Thanks Ryan for sharing your photo learning journey for 2025.
I was very fascinated by your Note taking and journaling of Field Notes. I would like to understand, how that has helped in your photography journey. For me going on a photo walk or doing street photography is very instinctive and spontaneous, I do think the "what" and "how" and "why" aspect but I have never journaled it.
With respect to studying photo books and writing notes on it. I do study photo books but need to write my thoughts afterwards. Something I would like to incorporate.
Getting feedback through Critique from someone you admire and through group critique is extremely important in an artists growth. So kudos to you.
Hey Uday! A few days behind on my responses here, but thanks a ton for reading and sharing your thoughts as well!
The journaling has made an impact primarily by forcing me to reflect back on interactions or decisions that I made that I want to recall later. I think of it a lot like I would if I were an athlete; I work in baseball for a living, so I will use that as an example.
After a game wraps up, does a hitter need to reflect and journal on their performance in the game? No, probably not. However, by taking a few moments for deliberate reflection, they are able to really think through their process from each at-bat, and potentially glean why a good or bad outcome came to be. Of course, they do not need to write this down, they can just think about it, but there is just something about the process of either writing on paper, typing on a keyboard, or speaking our thoughts out loud that helps us really tease out what matters more, draw connections between thoughts/ideas/instances, and maybe even draw greater meaning from it all.
Where the photographs themselves make that days results tangible and real, for me, journaling cements in stone that day's process to go along with the results.
That absolutely makes sense Ryan. A good analogy with the baseball hitter. I wholeheartedly concur that writing down or speaking out the thought process helps you ingrain what works and what one should avoid.
I’ve struggled a bit with what to do when I don’t have a camera in hand. Those off-times when I have a few moments at work or weather is not conducive to shooting. Your idea of reviewing and journaling about photo books is a great idea. Not just scrolling a feed on your favorite social media platform, but actually investigating personal emotions and thoughts when focusing on one photo at a time. Then using those notes as inspiration for future shoots.
Thanks Ariston! I totally can relate. That is actually how a lot of these practices came to be. My professional job as a sport scientist for a Major League Baseball team is quite demanding, especually in-season. Most of the year, I can only photowalk 1-2 hours per week max, and I felt that this just simply isn't enough time to get in the deep practice I need in order to progress at the rate I am aiming for. So, studying individual photographs from books one at a time, journaling, reading textbooks... well, those became my way of off-setting not getting time with the camera.
And to the point about scrolling the feed... I hear that completely. I have found that to be such a bust for my mental health and relationship with photography. I see everyone's best work, their likes, their growth, and just get domed up about my own. So I do my best to keep that to a minimum (not zero, but a minimum).
Thanks for sharing these, Ryan. I particularly like the idea of journalling after each walk and building an inspiration database as well. I’m very tempted to give both a try myself in 2026. I look forward to reading part 2.
Thanks a ton for reading Giles! I am glad the idea of journaling resonated with you. I am looking to take a step forward with that this upcoming year. The idea would be to select specific images after reviewing photographs and take notes on them as well. Just don't want it to be too cumbersome, so sussing out the specifics still.
I like the idea of an inspiration database! So often I come across photographs that are not a part of a book I am looking at and find myself wishing I had some place to store it for later
Totally get where you’re coming from Ryan, with the journalling. I’ve got into paper journalling for the mental health benefits this year and really enjoy the tactile nature of pen on paper, although my handwriting remains atrocious 😂 It’s a fine line though between it being beneficial and become a burden/chore. I’ve been playing with Notion a bit as well and looking for ways it can aid my photography. Love your suggestions.
Oh I get that for sure! For work, I always have an actual notebook and pen with me (although my handwriting is terrible too! 😅). But I think that is why digitial notetaking has actually been better for me so far when it comes to photography: it keeps it on right side of helpful/burden. Whereas, I am okay with work being a burden because it is my livelihood, not a hobby!
Totally get that. While I love the tactile nature of physical notebooks, I do find digital so much more convenient, especially as I spent most of my day in front of a computer for the day job and my phone is always with me. Its all about finding the right balance I guess 🤔😁
haha yes 100%! That is something I have really liked about Notion, specifically. I use it for work as well, so I just keep multiple tabs open within it -- one for work, and one for photography.
Lots of great tips here!
Thank you mate!
Very beautiful black &white photos!!! I do not read english well but it seems very interessant
Thank you very much Thom!
Good tips. I’ve never used Notion and might have a go at it. Thanks!
Thanks Sonny! It takes a bit to get used to, but ultimately it is a really great platform. Let me know how you get on with it please!
I think this is brilliant.
Well done.
These exercises will help any photographer who is serious in developing both, their eyes and their tachnique.
Hey thanks a ton Don! Really appreciate that coming from you.
Thanks Ryan for sharing your photo learning journey for 2025.
I was very fascinated by your Note taking and journaling of Field Notes. I would like to understand, how that has helped in your photography journey. For me going on a photo walk or doing street photography is very instinctive and spontaneous, I do think the "what" and "how" and "why" aspect but I have never journaled it.
With respect to studying photo books and writing notes on it. I do study photo books but need to write my thoughts afterwards. Something I would like to incorporate.
Getting feedback through Critique from someone you admire and through group critique is extremely important in an artists growth. So kudos to you.
Hey Uday! A few days behind on my responses here, but thanks a ton for reading and sharing your thoughts as well!
The journaling has made an impact primarily by forcing me to reflect back on interactions or decisions that I made that I want to recall later. I think of it a lot like I would if I were an athlete; I work in baseball for a living, so I will use that as an example.
After a game wraps up, does a hitter need to reflect and journal on their performance in the game? No, probably not. However, by taking a few moments for deliberate reflection, they are able to really think through their process from each at-bat, and potentially glean why a good or bad outcome came to be. Of course, they do not need to write this down, they can just think about it, but there is just something about the process of either writing on paper, typing on a keyboard, or speaking our thoughts out loud that helps us really tease out what matters more, draw connections between thoughts/ideas/instances, and maybe even draw greater meaning from it all.
Where the photographs themselves make that days results tangible and real, for me, journaling cements in stone that day's process to go along with the results.
Hopefully that makes some sense?
Looking forward to hearing back!
That absolutely makes sense Ryan. A good analogy with the baseball hitter. I wholeheartedly concur that writing down or speaking out the thought process helps you ingrain what works and what one should avoid.
Happy Journaling and shooting :)
Thanks a ton Uday! Have a great rest of your week!
I’ve struggled a bit with what to do when I don’t have a camera in hand. Those off-times when I have a few moments at work or weather is not conducive to shooting. Your idea of reviewing and journaling about photo books is a great idea. Not just scrolling a feed on your favorite social media platform, but actually investigating personal emotions and thoughts when focusing on one photo at a time. Then using those notes as inspiration for future shoots.
Useful and helpful! Thanks Ryan!
Thanks Ariston! I totally can relate. That is actually how a lot of these practices came to be. My professional job as a sport scientist for a Major League Baseball team is quite demanding, especually in-season. Most of the year, I can only photowalk 1-2 hours per week max, and I felt that this just simply isn't enough time to get in the deep practice I need in order to progress at the rate I am aiming for. So, studying individual photographs from books one at a time, journaling, reading textbooks... well, those became my way of off-setting not getting time with the camera.
And to the point about scrolling the feed... I hear that completely. I have found that to be such a bust for my mental health and relationship with photography. I see everyone's best work, their likes, their growth, and just get domed up about my own. So I do my best to keep that to a minimum (not zero, but a minimum).
Thanks again for reading and sharing my friend!
Some lovely reflections in this article. Really like the idea of journaling after each photo-walk. Thanks for sharing Ryan.
Thanks for sharing these, Ryan. I particularly like the idea of journalling after each walk and building an inspiration database as well. I’m very tempted to give both a try myself in 2026. I look forward to reading part 2.
Thanks a ton for reading Giles! I am glad the idea of journaling resonated with you. I am looking to take a step forward with that this upcoming year. The idea would be to select specific images after reviewing photographs and take notes on them as well. Just don't want it to be too cumbersome, so sussing out the specifics still.
I like the idea of an inspiration database! So often I come across photographs that are not a part of a book I am looking at and find myself wishing I had some place to store it for later
Totally get where you’re coming from Ryan, with the journalling. I’ve got into paper journalling for the mental health benefits this year and really enjoy the tactile nature of pen on paper, although my handwriting remains atrocious 😂 It’s a fine line though between it being beneficial and become a burden/chore. I’ve been playing with Notion a bit as well and looking for ways it can aid my photography. Love your suggestions.
Oh I get that for sure! For work, I always have an actual notebook and pen with me (although my handwriting is terrible too! 😅). But I think that is why digitial notetaking has actually been better for me so far when it comes to photography: it keeps it on right side of helpful/burden. Whereas, I am okay with work being a burden because it is my livelihood, not a hobby!
Totally get that. While I love the tactile nature of physical notebooks, I do find digital so much more convenient, especially as I spent most of my day in front of a computer for the day job and my phone is always with me. Its all about finding the right balance I guess 🤔😁
haha yes 100%! That is something I have really liked about Notion, specifically. I use it for work as well, so I just keep multiple tabs open within it -- one for work, and one for photography.