Photography can be a pursuit marked by slow growth, and as such, insidious things can creep in and derail our journey, and it can be years before we even realize they have done so. If you would like to continue to grow as a photographer and creative, check out this fantastic video essay that discusses three mistakes that will hold you back and how to avoid them.

Coming to you from Kyle McDougall, this insightful video essay discusses three common mistakes that hold photographers back. One that I found particularly salient is the importance of not wasting time and energy on unproductive things that do nothing to move you forward. We can be guilty of this in so many ways: it can be spending too much time poring over camera specs, arguing with others online, or looking for shortcuts like presets. It can be also come about in less obvious ways, such as spending too much time editing small details of an image that really do not contribute to its overall impression and quality or that are unlikely to be noticed entirely. It is so important that we not only practice our craft, but practice it in a purposeful way. Check out the video above for the full rundown from McDougall.