Dealing with Failures and Mistakes

I have to accept the fact that I am still learning about photography. I will always learn; there will always be something new to learn about the art and practice of photography.

With that said, I have to accept failures and mistakes as well.

Yesterday, I was asked by my boss and very good friend of the bar I work at to photograph an apartment he is renting out here in San Francisco as a vacation rental. It is a two bedroom, one bath situation plus an outside deck. I took the photos and it seemed they were great only to find in post processing later that some were very out of focus and unusable!

I had photos for all the rooms except the second bedroom in the back of the apartment. Mind you, this is a garden apartment so natural light isn't in high quantities. But I still should have been more aware. I think back on my state of mind and perhaps rushed through this assignment thinking it would be a peace of cake. I now cannot recall if I made sure I was on the correct ISO. Cannot recall?? Cannot recall?? That is the first thing I should be doing in any photography situation!

What if this would have been a wedding or special event where things cannot happen again? There isn't a "do-over"! I would be screwed as well as the client!

Luckily, my boss is a great friend and is letting me redo the shots. Luckily the apartment can be re-photographed. This is where I must learn from my mistakes but at the same time, not let those mistakes keep me in doubt of my ability. I know I have the talent, I just need to hone my skills. Make sure I know what I'm doing in the moment.

He did pay me for this and I feel like I should give the money back. I was so upset with myself but I have to let go of this feeling. I am sure this is what has caused my insomnia tonight.

I am going to post one of my mistakes just to show you how bad it can be when you don't concentrate. When you don't check settings. When you think a given assignment is "easy". Cause I do not want other beginning photographers to go through this but perhaps this is what makes a great photographer are the mistakes they learn from I suppose.

I really hope to rectify this apartment situation later today. I just need to be patient with myself and my abilities. It will work out in the end I just need to give myself time.