Chase Jarvis Chase Jarvis
  • Photos
  • Projects
  • About
  • Blog
  • Book
Chase Jarvis Chase Jarvis
  • Photos
  • Projects
  • About
  • Blog
  • Book

Don’t Worry – Follow Up Post

—

reads

  • Total: 0
  • Facebook0
  • Twitter0
  • Pinterest0
  • Buffer0

So I suppose in some ways this is bad blog etiquette to start a new thread about an earlier thread of mine below, but I’ve been getting a lot of email about this post and there’s been further discussion on other blogs (like the Big Images Blog, or It’s What I Do) and , so perhaps it’s worthy of round two. I’ve noted that for some reason only a few people have logged comments on the actual post for whatever reason. So, for what it’s worth, I wish the dialog could happen there in the comments section for all to read instead of my Entourage inbox, but whatever… Here’s some follow up on two points:

1) Several readers have asked me to “predict” what’s going to happen with the industry. We’ll, first thing is first. Prediction is NOT something I’m into, actually. I make no claims to “know” anything in the classic epistemological sense, and the first sign of some industry snob claiming “knowledge” (as in ‘certitude’) is foolish, most certainly… What I AM into, as I point out in my earlier post, is in support of being attuned with the industry (and this applies to any industry basicalhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifly) and how it’s growing, changing, and moving. Seems sensible, right? Clearly, I don’t have any cogent insights into the future other than guesses. So with that (hopefully) sufficient disclaimer, I offer the following playful, whimsical thoughts:

Times are indeed changing, but aren’t they always? What are some trends I see? The major initial changes are likely in the stock photography market. Microstock will grow, fast. (See PDN article if you’re a subscriber, or buy the November ‘stock’ issue). Web 2.0 sharing of images and “non-professionals” getting 20 bucks a month will grow and cut into the professional photography market share a bit. Getty will begin to operate more like Flickr and iStockPhoto, opening their doors to a huge range of previously “unprofessional” shooters. (That’s right, if you’ve always wanted to be a Getty contributor, your dreams might be just around the corner…). There may be a polarization of the stock photography world – lots of reasonable, cheap solutions, and lot’s of high end production stuff that can’t be created on a low budget with legal/release guarantees, etc. The middle ground might flail a little (read traditional higher priced RF imagery).

So what about all these silly guesses? Here’s the kicker: SO WHAT! It’s nothing, really, just back to my earlier post. Don’t worry, just focus. DON’T be scared, be smart. DON’T be static, change and grow. Isn’t it quite possible that you could be the next microstock queen? There’s an article in this month’s PDN issue about someone who’s making $10,000 per month selling one dollar images on iStockPhoto. Couldn’t that be you? Other opportunities will arise.

Now if you ask me if I like this situation, I can obstain or say no , because it means I have to work harder and adapt and think and change–and people are inherently often lazy and self-interested–BUT since I like my job and since I like change (might as well get used to it…), I actively decide to EMBRACE it. Seek opportunity. Learn. And I suggest you do too. It’s fun. If you’re sad, change and be happy. Get out of your dark apartment and start saying ‘yes’ instead of ‘no’. You can (and will) succeed.

now…

2)Other readers have asked me how to differentiate their work from their peers. That’s pretty easy too, really. I don’t intent to oversimplify this, but isn’t, by definition, the act of differentiating your work, just making it different that what you see out there in the media, in the industry, in the world? If it’s black, make it white; if it’s sharp make it blurry; if it’s bright, make it dark. And this is, actually, a better question than the first in this post, in that it’s where I see a lot of aspiring shooters fall short. Of course a refined taste helps. And sure you need technical mastery, background, respect, and talent, but beyond that, you mostly just need vision–the vision to differentiate. As The Accidental Creative says, “cover bands make money, but they don’t change the world”. I suggest you seek to change the world, even if it’s a small change. Key here is this: in order to be different, you first need to have an accurate understanding of what’s out there that you’re trying to change. It’s precisely this reason that I suggest you’re attuned to the industry buzz…not to replicate it, but to change it, flip it, move it in yourself. Like
Seth Godin said in a recent blog entry: Extreme Idea A might work at one end of the spectrum; Extreme Idea B might work at the other end of the spectrum; but it’s highly unlikely that some safe amalgamation of the two ideas A and B will differentiate you. Know where/what the industry is doing and put your own 2 cents on it to create change.

And, f.w.i.w., keep the email (or preferably ‘comments’ on the blog) coming. I enjoy hearing/discussing pertinent points on these issues.

Related Posts

How to Find a Mentor
Helping others = helping yourself [add this to your playbook]
Consider THIS: More Experiences, Less Stuff
chase jarvis diagram
Behind-the-Scenes Look at My ALS #IceBucketChallenge Shoot [Complete with Gear, Details & Photos]
Happy to Take on Some Ice Water for the ALS #IceBucketChallenge
How To Make a Kickass Portfolio: chasejarvis LIVE Re-Watch with Allegra Wilde

3 replies on:
Don’t Worry – Follow Up Post

  1. Italy best steroids says:
    October 10, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    Hi to every single one, it’s genuinely a pleasant forr me to visit this website, it contains priceless Information.

  2. horror says:
    September 3, 2014 at 6:23 pm

    kalo mau tanya-tanya kirimnya kemana gan..?

  3. top10blog says:
    January 26, 2014 at 1:16 am

    Always good to come back and have a look at these great lists, regardless of experience level.

Comments are closed.

BUY NEVER PLAY IT SAFE NOW!

Get weekly, curated access to the best of everything I do.

Popular Posts

20250505_CJLIVE_ChrisGuillebeau_Thumb_16x9_v2.5You’ve Never Heard of Time Anxiety But You Definitely Have It
20240425_CJLIVE_StephanieHarrison_Canva_YT_cStephanie Harrison: How Hacking Happiness (Actually) Works
20241001_CJLIVE_GaryVeeShow_Syndicate_Blog_16x9How Self-Betrayal Is Holding You Back
A smiling man with long blonde hair is featured on the left side of the image against a black background with dotted patterns. To the right, bold white and yellow text reads "The Power of Intention," with the name "Finnian Kelly" displayed below. The Chase Jarvis LIVE Show logo is positioned in the upper right corner.You’re Underestimating the Power of Breath
On the left side, the show's logo is displayed, with "THE CHASE JARVIS LIVE SHOW" in bold black text inside yellow rectangles, stacked vertically. The right side of the image features a cosmic scene set in outer space. Two large dice are floating in space, surrounded by swirling galaxies and nebulae. The background includes vibrant colors, such as deep blues, oranges, and whites, creating a dynamic and mystical atmosphere. The glowing spiral galaxy in the distance adds to the sense of wonder and exploration in the image.Why Success Demands You Never Play It Safe
The left side features bold text that reads: "Stop Assuming The Worst" The text "Stop" and "The Worst" are in bold white font, while "Assuming" is in bold yellow font. The phrase "Stop" is emphasized with a red arrow pointing to the right. On the right side of the image, there is a photo of a smiling man wearing glasses and a dark shirt, looking directly at the camera. The show's logo is positioned in the top right corner, featuring "THE CHASE JARVIS LIVE SHOW" in black text inside yellow rectangles. The entire graphic is framed with a yellow border, which matches the color scheme of the text and logo. The background is a dark, textured surface that adds contrast to the bright text and imagery.Simple Trick to Build Trust in Your Creative Collaborations
Héctor García and Francesc Miralles smiling, with bold text in the center reading '4 Steps to Discover Your True Purpose' on a black background. Framed with a yellow border, creating a high-contrast, engaging design.Why You’re Not Finding Your Purpose
20250118_CJLIVE_LifeIsLong_Micro_Thumb_16x9_v2.5Is Life Really Too Short? Rethinking Our Rush To “Make It”
20250405_CJLIVE_SeeingWhatWeHaveBeenTaughtToIgnore_Micro_Thumb_16x9_v2.5Feeling Stuck in Serious Mode? Here’s How to Flip the Script with Play
20250220_CJLIVE_LinkedIn_Syndicate_Thumb_16x9_v2.5How Taking More Risks Can Unlock the Life You Actually Want

Daily Creative Projects

© 2024 Chase Jarvis. All rights reserved.

My New Book Is Here!

This book is a powerful compass for embracing risk and creativity in all aspects of life. Chase shows us how to step out of our comfort zones and become who we were meant to be.

SOPHIA AMORUSO
Serial Entreprenuer
NYT Best Selling Author of Girlboss

BUY NOW!

My New Book Is Here!

This book is a powerful compass for embracing risk and creativity in all aspects of life. Chase shows us how to step out of our comfort zones and become who we were meant to be.

SOPHIA AMORUSO
Serial Entreprenuer
NYT Best Selling Author of Girlboss

BUY NOW!