A wildlife photographer should step back from social media, passionately embrace learning the biology of their subject and take great pleasure in being outdoors. That is to say pursue new sources of dopamine that compliment carrying your camera into the wilds.
that awareness of nature can be invigorating.
I agree with all of this except maybe technician. I don’t think everyone goes through that phase and if you’re very focused on gear, you likely were from the start.
I am on year three of my wildlife/bird photography and feel like I’m more at the artist stage now but who know, maybe I’m stuck in the moment phase where I have crap work and think it’s good. Who’s to say 🤣.
Maybe different people go through that, possible.
ha..ha...you read my mind.
I am still a beginner since 2005.
Completly me 😂
I've been in that valley of despair for so long, I can't remember not ever being in it! 🥲
STOP! You've gotten quite good. Huge improvement
@@WildlifeInspired I mostly mean regarding waterfowl and getting out of my comfort zone! The ratio of pictures I like vs total pictures I take has gone way, way down, too.
A couple things about stage 4 I find is also true, once you have improved your technical knowledge and you have improved your photos you reach a point where you find your equipment is limiting your creativity, but better equipment is a significant investment. The other thing you realize in stage 4 is that no matter how hard you work, how early you get up or how far you drive, the books you read, the equipment you own, someone will always take better photos than you and that can be the thief that steals the joy of photography.
This is also true
You nailed it. I'm at the 3 year mark. I'm definitely going to continue and try new things. I'm 61 and just wished I started younger. The best part of photography for me is the exercise. Going out looking for birds and animals is a great way to walk long distances without even realizing it. Walking back to the car is another story. LOL. Just want to keep improving.
You got this!
Interesting topic and your stages with differentiating characteristics are spot on. Regardless of what stage we find ourselves in, for me there is a central component not to be overlooked- find JOY throughout the journey!
Although I do wildlife and landscape photography for me, I'm on the "phases" highway this video speaks to, and it's because I want to get better. Thought provoking, because before this, I never looked at it this way. Thanks...........
appreciate the comment Eric
An interesting overview, I am a long way off stage 6. Something to strive for.
I wonder how many who think they are at "Self Actualization" or Enlightenment" in other speak are really there.
In photography who would be the master to bestow this state.
Fellow Peers
Social Media
Competition Acceptances
The obtaining in the "Letters" after our name LRPS, ARPS and FRPS etc
Financial success, selling images
Just plain contentment with where we are ?
What is success in Photography, there is such a gulf between a social media poster and a fine art photographer [could be the same, but you know what I mean]
Depending on our end goal or perspective I think in Photography and life that end goal is hard to qualify
Definately at the Technician stage myself looking for the artist stage. Im about 6 months in with bird photography but have been semi professional for 20
Been doing photographyfor almost 30 years. I would say the beginner and the sharer are in the same phase just either end of it. Also I believe once you get to the artist phase, you are competing with yourself for improvement. The self actualize stage is when what you see in front of you and the image you take become one.
Great video! I'm somewhere between pursuit and artist I think :)
Awesome video and everything about this was spot on. Great job.
Wow this hit home for me so much. I would say that I am just entering into the artistic stage.
I was on that stall faze for years then by the time FB came around to being popular and I made an account I realized I really knew nothing, my backgrounds were in focus for many of my photos of birds, many were above or below eye level, and that's when I knew I needed to learn what Fstop to use and I learned to be more manual with my camera.
I got into photography at 6 or 7 and My space was just hitting it's peak.
Myspace throwback reference!
Great video and spot on description of these different phases... I guess I’m currently entering the exploration phase
Hi Scott, thanks for making this video. I think you hit the stages perfectly. I am in the pursuit stage I suppose. I have been involved in photography since the film days. Life called and I was inactive for many years and picked it up again when digital cameras hit the shelves. Started with the base model and kept improving and updated my equipment to fit my needs. I see what you mean about your bird photos. I love that you are adding in the habitat with the birds, those photos are incredible and so much more interesting than "just a bird." I am still developing that artistic part of my photography and I think I may be getting close. Definitely moving in the right direction. 😊
Great topic, Scott. I appreciate your enthusiasm listing all ghe possibilities around wildlife photography. Sometimes people get the "imitator" stage after the newbie stage, and stay there (often along with the technical stage) for ages. You go to workshops with your expensive reference photographer and get the same images, technically perfect but zero creativity. You know what I mean?
Well said!
What a wonderful video Scott! I've been shooting for 50 years and can still remember the "Beginning Stage" and still correct myself from some of those experiences. I was fortunate enough to travel the world as a military photographer for a decade and really develop my technical skills from some masterful photographers. I later spent years working in labs and did jobs on the side. I eventually got burned out and lost my desire and passion for photography, it became a job and I pushed it aside for years. When I picked up my cameras again I decided to shoot for myself, your "Self Actualization" stage. I share my work with other photographers that I've know for decades and they give me suggestive criticism that helps me along. I am doing the best work of my life and still learning and experimenting and have myself back into the "Artist and Experimental Stage". Thank you for helping me sort a half century of photography in my head. I'm livin' life through the lens.
Awesome comment!
You certainly nailed that Scott! I'm 59 been fascinated with photography since dad and I made a darkroom in the laundry when I was 10. Thing is, I'm still at the 'curiosity stage' LOL. (after all, it killed the cat - right?)
They say one of the biggest factors in achievement in intellectual curiosity. Now I have no idea who "they" are but makes sense to me.
Mine went from 1,3,2, valley of despair, 4, valley of despair, 4…… beginnings of stage 5 in the sense that I don’t really care what people think and I don’t share as much. Doing it for me.
Good stuff Jesse! I bet you have seen people hit that wall too.
I think you're on to something. I've come to similar conclusions. I'm at a stage where I feel that every time I head out with the camera I can take a pretty picture and that doesn't satisfy me. I want to take brilliant, superb images. Those only come around very rarely.
Thanks for sharing!
Nailed it.
I have been in this hobby for three years now and I can say that I have stalled. I dont really pursue to be good at it but I just enjoy nature. I love taking pictures of animals and how they behave. I just walk around and just see how nature presents to me. I dont like to be competitive coz I only do this as a stress reliever and for my sanity.
For this genre, I think the nature part for those intrinsically motivated by it, will keep them going. It is part of what is unique about nature and wildlife photography.
Absolutely spot-on for me. I am an enthusiastic hobbyist and not concerned with making a living in photography. My main focus in recent years has been wildlife (incl. birds) and natural wild landscape. Personally, I am in a blend of stages 2, 3, and 4. I still share on social media, care about technical quality, but am looking to become more artistic and caring more about backgrounds, etc., and combining concepts of both landscape and wildlife photography. I have been through the “valley of despair” but remain passionate and hope to continue pursuing excellence. Thanks for this thought-provoking video.
I'm definitely coming out of the stall period and am trying to double down and pursue. My mind set has shifted from "I need to get out so I can share more photos" to "go out when you can make the time and be patient to develop your craft".
I can also see this turning point in others when I scroll their feeds over the years. I'm honestly a lot happier and have removed a lot of stress from my photography. I think this is where I'll settle into a patient state of quality over quantity and hopefully, one day, I'll have a steady stock of images worth being truly proud of years from now.
As they say, "enjoy the process".
Agree with this. I've come to the realization that I don't need to share photos every day and on every platform!
but dont stop my friend.