Blog
Freedom Is..
The best books get you to rethink your approach to life, career, country…you name it. Hugh MacLeod’s first book Ignore Everybody [http://gapingvoid.com/ie/] was just such a book for me back in 2009. It was the kick in the ass every creativity-driven person deserves at least
Specializing in Mediocrity
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
Priorities
If you know the difference between the Canon 5D Mark III and the Nikon D4, and you’re not a pro…what exactly do you consider a good use of your time? OK, that was a bit harsh. But when I was a spec monkey, it never occurred to me
Can a Story Be Told with a Single Image?
Sure it can. But would it be as compelling as a story with a handful of carefully chosen photos combined with words? Of course, an iconic image demands attention and, often, a backstory. But such an image is rare, even for legendary photographers. The real question should be: why do
Great Minds
Eleanor Roosevelt: > “Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.” This quote has been a great inspiration in determining what I choose to read about on photography blogs these days. Of course, I often replace the word “people” with “things” whenever a Nikon vs. Canon
No Photographer Has Arrived
Before taking any advice from a photography blog (including this one), magazine, book or workshop, it helps to remember: No photographer has arrived. It’s all a journey and everyone needs to get better. I’ve never met an “expert” that wasn’t dead wrong about something. I’ve never
An All-Text Photo Site?
Every once in a while, I get email about why I don’t plaster this site with my photos. After the TWiP episode [http://www.alesserphotographer.com/post/20635671881/this-week-in-photo], I got a few more. Here’s the lowdown: This site first started as a way to document my lesser
Mikes on Mics (Part 1)
I was on a recent episode of Mikes on Mics (download it here [http://www.70decibels.com/mikesonmics/2012/4/9/episode-10-how-packed-is-cj-chilvers-mac.html] ) getting acquainted and talking about Mac-related issues. Consider it prep for an episode that debuts a few weeks, in which I get in an hour-long, knockdown, drag
Everyone with a camera thinks they're a photographer
Right?! Well, what if they are? What if how you measure skill and success in photography is of no importance to the majority of photographers, or viewers for that matter? What if it has nothing to do with money earned, equipment used or the set of rules we’ve all
The Pros Vs The Storytellers 2012 Edition
The 2012 National Magazine Award Finalists have been announced [http://magazine.org/asme/about_asme/asme_press_releases/2012-nma-finalists.aspx] . I see the usual suspects for photography honors: National Geographic, New York Times Magazine, Harpers and TIME. What I don’t see on the list: Popular Photography, Outdoor Photographer, Shutterbug,