why 57% of you struggle with editing and technicalities…
Photography and art isn't all roses. Far from it. It can sometimes be demoralizing, frustrating, lonely, scary and overwhelming.
I know what I've been through, and continue to have doubts over, but it's been a while since I connected with you guys about this. Which is silly really, and I'm sorry for that.
So last week I reached out to many of you to understand your struggles with photography. And here's what you said...
The results showed that 57% of you are struggling with editing and technical hurdles.
When I first started, I faced similar challenges. Maintaining the inspiration to try and create art, then finding the motivation to edit was tough. Sitting at my laptop, I found the software overwhelming, especially when it came to colors and color theory. I often resorted to black and white as an easy way out, because I just didn't know what to do - everything I did looked awful.
The technical aspects can be daunting and can really hinder your creative process.
Here’s how you can harness the power of effective editing and technical skills in your own work - and spoiler alert, it takes time and effort...
1. (Try and) Understand Color Theory:
Learn the Basics: Understanding the color wheel and how colors interact is fundamental. Start with primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and learn about complementary and analogous color schemes. Look on the internet, and of course YouTube is great for this and has many videos - this one I think is the best though...
Practice with Intent: After you have an understanding of theory, just experiment with different color combinations in your photos. Take note of what works and what doesn’t, and understand why certain colors evoke specific emotions.
Use Tools: Leverage tools like Adobe Color (I use this a lot) to create and visualize color palettes. This can help you plan your edits more effectively.
2. Utilize Mentorship and Coaching:
Find a Mentor: Just like I did, seek out a teacher or mentor who can provide personalized guidance. They can offer in-depth lessons on editing software like Lightroom and provide feedback tailored to your work. OK, not a designed plug, but I do have a mentorship service, happy to take the first 5 on for free that get this far and reply to this email.
Join a Community: Engage with photography communities online or locally. Being part of a supportive group can provide motivation, inspiration, and constructive criticism.
3. Embrace the Learning Process:
YouTube and Tutorials: While YouTube is a great resource for learning, nothing beats the touch of a personalized coach or mentor. However, use both to your advantage. Follow reputable channels that offer quality tutorials on editing techniques and software tips. There's too many out there to mention.
Consistent Practice: Of course I always come back to this. You won't get better by watching a million videos or talking for hours to coaches, it'll only come with practice. So, regularly hone your editing skills. The more you edit, the more comfortable you’ll become with the tools and techniques.
Reflecting on my own path, I truly remember how intimidating the technicalities and editing software felt. Colors and color theory were particularly challenging. For me though, having a one-on-one coach who guided me through the intricacies of software like Lightroom, and teaching me how and why to edit certain photos, was a game-changer. Today, while I still think consciously about my edits (as one should be), I’m no longer fearful of the process. Instead, I enjoy it and am confident in my abilities.
To dive deeper into overcoming your editing and technical hurdles, I offer a comprehensive mentorship package. In this service, I provide personalized coaching to help you navigate whatever direction and struggles you might have. From finding motivation and inspiration to mastering technical editing skills, this mentorship is purely tailored to your needs. Join my waitlist here and the first 5 who do and quote the word 'moodnews' will get 1 month of consults for FREE.
Happy Shooting,
