Staying focus has no harm but lots of benefits. In school, we are always reminded to stay focus in lessons. Because if we don’t, we will not understand what teachers had taught, we will not do well in tests.
Stay focus
In Buddhism, one of the main teachings is meditation. In order to be free from delusions and attachments, we must first train our concentration. By meditation, we train our concentration.
In photography, it is also important to stay focus while taking photos. I mean if you really want to improve instead of just having fun or for memory sake (eg. gatherings/reunions).
There was one period of time where I was addicted in video editing. I tried to combine both photography and video together. That explains those videos in my YouTube channel where I either do a POV or have someone following and video-ing me.
I realised when I did that, I focused on the ‘story’ of the videos instead of how to compose my photos well. Like I needed to take care of whether my ‘GoPro’ would run out of battery, how to make the battery lasts longer and to withstand the additional weight.
Tudor Color 200, Hong Kong (2016)
With something else to worry, I did not focus on looking for opportunistic shots. So, one day, I decided to do less video. Perhaps one video once a month or every few months. Let’s be honest, I am not a Youtuber, I don’t have any viewers that are dependent on my videos for entertainment. Why should I forgo my enjoyment for the sake of doing videos often?
Video is fun, I really like editing them. But I prefer to enjoy my phototaking, enjoy the click, think of my composition, be focus to conquer my fear, and look for subjects.
Last week, I went out with only one film camera and one film. Being focus, I was very in the zone. I felt so happy and relieved.
Conclusion
Walgreens 200, Singapore (2016)
I am sure there are many articles out there to encourage people to just focus on one particular niche. Because if you have too many things on hands, you cannot master anything in depth.
So, focus on one and excel in it.
Started watching a couple of your videos. How many ‘keepers’ do you get out of each roll of film? Provided that it is not the first time handling a new camera, there is a challenge in getting as many keepers as possible out of each roll of film. You can have a vlog on the progress if any. There are other ideas to be focused in photography while being filmed by Emilia. Having a single camera and a roll of film across 2-3 weeks or 2-3 photoshoots , you can do a review or a challenge with a friend/stranger with a similar setup. The latter seems to be a possibility since you have like-minded followers on social media. Breaking up the session also means you are not burning through the film too quickly. You might find that there are themes you want to concentrate on or themes you tend to do well on.
wow thanks for your advice! Anyway if you are keen to ‘challenge’ me (aka photowalk), let me know 🙂
Hey, I seldom leave comments so that must mean that I am really stoked for a local-based Youtube photography channel. ‘Advice’ always make one sound too pompous so please consider the above just considerations or suggestions. If you do not mind an amateur tagging along on a photowalk, I have a couple of film compacts that I have been itching to get more out of.
haha I’m no professional too, of course I don’t mind! I just love film and shoot for fun 🙂 so now i’m taking your suggestion of ‘challenging’ each other :p maybe u can email me at filmbasedtraveler@gmail.com and we can discuss about photowalking over there 🙂
Hey! There’s a SG film group and I’m in it. if u happen to not be inside yet, and want to meet more film shooters, let me know okay 🙂 I will add u into the group chat