Have you ever been overwhelmed with all the stuff you need to learn when it comes to photography? If you answered yes, stick around as I have a couple of tips for you.
Highlights from this video:
0:32 Photoshop and lightroom upgrade
0:52 New things to learn
1:40 Do one thing at a time
2:41 Apply it to photography
New Equipment and Software
Recently, I put an article out on Visual Wilderness asking about which Photoshop or Lightroom to upgrade to as I’ve got the old version of these photo editing tools. I use them all the time and I’m really good at those versions, but I have just recently upgraded.
Frustrated!
Right now, I am feeling a little bit overwhelmed. I just got too many things to learn. Have you ever felt like that?
New Things to Learn
- I got a new laptop and it comes with Windows 8, which is different to the Windows OS that I used to run.
- I’ve got the latest version of Photoshop and Lightroom.
- I’ve also got a new tablet to help me with my new photo editing tools.
I’ve been trying to learn all these things at once and I get really overwhelmed. I get frustrated and I almost want to give up.
But I’ve come back now after a few days of getting away and I asked myself “what is the best way to do this?”
Do One Thing at a Time
Here’s my big tip for you if you are in the same situation: Do one thing at a time.
For me, it’s learning how to use my laptop first with the new OS. I took out the manuals, went through them and I actually got to learn a lot of new things, which are really cool.
The next thing I did was to work out how my new tablet works; how to go about with my work using a tablet instead of a mouse.
Once I figure out how the tablet works, I’m going to go and learn the newest versions of Lightroom and then Photoshop.
So, do one thing at a time and build on your success. Get one thing right. Get really good at it and get comfortable with it and then start the next thing.
Apply it to Photography
How does this relate to photography?
Portrait Photographers:
For instance, if you are a portrait photographer, just do one thing new at a time. Instead of being close to your subject when you’re photographing them, move further away and zoom in – you’ll notice that the background will go blurry. That’s one thing you could do. Once you figure that out and learn how it works, then do the next thing.
Landscape Photographers:
If you’re a landscape photographer and you’ve got new gear, take one thing at a time with you.
Say for example, you’ve just started using a tripod and you might have a couple of new lenses and new camera – maybe a couple of circular polarizing filters or graduated neutral density filters. Just do one thing at a time.
Take out your tripod with a camera that you already know how to use and practice until you’re comfortable with the tripod.
Then take out your filter, put it on, and see how that works and be comfortable with that.
After which, you can then take out your new lens.
Conclusion: To avoid Frustration – Do ONE thing at a time!
So that’s my advice to you: Do one thing at a time, get comfortable with it before starting with the next thing.
If you do this, then you won’t have to be overwhelmed with the amount of things you need to learn.
If you’ve been in the same situation as me, leave a comment below and tell me if this post has helped you.
Brent here, have a great day!
Very simple and logical. Applies to so many things in life. Thanks.
Hi Brent…..I AM TOTALLY OVERWHELMED!!
New Carbon Tripod and Ball Head. Bought a year ago and just took out of boxes!
New D7100
New 18-200 Zoom w/filters
New 10-24 Zoom
New Maverick OS
New Wacom (small) tablet
New Lightroom 5
Haven’t yet seen the photos from new equipment as couldn’t import them until upgraded OS and Aperture.
Have spent a couple weeks trying to figure out exactly how to transfer my photo library from Aperture to Lightroom. Not easy!
I bought your Landscape Course but haven’t even been able to get into it yet!
THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE =====IT WILL BE HARD, BUT I’LL TRY ONE THING AT A TIME!!!! WHEW!
This is such great advice.Thank you so much.
No worries Diane. B
Yesterday I was on a field trip/photography workshop and one of the assignments was telling a story through depth of field. I was so frustrated as nothing seem to be working. After looking at your video on frustration you made a comment that made it all click. “Back up and zoom in.” Love it and can’t thank you enough for that remark. Will be putting it to use today. Keep them coming Brent.
Sometimes simple things can make a huge difference. Back up and zoom in is the easiest change you can make to get shallow depth of field shots. Thanks for your feedback. Brent
Brent,
What I enjoy about your photography advice is it’s also great life advice.
Enjoy mastering your new toys (equipment).
Thanks Yagoda. B
Thanks for this tip, Brent! I have been overwhelmed for so long! I’m trying to learn it all! And have recently put it away because my head was swimming over it all! I think I’ll pull out my camera and start with one thing! Perhaps with learning my camera settings to use in natural light portraits. I’m traveling right now so I don’t have my studio lights with me. Thank you for your videos/emails. I usually learn something new with each one.
Glad I could help Cynthia. Don’t give up – just focus on one thing! Brent
Hi Brent,
I recently went into the studio for my first shoot completely on my own, shooting portraits. New territory for me, and really frustrating when nothing worked like it did in my walk-throughs. I found that setting up one light, getting it right, then another and so on helped me build towards what I wanted, so yes, one thing at a time worked for me 🙂
Thanks for the videos, usually pick up something good from each one.
Cheers
Shane
Glad it worked out for you Shane. Portraits can be difficult even if you know all your equipment and the studio you are working in – that’s cause your dealing with people and emotions. I can also be a lot of fun too! Enjoy each stage of your learning. Brent
Thank you Brent – It is a timely reminder. Take one thing at a time. When you see beautiful images, you desperately want to be able to replicate them. Depending on your knowledge, equipment etc and what you are wishing to achieve, it is very easy to become disheartened, overwhelmed when the images you create are a far cry from what you hope for.
There are so many aspects of photography I wish to better, I need to remind myself to indeed learn one thing at a time and most of all, not give up
What is the one thing you can learn today, that will make the biggest difference to your photography? Brent
Thanks Brent. Very timely advice. Definitely feeling overwhelmed right now. Trying to learn PS CC and Lightroom and workflow and catalog backups and…and…and. I think I’ll start with one.
I hear you Damon – first LR then Photoshop. Brent
Feel your pain Brent! Fortunately your videos have helped quite alot! Breaking things down to one at a time. Good advice. Hope your enjoying the Mark3. Blue Crane Digital for the full breakdown…well done, good reference.
Phil Steele breaks things down for LR.
Windows 8? May the force be with you…:)
Thanks Bret – yeah I do like the mk3 – I’m using it more for filming than anything. I’ll make a video about my gear that I use to film soon too. Brent