Quantity Leads to Quality Photos
There’s this myth that great photographers just know when to press the shutter. Like some Jedi Master instinct that lets them capture the shot in one go. Even the best photographers miss shots, take duds, and overthink things sometimes. The difference? They don’t let hesitation get in the way.
Shoot First, Judge Later
You ever been out shooting, see something interesting, and then talk yourself out of taking the shot? Maybe the light wasn’t ideal. Maybe your framing felt off. More likely you thought, Meh, this’ll be a crappy shot.
That’s your inner critic getting in the way. The best shots aren’t always obvious in the moment. Some of my favorite photos were ones I almost didn’t take. Some of my most disappointing shots were the ones I thought were going to be amazing. You can’t always foresee how a photo will turn out but you can control whether you take it or not.
And if you don’t take it? Well, you’ll never know.
Shoot More, Worry Less
Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t about “spray and pray.” Shooting more doesn’t mean firing off random shots and hoping for a masterpiece. It means giving yourself more chances to get something great. It means trying different angles, or reframing a shot. Especially when someone is new to photography, taking more photos helps gain experience and confidence.
Take street photography, If you hesitate, the moment’s gone. If you’re too focused on dialling in settings, you might miss the exact fraction of a second that makes the photo. There is no shame in using semi-automatic modes on your camera so you can focus on capturing the moment.
Perfectionism is the fastest way to miss great shots.
Why Quantity Actually Leads to Quality
Like I said at the beginning, somewhere along the way, people got obsessed with the idea that “real photographers” don’t take a lot of photos. That they just walk up to a scene, take one or two shots, and move on. And while, yeah, experience helps you get closer to the shot faster, and with fewer shots to get it. the truth is, all great photographers take a ridiculous number of photos.
By shooting more, you:
Develop better instincts – The more you shoot, the more you recognise what works (and what doesn’t) without overthinking.
Get over the obsession with sharpness and perfection – A technically perfect but boring photo is still just a boring photo. A slightly imperfect shot with a compelling moment or story? That’s a winner.
Learn how to edit ruthlessly – If you only take a handful of shots, you don’t develop the skill of selecting the best ones. Shooting more means you have to cull aggressively. At first, letting go of photos feels hard, but curation is a crucial skill in photography. Don’t be afraid to kill your darlings.
Developing Better Instincts – The Art of Working the Scene
You’ll hear photographers talk about “working the scene,” but what does that actually mean? It’s not some mystical skill you either have or don’t, it’s something you build through repetition, self reflection and a boat load of shots.
Instead of taking one shot and moving on, try this:
Experiment with different angles – Move around, step forward or back, and adjust your framing.
Pay attention to light – How does it interact with your subject?
Look for depth – Use foreground elements or leading lines to make your composition more dynamic.
Shoot a sequence – In fast-moving situations, don’t wait for the “perfect” moment. Take a series of shots and refine in the edit.
The trick isn’t to overthink, it’s to be intentional. The more you experiment and review your work, the faster you’ll develop an instinct for what works and what doesn’t. No one can teach you this directly, it’s a skill you develop by shooting, reviewing, and refining.
Final Thoughts
Photography is all about putting yourself in the right situations, and trusting the process. Some of your photos will be bad. That’s fine. That’s the price of getting the great ones.
In the long run, the more photos you take, the more mistakes you make, you’ll learn faster and your instincts will become better. You’ll miss fewer shots, capture more great ones, and second-guess yourself a whole lot less.
