Tag Archives: Make it Count

Why Photographers Should Stay Away from the Comparison Game

There’s one destructive hobby that many photographers share: comparing the quality of their work or income to their peers. Have you ever mentally roughed yourself up because you were convinced you didn’t measure up to another photographer? Ever tell yourself that you’re not talented enough or creative enough to hack it?

You are not alone. In fact, you’re in a popular club with booming membership.

Peer comparison is an enticing trap to fall into because it may appear to be a positive habit at first. After all, learning from those more experienced than you and taking inspiration from great works is an important part of getting better at almost any profession. Comparing yourself to other photographers starts doing more harm than good as soon as it becomes excessive or you use it as an excuse to put yourself down.

At their worst, excessive comparisons will lead to intense frustration and drive you to the point of wanting to give up. Even if the problem never gets out of hand, it will at least take some of the passion and excitement out of photography.
Are you caught in the comparison game? Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind the next time you get the urge to fall into a self-doubt spiral.

Remind Yourself that Success Takes Time

It’s easy to look at a successful photographer and assume that they got where they are overnight. The reality is that, in many cases, someone has more skill only because they have been practicing their trade longer than you have. They may have slaved away countless hours trying and failing to perfect a signature style before they hit on the breakthrough that changed everything.

Accept that you need to build your business from the ground up. Don’t assume that others found a shortcut, and don’t think one is in waiting for you around the bend. Success will come with time, dedication, practice, and a little bit of luck.

Give Yourself Some Credit

If you feel yourself getting too drawn into someone else’s work, in a negative way, it may be time for you to stop and cherish some of your achievements. Look back at your work, not to criticize, but to remember the milestones you’ve passed and the progress you’ve made. This process can be rejuvenating, and it just might inspire you to set some new goals and milestones that keep you looking ahead to the future.

Be proud of what you’ve already accomplished, and think about where you plan to take your career. That’s always a better way to spend a day than getting sucked into the comparison game on social media.

Photography Workshops with Landscape Photographer Jim Steinberg

For aspiring and experienced photographers, nothing is more valuable than spending time with your peers to learn about and improve your craft. If you’re interested in joining fellow photographers for a workshop or guided photography tour with Jim Steinberg, visit our homepage or contact us today!

Happy Spring, Happy Trails

After a weekend full of Passover Seders, Easter egg hunts, family brunches and dinners, we wanted to share a special image captured in Delft, Netherlands. Located in South Holland, this dreamy town offers picturesque canals, bustling streets and European charm at its best. Spring is the best time of year to visit, as the subtle breeze follows you in and out of narrow alleys and nature blossoms all around, reinvigorated by the sun’s return.


A relaxing meal on a tethered barge on the canals is the perfect way to experience Delft’s stunning architecture and vibrant scenery. It’s also a great opportunity to practice your photography skills. Below, we share some of our handy photography tips for travelers.


Seize the Moment

When traveling, you never know where an alley will lead or what could happen at any given moment, so when faced with a decision on which direction to go, don’t be trepidatious about going down that alley or road that appears less traveled. You never know what you will find there. And always be prepared with your camera at the ready and your senses on alert at all times Keep your eyes and mind open.


Make it Count

Tourists generally snap photos of everything they see while traveling, only to return home to delete 80 percent of their images. This is even truer today as digital makes it so much easier to create as many images as you want at no additional cost. After all, electrons are free. To ensure that you capture the moments that count, pause before you click to ask yourself why you think the scene or image is unique or important. Ask yourself, “Does this photograph tell a story?” or “How is this image important to telling the story of this place?” This will help quell the urge to take photos of every single historic statue you come across and return home with unique shots of your trip.


Become a Jack-of-All-Trades

When traveling, you encounter a variety of different situations. One morning, you might capture a man sipping his daily coffee at a café, while the afternoon might be filled with hiking in the countryside. One of the beauties of travel is that you’re exposed to a multitude of activities in a short period of time. Use your trip as a reason to exercise and practice your photographic skills. This is a great time to stretch yourself and use different photographic muscles. If you are most comfortable with portraiture then make sure to do more landscape. Practice action shots of people riding on bikes; try some nighttime photography. This is great time to try something new to help tell your story. After reviewing you images upon your return home, you’ll know exactly which areas you need to hone in on to further sharpen your skills.


Steinberg Photography hopes you had an enjoyable Passover and Easter and that wherever you are it is finally Spring! If you’re traveling this spring season, share your pictures with us on Facebook, where you can also see the latest photographs from award-winning photographers Jim & Lori Steinberg. Want to sharpen your skills pre or post trip? Check out our workshops here and practice, practice, practice!

Happy Easter, Happy Trails

After a weekend full of Easter egg hunts, family brunches and dinners, we wanted to share a special image captured in Delft, Netherlands. Located in South Holland, this dreamy town offers picturesque canals, bustling streets and European charm. Spring is the best time of year to visit, as the subtle breeze follows you in and out of narrow alleys and nature blossoms all around, reinvigorated by the sun’s return.

A relaxing boat tour throughout the canals is the perfect way to experience Delft’s stunning architecture and vibrant scenery. It’s also a great opportunity to practice your photography skills. Below, we share some of our most handy photography tips for travelers.

Seize the Moment

When traveling, you never know where an alley will lead or what could happen at any given moment. It’s important to be prepared with your camera at the ready and your eyes open.

Make it Count

Tourists generally snap photographs of everything they see whilst traveling, only to return and delete 80 percent of their photographs. To ensure that you capture the moments that count, pause before you click to ask yourself why you think the scene or image is unique. This will help quell the urge to take photos of every single historic statue you come across and return home with a truly unique snapshot of your trip.

Become a Jack-of-All-Trades

When traveling, you encounter a variety of different situations. One morning, you might capture a man sipping his daily coffee at a café while the afternoon might be filled by a hike. The beauty of travel is that you’re exposed to a multitude of activities in a short period of time. Use your trip as an excuse to exercise and practice your photography muscles with portrait, landscape, action, daytime and nighttime photography. When you return home, you’ll know exactly which areas you need to focus on in sharpening your skills.

Steinberg Photography hopes you had an enjoyable Easter! If you’re traveling this spring season, share your pictures with us on Facebook, where you can also see the latest photographs from award-winning photographers Jim & Lori Steinberg. Want to sharpen your skills pre or post trip? Check out our workshops here and practice, practice, practice!