As a photography amateur - who only rediscovered photography seriously when I moved from glasses to contact lenses just before the Covid-19 pandemic, I’ve found immense joy in curating my own work. With just under four years’ worth of photography in my archive, I feel like I now have enough material to start thinking about curating some of it into photo-books. While I’m not sure if these books will ever see the light of day, the act of curating them has been incredibly fulfilling. In this article, I’d like to share the therapeutic benefits of curating your own work, how it can help you hone your photography skills, and how it can add purpose to your hobby.
The Therapeutic Benefits of Curating Your Own Work
While I've previously talked about photography as a therapy in and of itself, curating your own photography can also be a deeply therapeutic process. It allows you to revisit moments captured through your lens, providing a sense of nostalgia and reflection. This process can be particularly beneficial for mental health, as it encourages mindfulness and presence. Engaging in creative activities like photography has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of relaxation and overall well-being.
When you curate your own work, you’re not just selecting images; you’re telling a story. This narrative can be a powerful tool for self-expression and identity. It allows you to communicate your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a way that words alone cannot. This form of self-expression can be particularly empowering, helping to boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Honing Your Photography Skills
One of the most significant benefits of curating your own work is the opportunity to see how your photography has evolved and matured over time. When you look back at your earlier work, you may notice technical flaws or compositional mistakes that you didn’t see at the time. This retrospective view allows you to learn from your past mistakes and improve your skills.
Curating your work also involves a process of selection and elimination. You’ll need to let go of older, less well-executed photographs that you once thought were good. This can be a challenging but necessary step in honing your craft. By critically evaluating your work, you develop a keener eye for what makes a good photograph. This improved judgement can help you make better decisions before you even raise the camera to your eye.
Focusing Your Future Photography
Curating your work gives you a focus for future photography projects. As you go through your images, you may notice recurring themes, subjects, or styles that resonate with you. This can help you identify your photographic voice and guide your future work. Having a clear focus can make your photography more intentional and purposeful.
For example, you might find that you have a particular affinity for street photography or landscape photography. By recognising these patterns, you can set specific goals for your future projects, such as capturing the essence of urban life or exploring the natural beauty of different locations. This focus can make your photography more cohesive and meaningful.
Adding Purpose to Your Hobby
Curating your own work adds a sense of purpose to your photography hobby. It transforms your collection of images into a cohesive body of work that tells a story. This sense of purpose can be incredibly motivating, encouraging you to continue pursuing your passion and improving your skills.
Moreover, the process of curating your work can be a rewarding creative endeavour in itself. It allows you to take pride in your achievements and share your unique perspective with others. Whether or not your photo books ever get published, the act of creating them can be a source of personal satisfaction and fulfilment.
Improving Your Judgement
As you curate your work, you’ll develop a better understanding of what makes a good photograph. This improved judgement can help you make more informed decisions when you’re out in the field. You’ll start to recognise the elements that contribute to a strong composition, such as lighting, framing, and subject matter.
This heightened awareness can also help you anticipate potential challenges and opportunities before they arise. For instance, you might become more adept at spotting interesting scenes or predicting how the light will change throughout the day. This proactive approach can lead to more successful and satisfying photography experiences.
Curating your own photography can be a deeply therapeutic and rewarding process. It allows you to reflect on your journey as a photographer, hone your skills, and add purpose to your hobby. By critically evaluating your work, you can improve your judgement and make more informed decisions in the future. Whether or not your curated photo books ever get published, the act of creating them can provide a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment.
So, if you’re an amateur photographer who has never attempted curating a photo book, I encourage you to give it a try. You might be surprised at how much you learn about yourself and your craft in the process. Happy curating!
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All photographs are Copyright (c) 2020-2024 by Michael Elliott. All rights reserved.
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