SUMMARY
Cody Mitchell identifies three common habits that hinder beginner photographers: an overemphasis on gear, shooting subjects without compositional intent, and accumulating large numbers of uncurated images. He argues that skill, not equipment, defines a photographer's ability and suggests practicing by emulating admired work to identify areas for improvement. Mitchell advocates for deliberate practice, focusing on composition and consistency, to develop a strong photographic eye and improve image quality directly in camera.
TAKEAWAYS
Focus on skill and composition over acquiring new gear.
Interrogate scenes to make deliberate compositional choices.
Practice by emulating admired work to learn and improve.
Improvement comes from deliberate practice and analyzing mistakes.