THE PATHLESS PATH OF PHOTOGRAPHY
"It’s hard to find your path when you aren’t even sure where you’re going."
— shared by a recent workshop participant
This is one of the most honest things a photographer can admit.
And it might be the moment their real journey begins.
In the early days—of photography, or any creative path—it’s easy to feel lost.
You’re trying to get somewhere, but you’re not sure where that is.
You want to make meaningful work, but you don’t yet know what meaningful looks like for you.
You want to do it all. And that’s part of the problem.
Doing It All (And Getting Nowhere)
So many early-on-the-path photographers try to master everything at once.
Landscapes, portraits, wildlife, macro, street…
Why not cover it all, right?
But this often leads to scattered energy and shallow growth.
You learn a little about a lot, but you don’t go deep.
You don’t yet know what your work is about, because you haven’t sat still long enough to listen for it.
Of course, there are exceptions.
Eva Chupikova, whom I recently featured on The Curated Landscape, is a rare artist who blends landscape and portraiture with astonishing clarity.
But even in her case, what allows her to do both is focus—not on subjects or genres, but on mood, tone, and voice.
She knows what she's saying, no matter the form.
Trying to do everything at once rarely works.
You have to find your way in. One doorway. One thread. And follow it.
Stop Using Photography As a Means to an End
Another common trap is this:
You go out with the goal of making great photos.
And when that doesn’t happen—which, let’s be honest, is often the case—you come home disappointed.
Why?
Because photography is being used as a means to an end.
And that mindset almost guarantees frustration.
The truth is, meaningful photographs—images that carry life and spirit—don’t come easily or often.
They’re rare. They’re gifts.
You can’t force them.
But if you love the process…
If you find meaning in working through the process…
Then everything shifts.
Photography becomes a practice. A meditation. A way of being in the world.
And when a strong image happens—it’s a beautiful bonus.
Not the reason you showed up.
This is where the whole experience becomes richer, more personal, and more fun.
And that one shift in mindset? It can change your entire trajectory.
Photographer or Artist?
Most people don’t think of themselves as artists when they begin. And they’re not.
They’re photographers. There’s a difference.
A photographer aims to capture a scene, a moment, an aesthetic.
An artist wants to express something.
To say something. To feel something.
The moment a photographer starts asking, Why am I doing this?
…is the moment they begin transforming into an artist.
When they start looking inward.
When they realize the camera isn’t just for seeing the world—it’s for seeing themselves.
Left Brain, Meet Right Brain
A large percentage of the photographers I work with come from analytical backgrounds—engineers, scientists, problem-solvers.
And it makes sense. Photography has a strong technical side. Settings, gear, precision—it’s all part of it.
But that’s only half of it.
The best images aren’t just built on technique.
They carry soul. Feeling. Energy.
You need the left brain and the right brain.
Thinking mind and feeling body.
As a right-brained creative myself, I see my role in workshops as offering a bridge.
Not giving people a blueprint, but showing what the other side looks like.
If they can see it in me, they can begin to recognize how it might look in their own path.
The Shift Begins With Awareness
No one wakes up and suddenly starts making soulful images.
It begins subtly—with awareness.
The moment you realize photography isn’t just about capturing what you see…
…it’s about expressing what you feel.
That’s the beginning of everything.
This shift doesn’t require gear or travel or perfect conditions.
It requires attention.
Intention.
A willingness to go deeper.
And when that happens—your images begin to change.
They carry more weight. More presence.
They begin to say something.
For the Ones Who Feel Stuck
If you’re feeling lost or unsure right now—good.
That means you’re paying attention.
If you’re stuck to the point that you’re not even picking up your camera—then the answer is simple:
Get out and shoot.
If you are out shooting, and just not seeing the results you want—give yourself some grace.
Be patient. Be present.
Let the photographic process be enough.
You’re showing up. You’re practicing.
You’re getting out into the world at times and in places you wouldn’t otherwise be.
What a gift that is.
Take that gift.
Follow it.
And let the path reveal itself as you go.
There’s no map.
There never was.
That’s why it works.
If you’re navigating your own path, you may also appreciate:
– The Deeper Why — uncovering the purpose behind your photography
– When the Work Begins to Speak Back — on letting your images guide your growth
– Observe with Curiosity — a shift from control to presence
→ Or explore more reflective essays in the In Focus archive
Hi, I’m Scott Reither—fine art photographer, educator, and the founder of The Curated Landscape.
I created this space to share reflections and tools for photographers who want to go deeper—into their craft, their process, and how they connect with the world through the lens.
