I recently showed some drawings I’d made to a good friend. I was not that happy with the drawings and was struggling. My friend said 8 words that resonated immediately: “It looks like you are trying too hard”.

I have always talked about this idea slightly differently. I have often felt like I need to get my conscious self out of the way and let my heart make the pictures. I confirm this to myself when I think of a handful of my photographs over the years.  

I have taught many workshops on portrait photography. During the demonstration for the students, I will make a portrait of the model that is there for the students to work with for the day. I set up my camera to make the portrait, and the whole time I am talking about what I am doing and why, wanting my students to learn from the process. 

A surprisingly large number of what I think of as my very best portraits are the result of these demonstrations. They are one frame, and I am not really concentrating on making the picture; my conscious self is on another topic - teaching. I have other examples of great pictures I’ve made when I am not doing my usual routine and trying to make a picture that I already have in my head. 

When I am not trying too hard

Another way I think about this is to strive to be present when I am in the process of taking photographs. This is not always easy as I have a busy life like everyone else, yet when I have my camera in hand, I try to let go.  Let go of all the other things I have on my plate, let go of all the pictures I have in my head, see what is in front of me for what it can be. To make pictures from my heart.

Be well,

Ray