New Year, New Me? Same Year, Same Me?
I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, so I can’t tell you if I made any last year - or whether I kept them. Photographically speaking, though, if I had made any, it would have been to improve at photography, of course!
What Does “Better” Even Mean?
Have I got there? I don’t know. Am I better today — on the 31st of January 2025 — than I was on any given day in 2024? Better than the 1st of January 2024, or the 31st of December 2024? And what does better mean to me? That’s a complicated question.
The Problem With Measuring Progress
What measuring stick do we use to judge progress? A lot of photographers say they only get, on average, one image a month they’re really happy with, and I understand that way of thinking. But what do those top one per cent of images actually tell you about your photographic journey?
Many of them are products of luck: great light, a compelling subject, a fleeting moment. Sometimes you’re dialled in enough to somehow wrap all of those elements together and come away with the perfect image.
Still, a lot of elements beyond your control have to align. And if those twelve images are better than last year’s, does that mean you’ve improved? Perhaps. Maybe you were just luckier this year.
We Can’t Hide Behind Instagram Likes
I don’t like the idea that the sum total of a year could ever be meaningfully defined by so-called “Instagram bangers.”The notion that twelve or so images can represent what you’re trying to do with your photography as a whole - and whether you’ve succeeded at that - just doesn’t cut the mustard for me.
Looking at the Misses Instead
What do your worst shots look like? Are they better than last year’s? That’s an interesting thing to examine. But again, in the age of burst mode, we can lean on technology to catch the perfect moment, which often means diluting your SD card so that it’s not easy to make a clean separation. No, maybe that’s not a great yardstick either.
When Money Becomes the Metric
OK, back to the drawing board. Did I at least make good money from my photography? Well, actually, I didn’t make a penny. So that’s a non-starter again. And when it comes to measuring art with financial metrics, that’s a slippery slope. By that logic, Taylor Swift smokes any of my favourite bands — but does that make her albums better? Depends who’s listening.
Do I Actually Enjoy Photography?
So how about this: did I enjoy my photography this year?
Another tough question, but not a bad one. I think I did, actually, on the whole. At the start of the year, I was enjoying night shooting through the winter and came away with some images I was pleased with. Summer was mixed, but had its highlights. What I’m most pleased about is getting back to shooting pretty regularly for a second year running, after a couple of years in the wilderness.
Finding a Rhythm Without Burning Out
I’m mindful of burnout and of forcing myself to shoot when I don’t want to. I haven’t found the balance yet - too many days I skipped because I “wasn’t feeling it.” Next year, I’d like to push myself a little, to get out even when I don’t feel like it. But I also know that same mindset has caused trouble before, sometimes sapping the enjoyment from photography itself.
Fewer Frames, Better Choices
Another change in my photography is that I now tend to come home with far fewer images on my SD card, but a higher percentage of keepers.
There are a few reasons for this. I try to avoid too much burst shooting and, most of all, I think I’ve developed a better sense of which shots are actually worth taking.
Shooting With More Care
I’ve also become a bit more ethical about the images I make. I’ve grown more empathetic to people and don’t want to risk upsetting anyone just for the sake of a photo. I shoot candidly and discreetly, but I still try to consider the impact my photography might have on others, weighing the risk–reward of each shot more than I used to.
Alongside that, I have a clearer understanding of what’s likely to make a good photograph. There’s no point creating more work for myself, or sorting through an SD card full of rubbish when I get home.
The Trade-Offs of Being More Selective
That said, I haven’t found a happy medium yet. I used to get a lot of pleasant surprises from speculative shots - less so these days. Next year, I’d like to be a bit more experimental: taking more risks, shooting more freely, and worrying less about the light or colours being “perfect.”
Again, if I were to ask whether I’ve enjoyed photography more than last year, I’m not really sure. How do you even measure that? The answer could probably change depending on when you asked me.
Consistency Over Glory
So maybe the only way to measure this is subjectively. Do I think I’ve improved this year? Yes. I can’t prove it with any numbers, but I do think I’ve become more consistent.
Progress is Never Boring
Over the course of the year, I feel like my best shots are probably on par with some of my favourite images from previous years. It’s the less showy, three-star images that stand out — the ones I might have labelled four-star in the past.
The average photo I take feels a little better. I can see a clear reason why I took it, even if the timing is slightly off, or the elements don’t quite come together to elevate it. And maybe it’s just a solid documentary photograph that will make more sense in twenty years. The important thing is that I was going for something.
Who Are You Really Shooting For?
Maybe it’s not the kind of exciting story for a blog about how I’ve “killed it” this year or doubled my skills since last year. But I think that’s just the way it is with photography — or any creative passion. Progress is often slow, especially as you get better: you hit plateaus, then gradually push through them. And like any art form, it’s all in the eye of the beholder.
You have to please yourself before you can worry about pleasing anyone else.
