Episode 16: The Myth of the Perfect Shot
Perfection.
It’s the ghost every creator chases — the flawless image, the perfect light, the composition that finally feels “right.”
But what if that ghost was never real to begin with?
In this episode of The Photog Files, Brisbane photographer Rick Nelson dives deep into the myth of perfection — and why chasing it might be the very thing holding you back from your best work.
Rick explores how imperfection shapes authenticity, how mistakes can become creative turning points, and why the cracks in your work are often where the light gets in.
Through philosophy, personal stories, and the raw honesty of creative life, this episode reminds you that the real art isn’t in control — it’s in letting go.
Whether you’re a photographer, filmmaker, designer, or anyone creating in a world obsessed with “perfect,” this one’s a call to breathe again. To slow down. To make peace with the mess and rediscover the beauty in the broken.
In this episode:
The illusion of “the perfect shot” and why it never truly exists
How perfectionism quietly kills creativity
What imperfection teaches us about honesty and presence
The power of creative accidents and missed frames
Why authenticity always outlasts technical precision
Listen if you’ve ever:
Deleted a photo because it “wasn’t good enough”
Felt stuck chasing a flawless standard
Needed permission to just create without fear
Wanted to reconnect with the soul of your craft
Connect with Rick Nelson:
Instagram: @carolinahawkeye
Website: ricknelson.photography
YouTube: RickNelsonPhoto
Podcast: The Photog Files
Quote from the episode:
“Perfection is sterile. Truth is human. The photos that move us most are the ones that almost fell apart.”
Images spoken about in the show!
