Becoming an Even Better Photographer

Monday 7 March 2022, 20:10 by Huub Keulers | 5,154 views | 23 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Why do you get up in the morning and drive or walk to a particular place to take photographs? What is the attraction?

What drives you and other people to spend a large part of your lives on this wonderful hobby or profession? Once you know what motivates you, you are on your way to becoming an even better photographer.

Professionals take photographs because they are paid to do so. This pays their bills and puts food on the table. It supports their families and allows them to invest in new equipment.

But they also have a particular love of photography. Just like everyone who is involved in photography. It is this love that drives photographers to keep taking photographs. Whether you earn your living from photography or it is your hobby.

So the real question should be, why do we love it?

This is a question we ask everyone who attends one of our workshops. Knowing the answer to this question can help you enormously. Unfortunately, only you have the answer to this question and, if you are honest enough, you can solve this mystery and do yourself a huge favour.

Why do I feel the need to take photographs?

My answer is simple: it is a tool that allows me to see and show the world. Taking photographs makes me happy and gives me the feeling that I am creating something beautiful.

I have noticed that life is short, and being able to capture these moments and create memories makes me happy. My motivation is that I want to leave something tangible behind for people. Think of it as a legacy.

This time, we made sure to take enough photographs of our border collie 'Murphy' right from the start. Photographs like this simply make my wife and me happy.
Actually, I am selfish. I do not take photographs to make you laugh, I take photographs because they make me laugh. I do not take photographs to make you cry, I take photographs because they make me cry.

The urge is to steal those moments, moments that will never come back. I like to share them, but mainly to see whether you recognise that feeling too. Whether these moments affect you too. So it is really like starting a conversation with someone.

Whatever your reason for being involved in photography, make sure you know what it is. It will help you shape and express yourself better.

You will worry less about likes and what people think, and more about how you feel. The how and what will come and can be learned, but what no one can teach you is:

But why do you actually take photographs?

Hopefully, the answers below will help you find your reasons for taking photographs. Or perhaps you have completely different reasons for regularly picking up your camera.

Perhaps it gives you peace, or means you do not have to think about less enjoyable things for a while. There are countless reasons, and these are the ones I can think of:

It makes you feel good
Moments are fleeting, time passes quickly before your eyes and landscapes are constantly changing. I think what makes a photograph successful is subjective, but for me the most important element is that it makes you feel something.

What is it about a moment that moves you enough to capture it? A beautiful view during your holiday, your children will only have one birthday party each year, and the light may never touch someone's face in that way again. Capture those moments so they can move you forever.

A photograph in which light and the view play such an important role can quickly bring a memory back
You capture memories
How often have you scrolled through your photographs on your hard drive or opened your photo album? Have you been able to do so without smiling at least once? Probably not.

If you are like me, you have probably relived some of the memories you saw in the photographs. It did not even matter that the photographs were technically unsuccessful. The photographs did the job of capturing those memories.

You capture moments
Moments happen all the time and they can happen quickly. An athlete crosses the finish line cheering. A little boy plays with his dog. The beautiful warm morning light makes the corn shimmer. Photography freezes these moments, so we can take the time to enjoy them.

You tell stories
Have you ever seen a photograph that you simply had to keep looking at? Often, the subject of a photograph is so powerful that it does not matter whether it was taken by a professional or an amateur photographer.

The stories these photographs tell can sometimes overshadow the photographer's technical skill. These stories can be happy, sad and full of all kinds of other emotions.

Think of photographs of Ireen Wüst or Ireen Schouten when they were presented with their gold medals during the ceremony at the Olympic Games.

The street is also a place where stories are literally there for the taking
You communicate with others
You know the old saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words." It is very true. Everyone with a camera has the opportunity to express themselves through their photographs.

When someone looks at one of your photographs, they can see it as you saw it. Photography can convey ideas in an artistic, visual and creative way.

You improve as a photographer
I am sure you can agree with many of the things I have written about our love of photography. I also think it is fair to say that many photographers would like to improve their photography skills.

We have all looked at photographs we have taken and compared them with photographs others have taken of the same or a similar subject. We may have wondered: 'How did they make their photographs look so much better than mine?'

How often have you taken a photograph only to be disappointed with the result? It can sometimes be frustrating. But continuing to practise and make mistakes will eventually make you a better photographer. You will create images you are proud of and enjoy looking at.

Striving to take the 'perfect' photograph
The fact that this is difficult or perhaps even impossible to achieve motivates us to keep taking photographs. There will always be more subjects to shoot and better ways to photograph them.

We have a drive to improve and, as the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. We can take 1,000 photographs and find one that we absolutely love.

It is that one photograph that makes us keep taking photographs. It is that one photograph that inspires us to try again.

So pick up your camera and go and capture some memories! Capture the moments happening around you! Tell stories with your images! Keep improving your photography! Most importantly, share your photographs with others. Because your photography can inspire others too.

Feel free to share your reason for taking photographs below. You will see, you are not the only one.

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About the author

Huub Keulers is een enthousiasmerende veelzijdige freelance fotograaf woonachtig in Elsloo (Li). Hij is gespecialiseerd in sport-, bedrijfs-, straat-, honden en portretfotografie. Daarnaast is Huub auteur van diverse educatieve fotografieboeken en verzorgt hij allerlei fotoworkshops, masterclasses en lezingen.

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23 comments

Wim Hendrioks wrote on Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 10:25 | reply
Why I photographed,yes past tense,They said I was quite good at it so I took the step,from a very comfortable starting position,seen a lot,earned a lot,in 2000 it was over.no fixed contracts it was odd jobs,no I wasn't so obsessed with photography that I would do it as a hobby on the side,so teaching.came into contact with film that was fun, telling stories in images.that is my passion now.
Translated from Dutch.

Robert wrote on Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 10:40 | reply
Because we forget so quickly, Huub.
Photo-shooting regards, Robert
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Hans wrote on Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 11:07 | reply
Photography is looking with blinders on, putting a frame around a piece of landscape (without that wind turbine) that you find interesting, that brings back memories and that you want to capture to cherish. besides that, special moments, a memory of a garden party with your family, all looking my way for a moment. Being creatively involved in a hobby, meeting people, coming up with things and carrying them out, immersing yourself in it and sharing photos with your loved ones, your little photography club or Facebook.
A beautiful print for on the wall or to give away. Looking back together at the photos from years ago, the children at Efteling, once again, that's why I take photographs. Falling and getting back up is part of it, exchanging inspiration, bumping your nose but not losing faith in yourself. Nice, right.
Translated from Dutch.

Cees Kamminga wrote on Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 11:27 | reply
Why do I take photographs?
I help people and organizations present themselves better to their surroundings. Not differently or more beautifully than they really are, but in accordance with how the outside world experiences them or should experience them.
For most clients, I take portraits or visual reports for their magazines, social media or websites. In doing so, I work in reverse order. So not how do I, as a photographer, want to photograph you, but what will the viewer experience and get as an impression, and does that correspond with the image the person portrayed or the organization has or aims to have. Then I know how I am going to take the photograph.
If all this works out a little, I am satisfied.
Translated from Dutch.

Lauran wrote on Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 12:25 | reply
Because there's good money to be made with it. But that's not the reason why. A better question would be: why did you ever start with photography. It seemed like a nice profession to study. That's how I also made it my profession. How lucky can you be. But I think that's also true for many other professions.
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Arie Molenaar wrote on Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 12:53 | reply
I photograph exclusively in nature. Through photography, I have learned to look better and understand just a tiny bit more about nature and the behavior of birds and mammals.
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Donald Willemsen wrote on Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 14:30 | reply
I photograph because people fascinate me. My heart therefore lies with photographing people. Not only in the studio, but also on the street and in everyday life. Photos of people tell something about the zeitgeist in which they live, they tell you a story, they show their character.
In a studio setting you have close contact with the model and you also try to tell a story with her/him or simply show shapes and lines. Working with models is precisely what fascinates me as well. With this social interaction you try to portray what is important to both the model and the photographer.
I am a huge admirer of the Belgian photographer Lieve Blancquaert. She shows an enormous social involvement with the people she photographs and you can see that reflected in her images. She is one of the photographers who are a shining example and source of inspiration to me.
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Frea Kroese wrote on Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 14:33 | reply
Beautiful! Cees Kamminga. I take photographs because in the meantime I have noticed that it means a great deal to people when they see themselves again at a special moment or a memorable moment in life in relation to the people dearest to them. Often that becomes even clearer to me during the shoot. (Cancer, dementia, grief, hope, celebration and joy, as well as impending death, are reasons to be photographed beautifully). At the deepest level, it is love that drives people to have a photoshoot, and I have the skills and the equipment. It gives me a kick every time when people are happy with the photos. But I share your opinion too. For companies and private individuals, I strive for that.
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Wil Elderson wrote on Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 16:01 | reply
I photograph to capture things that make me happy, that I find beautiful, that touch me. It gives me a lot of relaxation and nowadays I look at nature with different eyes.
Then it is nice to relive those moments while editing in LR or PS.
Of the photos I am most satisfied with, I make a presentation and/if a book.
In short, a hobby that I spend a lot of time on and get satisfaction from.
Translated from Dutch.

Ron wrote on Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 22:55 | reply
You know what I think,...that all the little rules that apply to photography actually kill photography.
Pay attention to the lines.., rule of thirds,pay attention to the Composition,etc etc you read nothing else you go crazy from all those recommendations
Just go out and take photos..do your own thing that is photography in my opinion and not all that pre-chewed stuff about what and how you should do it that I read in all the photography magazines and even read on this site
I make photo,s for myself and because I thoroughly enjoy the surroundings or being in nature (wherever I am to take photos)
And I certainly don't take photos for what someone else thinks of it
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Donald Willemsen wrote on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 07:05 | reply
@Ron, reading your comment, I don't understand why you still read photography magazines and visit sites like this. Those rules, such as composition, lines, the rule of thirds, are there because people naturally take them into account anyway.
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Ank Gouw-Gabel wrote on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 10:24 | reply
I take a photograph when something I see, an image, touches me, because it works, it is complete, it is good as it is. That gives me a very good feeling, so I want to capture it. Also to possibly use it for painting. As noted earlier, a complete image already contains all these little rules, if you look closely.
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Lodewijk wrote on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 10:51 | reply
Photography
2 to 3 times a week I go out ,usually 6 to 12 km , sometimes I leave from home , or otherwise a short trip by car , and then walking.
The main thing is exercise and keeping busy and sometimes also having a little chat, photography comes in 2nd place.
With the Sony RX10m3 photography is not perfect because of the smaller sensor,but with the large zoom I can reach everything ,I try to take good photos, for memories and if there is a better photo among them , maybe edit it a little to show at the photo club
This is my experience of photography.
Lodewijk
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Ron wrote on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 11:07 | reply
Donald Willemsen,
I don't read photography magazines anymore either,and normally I don't read this site either
What I meant to write is that photography is no longer photography as it was intended....everything revolves around rules in photography....and what others think of it....it has become a commercial branch...
But anyway that is my opinion you too also give your advice not to read the photography magazines or this site...and that is exactly what I mean....one of the many followers of what is written
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Huub Keulers wrote on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 11:41 | reply
Dear people, I respect everyone's opinion and point of view and they may always be expressed, but I would appreciate it if we kept this to photography-related comments. Learning from and motivating each other is the approach as far as I am concerned.

@Donald, I understand what you mean. But there are also people who need little rules and actually ask for them or look for them (especially at the beginning of their photography activities). The Old Masters in painting and photography also made use of, for example, composition rules, because they felt that these simply made their image stronger sometimes. People who are already a bit more confident can certainly let go of these rules again and do their own thing entirely. In any case, enjoyment in photography comes first, whatever vision lies behind it.
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Huub Keulers wrote on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 11:48 | reply
Dear Wim, Robert, Hans, Cees, Lauran, Arie, Donald, Frea, Wil, Ron, Ank, Lodewijk,
Thank you for your response. Nice to see that everyone has their own reasons for photographing or for having started with photography at some point. Some have found a great hobby in it and some have been able to make a wonderful profession out of it.
For both groups, the love of photography is the greatest common ground
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Donald Willemsen wrote on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 12:02 | reply
@Ron, you regard me as: 'one of the many followers of what is being written'.
Thank you very much for this compliment!!!
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Lauran wrote on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 13:25 | reply
@Ron: can we admire your photos somewhere without rules. Probably not.
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Donald Willemsen wrote on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 15:20 | reply
@Huub, I wasn't the one kicking against the rules. Quite the contrary, in fact. The rules actually arose in practice, partly through the way we look at images and how we experience that as pleasing and beautiful. Then you can't avoid the fact that these images are constructed in a certain way, and those rules arose from that. That was the case with the old masters and it still applies today. I'm not claiming that you have to follow those rules either. Far from it. But the rules are there and I didn't come up with them. Not following those rules won't get you a fine. So freedom is the name of the game. But when I find a photo beautiful, it turns out that certain rules have nevertheless been applied (consciously or unconsciously)
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Huub Keulers wrote on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 17:12 | reply
@Donald, I did indeed see that Donald. My sincere apologies, I meant @Ron. Your response and explanation were 100% justified. Hence my general appeal
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Donald Willemsen wrote on Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 17:50 | reply
@Huub, no problem, I don't blame you and I'll soon get back to the keyboard to write another cool article.
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Jan van Riet wrote on Saturday 12 March 2022 at 08:34 | reply
Why do birds sing a song. Because they have a message. To show that they are prominently present within this space. The same applies to photographers (and artists ) They want to share their vision of their surroundings. Incidentally, I am more of a draftsman/painter than a photographer.
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Liesbeth Verkade wrote on Wednesday 16 March 2022 at 10:13 | reply
I started taking photographs in 1999 בעקבות a study trip to Israel. In our family, my husband was the photographer, but he did not come along. Because of the unique nature of the trip, I wanted to preserve memories. At that time, I still took slides. In 2003 I got my first digital camera. Through trial and error, I kept learning more and enjoying it more and more. Photos of children and grandchildren, photobooks of special trips. In this way, it is possible to share many beautiful things.
By taking photographs, I started looking at things differently, and I experience that as very valuable.
Translated from Dutch.

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