Finding this post in the SCU archives from my good buddy Scott Bourne, and meeting so many new artists every day in cyberspace, his ten points are so relevant. So many of you look at today's icons and forget they all started in the same place...AT THE BEGINNING! The common denominators between all the artists you admire most are always the same: passion, quality and a sense of focus that never wavers.

Michele Celentano spoke at an SCU workshop many years ago. She stood on stage, looked at the audience and said, "Twenty years ago I was sitting right where you are now and wondering how long it would be before my work didn't suck!" She then proceeded to show us a half dozen horrible images from the first wedding she ever photographed.

As basic as it is, I wanted to share this post from Scott because it's the perfect reminder of so many different things we're all learning along the way. Remember, you can't create images that tug at people's heart strings if your heart isn't in it. Scott's post is all about reminders to slow down and remember the passion that got you here in the first place!

"Cranes in the Fire Mist" is one of Scott Bourne's most recognized images, but it didn't happen overnight. He visualized the shot and then it took him 13 years to be in the right place at the right time.

by Scott Bourne

As I was looking at some old portfolios recently, I realized that back in the day – I kind of sucked. Don’t get me wrong, I made some good shots and sold lots of images. But I am shocked at how bad some of that early work was. I didn’t have a clue back then. If I’d only have known just a few of the tricks I know now, I could have been so much better. So with that in mind, I’m sharing some ideas now that I wish someone had shared with me back then.

1. Pay attention to the background. A good background can make an average picture great.

2. Know your gear backwards and forwards. The minute you finally truly understand how to use your gear, you’re freed up to start paying attention to seeing. And seeing is everything in photography.

3. Wait on the light. Really. If you think it looks good at 4PM, wait until you see it at 7PM. Waiting on the best light takes patience and provides great rewards.

4. Slow down. Unless you’re a sports/wildlife photographer, chances are you can take one breath before pushing the shutter button. Take that breath and see what a difference it can make in your images.

5. Get to know your subject REALLY well. Regardless of what (or who) you are photographing, take time to learn all you can before getting the camera set up. It will pay off later.

6. Pre-visualize. Try to imagine what the final print will look like before you snap the shutter. This is a technique pioneered by folks like Ansel Adams. It works.

7. Know WHY you’re about to trip the shutter button before you do it. If you can’t answer the WHY question, don’t make the photo.

8. Pictures with pop get noticed. Typically, a good picture that doesn’t pop – doesn’t get sold.

9. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I took so many boring pictures back when I was getting started because they were safe. The results were competent but unremarkable. To compete in today’s world, where people think they are a gifted photographer just because they have a nice camera, you have to stand out. And you stand out by taking chances.

10. Enjoy your time spent behind the camera. Photography is supposed to be fun. When I first started out, I rushed and worried and stressed myself out thinking about having to MAKE THAT SHOT. Don’t be like me. Relax. Enjoy the moment. All too soon it will be gone. Your career will be behind you, and you’ll realize it wasn’t as much fun as it should have been. I’m still working on this one every day.

I agree with all of these points, particularly your comments associated with taking some time. I tend to get too excited to take pictures and run around shooting too much quantity and not enough quality. It is nice to take a step back, take a breath, and observe the beauty of the scene you are shooting. Photography is extremely enjoyable, but after a certain point on the learning curve we tend to let our minds get clouded. Go out and shoot with purpose and precision to get a shot with passion and feeling.

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"Why?"

Check out"Why?" one of the most popular features on the SCU Blog.It's a very simple concept - one image, one artist and one short sound bite. Each artist shares what makes the image one of their most favorite. We're coming up on 100 artists featured since the project started. Click on the link above and you can scroll through all of the episodes to date.

Authors

Skip Cohen is President of SCU, founder of Marketing Essentials International and past president of Rangefinder Publishing and WPPI. He's been an active participant in the photographic industry since joining Hasselblad USA in 1987 as president. He has co-authored six books on photography and actively supports dozens of projects each year involving photographic education.

Scott Bourne

Scott Bourne was the first Dean of Marketing at SCU. He helped to establish this blog as a resource for aspiring and working professional photographers. He's an educator, artist, author and from time to time you'll see his name on guest posts that are always relevant to photography and marketing!