106: The Trap of Perfection

What if perfectionism isn’t actually about making better photos, but about trying not to look stupid while learning?In this episode of The Focus Trap, Amy and Casey talk about perfectionism in photography, why so many photos never leave the hard drive, and what’s actually happening when photographers hesitate to share their work. They explore the difference between wanting to improve and getting trapped in endless editing loops disguised as “high standards.”They also talk about:Why “good enough” is such a slippery standardWhy bird photography is apparently chaosWhy the experience of being there can matter more than taking the photoWhy YouTube tutorials can only take photographers so farThe weird social ritual of apologizing before showing your photosAlong the way, there are conversations about hummingbirds, fuzzy snow pants, workshop frustration, and the realization that “I’m a perfectionist” might be less of a personality trait and more of a very socially acceptable hiding place. (00:00) - Intro (05:54) - “Good Enough” is a Moving Target (11:17) - Waiting for the Perfect Shot (14:53) - Inspiration vs. Self-Judgment (26:04) - The Socially Acceptable Hiding Place (33:55) - Curiosity Instead of Perfectionism