Understanding the mechanics of a camera can be comforting. You set things up, press a button, and voilà, you get a photograph. However, there’s more to it than just pressing a button.

Coming to you from Alex Kilbee of The Photographic Eye, this thought-provoking video explores why pressing the shutter can cause so much anxiety. Kilbee starts by reminiscing about his first camera, a toy model. As a kid, he didn’t care about the technicalities. He just snapped pictures of friends without a second thought. This carefree approach changed as he learned more about photography. The more he learned, the more anxious he became.

Kilbee highlights the technical focus during his first year at photo school. It was all about film processing, image printing, and understanding apertures and shutter speeds. This technical knowledge felt safe and replicable. You follow steps and get predictable results, much like building a LEGO set with instructions. But this safety net of technicality also brought anxiety. Straying from the formula meant opening up to criticism.

Ansel Adams once said you don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring all your life experiences into it. Kilbee struggled with this idea. He wanted his photos to be edgy and cool but lacked the confidence to explore creatively. A specific assignment at photo school, shooting a still life, highlighted this struggle. His technically perfect photo was likened to a picture from a mundane magazine, which he found disheartening. This incident made him realize that technical proficiency alone wasn’t enough.

Kilbee’s journey toward embracing creativity took a turn when he discovered the Holga camera. A friend introduced him to this simple, plastic camera that stripped away all the technical concerns. It had basic settings and was all about capturing the essence of a moment. This experience was liberating, allowing him to focus on seeing the world differently and creating unique images.

Reflecting on his experiences, Kilbee found that overthinking technical perfection often overshadowed creativity. This realization was a turning point. He started incorporating his personal experiences and interests into his photography. This blend of technical skills and creative expression led to more fulfilling work.

Kilbee advises embracing both technical and creative aspects. Some of his photography, like portrait work, leans on technical precision. Other times, he lets go of technicalities to explore creativity, such as with his iPhone photography. This balance helps quiet the anxiety that comes with pressing the shutter and allows for a richer photographic journey. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Kilbee.