DSC_9156-Edit

I've been struggling to keep up with my blog.  I have been working on lots of new photographs however.  Some are working out while others are total failures.  But I'm learning and so failing at a photograph isn't as terrible as it may sound.  Some are failures at the start but then after a break and retry they have worked out.  That is the process I take now.  My big things to remember to improve my results, and I find this to be true with all work/projects, etc. not just photography are:

1.  Not plan out the image in advance:

Figuring out what I want to create in advance does wonders for my final image.  It also tells me if I met my creative goal for the image and helps me know when I'm done.  I don't always sketch my work but doing so, even in a rough sketch (trust me, I have no drawing skills), makes a huge difference.  At minimum, having the general idea and notes about the color, etc. written out in advance helps guide me during the shoot.

2.  Take my time: 

Rushing through a photo shoot or editing session or really any work is never good and it always hurts the end results.  When you are rushed you may not get your best shot.  The same is true with editing. Taking my time can really improve the results.

3.  Get all the shots:

This goes along with number 2 but making sure that I really have all the shots I need.  Do I have multiple options of each one.  Sometimes it looks good in the camera and then is off once it's viewed large on the computer.  Do I have any supplemental shots I may need for compositing?  DId I take a blank shot of my scene?  Shots around the scene?  It is hard to create a masterpiece, if you don't have all the pieces to do so.

4.  Take a night to sleep on it:

Once I am done with an image, I am usually chomping the bit to post it right away.  I am eager to share what I just created.  All my hard work.  But I find when I sleep on it and re-look the next day I often find little things that need fixing and wind up in the end with a better final piece.  This might be the hardest one of these for me to follow.

5.  Get feedback from people you trust:

Having someone provide some critique before finalizing an image can be invaluable to improving your work.  Much like how a proofreading your own paper can lead to missed errors, so can proofreading your own image.  Don't be afraid to ask for feedback from peers you trust.

I think part of my issues with the recent photos is that I did not follow all of these steps.  I went into shoots with just ideas in my mind but nothing really sketched or planned in advance so I didn't know what I was trying to create when I was creating it.  That led me to feel frustrated with the shoot and not take as many photos as I needed or to run of of time/light which led to it's own kind of rushing and issues.  This all led me to not have all the shots I really needed.

While I got some images I liked from the experience I feel a strong need to go back to the drawing board on a few of the ideas and on the one location because I just didn't do it justice.

What tips do you have?  What pitfalls do you find yourself in the most often?  I'd love to hear in the comments.