I was recently offered the opportunity to try my hand at something new. Since I enjoy a challenge, I decided to give it a go. It was something I thought I’d never do.
Video.
Dance video.
Now, I am not a dancer. I am not a videographer. So I had my doubts about my ability, or even interest to take this on. But as I said, the opportunity presented itself, and I thought, why not?
Then I saw the camera. Oh dear. That thing is bigger than me! Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but seriously, who needs that much camera? DSLRs do video, right? What's wrong with one of those?
Well, turns out the big scary camera with all those tiny buttons and switches isn't so scary after all. I've now tackled several video jobs, and I know how to use at least three of the bazillion* little knobs and dials on the camera. I've been using a Sony professional shoulder mount standard definition camera, which sounds totally boring but basically it's the kind of camera you might see on a news cameraman's shoulder. It's heavy, so luckily it lives on a tripod and not on my shoulder.
Despite the heaviness, and the buttons, and trying to remember so many new things at once, I've actually enjoyed the challenge of taking up something new, and I've been fairly happy with the results. As with anything new, there is a learning curve, and room for an astronomical amount of improvement. But I gave it a try, and I learnt how to do something new I didn't know how to do before.
Video.
Dance video.
Now, I am not a dancer. I am not a videographer. So I had my doubts about my ability, or even interest to take this on. But as I said, the opportunity presented itself, and I thought, why not?
Then I saw the camera. Oh dear. That thing is bigger than me! Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but seriously, who needs that much camera? DSLRs do video, right? What's wrong with one of those?
Well, turns out the big scary camera with all those tiny buttons and switches isn't so scary after all. I've now tackled several video jobs, and I know how to use at least three of the bazillion* little knobs and dials on the camera. I've been using a Sony professional shoulder mount standard definition camera, which sounds totally boring but basically it's the kind of camera you might see on a news cameraman's shoulder. It's heavy, so luckily it lives on a tripod and not on my shoulder.
Despite the heaviness, and the buttons, and trying to remember so many new things at once, I've actually enjoyed the challenge of taking up something new, and I've been fairly happy with the results. As with anything new, there is a learning curve, and room for an astronomical amount of improvement. But I gave it a try, and I learnt how to do something new I didn't know how to do before.
| The same thing happens with photography. This quote [on the right] from Kristen Stewart pretty much sums up my approach. When I started in this business in 2007, I really had no idea what I was doing. But I loved it anyway. I made a mess of things. I took some awful shots. I offered packages at prices that make my eyes water now. But I learned things. A lot of things. Like how to communicate with clients and develop relationships. How to give them what they want. How to shoot, pose, light, edit images. I still have so much to learn. Any photographer who claims they don't is out of their mind. No two photographs are ever the same. They can't be. You can't step into the same river twice. So every time you take a photograph, you are taking that photograph for the first time. And every time you do something for the first time, there is nervousness, apprehension, and something to be learned. |  |
Every session I shoot, I try something new I've never tried before. Last time it was laying face down on a slippery rock halfway up a waterfall and shooting up into the sun. Before that it was silhouettes. Before that it was time exposures and water. Before that it was autumn leaves being thrown up into the air. There is always something new to be tried and learned from. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But don't be afraid to try.
I want you to apply this to your every day life. Try something new. Maybe you'll go on that scary ride at the show next year (I did this year and I'm so glad I did!). Maybe you'll talk to that person you always liked but were too nervous to say anything to. Maybe you'll book in with me for a portrait session and have the time of your life, and take home some amazing photographs to remember yourself right as you are now in years to come.
Any day is a good day to try something new.
I want you to apply this to your every day life. Try something new. Maybe you'll go on that scary ride at the show next year (I did this year and I'm so glad I did!). Maybe you'll talk to that person you always liked but were too nervous to say anything to. Maybe you'll book in with me for a portrait session and have the time of your life, and take home some amazing photographs to remember yourself right as you are now in years to come.
Any day is a good day to try something new.
*Note "bazillion" not an actual number, may be a slight exaggeration ;)
If you are looking for a videographer for dance, wedding, commercial or anything else, I highly recommend Infocus Photography & Video, with over 30 years of experience in the industry.
