How to Make Perfect Photos

”It’s the one art form that everybody is capable of performing flawlessly.” — David Strettell

What’s the secret to creating great photos?  The biggest secret in photography is that you’re already making perfect photos. You’ve been told that you’re not because of the second-biggest secret: the teaching of photography has always and will always make more money than the photographs themselves.

This is why professional photographers are trying to get you to buy a new camera or buy a spot in their next workshop. Believe me, they would rather be taking pictures. That’s what’s most fun about being a photographer.

But that’s not where the money is. The money is in convincing you that your composition needs a little work, or your lens has an aberration that a prime lens wouldn’t.

The professionals don’t do this maliciously. It’s how they learned, and it’s what they need to do if they want to make a decent living. For most of us, though, their advice does not apply.

What defines a perfect photo is entirely up to you. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be an art. It would be just another commodity, subject to a checklist written long ago.

There is no checklist. Be wary of anyone trying to sell you access to one.

This is a chapter from the book A Lesser Photographer.