Nine Bad Habits That Will Reduce the Quality of Your Photography

Are you currently unhappy or dissatisfied with your photography? Do you feel like you are not progressing or improving despite constant practice and numerous projects? Perhaps you have bad habits that are preventing you from taking photographs. Or even make your photos look worse.

In the video above, British street photographer Roman Fox lists nine bad habits that can be holding back your growth as a photographer. Some of them are not errors in themselves. But if taken to an extreme or in the wrong direction or intention, they can affect your performance in the long run. Some good examples include obsessing over following trends, relying only on theory and not putting it into practice, and succumbing to gear acquisition syndrome.

Fox also discussed how setting expectations can limit your creativity and motivation. Obsessing over things you can’t control—like the weather, people’s reactions to your work, and social media activity—can cause you frustration and affect the way you photograph. Likewise, expecting recognition and comparing yourself to other photographers will only make you feel bitter and frustrated. And we all know how this ultimately leads to photography becoming a negative experience.

Have you been guilty of any (or many) of these bad habits? What did you do to overcome them? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below and let’s start the conversation!