Follow fewer photographers, stop sharing all your photos - and four other less obvious tips for improving your photography in 2025
David Clapp's five leftfield tips for kickstarting your photography this year
You may have probably hit the photography equivalent of the ‘runners wall’ at some point; I know that over the last 20 years I certainly have. Although a quick fix answer is perhaps what you crave, it is not going to be found in endless purchases, plugins or online forums - the answer to start investing in you.
You're not thinking about photography enough
I see so many photographers that are stuck, cling onto one style or formula, which all stems from the paradigm trap of social media. I think about photography all the time, especially when driving, washing up or shopping. I float into my ideas - do the same.
Always shoot your best whatever you are shooting
Learn to always take the very best photo you can, for whatever reason. Children, pets, garden, travel… everything has to be spot on. If I take photos for eBay, I make sure my composition is perfect. By striving for the best, you are photographically ‘working out’.
Take more risks
Put yourself into unusual places - I got some great shots in Ikea last weekend. I photographed an obsolete audio equipment museum in Ramsgate and got some superb work. Take a leap of faith and concentrate hard.
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Practice
So many photographers don't fully understand the power of their lenses and cameras. These are complex machines that require muscle memory and require you attain a technical synergy. If you feel confused every time you switch on, how can you climb upwards to creativity?
Stop following photographers & show your work less
If you use social media, stop following so many photographers. It’s like having an global peer army showing you incredible work that makes you feel inferior on a daily basis. It’s not good for your confidence and self-esteem. Remove them.
Stop posting so much online. Perhaps send your images to a few photography friends (if you need a fix) and allow yourself the chance to fail with a trusted audience. You need to review, reflect, recollect, realign and all will be revealed.
David Clapp has been a full-time professional photographer for 15 years and for the last 12 years has lead exciting workshops worldwide. He regularly works for Canon UK and is represented by Getty Images. He also writes a regular travel photo column for PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine.