Sure, it is wise for beginners to learn from experienced photographers, but there are certain qualities that most new photographers have that many experienced photographers spend years trying to recover.

In this video, photographer Alex Kilbee considers the great things that uniquely set beginner photographers apart, allowing an unburdened approach toward photography. Lots of knowledge can actually interfere when you are trying to take photos due to the vast amount of information that has been built up over many years of training and practice. The beginner photographer is not burdened with this knowledge, and so, they just see something and take a picture of it, not thinking beyond what is in front of them too much. That is an extremely free way of taking photographs.

It’s certainly an interesting take on the topic. Experienced photographers can sometimes lose their inquisitiveness as they become comfortable with their skills and routines. They’ve mastered the technical aspects, honed their artistic vision, and built a portfolio. This confidence can lead to complacency, where they stick to familiar subjects and techniques, failing to explore new horizons. Yet, photography thrives on curiosity, and the beginner can shoot fuelled with raw passion, relying more on instinct than thought, which is a wonderful trait for a photographer to have.

Can we recapture some of the qualities that we had as beginners? Perhaps it is possible to regain a little of this magic when we pick up a new piece of equipment or approach familiar subjects in new ways.