How we address our fears is critical to our creative and business success. I clearly see this trait of dealing in all successful photographers, and I have questioned many of them on the topic. I have wanted to say something insightful on this fear theme, but I am not sure I have gotten beyond clichés.
In “Triumph Over Fear,” an article I wrote for Rangefinder, I did my best to explore some of the implications of fear as part of success in photography. My strategy was to share the stories of four photographers. This seemed the only honest, valuable way to explore the topic.
However, I admit, it was hard not to try to write the article in such a way that it suggested: “Embrace your fears, even appreciate them. What you are afraid of makes you stronger.”
See how lame that sounds? It’s not like I’m Franklin D. Roosevelt inspiring a nation. What the hell do I know? It scares the shit out of me just to learn new keyboard shortcuts — and I’m not kidding. Continue reading “Fear: A Critical Topic Impossible to Discuss?”
Tags: "Let Fear Become Your Friend", "Triumph Over Fear", and Judy Herrmann, Chase Jarvis, Commercial Photogaphy, Documentary Photography, Fear, Fear and Success, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Gail Mooney, Martin Santander, Photojournalism, Rangefinder Article, Victor Englebert
Martin Santander hardly ever carries a camera. Chase Jarvis almost always does. Both are professional photographers and both feel strongly that their camera-carrying habits positively benefit their image making—and their lives.
How often we carry our cameras and how the action affects our work and lives is a critical, if often oversimplified issue to consider. Unfortunately, the “To carry or not to carry” discussion seems mostly limited to a few well known photographers insisting that other photographer should always carry their cameras. (I’ve noticed that these photographers often don’t have their own cameras with them when giving this advice!).
The always-carry advice seems like a no-brainer, with the advantages pretty obvious. But what about the disadvantages? In her pivotal, thought provoking book On Photography, Susan Sontag seems to suggest Continue reading “Always Carry Your Camera! – or Not?”
Tags: Camera, Chase Jarvis, Chris Salvo, Martin Santander, On Photography, Photography, Susan Sontag, “5 Reasons It’s Good To Always Carry A Camera"
