6 ways to be a more disciplined photographer

Although the etymological roots of the word ‘discipline’ lie in punishment, teaching and suffering, it has also developed a secondary meaning of perseverance, self-restraint, commitment and just sticking with things for the greater good.

There are times you simply won’t feel like going out with your camera or posting on social media, but it’s really essential to keep your momentum going for the sake of your creative and technical development.

If you find yourself more drawn to watching re-runs than working on your photography, here are some tips to help you get down to it…

1 Use it or lose it
The photography muscle can easily wither if you don’t keep exercising it. While you don’t need to force yourself into a 365 project just for the sake of it, if you are not taking at least a few pictures a week, then you need to step it up.

Remember, you want the camera to be an extension of yourself, so you are not faffing around trying to remember key settings, or what shutter speed or ISO you need in any given situation.

This is particularly important if you take portraits; if the sitter senses you are not totally confident in how to use your camera or lighting, they will start to lose confidence you and it will show.

SEE MORE: 11 ways to build confidence as a photographer

2 Post at least a few images every week
Yes, it’s got harder to get your work published with so much competition, but you have no excuse for not publishing your new work yourself, either on on your website or social media.

This is good practice for two reasons; it encourages you to carefully edit and present your work so it looks as good as possible, and second, it can be a useful source of feedback.

Admittedly, friends or family are unlikely to say anything too controversial, but if you post images to some of the many camera user groups now on Facebook, you can get some useful responses.

Don’t forget Instagram too – why wouldn’t you make the most of this quintessentially image-orientated social media platform?

SEE MORE: Scott Kelby photography tips: the secret to growing a loyal legion of followers

3 Try not to crop with software
Think you are pretty good at composition and framing? Set yourself the challenge of not using the crop tool for a week during editing and you will get a much clearer idea of your strengths and weaknesses.

Imagine not being able to rely on Photoshop to remove clutter from the background, or straighten-up lines, and having to get more aspects right in camera…

Sure, it’s tough, but as a result, you will become more mindful about what you allow in the frame before you press the shutter button, getting everything lined up, and so on.

Not being able to crop with software can force you to get closer to your subject too, which can make a big difference to your portraits.

SEE MORE: A 10 point checklist for perfect photo composition

4 Using a film camera for a week
This is another good tip for sharpening up your technical skills and composition. If you have a problem with chimping (compulsively checking images on the camera’s rear LCD) or just hoping for the best when it comes to exposure, using a film camera for a week can help tighten things up.

Since you are paying for each frame of the film, you are less likely to overshoot, and are likely to spend more time thinking about exposure and composition before you press the button.

You’ll also have the satisfaction of an actual print of your work, rather than just another digital image lurking on your memory card or hard drive. Who knows, you might even get into doing your own prints, which can open up a whole new world…

SEE MORE: Film vs Digital: 10 reasons every beginner should forget about film

5 Enter competitions
While entering lots of big competitions can get expensive, there are plenty of smaller ones that don’t charge so much, or are free. Rather than always expecting to win and getting dejected if you don’t make the cut, approach competitions as another useful discipline for getting you to think about your best images, edit them sympathetically and generally present them in the best possible light. If you do end up winning, all the better.

SEE MORE: 6 things beginner photographers want to know how to do

6 Get as much feedback as you can
Another essential discipline for any photographer is to actively seek objective feedback – the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s important to do this as it reveals areas to work on, and helps you become less precious and emotionally attached to your work.

Indeed, if you find negative comments about your work hard to take, going through this process is really useful exposure, as any working pro will tell you.

Don’t feel you have to respond to every piece of criticism, but if you are getting feedback from a respected and trusted source, it can be a very useful learning experience. There is always something more to learn in photography.

So, put your work up for feedback at the local camera club or society, or book a portfolio critique if you go on a workshop. As they say, knowledge is power.

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