Thanks for this. Lots of good practical advice here. Under point 3 you mention studying the works of others. This is one thing that I have found really helpful, particularly through looking at photo books. I find a physical book more engaging and compelling than an image on a screen, so my habit is to buy a new one each month, alternating between photographers whose works I know and those who are new to me. Visiting photo exhibitions regularly is also helpful.
I am interested in your process for processing your photos before printing. Any difference for digital or film? Do you soft proof using software like Lightroom. What software do you use to build a photo book. What format is best to send to a photo book publisher.
Excellent guidance. It’s easy to be overwhelmed in today’s world, especially for old schoolers. Taking a camera with me for a walk almost always pays off with an opportunity to capture my surroundings. The premise is getting myself out to walk, and then usually, because I try to observe instead of being lost in thought, something unique and wonderful is revealed to me.
I would like your thoughts on the importance (or not) of staying in a genre or niche to present a portfolio for professional consideration. I loosely define myself as a generalist, because I overlap street, social documentary, landscape, architectural, macro, some portrait work, and whatever else I am interested in a given moment. I am not currently working professionally as I have a day job, but as I close in on retiring from it, I am thinking about pivoting towards a final career.
Thanks a lot Wesley for sharing this. Since the beginning of the year, I don't find the motivation to go out and shoot. I always have good excuses ...
You right, creating a routine is maybe the solution! I moved in a new country and I have some difficulty to take people in the frame. I don't feel in the mood and I am sad of that!
Thanks for the newsletter! I always enjoy reading. One thing I would like to learn more about is the process of finding and applying for shows, exhibitions, publications, etc..
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on AI. I think it will dramatically change photography forever- and greatly reduce the amount of work available. I realise no one can predict what the effects will be but I think it’s a good topic to discuss.
Thanks for this post Wesley! I'd really like to read about some of your influences, or maybe a specific series/photobook that inspired you to create Notice, for instance.
Wesley, thank you for such great advices! I don't usually have these kind of perception about creativity and I think it's really healthy to implement them into our routine.
About the question: I think it would be a nice topic if you discuss a bit about how implement/create your own style into photography.
Great list Wesley. One that I would add is publish regularly. The images don’t need to always be exhibition quality - just good enough. And social medias provide plenty of opportunity. Interested in your thoughts.
Often times the advice upstart photographers get feels like it is aimed at those who are in the early stages of life. I’d love an in depth article for advice for people at different stages of life. A forty something husband with a young child at home and a full time job to support said family will have it much harder allotting time to pursue the craft than his twenty something counterpart. Are you able to give advice based on the stations in life different people find themselves in?
Being new to Process I'm not sure if you've ever written about this – or if it's the kind of subject you'd typically talk about – but I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on where things might be heading for photographers online today. We've had a decade of social media now and we can probably all agree that things are changing and won't ever return to what they were. Technology, trends, habits, our wants/needs, they all change and we evolve with them. The current consensus is that 'everyone should have a newsletter' – but that just won't work for every photographer, and many people just don't want yet more emails in their inbox. So I'm wondering what the next 'thing' could be that helps photographers share their work to a broader audience, and does it even exist yet? It feels more likely (to me) that it will be a shift in technology, not just another app. Just something I'm thinking about these days...
I agree that action comes before inspiration. It’s hard to get inspired if I’m at home watching hockey on TV. These are great tips for a creative process.
I write three pages a day (only have done it for a month so far) Im currently following the book The Artist Way that suggests writing morning pages everyday. It’s really been helping my creativity. I enjoy having a routine to help me be creative instead of pushing myself to find “inspiration” of some sort.
Can you make a newsletter about photo editing for beginners? It seems like a lot of what makes a photo a good photo happens in the editing….i just don’t know what that entails.
Thanks for this. Lots of good practical advice here. Under point 3 you mention studying the works of others. This is one thing that I have found really helpful, particularly through looking at photo books. I find a physical book more engaging and compelling than an image on a screen, so my habit is to buy a new one each month, alternating between photographers whose works I know and those who are new to me. Visiting photo exhibitions regularly is also helpful.
I am interested in your process for processing your photos before printing. Any difference for digital or film? Do you soft proof using software like Lightroom. What software do you use to build a photo book. What format is best to send to a photo book publisher.
Excellent guidance. It’s easy to be overwhelmed in today’s world, especially for old schoolers. Taking a camera with me for a walk almost always pays off with an opportunity to capture my surroundings. The premise is getting myself out to walk, and then usually, because I try to observe instead of being lost in thought, something unique and wonderful is revealed to me.
I would like your thoughts on the importance (or not) of staying in a genre or niche to present a portfolio for professional consideration. I loosely define myself as a generalist, because I overlap street, social documentary, landscape, architectural, macro, some portrait work, and whatever else I am interested in a given moment. I am not currently working professionally as I have a day job, but as I close in on retiring from it, I am thinking about pivoting towards a final career.
Thanks a lot Wesley for sharing this. Since the beginning of the year, I don't find the motivation to go out and shoot. I always have good excuses ...
You right, creating a routine is maybe the solution! I moved in a new country and I have some difficulty to take people in the frame. I don't feel in the mood and I am sad of that!
Your edition gives me the energy !
Thanks for the newsletter! I always enjoy reading. One thing I would like to learn more about is the process of finding and applying for shows, exhibitions, publications, etc..
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on AI. I think it will dramatically change photography forever- and greatly reduce the amount of work available. I realise no one can predict what the effects will be but I think it’s a good topic to discuss.
Thanks for this post Wesley! I'd really like to read about some of your influences, or maybe a specific series/photobook that inspired you to create Notice, for instance.
Wesley, thank you for such great advices! I don't usually have these kind of perception about creativity and I think it's really healthy to implement them into our routine.
About the question: I think it would be a nice topic if you discuss a bit about how implement/create your own style into photography.
Great list Wesley. One that I would add is publish regularly. The images don’t need to always be exhibition quality - just good enough. And social medias provide plenty of opportunity. Interested in your thoughts.
Often times the advice upstart photographers get feels like it is aimed at those who are in the early stages of life. I’d love an in depth article for advice for people at different stages of life. A forty something husband with a young child at home and a full time job to support said family will have it much harder allotting time to pursue the craft than his twenty something counterpart. Are you able to give advice based on the stations in life different people find themselves in?
Being new to Process I'm not sure if you've ever written about this – or if it's the kind of subject you'd typically talk about – but I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on where things might be heading for photographers online today. We've had a decade of social media now and we can probably all agree that things are changing and won't ever return to what they were. Technology, trends, habits, our wants/needs, they all change and we evolve with them. The current consensus is that 'everyone should have a newsletter' – but that just won't work for every photographer, and many people just don't want yet more emails in their inbox. So I'm wondering what the next 'thing' could be that helps photographers share their work to a broader audience, and does it even exist yet? It feels more likely (to me) that it will be a shift in technology, not just another app. Just something I'm thinking about these days...
Loved this post by the way.
I agree that action comes before inspiration. It’s hard to get inspired if I’m at home watching hockey on TV. These are great tips for a creative process.
I write three pages a day (only have done it for a month so far) Im currently following the book The Artist Way that suggests writing morning pages everyday. It’s really been helping my creativity. I enjoy having a routine to help me be creative instead of pushing myself to find “inspiration” of some sort.
Can you make a newsletter about photo editing for beginners? It seems like a lot of what makes a photo a good photo happens in the editing….i just don’t know what that entails.
Since you love music and often shoot square format -> please share some of your photos that could make a great album covers and explain why.
I would like to see you write on the topic of printing and displaying your work for a gallery setting in a future issue of Process. Thanks!
Very good advice! I couldn’t agree more with you!