Comments on: Passion & Pitfalls

By: martin zuckermann

martin zuckermann — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:23:38 +0000

Hello Bert,

Don’t know if you remember me or not, but I’m the nut from Mexico who complimented you about the videos last December.

I’m in Cabo, Mexico and after reading your article about “Passion for Photography” I thought of how incredible it is to have people who really enjoy photography. I’m still a terrible “seller” of photography and sometimes it gets me ticked-off how other photographers here make tons of money and are mostly jerks and I say so because they can see me struggling and they don’t move a finger. But I decided not to follow that awful example once I’m better known.

I agree with you that I think on how to perfect my next shoot and even if it is good, I wonder how it could be better and the things I missed to do. I get upset after a good shoot for not doing this or that, but it is such a burning passion inside of me and my body boils every time I get behind the lens. Just love it!
Thank you for this inspiring gut-feeling article!

marTin

By: Jereel

Jereel — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 03:23:42 +0000

very very very nice sir bert! I had the same problem going through my mind.. but in time i realize how to manage it! after reading this article it made my mind clear!

great mentor!

By: marcos

marcos — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:06:33 +0000

super, I needed that

By: Vallalar

Vallalar — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:31:08 +0000

Passion? Obsession? Yessirree in a sense that everywhere I am or everywhere I go I ’see’ photo’s.But that’s a good obsession, although sometimes an overload.

By: iHanna

iHanna — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:21:31 +0000

Great article!! I find balance (sometimes) because I have so many different passions. I can’t obsess about just one, I need so many different things as you might notice if you visit my blog. I have thought a lot about passion vs. obsession and I think you’ve got some great points here, thanks for your tips.

By: Dylan

Dylan — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:27:06 +0000

Yep… this is a constant battle for me as well…

I have a job I hate… but one that requires my full attention… a girlfriend I can’t stand to be away from… and photography…

I’ve been thinking quite a lot recently that I need to switch off the photography every now and again… but it’s so hard to get it out of your head…

Something that helps me is time with my girl… doing something else together, not photography related… it’s hard to put the camera down, even at these times, though… obsession?

By: Dennis

Dennis — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:39:12 +0000

I balance my photography passion with another passion I have… skateboarding. Skateboarding has been a passion of mine for about 14 years now. The nice thing is I do photography professionally, so I need to stay very focused on that to stay on my game, but I also love doing it so it’s not that hard. Skateboarding on the other hand is purely for enjoyment, and some times to keep local emergency rooms busy. But it’s good to have something I do that I enjoy equally as much as photography, but there’s no pressure.

By: Sander van Leeuwen

Sander van Leeuwen — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:49:53 +0000

Hi Bert,

Thanks for the great article. I have a problem in finding that balance. I started with photography April 2008 and since that day I feel the need that I have to improve every day. Sometimes when I have an idea it keeps me awake or I feel the need to finish post processing during the night etc.
My girlfriend tried to warn me a time ago and I reacted that she should be more interested in my “hobby”.
Since a short time I realized that I want too much in a short time, but it’s still hard to control the passion and creativity.
Nowadays I have a hard time to disappoint people that want me as a photographer (since I don’t have enough time)
This week I planned in for finishing all my post processing so I don’t have any pressure anymore and to think about what’s really important to me to improve my skills instead of wanting to learn everything. If you can have a look at my website and can give a hint on what part I should concentrate I would really appreciate that!

Thanks, Kind Regards, Sander from The Netherlands.

By: lefthandedrobot

lefthandedrobot — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:35:53 +0000

Great article. Photographers don’t talk about this enough, so I’m glad you started the discussion. I can relate in that I don’t feel I don’t have the natural talent that others possess, but the more time and passion I put into photography, the better I can be. But along with learning to art, I have also learned when and when not to bring my camera with me to a certain event. Even when I do have my camera, I’ve learned when I should cool down with my shutter finger and take only a few shots at opportune moments. It’s not cool to leave your friends waiting for 15 minutes while you try to get the perfect shot of pigeon on a lampost during sunset.

By: EdB

EdB — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:29:44 +0000

Nice article. Here ’s another perspective, what to do when you are passionate about photography but can not find the time to photograph as much as you would like next to your job & 2 kids? It sounds like luxury to me when photography is your work, that’s at least 32 hours of time to spend on your passion! Or does the passion fade when it is a working thing?

cheers,
Esther