Development happens in stages, whether you are an infant, a student or a photographer.  Last year I personally experienced a great leap forward.  My technical skills got better.  Then I got bored.

So I started really looking at my work.  My “signature shots” had turned into habits, and some of them were bad habits.  So I started looking around for ways to break and shake them.  This isn’t just for newbs, those of you with experience get lazy, too.

Camera tilt If looking through the albums you design has you feeling woozy or like you are about to slide off the couch then what should be a rarely applied compositional tool has turned into a bad habit.  There are so many other ways to add interest or movement to an image.  Don’t let yourself settle for just one.  Get lower, get higher, actually MOVE YOUR BODY.  Change your lens.  Do whatever you have to.  I still use tilt, BUT everything in moderation.

Zoom I use zoom lenses.  I use prime lenses.  I will not debate  about which one is better.  Each has their place.  If you are using a zoom lens, then going wider isn’t always the best solution to fit everything in the frame.  MOVE YOUR BODY backwards.  Actually take a step back.  Since I have started keeping track of my habits I have noticed that I trip backwards over Uncle Joes at weddings when he shoots over my shoulder.  Uncle Joe doesn’t move back.  You need to.

Landscape v. Portrait As it turns out you can use Landscape for portraits, and Portrait for landscapes.  Far be it from me to say which is best, but if you tend toward one, try the other.  Shoot both ways if that makes you feel more secure, but in designing albums I found that I liked the way  horizontal images worked in my layout, and I like the way they look on my site, and hanging over a sofa.  So I decided to get better at making the work.  Vertical is now a last resort for me.  When I get bored with that I might switch back.

Trendz I spelled that with a Z cause thats hot.  If you see some new awesome trend and graphics, go ahead and try it.  If you end up not liking it or can’t make it work then dump it.  I love curly swirly graphics… when other people use them.  I end up spending a bunch of time putting something together then trashing it.  I don’t like them on my work.  If something is cool or hot only do it if you truly like it.  Trust me there are clients that will hire you without curly-cues.

Photoshop salvage action We have all seen it.  High contrast black & white, WAY heavy vignette.  This doesn’t save the image.  It makes it look like you screwed up and were trying to hide it.  Sometimes you have to let go of that shot you ruined and just get it right next time.  Learn from the mistake, don’t fool yourself by trying to fool others.

If you have other ways to exercise our lazy butts, please share them.  Remember that people who are lazy need our love support, and help, not out judgement.

So do any of you guys have bad photography habits?

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