There are some hobbies that can be started quickly and affordably. A few knitting needles and a ball of yarn only cost a couple of bucks, while a scrapbooker can buy new paper for just a few cents.
That’s not the case with photography. From spending hundreds of dollars on a camera to lenses, durable camera backpacks that protect your gear, and more, photography isn’t a hobby you want to tread into lightly.
So, how do you decide if photography is the right hobby for you?
You Appreciate the Details
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Photography requires you to look beyond what’s right in front of you. Good photographers appreciate the right lighting, they know that a slightly out-of-focus shot can be more impactful than a focused one, and they are taken by color. In short, they appreciate the details.
Before you can appreciate the details behind the lens of a camera, you have to appreciate the details in your day-to-day life. Are you prone to stopping during a walk to appreciate the beauty of a flower, or do you walk on by? Does time seem to slow down when you watch your kids play, or do you sit on the park bench, scrolling your social media feed on your cell phone?
If you like to slow down and appreciate the little things, you will be a great photographer.
You Live in the Moment
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Taking pictures requires you to be present. There is no such thing as multi-tasking when you’ve got your camera hanging around your neck. If living in the moment comes naturally to you, you’ll take to photography like a fish takes to water.
Some of the very best photographers are the ones who don’t plan ahead. They simply go out into the world and see what catches their attention. That requires focusing on the moment at hand. This can make time slow down, which makes photography a great hobby for those that live in the moment, but not for those who feel most accomplished when busy.
You Are Patient
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Patience comes with many benefits. One of which is better pictures, if you’re a photographer.
Photography often requires patience. You only have a few moments to capture a hovering bumble bee, and taking pictures of the kids means adjusting their hair and getting everyone to sit still. If you aren’t a patient person, you’ll end up feeling frustrated.
However, if you’re the kind of person who can do the same things over and over again without feeling flustered, and the thought of spending all afternoon behind a camera, only to end up without any decent shots, isn’t depressing, you may have what it takes to be a photographer.
You Are Creative
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Creative people are often attracted to photography. It takes a creative mind to see the world from a different point of view, which always makes for the best images.
For example, some of the most random and creative images are ones that are:
- Taken while rotating your camera to create a blurry effect
- Being zoomed while shooting to create greater focus on a single point
- Shot from way up high or down below
If you naturally see life a little differently than everyone else, and the thought of playing around with a camera to capture the way you see the world sounds like fun, you should give photography a try.
You Enjoy Technology
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This last one may come as a bit of a surprise. When most people think of photography as a hobby, they naturally envision themselves out in the world with a camera around their neck. That means learning the settings of the camera you have, which means being open to learning new technology, but it also means spending time on the computer.
The truth is that photographers spend just as much time on the computer editing their photos as they do taking them.
You should only take up photography if you enjoy technology. Although some editing, like applying filters, can be a lot of fun, there are many aspects of editing that aren’t as much fun. From cropping and red eye to clarity, shadows, and more, there’s a lot to learn, which is why only those who are comfortable and interested in technology should take up photography.
Photography can be a very rewarding hobby, but just like any other hobby, it is only rewarding if it’s something you truly enjoy. If you see yourself in any of the signs on this list, you should definitely pick up a camera and give it a try!
