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

Inspired By_Challenged By: The Creative Gap

I recently received the email below:

“Your pictures are stunning. Mine are not. Not trying to oversimplify this, but how on earth do you do what you do with a camera? I desperately want to move my creativity forward, but it won’t seem to budge.”

OK, first thing’s first: Over time I’ve challenged myself, struggled, and worked hard and failed, and sucked a-plenty. You already know this. As artists, we all do. Sometimes the inspiration or the execution is lacking, or worse, sometimes both are completely void. On the other hand, we all also make really great stuff sometimes. That’s the crack. The buzz. It’s what keeps us getting out of bed in the morning.

Second thing: The answer to the question above lies in what I call ‘the creative gap.’ A description of the creative gap, how to deal with it, and a video after the jump–click the ‘continue reading’ link below…

The term ‘creative gap’ is a way of describing the difference between what we as artists can visualize ourselves creating and what we actually create. Sometimes we nail it and the gap is nil. Other times, as you might imagine, there’s a huge disparity and the gap is wide. Whether we lack vision, skills, timing, whatever – it can get frustrating to set out to create a masterpiece, and settling for a different kind of piece, if you know what I mean. You envision it like an Edward Weston, but what you get is more like an Edward Scissorhands.

But there is a clear answer to closing this gap and it’s a simple one: Do MORE Work.

I discovered this in the early beginnings of my career, and I still remind myself of it to this day. Mastery is rarely innate. It requires a repetition of the fundamentals – creatively, technically, etc – you name it. It’s through exploring that creative process over and over that we get stronger and better.

On the surface it might seem to some like we’d be pandering to luck, as in “take enough pictures and you’re bound to get one good one”, but that’s crap. It really goes way beyond that. Get out there and make more pictures, and get your hands dirty, again and again, and you will close that gap over time. Interstingly, I find that it’s also a way to discover your own style. You take enough pictures and you’ll start to see a similarity in your vision. This understanding continues to help me tremendously as an artist.

Want to leave you with this little tidbit from Ira Glass. I’m not a big This American Life fan, but I recently stumbled across this video (via Todd’s great blog over at GalleryHopper.org) where Ira describes precisely what I mean. It’s through repetition and pushing on that almost all artists succeed.

 

 

Related Posts

10 Things Every Creative Person (That’s YOU) Must Learn
chase jarvis surfing photo
How to Create Consistently When Inspiration Runs Dry
Chase Jarvis at the podcast microphone
Beware of Inspiration
The Power of the Blank Page with Margaret Atwood
CEOs Wear Sneakers: A Conversation with KSWISS President Barney Waters
Break Out of Creative Ruts

2 replies on:
Inspired By_Challenged By: The Creative Gap

  1. Pingback: Chelsea | San Francisco Photographer | Paul Pratt
  2. Pingback: La brecha creativa en la Fotografía « A través de la lente

Comments are closed.

BUY NEVER PLAY IT SAFE NOW!

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

Popular Posts

20250611_CJLIVE_RoryVaden_Thumb_16x9_v2.5You’ve Been Focused on the Wrong Thing… Here’s What Really Matters
Keith Ferrazzi speaking on stage in front of a large, vibrant screen displaying multiple video call participants, with 'The Chase Jarvis Live Show' logo in bold yellow and black text on the left.Why You Should Never Lead Alone
a promotional graphic for "The Chase Jarvis LIVE Show." The left side of the image features the text: "WAKE UP CALL: YOU ONLY HAVE 2,000 MONDAYS LEFT" The text is in bold white and yellow font on a dark gray background, with "2,000 MONDAYS LEFT" highlighted in yellow. In the top left corner, there is the show’s logo, with "THE CHASE JARVIS LIVE SHOW" written in black on a yellow background. On the right side of the image is a photo of a smiling woman with blonde hair, wearing a dark jacket over a light-colored top. The image has a yellow border around it, matching the color scheme of the text and logo.You’re Wasting Your Life (Without Even Realizing It)
The show's logo is displayed on the left side, with "THE CHASE JARVIS LIVE" in bold black text inside yellow rectangles, stacked vertically. The right side of the image features a robotic figure, resembling a humanoid robot, meticulously working on a canvas. The robot is painting or drawing a grayscale portrait of a human-like figure. The robot's detailed mechanical components are visible, and the scene evokes themes of artificial intelligence, creativity, and technology. The background is minimal, allowing focus on the robot and its artwork. The composition suggests an exploration of AI's role in creative processes.Is AI the End of Creativity or Just the Beginning?
A person sitting at a desk, holding their head in frustration, while flames seem to emerge from their head, symbolizing intense mental stress or burnout. The fiery scene contrasts with the calm surroundings of a room filled with books and papers, enhancing the feeling of overwhelming mental exhaustion. The expression on the person's face shows deep concentration or distress, and the bright colors of the flames highlight the inner turmoil they are experiencing.Creative Burnout Destroying Your Passion? (Try These 4 Quick Strategies)
20250611_CJLIVE_Failure_Micro_Thumb_16x9_v2.5What Most People Get Wrong About Failing Fast
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
20250327_CJLIVE_B&H_Syndicate_Thumb_16x9_v2.5How Sharing Your Work Can Change Lives Including Your Own
20250118_CJLIVE_LifeIsLong_Micro_Thumb_16x9_v2.5Signs You’re Drifting Away from Your Purpose (and How to Get Back on Track)
20241001_CJLIVE_GaryVeeShow_Syndicate_Blog_16x9How Self-Betrayal Is Holding You Back

Daily Creative Projects

© 2024 Chase Jarvis. All rights reserved.