Why Practice Alone Isn’t Enough
As a photographer, educator, and lifelong learner, I’ve spent years exploring how people grow creatively—what leads to lasting improvement, not just surface-level results. One idea that has shaped both my personal practice and the way I teach is the concept of deliberate practice—something I first encountered in the book Peak by psychologist Anders Ericsson.
Deliberate practice is different from just putting in the hours or repeating something over and over. It’s about being intentional, focused, and consistently stretching your abilities just beyond where they are now. That idea resonated deeply with me, and it continues to guide how I approach everything from composition and editing to creative thinking and storytelling.
There are two essential components to deliberate practice that I believe are especially important for photographers.
1. Total Concentration
Total concentration on the skill you’re trying to improve is essential—but it’s harder than it seems.
Even small distractions—like glancing at your camera’s LCD—can diminish and diffuse your focus. These seemingly harmless interruptions cause your brain to lose awareness, and over time they erode your ability to stay present.
While it may not feel like a big deal in the moment, the research is clear: we learn best when our attention is fully devoted to a single task.
That’s why multitasking—jumping between capturing, editing, and judging—is the enemy of deliberate practice. Instead, try to stay grounded in the moment. Focus on what you see through the viewfinder. Pay attention to what’s happening around you. That’s where your attention belongs—not on reviewing the image or evaluating whether it’s “good enough.”
Composition, in particular, is a dynamic process. It demands engagement at every level. And improving it requires subtle, sustained attention to light, form, and your own inner emotional responses.
All of that depends on your ability to concentrate deeply.
2. Feedback from Others
The second essential piece is feedback.
It’s incredibly hard to be objective about our own work. We remember the moment, the intention, the effort—and all of that makes it hard to see the image for what it actually communicates.
That’s why outside feedback is so valuable. A fresh perspective can reveal things you might never notice on your own. The best feedback isn’t harsh—it’s constructive. It helps you see your missteps more clearly, refine your decisions, and move forward with greater clarity and intention.
This is one reason I emphasize feedback so much in my work with photographers, especially inside Creative Path Academy, where we hold regular image critiques, live sessions, and deep discussions about process. A single piece of meaningful feedback can unlock growth that might take months to uncover on your own.
Why Visual Literacy Matters
Another key to improving as a visual artist is building your visual literacy—your understanding of how and why images work.
In the Academy, we explore this through “Learning from the Masters” sessions. But you can start on your own by studying great photographs, analyzing what makes them compelling, and becoming more fluent in the visual language of photography.
The more you sharpen your eye, the easier it becomes to evaluate your own work with honesty and confidence.
How to Begin Practicing Deliberately Today
- Pick One Skill to Focus On
- Don’t try to improve everything at once. Choose one specific aspect of photography—like composing with light, simplifying your scenes, or using foreground more intentionally.
- Write it down before you head out to shoot. Let it be your only goal for that session.
- Slow Down and Eliminate Distractions
- Turn off image review (chimping) on your camera for one outing. This keeps your attention in the moment, not on evaluating results.
- Silence notifications and give yourself uninterrupted time to focus solely on seeing and composing.
- Limit Yourself on Purpose
- Set constraints: one lens, one location, or even just a handful of frames. These boundaries help you engage more deeply with your choices instead of relying on volume or variety.
- For example, commit to making five images with strong leading lines—and nothing else.
- Ask for Specific Feedback
- Choose one image you struggled with or one you’re unsure about, and ask someone you trust: “What’s one thing I could improve about this?”
- Be open. Don’t let your ego get in the way—just listen.
- Study One Master Image
- Choose a single photograph from a photographer you admire. Ask yourself: What decisions did they make? Where does the eye go first? Why?
- Try sketching or annotating it—this sharpens your visual literacy more than passive viewing.
A Final Thought: Talent vs. Skill
Before I wrap up, I want to share a quote that’s stayed with me for years:
“If you can learn it, it’s a skill.
If it’s important, but innate, it’s a talent.
The thing is, almost everything that matters is a skill.”
— Seth Godin
We’re not born knowing how to make meaningful images. But we can learn it—with intention, effort, and the right kind of support.
That’s the real reward of the creative path.
—
If you’re looking for a deeper approach to photography—one that’s rooted in growth, community, and creative purpose—you might enjoy what we’re building inside Creative Path Academy. It’s a place for photographers who want more than tips and tricks. We focus on the process, not just the product.