Insecurity - Can I Keep Producing?
Reach for It. From the Collection, “Photographers”.
I was listening to a podcast that featured Jérôme Brunet, who is an award winning and internationally published music photographer. The topics moved around, but I was particularly interested in Jérôme‘s observation that almost all photographers, and artists, at some time suffer from “insecurity”. I am glad to know that it is not just me. He distilled the insecurity into three questions, “Can I keep producing? Can I be creative again? Am I valid?”
Let’s look at the first question.
Can I keep producing?
I am an amateur photographer. I ask myself this question fairly often, but I do understand that it is an entirely different question for professional photographers who literally put bread on the table by producing good work. I cannot speak to that. In fact, I would guess each of us has a different angle on the problem of continuing to produce.
Keep on Shooting. From the Collection, “Photographers”.
When I worry about that, it is a two-fold issue. I started this great adventure with street photography tens years ago, and even then, I was no spring chicken. Let me assure you, I tire more easily now. Really, a lot of the time I wonder if I have it in me to even get out, let alone take quality pictures. My solution is to re-frame the problem. I go out, not just because of my desire to take pictures, but as a way to get exercise, which is a must-do for me, and have life enriching experiences which is also a must-do for me. It is much harder for me to opt to stay home in the face of this powerful triad of reasons to go.
Good Form. From the Collection, “Photographers”.
It also helps me to make a personal commitment to go out and shoot. My rule is that I have to shoot street photography in Nashville at least once a week. It is easier for me to shoot events like festivals or county fairs or parades. I check Nashville Guru for interesting things going on in the community early in the week and make my plans. In that regard, I am proud. I said I would do that in the blog, “Where Can You Go in Your Town To Do Photography?” By golly, I am doing it. Which is not to say that it is always easy. I am currently choosing evening events because it has been so hot this summer. Practically without fail, I have to convince myself to just carry out the plan, tired or not. I am never sorry that I make the decision to go.
Get on Down. From the Collection, “Photographers”.
Finally, my personal failing is my fear that when I go out, I will not take quality pictures that I can be happy with. When I come home, I am still convinced that I have not taken any pictures that I would want to keep. Because of that, I almost never download the pictures immediately. You know what? I am always wrong. There are always a couple of pictures that please me.
Shoot What You Love. From the Collection, “Photographers”.
I do not know if you have ever had the fear about whether you can continue to produce quality pictures, or what the nature of that fear is for you. I do believe, however, that if you think of it as a solvable problem, you will find a solution.
Can I keep producing? I think I can.
Exercise
Have you ever worried about continuing to produce in photography? Do you know what caused that worry? Did you find a way to get past it?