As we progress as photographers, reflecting on our past work is always interesting, especially as the years pass. I say interesting, but what I mean is partially nostalgic, a little bit of satisfaction, a good deal of considered deletions, and probably some choice words about previous creations. It’s a good thing no one will see these.

Hopefully, we will look back at these photos of the past and, after comparing them to what we are currently creating, see that we have progressed as photographers. We may be happy with your work; they could be great. It could be everything we ever thought we wanted. But regardless of where we are today, the truth is that, like most things, our photography will change.

Change is Inevitable

Anyone who has been a photographer for some time knows that a lot can change relating to your photography. And that aspect of photography is sometimes tricky to grasp until you look back into the history of your craft. We may think that what you are creating and how you create it is precisely what we want. On the contrary, it may not be up to our standards, and we may still see room for improvement in our photography, as at its core, our photography is an act of self-expression. Our choice of subjects, composition, and editing style are all influenced by our unique perspectives and experiences. As we grow and evolve as individuals, so does our photography approach. What interested us then may not interest us now. And that should be expected.

Experimenting with different photography subjects can create an interest that pivots our photography and changes our path. This experimentation stage of a photographer’s focus is prevalent in the first few years as we photograph almost anything to see where our interest lies. We develop and experiment with subjects and repeat the process as we grow as photographers.

Fads and trends heavily influence photography. What was once trendy may eventually become commonplace or outdated. Or what was forgotten in its place in the past may make a return. This includes post-processing styles, subjects, compositions, techniques, and tools.

Technological changes have an impact on how we approach our craft. These changes can happen quickly and cause you to pivot and adapt a new approach to your creative work. Processes and the relative ease of doing so have changed and continue to change. With the ability of many devices to capture and achieve great results, our approach (and excitement) of doing so also changes. We may want to adapt to the most convenient way to capture or return to the older ways.

Conclusion

As we progress as photographers, reflecting on past work prompts a mix of nostalgia, satisfaction, and evaluation. Comparing older photos to current creations highlights our growth and progress, pushing us forward to achieve more. The constant in photography is change as it remains an expression of individuality, evolving alongside personal growth and external influences.