Perfectionism

I created my YouTube channel about 7 years ago hoping to start talking to camera about photography. I’ve hardly posted in this time which is down to perfectionism.

I really feel it’s had a detrimental effect on my creativity, especially when it came to me talking to camera. I’ve never liked seeing myself on camera and I disliked the sound of my voice. I would record myself talking to camera, make a mistake, and finally get it right. Then when it came to editing my work, I’d see flaws in the way I came across or whatever. It wasnt good enough. It wasn’t perfect. I never completed lots of projects because it wasn’t acceptable. Yet it would take sometimes a whole day to record a sequence. It wasn’t wasted. I used to get so angry and frustrated and I even felt fake and useless. Then I researched on YouTube how others had overcome perfectionism.

Now, after I’ve finished a video project where I’m recording myself, I ask myself “Is this 100% perfect?” I answer with a no and then I ask “Is this 70% perfect?” I’ll always answer with a yes!

Even with 70% perfect the small minor mistakes, no one seems to notice but me.

I still have issues but at least I’ve finally taken the plunge a make a short film on Perfectionism.

In a years time I know I’ll be thinking what was all the stress about.

Thank you for reading this.

Cheers,

Ray

In case you want to see the video, here’s the link and be kind:-

I no longer worry about camera focus and can get more creative…

After a few years saving hard earned money, I’ve updated all my photography equipment, cameras, lenses, etc in preparation for a new year of weddings, portraits and commercial photography.

I use canon DSLR full frame cameras with L lenses. I know my cameras literally from back to front but I would often get frustrated with DSLR’s focus abilities and their accuracy. Zooming in on portraits, DSLR’s can sometimes be off by a few millimetres which is why I would frequently overshoot scenes to at least make sure I nail the shot. At the end of the year I calibrate my lenses or in some cases send my cameras and lenses off to canon for this calibration. Mirrorless no longer need calibration.

After getting my hands on digital mirrorless cameras, I’m finding that I’m shooting subjects less because 99% of the time I’m nailing the shot. Eye focus now enables me to shoot wide open without fear of missing my subjects eye. I can use the 50mm f1.2 at f1.2

Another point that I should mention is that my creativity when photographing anything has increased or widened because focus is no longer an issue!

Ray

A Difference 15 Days Can Make

Happy New Year. I’m home at last having spent over 15 days from home. I missed Alfie, our dog, so much!

I had a total business break which included from all social media. Admittedly I found not posting to social media daily and turning silent all notifications a real benefit to my health. My sleeping patterns improved as did my overall concentration levels.

I’m of an age that I can say I remember when there wasn’t social media or even the internet and it felt good at the time.

As I plan a new approach to social media, personally and with my business, my emphasis will no longer be focused on daily postings but more so on quality postings, posts that give real value to my audience. How I photograph people and products, my thought processes, etc.

Ray