If only I had

If only I had more time, more money, started sooner, thought about it, could go back. I don’t know about you but I catch myself thinking or saying something that starts with something similar more than I should. I do this in many aspects of life, including my photography.

Many times, I am not able to change or do over but with photography, I can often go back and either retake the images or edit them. Sometimes, the chance to “get it right” is gone never to come again. The once in a lifetime opportunity to catch a fleeting moment of time or a once in a lifetime trip. So how do we get to make sure we don’t have an If only I had thought about those times? Build your skillset! Learn to utilize your equipment! Include all your options including how to best utilize your cellphone camera. There may be times when it wasn’t possible to have your best gear available but that doesn’t mean you have to miss the chance.

I always caution people that the practice makes perfect isn’t necessarily true. Practice makes permanent, perfect practice makes perfect. Practice good photography habits, learn how to use your gear to its fullest, and then push it further. Go build your skillset. We may never achieve perfection but if we work towards perfection we may achieve excellence and avoid the “If only I had” moment.