The Photographic Cycle

Speaking with fellow photographer Matt Kirwan the other day(http://www.mattkirwan.co.uk/index.php?page=home ) he spoke about how he had finally, after a long delay, taken delivery of his copy of the Press Photographers Year Book, (http://www.theppy.com/). This book is sent out to all the entrants into the competition and contains all the winning photographs from each category. As we discussed the book and the quality of the entries it became apparent to me that looking at books like this causes a bit of a dilemma to the photographer.

Having looked at the copy I received and also at the World Press Photo Competition (http://www.worldpressphoto.org/) book that I received for submitting photos to their competition, (and whilst I would love to say how I had won a category in this famous competition - But I didn't!) but there is a definite 'cycle' that as a photographer I find, having read these books, that I go through when looking at the high quality entries.

I find it is a four part cycle...

Part 1: AWE
The cycle starts with a feeling of amazement at the standard of the pictures that you see.

Part 2: INSPIRATION
A wave of inspiration as you look at how you can begin new projects or look for new ideas.

Part 3: PANIC
Blind panic kicks in as you realise that if your honest with yourself your probably never going to be anywhere near as good as some of the photographers whose work you looking at!

Part 4: MOTIVATION
Despite the reality you feel motivation to continue regardless, hoping to improve and learn as you go along.

And you know what, you will, faster than you realise, because there is no better way to develop your ideas than look at other pictures and build your ideas from there.

And as for the future competitions, well you never know, one day, maybe.