creativity
Beware of Formulas
Everyone wants simple, useful steps for becoming a better photographer. We go to the same books and blogs trying to learn techniques to enhance our photos. We want a formula. Publishers are happy to provide the formula. And it seems like a great exchange. We give them time, attention and
What Are You Willing to Give Up for Photography?
As much as photography adds to our lives, we often forget it comes at a cost. Besides money, we invest our time, creativity and attention. When we focus that energy on one thing, it comes at the cost of other things. To leave this unexamined is a recipe for frustration
Stop Hacking Your Life
In case you were wondering why “life hacks” seem so illogical to artists: > “The hacking mindset flatters the part of us who’s lazy, who always wants to take the path of least resistance, who loves feeling superior to the ‘chumps’ who are taking the hard way. But, despite
Helping Other Feel People Creative Can Be Way More
> “Helping other feel people creative can be way more lucrative than actually being creative.” — Austin Kleon [http://tumblr.austinkleon.com/post/115694459736?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+austinkleontumblr+%28TUMBLR+%7C+AUSTINKLEON.com%29] This sums up the success of most big photo
When We Celebrate The Act Of Creativity Regardless
> “When we celebrate the act of creativity regardless of its purpose, we get slogans like ‘make your mark.’ As if making a mark is always a good thing…Look around: the world doesn’t need more vandals, it needs more cleanup crews.” — Austin Kleon [http://austinkleon.com/2014/07/
The End of Creativity
A little history in creativity (via FlakPhoto [https://twitter.com/FlakPhoto/status/575308939857903618]): > The word “creativity” was made up less than a hundred years ago. It is time to stop using it. This is why I tend to refer to creativity as just “problem solving.”
Invent
The most creative people in the world invent their way out of problems. Seth Godin doesn’t believe people like to read in the same ways they used to, so he built new kinds of books: a one-page book [http://www.thedominoproject.com/2011/10/the-one-page-book.html], a magazine book
In Doing Creative Work Do Not Start Your Day With
> “In doing creative work, do not start your day with addictive time vampires such as The New York Times, email, Twitter. All scatter eye and mind, produce diverting vague anxiety, clutter short term memory. Instead begin right away with your work.” — Edward Tufte [https://twitter.com/EdwardTufte/status/548588872020787200]
Will the Real Landscape Photography Please Stand Up?
Ugo Cei explains how he became sick of modern landscape photography (echoing my own journey). Perfect technique is meaningless next to personal connection. “How many other beautiful photos of Moraine Lake or Antelope Canyon do we have to see? Or of Mesa Arch at sunrise (yes, I too am guilty
Shoot What Scares You
> “Shoot what scares you.” — Eric Kim [https://twitter.com/erickimphoto/status/566776440751157248]