Talent Is Over Rated

by Robert Provencher

“I have no particular talent. I am merely inquisitive.”

~Albert Einstein~

Some photographers have the erroneous belief that talent, photographic  talent, is an innate, programmed in their DNA, born-with skill set. A ‘gift’, so to speak.

Truth is, greatness, talent, creative works, and just about all success’s are learned behaviours. It doesn’t come from DNA but from practice and perseverance honed over decades.

Whether you believe in what I’m saying or not matters not. The good news is, you can grow your skills (talents) through perseverance, hard work and practice.

If you’re upset, threatened by what I’m saying and totally disagree, let’s duke it out. I wanna hear what you gotta say, ‘cuz I’m coming in all guns a blazing in total defence f what I’m saying here.

If anyone tries to discourage you and lead you into believing you must be born with ‘the gift’, don’t for  a second listen to any of that utter nonsense.

Photography is a learned skill set. Just like playing music. You get better with time and practice.

Unfortunately, many believe, because of the magical qualities inherent in photography, and the intrinsic ‘glamorousness’ in being called a  photographer, that photography is a sublime, mysterious, noble, rare and sacred gift from the gods. Bullshit.

This creates a load of confusion. To know better gives you an advantage. Let me explain.

I see many photogs and aspiring photogs showing up at events to listen to their fave photog speak. This is all fine and dandy, but if you have the wrong mindset, you won’t be maximizing the return on time and money invested when attending  photographic workshops and seminars.

Instead, you’ll be mesmerized and in awe. The bigger the name, you more the awe level. The big name marquis, celeb speaker will leave you with a sense of amazement, maybe a tad more.

Instead of grabbing and cultivating as many legit strategies and principles that you can borrow and roll into your own photography and photography business, you’ll swim into the egotistically driven experience. We tend to do this as humans and photographers, in my opinion, are extra vulnerable.

Sitting at the foot of the guru seems to be enough.

So, the alternative is, go for knowledge. Take notes. Grab ideas and make them your own. Grab inspirations that evolve in your in your mind, and when you get back to your studio, practice. Yes, practice. Too many just think about this, or worse yet, wait until their next paid gig to practice whatever ideas and inspirations visit upon them.

And then they flop. Why? Lack of practice.

I used to, and still do, harp on this over and over when speaking to large groups of photographers. We’re no different, not better than any other creative discipline.

When a symphony musician has to learn a piece, they don’t show up at rehearsal never having practiced any thing. They must study and practice until their fingers bleed. Or pay hell with maestro.

With musicians, it’s obvious. You don’t know the piece, it sounds like crap.

In photography, many people/clients/photogs lack judgement or discernment and believe what they see is a  great photograph. Until they see something better, and get educated. Therein lies the opportunity to show your clients something better and educate them on quality.

Many photographers, unfortunately, are prey to their own weakness’s and egos. And the bs shoveled by others. They think they have enough because the got some gear, and a great logo. Herein lies the opportunity for you to know this, and rise above the cacophony and noise of traveling with the ego circus.