Yes, I know you’re a master of lighting, that you’ve used every light modifier known, that you’ve been going to PhotoPlus for ten years, that you were one of the first bloggers, you used Twitter before it was cool and you can gauge light temperature in your sleep. Yes, I know that you sit in front of your computer reminding other photographers that they’re using the wrong gear for this job or that job.
But what have you made? Where are your pictures hanging? Where are your campaigns? Your commercials? What about your new book or your portfolio? What have you done with your skills that has been worthy of criticism, that moved the dial and that changed the world?
Go, do that.
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The above is a slightly modified cut and paste from this Seth Godin post to make it more relevant for our own industry. Seth is a wizard. We all need a kick in the rear. Let this be yours.
I love this post. I try to stay away from most message boards and alot of online things so I can create my own style. plus I don’t like being told what equipment is right for the job. advice is sweet but arguing sucks and that’s what seems to show up on alot of message boards these days.
The internet is a great way to learn but I agree you gotta get out there and shoot and not care what anyone thinks but you and the people you shoot for. even if it is just for yourself
amazing notification ! thanks for sharing chase !
Im a photographer/plodder. I just shoot what is on the agenda during my day. Try to serve people well with my stuff and get a little bit better. The safety of a newspaper job has harmed and served my shooting. Knowing that I have a brief and style can get really rote…and learning new little toolbox tricks has probably been good but it makes me stuck.
So now Im out on my own in the big bad world of “humanitarian photographers” , thats not to say I dont want to be great at shooting.But Im finding it takes bravery to face my mistakes and subpar images and realise where I sit in the scheme of things. referencing off the best in the world is okay (and demoralizing) but the lighting and tech jargon can get a bit overwhelming if your not a tech head.
If its images you like not photographers, then it can feel like everyone has a better technical perspective and they have all the gear and I have the camera I can afford that has a rubber grip falling off. I think sometimes I see pictures that are really tech lighting and go wow thats a really boring model. Who is that person? What do I know about them from this photo? Is there a mystery to unravel? but oh yeah but the lighting is amazing….
I went to Irving Penn in London a few weeks ago and he really knew how to make a subtle image. He was classy.
Chase ..how do I find my voice? Oh oracle of the interweb….
Amen to that Chase! Well put…..
Happy June!
Ha…Good Stuff, and well interpreted into our photo world. Love me some Seth. Thanks for pointing out that post of his, I don’t get to his site nearly enough.