Shortcuts are generally derived from laziness in an attempt to perform a job with the most minimal effort required. Unfortunately, this creates the opportunity for negative results and possibly severe consequences.

In reality, shortcuts usually lead to disappointments rather than quicker success. The key to any long-term success is to take the necessary steps to progress steadily rather than skip any of them.

Taking shortcuts is well within human capacity and certainly within our nature. It’s instinctual; it’s what we’re hard-wired to do. So to encourage a safe workplace, we must understand this human tendency to take the easy way out and find ways to combat it.

Ways to Avoid Taking Shortcuts

Hold yourself to a higher standard. Do not take the easy way out. Instead, take the time and energy to perform tasks correctly. Make it a habit to follow safety policies and procedures.

My suggestion to get better is to put in the work. The best way to do that is to study with a master artisan and other professionals. Learn to analyze their work and see if you can reproduce it yourself.

I have taken many workshops through the years. These are usually a week long and give me time to listen, observe and then shoot while getting feedback from a pro.

With YouTube, I have found just about any topic I want to know more about covered. Just search for what you want to learn to do. Then, after watching a few different YouTubers, I will subscribe to the channels whose teaching style appeals to me.

“There are no shortcuts to success.”

– Malcolm Gladwell

Twist – Always look for shortcuts.

After mastering the craft, it is a great time to look for those shortcuts. Just don’t make the shortcut your go-to approach.

Innovation almost always tries to choose the path of least resistance. As a result, many photographers discover ways to stand out by doing something different.