Holding Back or Feeling

[Donal Philby <donalphilby@earthlink.net>]

Simon Ogilvie wrote:
>  I ache to be a better
> photographer, and I've fallen into the trap of thinking better equipment
> will help, but I know in my heart that it's my own failings that are
> holding me back.

Simon,

I have found that two things help.  

The first is to really find photos by other photographers that move you
in some way.  Get to know the photos intimately.  Memorize them, always
staying in touch with how they make you feel.

Then as you are out in the world, or in the studio or whereever you
work, pay attention to how you feel as you see.  If it doesn't "feel"
right, don't shoot, keep looking.  Study other work.  See what
consistently makes you feel what you want or like to feel.  

The reason people are drawn to different camera systems is this sense. 
I know that when I use 4x5 or even Pentax 6x7, my mindset changes.  I
begin to think, rather than feel.  And when I try too hard to make
beautiful compositions, I get stilted photos.  When I flow with a
situation, scenes appear and disappear and sometimes I can grab them
when it all comes together (even with heavily controlled and lit
advertising work), and I have been known to laugh out loud from the joy
of seeing it happen.  My style.  

Your only failing, perhaps, is not paying attention to your own values
and trying to judge your images according to some other standards.  Like
all art forms, photography demands that we look both inside and outside
at the same time we push the button.  

Donal Philby
San Diego