Sometimes, Starting Again is the Best Way Forward

As a creative, how many times have you found yourself stuck, desperately trying to polish an image that just isn't working? Perhaps you've spent hours tweaking the colours and dodging and burning, only to find the result is just a slightly different, equally unsatisfying version of the original.

It's a feeling I know well, not just in photography but from my two decades in the tech world. In that field, we often invest months, even years, into a system. We try to improve it incrementally, patch its flaws, and add new features. But there comes a point when you realise that no amount of tweaking will solve the fundamental issues. The only way to truly innovate is to let go and start from scratch.

This isn't a failure. It's an act of courage and wisdom.

The Photography Parallel

This same principle applies directly to our creative process. We can become so emotionally attached to a particular project or series of images—the memories of the moments we captured them, the time we've already invested—that we lose our objectivity. We get trapped in a cycle of minor adjustments, becoming blind to the larger, more powerful possibilities.

Over the years, I've had many moments like this. I'll get an idea for a photographic series, start shooting, and pour countless hours into the edit. Eventually, I'll hit a wall where the collection just isn't coming together. I've learned that instead of trying to force the original vision, it's often more productive to step back and re-evaluate the entire concept with a completely fresh perspective.

This might mean trying a new editing approach, experimenting with a different camera angle for the next shoot, or even completely changing the subject matter. The best work often comes from the freedom to pivot. By letting go of my initial plan, I've found that my journey takes an exciting and unexpected turn, leading to a much stronger and more authentic body of work.

Why It Works: A Fresh Perspective

When you allow yourself to 'start again'—even if it's just by trying a new editing software, a different crop, or a totally new angle—you free your mind from the constraints of past choices.

This doesn't mean you've wasted your time. The experience you gained from trying to perfect the first image is invaluable. All those technical lessons, the creative challenges, and the time spent analysing the image inform your next move. You're not starting from zero; you're starting from a place of heightened awareness.

This process keeps your work fresh and your passion alive. It prevents stagnation and burnout. It reminds you that the creative journey isn't a linear path, but a series of discoveries, some of which require you to change direction entirely.

So, next time you feel stuck, consider this: what would happen if you just started over?