Why Stepping out of Your Comfort Zone is Crucial for Photographers
If you're a photographer, there's nothing quite like trying something new to spark your creativity. Whether it's a new technique, a different style, or a new subject, stepping out of your comfort zone can force you to see things in a whole new way.
That's exactly what I did recently when I went on a photowalk at the Duncan Farmers Market. I had been wanting to try my hand at street photography for a while, and I figured the market would be the perfect place to do it. There's always a lot going on, and the mix of people, colors, and textures would make for some great photo opportunities.
To really immerse myself in the experience, I set my Canon 5D Mark III to monochrome mode - that took me a bit to figure out on the spot (why am I so unorganized!). Noting I don't use Monochrome much I admit I love the classic, timeless look of black and white photos, and I wanted to see how the market would look without the distraction of color. To make it even more challenging the lighting was - well harsh!
Anyhow, although I set this lofty goal I still had loads of anxiety, but one thing that made the experience better was going with a group. I'm a member of the Lake Cowichan Photography Group, and several of us decided to go to the market together. ( thanks gang!). It was great to have a group of like-minded people to bounce ideas off of, and to see how everyone else was approaching the challenge, what gear people brought and why... so much fun.
As we walked around the market, I tried to capture the essence of the market in my photos. I captured shots of vendors selling everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts, and I tried to capture the interactions between people as they shopped and chatted. Anyhow, It was amazing how much more I noticed when I was intentionally looking for interesting subjects to photograph.
Of course, there were also plenty of challenges. The market was crowded, which made it tough to get the shots I wanted without getting in people's way. I had not considered which lens would work best in that environment and my long lens - added some complexities. Finally, shooting in monochrome mode meant that I had to pay extra attention to things like contrast and texture to make my photos stand out- particularly in that harsh light.
Overall, it was a great experience. I came away with some photos that I'm happy with, and I feel like I learned a bit about street photography in the process. And that's the beauty of trying something new - even if it doesn't turn out perfectly, you always learn something in the process.