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

Think You Don’t Need to Focus? Think Again.

Been tons of chatter online about the Lytro camera the last few weeks. In case you’ve been living under a rock or too busy to notice, then you’ll be happy to know that the new Lytro camera allows you to select focus AFTER you shoot the photograph. AMAZING technology developed at Stanford by Ren Ng. Just like you can change the white balance after capture when shooting RAW, well now you can put those striking blue eyes of your model in focus later.

Consider that with the technology of a camera like the RED Epic – shooting a 5,000 pixel wide image at 96 frames per second. You can aim that sucker at a scene and shoot 1000 14 megapixel still images in 10 seconds. No more need to catch ‘the decisive moment’!

Combine these two technologies? Whew! Now you’ve really got something.

Unless… your pictures have no focus. If you think that you’re photos are going to be better in the future because you don’t have to pick the moment or focus on your subject, you’re entirely wrong. These technologies are truly amazing, revolutionary and will continue to change the face of photography as we know it.

But mark my words, if you’re goal is to get your work to stand out from the crowd (as good art does), then you’ll need to focus all the more.

Focus on subject.
Focus on content.
Focus on meaning.
Focus on artistic vision…

…because these are all the tools that computers can’t help you with and these are the only ways from here on out that you’re going to be able to make a mark.

Focus on that.

[and don’t hate it, celebrate it, cause it’s all you’ve got.]

Check out these creative classes I've curated + built that relate to this post:

Fundamentals of DSLR Filmmaking
with Victor Ha
Fundamentals of Photography
with John Greengo
How to Choose Your First DSLR
with John Greengo

Related Posts

10 Things Every Creative Person (That’s YOU) Must Learn
051026_ChaseJarvis_einstein_writing_vlrgwidec
Writing Makes Photographers More Creative — 5 Easy Tips
Daniel Pink: The Power of Regret
Chris Hutchins of Chase Jarvis LIVE
Chris Hutchins: All the Hacks to Maximize Your Life
Chris Burkard on Chase Jarvis LIVE
The Wayward Path of Photographer Chris Burkard
Make Your Message Heard with Victoria Wellman

64 replies on:
Think You Don’t Need to Focus? Think Again.

Comments navigation

Previous
Next
  1. wpsbox pro says:
    November 10, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    Moreover, it doesntesting It matter how extremely you ought to be complete with treating a quite platform, gradually you will discover an instance the places you need to want to do a number instruct care; and as a consequence influenced by your real age but also bodybuilding, therfore the inches of onetesting Is caravan it could be a awfully excessive pastime. motor movers

  2. Kimmi Sparks says:
    November 9, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    Nice. The goal of the artist is to use technology, tools, technique, etc. to communicate their vision and message. The ever advancing world of photography is both an opportunity and a challenge . I love it. It’s exciting and always keeps you pushing, evolving and creating the next level.

  3. Louis says:
    November 7, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    I love that people think that these sorts of technological advances will make them better photographers, but the the truth is as the article says “you’ll need to focus all the more”

  4. Mathieu's Welsh Pictures says:
    November 6, 2011 at 7:55 am

    Interesting technology, now we have to wait if it will evolve and maybe reach the pro market. Do you think it could reach the DSLR one day and we will choose on the computer the focus point of our picture taken at 1.4 aperture?
    Somewhere, I hope not. Too much technology who does the job for the photographer isn’t a good thing.

  5. DAVIDE says:
    November 2, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    Really well said! I really hate people that easily tell me “oh u must have a really good camera”… emmmm no… or that in a museum say something like “i could do that…”
    those kind of works, that sometimes seem merged with art, definitely need creativity and interaction in 360 degree with the environment and subjects. Only involved people find right answers, involving myself is the first move I’ll always try to play. I translated this post in Italian in my new website http://www.classecreativa.com. Linked here 😀 hope you don’t mind:D

Comments navigation

Previous
Next

Comments are closed.

BUY NEVER PLAY IT SAFE NOW!

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

Popular Posts

20250224_CJLIVE_DontLetYourDreamsDie_Micro_Thumb_16x9_v2.5How to Trust Your Gut (Even When Fear Tells You Not To)
20250702_CJLIVE_PillarsOfMastery_Micro_Thumb_16x9_v2.5Struggling to Improve? This Could Be Why Your Practice Isn’t Paying Off Yet
Redefining success through creative entrepreneurship. A man is deeply focused on a chess game, holding a piece above the board. The scene is bathed in dramatic lighting, casting strong shadows. The background features an abstract, gritty texture with predominantly red and dark tones, adding intensity to the image. The chess pieces and the board are in shades of blue and gray, contrasting sharply against the vibrant backdrop.Redefining Success: I Made $5 Million in Revenue and Still “Failed”
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
A melting white canvas on a wooden easel, with a clock face placed in the center. The clock hands are black and point outward from the center, but the white material seems to drip and melt off the edges of the canvas, pooling at the base. The background is gray, providing a stark contrast to the melting white substance. To the left of the canvas, yellow and black text reads: "The Chase Jarvis Live Show," with the words stacked vertically in a bold, modern font. The overall composition evokes a surreal and creative aesthetic.The Creative Pause: Why We Need to Stop Asking “What’s Next?”
Chase Jarvis in mid-conversation, gesturing with his hands, wearing a casual maroon t-shirt. The background appears to be an indoor space with wooden beams on the ceiling and soft lighting. On the left side, a bold yellow and black graphic reads "THE CHASE JARVIS LIVE SHOW," with each word stacked in a column. The scene conveys an energetic and engaging atmosphere, with Chase passionately explaining something to the person in front of him.The Secret to Lifelong Creativity (Hint: It Doesn’t End After Your 20s)
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
20241111_CJLIVE_MarthaBeck_Thumb_16x9_v2.5Curiosity, Creativity, and Purpose: Can They Really Defeat Anxiety?

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!