Here is a excerpt from a book I am currently reading on Photography. Thought I might share with everyone as they are great tips to live by. I know its a bit long but stop whining and read it already, you would be done by now. :)
1. They hold their mud. That's an old-fashioned way of saying they stake out their ground and defend it. They own their opinions. They holdfast of their beliefs. They ignore the chattering class and look inward for their true selves. When you study the work of the truly great masters, you will notice that they generally ignored the opinion of critics and did what they thought was necessary to tell a story, the story of the way they saw it. The greats don't fret. They don't sweat the small stuff. They are doers. They leave others to wonder why.
2. They avoid religion. We don't mean they aren't spiritual people or that they don't go to church. We mean that they don't get wrapped up in PC versus Mac, Aperture versus light room, film versus digital. Sure, the greats have opinions of the subjects, but all they really care about is creating the best photograph. To the greats, it has always been, and always will be, about the picture. Nothing else matters.
3. They move ahead. The greats don't dwell on the past. Last year's photograph is last year's photograph. The greats are always thinking about the next great image. They enjoy the one they didn't miss. The greats don't let any excuse hold them back. The abandoned past mistakes. They constantly seek the bleeding edge in their photography. The next image is the one they spend the most time thinking about.
4. They know what they want and they go for it. When you have the confidence to say, "this is the shot," then you are closer to greatness. When you feel the need to run that image by everyone from your priest to your camera club president for "feedback," then you're lacking what it takes to be really, insanely great. The greats don't wait for permission. Ever.
5. They know what not to include in a photograph (as the great nature photographer John Shaw has so wisely pointed out). A great photographer knows that a photo is like an opinion. You have to peel away the skin to get the good stuff. Great photographers work by process of elimination. They refine rather than mine. They dig deeper than the rest of us. Where we see a complex scene involving many subjects, they see one simple subject in all its glory.
6. They find a niche and stick with it who. This doesn't mean you can't shoot more than one subject or style. It means you concentrate on one genre of photography.
7. They know their audience. If your wedding photographer working in Southern California, you will have a different approach from a wedding photographer working in southern Mississippi. Knowing what your audience believes, feels, and desires is important.
8. They work hard and often. If you don't shoot every day, or at least work on showing, building, marketing, or sell your images every day, you're probably not as effective as someone who does. Photography isn't easy as it looks. It takes dedication and hard work to succeed.
9. They have a plan. Photographers who expect to get rich quick are almost disappointed. Those who build a plan and work according to the plan have the best chance at not only be ineffective, but being successful and happy.
10. They don't wait for permission. Unless you work for "the man," you can't afford to stand around and wait for someone to tell you to go out and shoot. Pick up your camera, go out, make images, and show those images. It's up to you to make something happen. Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do. Do something and do it now.
11. They never stop learning. If you really want to be effective as a photographer, you owe it to yourself to spend as much time reading photo books, magazines, and blogs as you can. You should be taking classes and attending conferences and workshops. No matter what stage of your career you're in, try to learn something new today, and every day.
12. They move forward. Photography is a lifelong pursuit there requires constant motion for success. You can only be moving in one of three directions: backward, side to side, or forward. If you are moving forward, you are making progress. Ignore the negative. Embrace a positive. Move forward and leave the doubt, fear, bitterness, anger, and jealousy that plague much of our world behind. You'll be a better shooter for it.
Love it! Particularly the first half. #5 reminds me of a favorite quote, which I may be paraphrasing, but anyway: 'Perfection is not achieved when there is nothing more to be added, but when there is nothing more to take away.'
This was really inspiring, even though I don't ever aspire to go pro. I just want to take better photos for myself because I enjoy it so much. I read every word and it gave me a boost, right when I needed one. Thank you, Corey.
6. They find a niche and stick with it who. This doesn't mean you can't shoot more than one subject or style. It means you concentrate on one genre of photography.
From your photos it seems one of your niches are beautiful sunset shots! Are you going pro soon?
@kcwebbah I do want my main focus to be landscape for sure with a minor in fine art. :) I have recently entered into a few contests so we shall see. But my 3-5 year goal is to quit my day job of 14 years. SHHHH don't tell on me . LOL
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
From your photos it seems one of your niches are beautiful sunset shots! Are you going pro soon?
Great piece, btw.