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.
This is waht I just made! Thanks for the inspiration!
http://micahkvidt.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaAdpRE6Sh8
Peace Chase!!!!
Right on, and thank god! This is a meritocracy, not a democracy. If someone is not making good work, they are not worth reading. Where does the credibility come from? Who cares if you know 10,000 CODECS? The photo floor at any camera store is flooded with these people, and you know what? They don’t matter. They are not relevant because they are not working. In the subtle words of Werner Hrezog, “Have fun losers”. Show me the work, show me why I should give you the time of day, and then maybe I will read what you have to say. Tell me how you did that last award winning job, how do you go about speaking to Anna Wintour, who is the best tech in Paris? That is what interests me.
We both work, a lot. That is why I read this blog, because I know you know what you are talking about.
Know what I mean?
Great post. Just when I was getting complacent you make me pause and think again. This fits in nicely with another post about “what is stopping you.”
It is too easy to become obsessed reading about the”new latest coolest thing” and miss the award winning shot waiting outside my window as the sun is coming up.
On another note; at a time when trolls have taken over so many threads it is always refreshing to check in here. Do you have someone who hunts them down?
I rarely criticize other photographers on their work, I try to find something they did that I can learn from.
What I can’t stand is a pretentious photographer who won’t answer your questions because they are afraid that you will “steal” their idea of learn their “tricks.”
My photography so far is only on the walls of some homes.
I started reading Seth Godin’s blog after hearing recommendations from Chase’s blog and others. I really like his message. I’d like to read some of his books, but he has several titles, and I’m not sure what a good starting point is. Does anyone have a recommendation for a first Seth Godin book?