Photography Tips & Tricks: 10,000 Hours
My First, and Most Essential Piece of Advice
By Sam Bugas - March 2024
Three weeks ago, I moved to New Zealand. It was the culmination of years of thought, dedication to the possibility of the concept, and hard decisions from start to finish. While falling asleep, feeling the anxiety of a slowly uprooting life, I found so much solace in the idea that when I finally arrived, the opportunity to explore, to challenge myself, and to walk away with beautiful photos would be overwhelmingly satisfying. Now, I’m here, and there has been no shortage of opportunities to shoot. In fact, I’ve taken thousands of photos between only a few outings. I write all of this because the truth is that I am only happy with a couple of photos. The dream opportunity, the most beautiful locations I’ve arguably ever seen, and yet successful results feel are slow to come. So where can I find comfort in that? My belief is in the hours! The well over-preached, often analysed, occasionally debunked, but never forgotten concept of the 10,000-hour rule (minted by Malcolm Gladwell) has built its way into the back of my head for years. Now, in my dream home, with few images I’m proud of, I feel confident because I know that each hour out shooting is just as valuable as any photo I’m proud of.
So, Why Do I Care About the 10,000-Hour Rule?
Take it with every last grain of salt that you need to, and then realise that the 10,000-hour rule is a microcosm of a more important way of thinking. Our best results are not what build us into the best versions of ourselves. They may be markers along the way, or at the end, that feed us energy and motivation, but they are mostly insignificant parts of the journey we take. I care about the 10,000-hour rule because it feeds the thinking that we are as good as the time we put in. This is exactly why you should care as well.
The setting sun lights Mt. Barff on fire… yes, it is in fact called Mt. Barff
A valley carved by a long lost glacier slowly bleeds with light as the sun breaks the horizon.
How to Approach the 10,000-Hour Rule
The 10,000-hour rule operates just the same as a good diet, or a well planned fitness routine. You will inevitably get out what you put in, so long as you maintain consistency. A hallmark of the concept is that you will never reach your 10,000 hours without a dedicated consistency. This means that you must bank your time when it feels good, bad, unfulfilling, or when you feel uncreative. Understand that it is our brains that propel our creativity. Now, look at your brain like a muscle that must be stimulated. Every second you spend at your craft, you are stimulating and strengthening your brain. Put more time in, feel pride in the journey ahead, and all the while recognise that it is long, and not without its peaks and valleys. Seek to invest and you’ll reap the rewards when they come available. I know that the hours I spend taking photos, even when few to none are of any recognisable accomplishment, are hours that place me closer to an eye that sees with greater clarity, to a body of work that compels viewers, to a life where I lean on the hours I’ve put in to make due on my goals.
It will take time, but every day, hour, minute, and second you invest is pushing you towards an incredible level of potential and success .
About Me:
I have shot photos for five years, with a consistent focus on capturing moments of action and environment while I am outside. I’ve dabbled in quite a few different genres of photography, and I’ve found that my favorite moments to take a photo are when the wind is whipping, the air is freezing, and I’m far away from home. Over the last year, I’ve come to the realization that taking photos and telling stories are two very different things. My goal is to keep improving as a story teller that can work in the worst environments and come away with compelling sets of photos and written stories that help me, and others, to relive the essence of an adventure. I am focused on continuing to grow as a visual story teller so that I may leverage my skills to successfully work within conservation, expedition photography, and commercial photography.
Lastly, if you are a climber, backpacker, photographer, scuba diver or whatever else on the South Island of New Zealand, let’s get in touch! As you may have read, I just arrived in Christchurch, and I am taking every opportunity available to go out and explore this wonderful new place.