What do you do if you want to improve as a photographer and prevent making the same mistakes?

Learning from others is a crucial component of improving our photographic skills. I always ask other photographers I trust for points of view, critiques of my work, or even technique suggestions. Every artist has a unique point of view, and you might discover new ways to make your work even more creative. Not longer than a few months ago, I was learning a new focusing technique from another colleague while shooting nature in Baja California, and in the same trip, one of my mentors (Hi name is Keith) showed me new shooting techniques for wildlife that I used..the result is that some of the shots I took are tomorrow in an exhibit in NYC

Don't take advice from someone you wouldn't take compliments from! Critique is a double edged sword. If someone isn't qualified to speak to the work, don't listen. But if a professional is trying to tell you something, you might want to listen!

If you want to improve as a photographer and prevent making the same mistakes, reflect on the effects of those mistakes and write down how you can avoid them based on your experience. SWOT analysis would be advisable. Set achievable goals.

I'm my toughest critic! I'm also forgiving of myself, understand the learning curve, and see mistakes as incentive to improve my work! I replay each session in my mind right after it takes place and make a conscious note of what worked and didn't work as well as what I will do differently next time! When I edit photos, I take mental notes of what I won't do again regarding posing and camera settings. I vow to never make the same mistake twice! I spend my off-season taking classes, seeking inspiration, setting goals for the next season, and studying renowned photographers and creators! I strive to improve with each year and to never default to the same poses or processes! Growth and constant analysis of my craft are paramount to success!

To improve as a photographer and avoid repeating mistakes, studying the work of master photographers is essential. By analyzing their compositions, use of light, and subject choices, you gain invaluable insights into the art of photography. Iconic photographers like Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Annie Leibovitz provide diverse examples of excellence in landscapes, street photography, and portraits, respectively. Observing how these masters frame their shots, their timing, and their techniques in various settings can profoundly influence your approach. For instance, Ansel Adams' meticulous attention to detail in landscapes teaches the importance of planning and patience.

DON'T JUST STUDY OTHER PHOTOGS, go look at other art! Someone like Edward Hopper, who was a master of lonely scenes would be a great reference for photogs! Look for OTHER ART that inpsires you!

Continúa aprendiendo y mejorando tus habilidades fotográficas a través de talleres, cursos en línea, libros, tutoriales y otras fuentes de educación. Mantente al tanto de las últimas tendencias y técnicas en fotografía para seguir creciendo como fotógrafo.

As simple as it seems, practice is critical. Settings, apertures, and lights the more you shoot, the faster your brain will know what you need for that specific shot. For example, to train my eye for wildlife and high shutter speed, I go to a park near my house, looking for any squirrel, goose, or animal I can find. Last week, some goslings were born, giving me an even better opportunity to test my shooting in wildlife conditions. I disagree, though, on replicating the shots you love. The shot should come from you because you feel it. Mimicking somebody else's work will just help you maybe copy the technique, but the narrative, the emotion that the original artist had when he actually took the shot, will be missing

Consistent practice hones your technical skills, such as mastering camera settings, focusing techniques, and post-processing. Regularly shooting in different environments and under various lighting conditions helps you become adaptable and confident in any situation. Engaging in deliberate practice involves setting specific goals for each session. For example, you might focus on capturing motion, experimenting with depth of field, or perfecting your use of natural light. Reviewing your work critically after each shoot is essential; identify what worked well and what didn’t, and seek constructive feedback from peers or mentors.

Practice makes perfect and perfect practice gets you there faster. TRY NEW THINGS. Every time I get a new lens, I have one location I test it on and in. Doing this gives me the ability to see how it performs against other lenses and techniques!

Understanding your camera inside out, including its various settings and functions, allows you to take full control of your shots. This includes mastering manual mode, where you manage the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings to achieve the desired exposure and effect. One critical aspect of technical mastery is learning about and utilizing different types of lenses. Each lens has unique characteristics that can dramatically alter the composition and feel of an image. For example, wide-angle lenses are excellent for landscapes and architecture, while prime lenses are preferred for portraits due to their sharpness and depth of field.

A lot of people "learn" using IG/TT videos nowadays & unfortunately end up with weak foundational knowledge. Yes, that 00:01:30 video that says f/22 for product shots got 91 billion likes because it included convincing before & after images (albeit at 1080x1920), but it may not tell you about diffraction at smaller apertures & smaller sensors or give in-depth information about focusing & depth of field. What can happen after is people wonder why their photos aren't sharp or why they still can't get everything in focus when what was needed was to actually/truly/really learn what constitutes sharpness & in focus instead of simply reading results that pop up after looking up "how to get sharp photos" or "how to get everything in focus."

It involves pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone, experimenting with new ideas, and continuously seeking inspiration from diverse sources. This approach not only enhances your skills but also helps you develop a unique style. One way to engage in creative exploration is by experimenting with different genres of photography. If you primarily shoot landscapes, try your hand at portrait photography, street photography, or macro photography. Each genre has its own set of challenges and learning experiences that can enrich your overall skill set. For instance, street photography can teach you about capturing candid moments and the importance of timing, while macro photography can enhance your attention to detail and patience.

Tómate el tiempo para reflexionar sobre los errores que has cometido en el pasado. Identifica patrones comunes y las razones detrás de esos errores. Esto te ayudará a comprender dónde podrías necesitar mejorar.

Take it a step further. Once you have identified an issue or recognized a pattern, work on developing a solution. Experiment and refine until it works, and then practice it so it becomes second nature. Being willing to learn is the first step, but making a plan of action is needed to improve and overcome.

Reflection involves critically analyzing your work to understand what works well and what doesn’t, while adaptation means using these insights to make informed changes to your techniques and approaches. Start by regularly reviewing your portfolio. Look at your images with a critical eye, considering composition, lighting, focus, and the emotional impact of each shot. Identify patterns in your mistakes—such as overexposure, lack of sharpness, or poor framing—and think about why these issues occur. Reflecting on both your successful and unsuccessful images helps you understand your strengths and areas for improvement.

Know what is "wrong" and that is an art itself. Could be the smallest details that makes a pattern. Give it reflection and a to do list, like when you practice sports. Evaluate the progress careful.

Lleva un diario de tus experiencias fotográficas, incluidos los errores que has cometido y lo que has aprendido de ellos. Esto te ayudará a mantener un registro de tu progreso y a recordar las lecciones importantes que has aprendido en el camino.

Alway learn through mistakes. When shooting , I tend to make some "mistakes" which I see when editing. Some times I can fix it when editing, sometimes the process is quite tiresome. so I always avoid making the same mistakes again on set to make editing easy and fast.

Don't repeat the exact same mistake twice! Once you've experienced it, plan against it in the future, this will happen again!