The photo is not the goal

Am I the only one who had the idea as a beginner in landscape photography, that once I learnt “how to take photos” I would regularly create breath-taking images to proudly hang on my wall?

Through the process of learning the basics, it soon became clear that regardless of any visions I had, the weather and light would do as they pleased, and having expectations of photos I wanted to make almost always ended in disappointment. 

So I made the decision to change my goal when out taking photos, from taking at least one great image, to:

Do the best I can with what I have.

In some ways, it doesn’t seem like a massive change in outlook, yet it’s a perspective that has helped me in many ways over the years, not least in altering my experience for the better.

The antidote to perfectionism

Perfectionism can be an insidious trait that not only robs us of joy and fulfillment, but ironically can also stop us from creating all we are capable. 

Landscape photography has played a major role in helping me to overcome my own perfectionistic tendencies, and altering my perspective from focusing on unrealistic and unattainable expectations, to simply doing the best I can, has been the key.

Presence and space

Aiming to do my best with what I’ve got means I (usually) don’t get disappointed when the conditions aren’t “ideal” for photography.  Instead of getting caught up in the end result, it helps me to be present in here and now, which not only allows me to see beauty in places and conditions that I previously overlooked, but importantly makes the process of landscape photography so much more enjoyable.

Doing my best allows for me to learn and grow, and actually opens up space where great photography could occur, without creating expectations or judgements on whether or not it actually does occur. 

Anyone who’s watched my videos on YouTube knows that enjoying myself is more important to me than the photos I take, and the aim to do my best with what I’ve got is really the foundation on which fun experiences are built. 

And ironically, though perhaps unsurprisingly, I believe this perspective actually results in me taking better photos.

This approach in action

All the images in this article were taken from a day spent in the rain in a wonderful location in the Australian Outback. Some of my favourite landscape photography experiences are being out on rainy days, and this one was definitely right up there!

Are these the best photos I’ve taken? No, I don’t think so. But going out to simply be present in the moment and do my best meant I had a wonderful day, and I believe ended up with better photos than I would if I’d burdened myself with expectations.

If you want to share my experience and see all the photos I took, check out the video below.