Arizona Treks

Where is your comfort zone?  Do you always try to stay there when you are shooting?  Do you limit your growth by not trying new things?  

I know people who are very change adverse, as does most everyone else.  Staying in the same genre all the time allows one to wrap themselves in comfort but does not promote growth.  If photography is your hobby and you practice it solely for the purpose of relaxation and enjoyment, or fun and socialization, then you can stay in your comfort zone.  but those of us who wish to see our potential and make the best photos we are capable of making need to step outside out comfort zones.   

I spent some time with a friend recently who adamantly refused to shoot anything that didn't inspire him.  I found that to be very confusing and short-sighted.  I tried to explain to him you must fail to grow, but he refused to accept that as even remotely true.  He claims to have frown over the last few years and I can not dispute his claim, but would find it to be an extraordinary person who could only grow significantly and remain in the same genre and style over the years.

My approach is to shoot what I love to shoot but also any thing else that I can think of to shoot, like in the Textures gallery here.  The portraits were all overcoming my own shyness to direct and work with different people.  for me, my least favorite type of photography is architecture.  I have a couple of friends who have a great deal more experience than I do and do a lot of architecture photography.  I love their work and am frequently amazed at how they see things.  Although I do not enjoy shooting buildings for the most part, and have very few that I would ever show to anyone, I continue to practice this.  Not because I desire to do a lot of architecture photography, but simply because by practicing this my vision is improved and expanded.  This will improve my skill in all areas and who knows, perhaps I will someday begin to love shooting buildings.

 Think about why you shoot and what you wish to achieve.  Are you happy with where you are not and shooting what you shoot now or do you wish to grow and improve.  If you wish to improve get out and shoot more and different things.