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Specializing in Mediocrity

CJ Chilvers
CJ Chilvers

The latest excuse I’ve heard from “advanced amateurs” to justify buying expensive equipment and ignoring creativity is “I specialize.”

Wow! Just like a pro (only without those pesky clients and market forces).

I understand the attraction of confining yourself to a niche of photographing dung beetles or retro bottle caps exclusively. It’s comforting. You get to call yourself an expert. When you start ordering all kinds of macro equipment for your beetles…that’s when you lose me (and trap yourself in your niche).

Is there anything less artistic than comfort? Is there a quicker way to kill creativity?

Tell your story. Then, move on to the next story. There will always be something more interesting to photograph.