The Answer to Everything

"How do they get their pictures to look like ....THAT?"

I can't possibly remember how many times I've asked that question, while surfing the web and sifting through my favorite photographer's websites. It seemed as elusive as magic; certainly these people joined some photographer's cult and know secrets that are kept under lock and key from the general population.

Because it seemed like no matter what, I couldn't get that look. You know what I'm talking about - THAT look. The photo that takes your breath away. The moment. The picture with emotion so palpable, it might as well be you in it.

I was on the hunt. Convinced there was a secret ingredient, I searched and searched, read and read, hunted and hunted, shot and shot, worked and worked, struggled and struggled... still convinced that I was missing something. That there was one thing that I needed, and when I found it, there'd be an audible little click, and my photography would suddenly look like Jasmine Star's.

But the truth is, my photography will probably never look like Jasmine Star's. And the reason for that is in the very answer to everything - or at least part of the answer to everything. 

The answer to that particular conundrum is simple - my photography will never look like Jasmine Star's because I am NOT Jasmine Star.

And while she is a big influence, and I think her work is beautiful, I honestly don't want to be her. I really enjoy being just myself.

The secret to being a great photographer? There's no one secret - but there is a multi-tiered path that (I believe) is the staircase leading up to 'Awesome Photographerhood'.

Dedication. Being genuine. Perseverance. Hard work. Passion. Creativity. Courage. A sense of humor. Flexibility. Faith.

Those are the ingredients in my recipe for success. In fact, I've learned that when I apply that recipe to just about anything in my life, I feel that it is a success. I'm never so rigid in my path that I fear experimentation, so my recipe has changed quite a bit over the years. Have I failed? Oh yes. Plenty... and don't think that I've always had a sense of humor about every failure. Divorce? Yeah - there wasn't anything to have a sense of humor about, there.

But by believing in my abilities, knowing myself pretty well and having the determination to make changes - accepting my faults and doing a lot of self-exploration - I've grown. And I look forward to doing a lot more growing. A lot more failing comes with it, and I'm ok with that. I live by the addage, "There is no growth in a comfort zone, and no comfort is a growth zone."

If you find yourself going back up to the first sentence of this blog, take heart. The answer is easy. They get their pictures to look like THAT several different ways. #1 - they've developed a personal style that works for them. #2 - they KNOW their camera. EVERYONE writes that and there is a reason why - it is a point that needs to be driven home, HARD. You need to know your camera, and your lenses, and what they are capable of, and how they'll react in various situations, and how you need to react in various situations. If you're a hands-on learner, find a mentor, take workshops, ask questions to the people you want to emulate - it might be uncomfortable, but remember that addage I love, that I quoted earlier? If you want something, you're not going to get it without perseverance. But keep in mind, something that cannot be taught is personal style - your own quirks and flair - your approach. You're going to have to develop that on your own (and more discomfort and failure is likely before you really nail down your 'voice' - your style, your look). 

So about the title of this blog - The Answer to Everything - here it is:

The Answer is in You - it's for you to decide what your answer is. 

Your answer can be a recipe that keeps gaining boldness and flavor as you add ingredients acquired from life lessons if you want it to - and I hope it is. Add that which is most dear to you, and ...

Watch you go!