If you want to be a better tennis player, you play with better players. If you want to grow as a photographer, then surround yourself with other photographers and better photographers.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 400, ƒ/7.1, 1/640

This past weekend I traveled around The Big Island of Hawaii with 8 of the 16 students in the School of Photography class at Youth With A Mission. We were sightseeing together some of the sights of the Island.

The top photo is of the Volcano National Park during the evening. Here most of us were using tripods. This advantage was that you could see each other’s work and ask what they were doing. Again, this helped people learn how to capture such a problematic situation.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 400, ƒ/6.4, 1/500

Now when you are on these trips, take the time to find those who are better than you or at least have more experience. Ask them questions and learn what you can.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 5000, ƒ/11, 1/500

Karen Walker is one of the students in the workshop I am teaching this week. She would find me and ask great questions. “What are you looking for here?” might be one of the questions Karen would ask. She was just a sponge and sought me out as much as possible.

She then wanted to be sure she wasn’t annoying. So I told her this is why I am here to help teach.

Fuji X-E2, 55-200mm, ISO 200, ƒ/5, 1.1 sec

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 200, ƒ/5.6, 2.3 sec

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 200, ƒ/5.6, 5 sec

What surprised me was how many students never asked me a question about photography. Every year this happens. I come as a visiting guest speaker, but the students often will not take advantage of my presence to grab me and ask questions.

My recommendations:

• Find a group to do some photography
• Find a professional to take a class with
• Ask questions beyond the lecture time