XtremeCamera

I suppose there is no easy way to say this; learning the skills necessary to become a skilled photographer you must keep your ego in check, lest you become angered every time someone reaches out to help you.

Ego is something we all possess, I suppose, and as in all things some people have more ego than others, and some unfortunate people have huge egos that go unchecked throughout their lives, often crippling that person in the social arena, as well as in their chosen (or forced upon) livelihood.

Whenever an out-of-control ego crosses my path I am left feeling sorry for that person, for they will most likely never understand the reason for their painful struggles in life. People with egos large enough to fill a stadium often have ambition and drive that will assure success in anything that person tries to achieve, but an out-of-control ego nearly always ends in disaster.

I bring this up because I had a run in with a novice photographer that possessed an ego so large, yet so fragile, that any suggestion on how to improve an obviously poor photograph was met with extreme anger, name-calling, and downright threats. In addition to being the most bizarre event for me in all of 2008, I felt sadness for him, and everyone in his life, his friends (if he has any) and his family.

This bizarre outburst got me to thinking about ego, and how it can be a positive trait or negative trait for the novice photographer. More importantly, how it can play into the learning curve all novice photographers have to endure.
In order to become a successful photographer (successful meaning a photographer that can consistently create good photographs) there are many things a person must learn. You cannot be successful by picking up a camera and running around shooting everything in your sight. If you never learn how to use the tools at your disposal you will never possess the ability to construct a proper photograph. If your ego won’t allow someone in long enough to teach you something you will forever remain ignorant.

So how does someone with a sincere desire to become good at something find a way to control his or her ego long enough to admit that they are in need of instruction? Is it something they have all along, this ability to set aside their ego and absorb the knowledge of others, or is it a learned behavior? Can someone with an out-of-control ego ever learn humility?

We are all born with a blank slate. As we move through life we absorb knowledge in a variety of ways. As infants we watch, as toddlers we’re taught, as teens we reject, and as adults we submit to being taught again. But somewhere along the line some people veer off course and become extreme divas that believe they know everything there is to know about everything and anyone that dare reach out to educate them is instead attacking. This feels psychotic to me.

When it comes to learning photography for the first time you must first recognize that it takes knowledge and skill that you cannot possibly possess. That being the case, how could anyone act out defensively against someone who has been specifically asked by this person to offer his or her knowledge? It makes no sense.

Now, before someone begins to think that I believe all ego is bad, let me say clearly that it is not. A healthy ego gives you the will and the confidence to become a good photographer. A healthy ego allows for both humility and confidence in equal amounts.

In order for someone to absorb the knowledge offered by another they must first admit ignorance of the subject. They must admit this to themselves and the one offering the knowledge. Since it is impossible to know something you were never exposed to how would anyone expect you to know it? They wouldn’t, of course, so throwing up an ego-based fence is ridiculous.

Learning photography is accomplished by instruction, verbally or written, and by practice. Lots of practice is needed to become adequate at anything you try to do. Practice means, by its very definition, applying that which you have been taught, over an over again until you absorb it completely.

Showing off the photographs that you’ve created while practicing means exposing yourself, and your work, to others. No one expects your practice shots to be anywhere near perfect. If you are learning how to effectively use aperture any photograph you make will reflect this, and will often ignore other aspects of photography simply because you are focused on a single aspect. This goes on and on as you continue to practice each and every aspect of creating good photography. If you absorb the knowledge, if you apply the knowledge with sincere effort, chances are you will become better and better with each passing day. So, showing off photographs you created early in the learning process gives you and the person helping you, a visual diary of your progress, not an opportunity to ridicule you.

If you cannot control your ego it will surely affect the outcome of your, most assuredly, unsuccessful attempt to become a skilled photographer. Unchecked ego is the manifestation of an emotionally immature mind, using a defensive maneuver to ward off an attack, despite the fact that no attack is forthcoming. It is akin to a child dipping their fingers into paint jars and finger painting on pure impulse, expecting the parents and teacher to praise the end result, at the same time thinking that this is the best painting in the class, perhaps in the entire world. Fine for a child, despicable for an adult.

Photography is a great way to express the inner “you”. It offers the opportunity to speak to all those subjects that interest you, from still life to glamour, from sports to erotic, and with dedication, humility, learning, and practice, you will become the best photographer you can be.

As always, your comments and opinions are welcome.

Julia Barnes