Do you know how to load a roll of film?
Work a light meter?
Edit slides on a light table?
Scan film?
Color correct scans?
Track a photo inventory?
Submit photos to clients?
Work with a stock agency?
Make prints?
Pack a camera bag?
Ship equipment?
Set up lights?
Scout a location?
Drive on the left side of the road?
Order food in French?
Clean a digital sensor?
Work in Photoshop?
Create a workflow?
Edit a Portfolio?
Build a creative brief?
Create a composite image?
Shoot from a helicopter?
Work 30 days straight (with a hangover)?
Use a prototype camera?
Shoot and edit video?
Manage a huge equipment inventory?
Develop filters for a photo app?
Layout a book?
Film a TV show?
Write a magazine article?
Build a community?
Hang an art installation?
Survive in Manhattan?
Film a Live broadcast?
Write a blog post?
I didn’t. When I started working in photography as Chase’s assistant, I was a blank slate. I like to think I still am. Many of these skills have become obsolete. Others did not even exist when I started. Knowing how to do everything is not the goal. Knowing that you can learn is everything.
Dude ‘You can do anything’ ! …. http://youtu.be/UM73_-y41yE
(I get what your sayin though)
Greg, amazing clip. Good reminder to keep some legitimate criteria in mind when determining whether you’ve actually achieved the things you’ve undertaken.
Thanks for this scott. eye opening… quick question if you dont mind answering. HOW do you get your foot though the door? with a mentality of ‘No but i can learn’… i 100% understand your message. BUT does that mean not many people will ask for experience; fact you cant do x,y and z. or the fact that your determined to learn on the job?
would love to hear your views.. thank you,
Raman,
Each ‘how i got my foot in the door’ story is different. But they have a common element. That the person trying to get a break worked really f’ing hard before they did. If through traditional means it means doing well in school and putting together a kick ass resume and pitch to a potential employer. If through non traditional means, it means making enough of an impression through skills and hard work that people can’t help but want to work with you. I got here by working really hard as a skier on the other side of the lens before I ever picked up a camera. You’ll have your own lever.
Scott,
Thanks for the reply, thats answers alot of questions for me and hopefully for others..
Once again thanks for taking your time your time out to write this post, encourage each and everyone of us… oh and also replying
Awesome!!!
Yes! What a corker of a quote.
“Knowing how to do everything is not the goal. Knowing that you can learn is everything.”
– Scott
Love it. That’s a something i’ll always remember.
Thank you.
Well put. I needed to read something like this today. thanks