What I’ve Learned from My Photography Hobby
The Milky Way over Chester Gap Cellars, a small Virginia estate winery with scenic tasting room near Front Royal, VA.
In 2018, I planned a trip to Norway with a couple of close friends. As a video producer, I had worked around cameras for a long time, but I didn’t have a lot of technical knowledge about ISO, F-stops, shutter speeds or any of the terms you commonly hear camera people and photographers throw around. It had long felt like a gap in my skillset, so I decided to buy a nice digital camera and give myself time to learn how to use it before the trip. My goal was to be able to take nice photos by adjusting the settings manually. I learned what I set out to learn…I have a much greater understanding of cameras than I ever had before taking up photography. But what started as a targeted exercise has taught me valuable lessons about trying to learn new skills in general.
Take a Class
Dive into something new by taking a class. I found a great photography class on Udemy that covered exactly what I wanted to learn. Online classes make learning a new skill easier and more affordable than ever before. If you have a library card, you may even have free access to LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), an enormous repository of classes covering everything from IT skills to the basics of editing and storyboarding.
Experiment
The class I took gave me new skills, but it also gave me the confidence I needed to experiment. Soon I was toying around with shutter speeds and trying my hand at astrophotography. Getting out of your comfort zone a little might help you discover a niche you really enjoy. Now I look forward to taking photos of the night sky any chance I get. Astrophotography even inspired the name of my company.
Be Patient
Learning something new shouldn’t be a slog, even if you’re learning it for work purposes. Consider setting reasonable goals for yourself, like devoting 15-30 minutes a day to learning. This can help you avoid burnout and frustration. If you do get stuck, take a break and come back to the material at a later time.
Don’t Be Afraid to Fail
Not all of my photography adventures have been runaway successes. By trying (and sometimes failing) I’m getting a better sense of the kinds of photography I enjoy, what I’m good at, and what I need to work on. You also may find that a certain aspect of something just isn’t your thing…and that’s fine too.
Share the Journey
Photography is a great hobby because it gives you beautiful photos to share. I love looking back at photos from past trips as well as the friends’ birthdays, engagements and other life milestones I’ve helped to document. But even if the skill you’re learning isn’t as social media-friendly as photography, sharing what you’re trying to learn can help you find others who may be able to provide guidance or support as you develop your new skill. I’ve received a lot of helpful guidance and feedback from people within my network, and that has helped me grow my skills. It’s also led me to opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Learning something new can be incredibly rewarding and it can enhance your career. Take a class, experiment, be patient with yourself and share your journey. You may even discover a great mentor along the way.
