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.
BOOM!
The more I learn the more I find to learn. At age 71 it seems that time moves faster and the list of things to learn grows even faster, Knowing that I can still learn gets me out of bed and moving so that I don’t miss too much.
Thanks for a thoughtful essay
wait….your not hiring?
I agree with Raman’s post… How does one keep a perspective of “No, but I can learn.” while still getting the foot in the door? As Chase has said, those people who have “made it” will make it again. The people who have something to show, somewhere to point potential clients will get the job. If you only have promises and not proof then you just fall flat. But how does the balance with the idea of “No, but I can learn.”? I understand what you’re saying in this post but I’m just curious to hear about what you think on the two ideas clashing…
Thank you!
Dylan
Dylan, thanks for your contribution. My advice is to work with what you have. If you want to be a race car driver, you don’t walk up to the owner of a Formula 1 team and tell them you can learn to drive one of their cars if they just give you the chance. You get a go kart, a 1982 honda civic, whatever you can and drive it till the wheels fall off. If you’re cut out for racing, you’ll have made your mark at that level. Time to level up. Over and over and over until you find yourself at the place you were aiming at in the first place.
There was a time when we weren’t doing world class work. There were nonetheless people willing to pay for what we had to offer. There are others like them right now. Hammer on doors until you find them.
So true, fantastic reminder not to get down but get out and keep learning.