More photography advice on tap. This time about style. One, two or even three and the effect of trying to balance many things at one photographic time. I am totally guilty of doing this, over and over, and never learning my lesson, so let me give you some needed guidance. Don’t do what I do.
Comments 8
Haha… Too late my friend!
Author
Wim,
Too late!!! Oh noooooooo
Daniel, this is great advice. It’s very difficult to improve at something if you don’t stick with it to see any real gains. You have to “do the work” and put your time in before the real art begins to emerge.
Author
Tobin,
Right you are. So easy to get sidetracked. I do it all the time…
Another afternoon chuckle while I repeatedly smash my head into the wall for the day job? Yes, please. Thank you.
Part of the problem is that everyone’s attention spans have gone down into sub-millisecond values. If I can’t have it now, why put the time in? It’s sad really.
A recent book I read, ‘Rice Noodle Fish’, chronicles food travel through several key areas of Japan. The concept it keeps driving home is the idea of shokunin. That basically translates to the mastery of one’s profession. They know that true masters do not appear overnight or months or even years. It’s decades. Lifetimes. You pick something. You eat, sleep and breathe it. The movie ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi’ is a great example. As is ‘The Birth of Sake’. Undeniable and unending commitment.
It’s an alien concept in the western world. It’s also, unfortunately, being lost among the younger generations of Japanese.
Granted, that might be above and beyond what you’re suggesting but it’s similar.
Btw, I’m pretty sure monkeys have already gone to space…
Author
Sean,
Japanese printing is the same way. Mastery. It’s so astounding to see this go down, coming from here where maybe we see things a bit differently. I hope the Japanese can save that aspect of their culture.
Good advice, I agree. If you are shooting a long-term essay on digital, say 4 – 5 years, I imagine that it would be difficult to give a consistent look to an essay if you upgrade to the latest camera – and the temptation would be to upgrade. If you can get a consistent look, why upgrade? Thanks Daniel.
Mike.
Author
Mike,
Good point. A new camera every year is another issue. Didn’t think about that.