Become A Better Photographer

theartofphotogr...
/ tedforbes
/ tedforbes
This is a subject I like to revisit every once in a while. Getting Better is something we all strive for and we all have to actually learn how to do this if we want it to happen. Its not easy. Getting Better is subjective. Some days we feel like we are making progress and other days we beat ourselves up and don't like anything we've made. That's how creative things work.
I think its important to learn how to measure improvement. Last year we talked about metrics on Episode 86 (linked below). I suggest revisiting this show because its so important and for whatever reason its something we all tend to ignore.
There are 4 stages to creative improvement: Definition, Research, Practice and Evaluation.

[@ludvigsjodin6493]

This guy deserves more views

[@curtoegrosso]

Agreed! This is a really cool channel. Ted seems a nice guy, he also gave a shout to others channels that deserves more views this days, like Matt Day.

[@dietc909]

3 years later, you are still right

[@ConstantinSPurcea]

There is a lot of disinterest towards photography that's why he's got this amount of views.

[@V.S.M.OChannel]

True

[@GettingNegative]

@@ConstantinSPurcea Not anymore. Eesh.

[@malaka686535]

How you speak for so long, without making a mistake is beyond me. I love Your show Ted, going to take some of your advice to heart. The question you asked really shave i took me, What have i taken in the last month that i would place in an Exhibition. I think that is something a lot of us dont think about. I am glad i moved on to film in recent few months. I will think of that next time i even think of pressing the shutter button.

[@konstantinweber1377]

You know, there are videos titled exactly the same. You click on it, sure, you want to improve. Bullshit... the dude is talking about random stuff, that is not slightly researched or backed with any facts. I click on this video. I learned a lot in 11 minutes. More than I expected. Thanks Ted!

[@zanerichards8348]

My art professor gave me the best advice I have ever heard, not only about photography but for life. I definitely hear echoes of his words here. Respect for you, and your videos. I may not always agree with you, but your approach is always thoughtful, intelligent and well worded.

[@subliminal_donkey]

Your channel really is the best photography channel on KZbin! Always interesting and challenging and such a philosophical approach to pedagogy.

[@Nicole-yi2lo]

Your four strategies - definition, research, practice and evaluation - can be applied to life. I'm new to your channel and I'm going to set aside time this week to hit your archives (and take notes!), Your a dazzling KZbin presenter, and I imagine you were a dazzling college professor. I'm grateful your sharing your ideas and talent KZbin!

[@ForeverAyrtonSenna]

I am sure that all who watch your videos are as grateful as I am. Thank you for using your time to teach us!

[@Fauxtonics]

As someone who's been taking pics for a few decades now, I've notice a two things about the improvements in my images over the years. Improvements seems to coincide with moments when I've been shooting heavily (3 to 4 thousand images in a month). Now, I'm not one to spray and pray. I've got a rep of shooting too little because I do a lot of mental editing. I've also noticed that there's a plateau of time between these moments of self realization that I've improved. Is this in the norm?

[@Cyriljayant]

Ted great points and as usual great show . I really appreciate all your teaching on photography plus in general. I am in to photography for a long time but I am learning lot of basic that I never learnt. So thanks a lot and take care.

[@theartofphotography]

Cyril Jayant thats great Cyril! Thanks!

[@etatauri]

Hi Ted, I love your show! I was wondering if you've done an episode of finding locations. Sometimes I find it hard to find interesting places to go to and was hoping you can do a future episode on resources I can use to discover new places. Thanks always, I've been binging on your show for the last week!

[@formicapple2]

Thanks for the video. Been 35mm film shooting for about a month now. I must say, my photos have become better, so my friends say. If they are correct, I put it down to having to slow up my photography so that I concentrate on composition more.

[@Mychannel-jw2ui]

Really appreciated the none technical look at this subject. Too many videos out there hound on composition or rule of thirds - something easily found in a beginners 101 vid. Although that advice is valuable it's nice to see some refreshing takes on the subject and I especially liked the advice about identifying what you want to get better at. Such an obvious point yet sometimes too subtle - insert forest vs tress analogy. Anyhow, great show and thanks for the inspiration.

[@theartofphotography]

Yep - its just part of growth - you've got to work hard…

[@fuxholeu]

“Photography is painting with light! The blurs, the spots, those are errors! But the errors are part of it, they give it poetry and turn it into painting. And for that you need as bad a camera as possible! If you want to be famous, you have to do whatever you’re doing worse than anyone else in the whole world.” ~ Miroslav Tichy

[@zippywalker6406]

One of the best teachers on KZbin.

[@catey62]

Thank you for this episode..though I've been into photography for 3 yrs now and enjoy it a lot just of late I've been finding myself at a crossroads with it.my favourite style/type would be wildlife/landscape but have have lost my 'mojo' so to speak and have really been struggling to find the joy I use to get out of it.recently I purchased a couple of medium format cameras and have been shooting a lot of film,95% B&W...and it has rekindled my interest and passion but also has got me looking in a different direction with it too,and I find myself enjoying going out now,but also slowing down a lot more and thinking more about each shot and even walking away from ones that I would normally have taken...one area I have difficulty with is finding others to go out with..being transgenderged not many people want to be seen out with me so I do my shooting on my own,and so have to rely on places like your channel to watch and learn from...please keep them coming.

[@DandGBears]

Yes! I as well feel like I am spinning my wheels at times. Then you question your genre you work at so much. But hey, it's all part of the growth you need to go through.

[@argentik82]

I've just shared this reflection to my students, thanks for express this ideas in such a enlighting way. Excellent!

[@TheBiggervern]

This is the first video I have watched on your channel. It is really insightful and has made me think about what i am doing as a photographer. Many thanks.

[@christopherbarber9351]

Thanks for this episode, I watched it years ago and am glad to bump into it again. It's very helpful, and I'm looking forward to watching the "metrics" episode.

[@stephenryde78]

Hey Ted Great subject!! Great timing!! Saw a nice portrait shot of you while you were filming the podcast. The shadow on the wall behind you of the chair, teachers chair Thanks for all your hard work

[@scbeer1]

I concur with those who have commented before me. Your show is great! I look forward to each new episode.

[@majopgalli]

Thank you so much for these recommendations!! they're extremely helpful!! I'm taking classes right know and it's like you say, plus taking everyday pics but trying to apply the theory concepts in to them. Loved the Definition item!! I agree is the base for the rest :)

[@MaxAndersonFilms]

Just came across this video. Though still photography is more of a secondary hobby to my primary one of film making, I'll definitely take your advice about making regular objective evaluations of previous videos. Thanks a lot!

[@blockyjones]

IIRC the 10,000 was the marker to become *masterful* at a *skill* which is a far cry from how many people interpret it.

[@hamzaattiapsychootrip5132]

Hey Thank you for your videos but i didn't find the episode 86 could you please send me the link thank you

[@MarkScheffer]

Hi Ted, great video for a sunday Morning, always look forward to your insights. Thinking episode 87 is the Metrics video you mentioned. Thank you.

[@SunilGupta-xh8lb]

You are a genius. No one is better techers than Mr Ted.

[@Daksap]

This teaches how to be better at anything. Thank you.

[@oct579]

Hi ! From Montreal Canada Photographer after 42 years of photography 30 pro and teaching for many years i agree with you about a old KZbin that you were telling about you quitting you part-time teaching job Boy! it realy me you were tacking about me now I listen to your podcast The Photography Show great simple and funny 2

[@MarcS4R]

just rewatching old videos, i learned a lot from your channel, thanks a lot for being there (Y)

[@bigchimpo]

I finally caught up with the live releases! Thanks for all the great info, inspiration and strategies for creating better photos (and having more fun) that you've shared. If you're ever in Tucson, let's get some Sonoran dogs and/or sashimi after a visit to the CCP! I find that good food often gives my creative wheels traction again :D

[@CesarChejinRodriguez]

Love your glasses and your videos Ted. Greetings from Chetumal, Mexico. 😊

[@letechos]

Thanks for the quality of your talks !

[@bigstick5278]

Recording a flash moment in time that can never be duplicated again.

[@mela28xcom]

THIS EPISODE NEED A SEQUEL : Become A Better Photographer Pt.2 analytically thinking

[@romiemiller7876]

Nice photo of Ansel Adams on your thumbnail!

[@haleyparson]

Very helpful information! This video is just what I needed. Thank you!

[@theartofphotography]

Not sure about genius, but thanks for the kind words!

[@zampination]

hi Ted. when do you think i'll develop a certain style or a preference in shooting. currently i'm shooting pretty much everything and thats kinda stressful not to have a single clue as to where to take it from here. is there any tips on this or any guidelines? i'm shooting for almost a year now and recently i turned to 35mm film photography which made me to slow down and think more but still no clues as to where i made more progress with my work. any tip would help. perhaps is should just wait and see since i'm a beginner still.

[@Earbly]

ZDimitris just keep shooting man. I've been shooting for 10 years. you probably have your own style but its how deep you've had your style put into your photos. i wouldnt worry about it man, i never did. just dont get addicted to watching instructional videos, advice videos. i pretty much never did any of that. i didnt really know rules. just keep shooting and then evaluate if it's good. theres plenty you can learn and thats fine but too much and you'll be too rigid, you'll be worrying about too much. when i look at a scene all i think of is, how can i best shoot this? that's it. just keep going man, theres no benefit to be trying to benchmark these abstract concepts

[@louismusk4601]

Thanks Ted I found this video to be very helpful to me.

[@edouardgadesaude182]

Merci Ted ! Another great video and inspiration

[@ThephototodayIncoimbatore]

I appreciate that are very illustrative, thank you very much.

[@treefallleaves6711]

I forgot the phone somewhere so I got back on 0:20 , but I got back to 00:00 BCS I know you start talking when the video starts..

[@anujneu-pane]

Thanks maan 💚 you're my mentor

[@theartofphotography]

Yes - 87… thanks for catching that!

[@peterbaylis8631]

The Art of Photography episode 87

[@ethanlethander565]

I can just go grab a camera and hold down the shutter until I’ve got 10,000 shots. Ha!

[@perropatata]

thank you very much Ted very inspiring!

[@ChillTheFuckOutMeditations]

Thank you!

[@RiskyTingz08]

great video and motivation!

[@AliBahadori]

Cool as usual thanks for your time

[@spincla]

Thank you for thanking your time to explain..but please..slow down. I stopped the video 3 times because it was too stressful, other than that, it's great :)

[@JorisKoolen]

Great thoughs, thank you!

[@OhCrazyEggs]

Very inspiring video.

[@MrGuideMaster]

Find your own "red string", remembering it's just a guideline.

[@augustnord2108]

Thanks. I learn a lot from you :) August

[@victorwhitby4401]

Very interesting

[@romiemiller3093]

Before you can find the answer, you have to know the question...

[@Liryc19]

Subscribed!

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

:)

[@nemci7v]

Whats the point of a video if you're only recording yourself? Show some pictures!