"Killing Your Darlings" is the hardest part of being a photographer, imo. Whether it's books, portfolios, or anyplace else. This fits into the "It's Personal" piece I wrote during the week, except it provides goes in an additional direction. You may love an image AND the rest of the world might love an image, AND STILL, if the image doesn't fit the story it needs to go.
That is next level organization! I'm pretty good at helping other people organize their archives and have created FMP databases for artists and institutions but somehow am unable to do the same for myself.
And don't even get me started on the editing... Do you ever get outside input in your editing process or do you do it all yourself?
Thanks Rob! I generally do all my editing myself with the exception of some big budget commercial shoots when I have digitechs on set etc and they get it going before I wrap it up.
oh sorry haha no I was talking about doing an editing pass, it's a confusing word! In terms of killing your darlings editing, I always do it myself, BUT I also run my edit my a bunch of trusty eyes to make sure I killed all the darlings.
Great post, Wesley. So good so have this enormous tasks being put into small digestible pieces. Looking forward to read about the other topics. Cheers.
Wesley, thanks for the folder visual and organizing process. I just completed a 60 piece art exhibition which included a short documentary film and a B-Roll video, and my Project folder is a hot mess. But now I can go back in and get MUCH more organized! Thank you. Regarding your question, I considered creating a book or a Zine as a companion piece to the show, but it runs through May, and I’m trying to enjoy the process. I might still do it. Options are good! That said, I can’t stop thinking about a photo/coffee-table book I started a few years ago in Lr, working title — This Western Kentucky Life. It’s a story about self-discovery through nature. Not fully conceptualized yet but in fairness, I’ve been busy. And interestingly, if you don’t mind, I’m just gonna go on for a minute, I forgot about that book because I was so busy with this current project and have dealing with cancer (mine) for the last five years. I’m winning btw. So, yeah, thanks. I’ll now read your previous post! Cheers!
Wow Maureen! Thank you for the kind words and for sharing that. I am so glad you are winning that battle! I bet it gives you even more of a desire to make something now you can. Both projects sound super interesting, and a 60 piece art exhibition is no small feat. Go you!
I am sending a Bermudian photographer your way. Look out for him..his name is Dexter Flood. He is working on a photo project and needs some guidance. His e-mail is fudgebermuda1955@gmail.com You have the skill set to really help him. best and good shooting Graeme^^
I am taking my camera with me on a backpacking trip to the North Coast of Vancouver Island. That would be an easy topic for a photo book. One idea I had after getting your book Notice is a book I would call Notice: East Van edition. East Vancouver is the grittier more working class part of Vancouver and since I live here I can show the cooler parts of East Van or call it Un-Notice and include things you wouldn’t want to see.
haha "Un-Notice" made me laugh! I love it. Both fun ideas! Wait, all THREE fun ideas. The backpacking trip might have the most interesting narrative, bit of an adventure!
Another great post. Thanks Wesley! I want to make a darkroom printed zine. I have access to a darkroom and I was planning on printing some of my b/w work on 5x7 paper, and then binding it together into recycled book covers.
Great info, thank you very much! As for zines / photo books it seems that I'll be publishing 2-3 works this year (I got grants for two of them). All content is made in my local surroundings with different themes of course.
Congratulations on the two grants! That's big. I will be writing about grant stuff in the future to. Would you mind sharing which grants, and I'll look into them for when I do write.
As for projects, it seems like everything I do circles around Anxiety in some way. I'd love to continue working in that space and do more portraits of anxious people while chatting with them about what makes them anxious (similar to the I Am Anxious... questionnaire I do in my newsletter - only this time with a more directed, photo-specific component).
I am a nerd for organization and a good organization system! I have always delighted in organizing my negatives both physically and digitally and am always looking to improve the system, so this was so fun to read, thank you for sharing!
Such a helpful piece, thank you! I’m in the very beginning stage of creating an art zine for a band I’m a part of, Mothpuppy, that I’ve also been photographing for the last 8+ years. It’ll be releasing in tandem with an EP we’re currently recording. Looking forward to utilizing your wisdom & tips throughout the process!
"Killing Your Darlings" is the hardest part of being a photographer, imo. Whether it's books, portfolios, or anyplace else. This fits into the "It's Personal" piece I wrote during the week, except it provides goes in an additional direction. You may love an image AND the rest of the world might love an image, AND STILL, if the image doesn't fit the story it needs to go.
Another excellent piece, Wesley.
Thank you Donn, appreciate the kind words and the insight. So true!
That is next level organization! I'm pretty good at helping other people organize their archives and have created FMP databases for artists and institutions but somehow am unable to do the same for myself.
And don't even get me started on the editing... Do you ever get outside input in your editing process or do you do it all yourself?
Thanks Rob! I generally do all my editing myself with the exception of some big budget commercial shoots when I have digitechs on set etc and they get it going before I wrap it up.
We are talking about editing in the killing your darlings sense right?
oh sorry haha no I was talking about doing an editing pass, it's a confusing word! In terms of killing your darlings editing, I always do it myself, BUT I also run my edit my a bunch of trusty eyes to make sure I killed all the darlings.
Great post, Wesley. So good so have this enormous tasks being put into small digestible pieces. Looking forward to read about the other topics. Cheers.
Thank you Marcel! I appreciate that!
Wesley, thanks for the folder visual and organizing process. I just completed a 60 piece art exhibition which included a short documentary film and a B-Roll video, and my Project folder is a hot mess. But now I can go back in and get MUCH more organized! Thank you. Regarding your question, I considered creating a book or a Zine as a companion piece to the show, but it runs through May, and I’m trying to enjoy the process. I might still do it. Options are good! That said, I can’t stop thinking about a photo/coffee-table book I started a few years ago in Lr, working title — This Western Kentucky Life. It’s a story about self-discovery through nature. Not fully conceptualized yet but in fairness, I’ve been busy. And interestingly, if you don’t mind, I’m just gonna go on for a minute, I forgot about that book because I was so busy with this current project and have dealing with cancer (mine) for the last five years. I’m winning btw. So, yeah, thanks. I’ll now read your previous post! Cheers!
Wow Maureen! Thank you for the kind words and for sharing that. I am so glad you are winning that battle! I bet it gives you even more of a desire to make something now you can. Both projects sound super interesting, and a 60 piece art exhibition is no small feat. Go you!
Thanks Wesley! 🙌🏻
Many thanks for all your gathered experience^^
you're very welcome Graeme!
I am sending a Bermudian photographer your way. Look out for him..his name is Dexter Flood. He is working on a photo project and needs some guidance. His e-mail is fudgebermuda1955@gmail.com You have the skill set to really help him. best and good shooting Graeme^^
Thanks Graeme, I will await his email.
I'd like to build a zine or book about people doing something interesting, be it a hobby, work, art, volunteering...
love the idea, do it!
I am taking my camera with me on a backpacking trip to the North Coast of Vancouver Island. That would be an easy topic for a photo book. One idea I had after getting your book Notice is a book I would call Notice: East Van edition. East Vancouver is the grittier more working class part of Vancouver and since I live here I can show the cooler parts of East Van or call it Un-Notice and include things you wouldn’t want to see.
haha "Un-Notice" made me laugh! I love it. Both fun ideas! Wait, all THREE fun ideas. The backpacking trip might have the most interesting narrative, bit of an adventure!
Another great post. Thanks Wesley! I want to make a darkroom printed zine. I have access to a darkroom and I was planning on printing some of my b/w work on 5x7 paper, and then binding it together into recycled book covers.
oooh recycled book covers! that's a very cool idea!
Great info, thank you very much! As for zines / photo books it seems that I'll be publishing 2-3 works this year (I got grants for two of them). All content is made in my local surroundings with different themes of course.
Congratulations on the two grants! That's big. I will be writing about grant stuff in the future to. Would you mind sharing which grants, and I'll look into them for when I do write.
As for projects, it seems like everything I do circles around Anxiety in some way. I'd love to continue working in that space and do more portraits of anxious people while chatting with them about what makes them anxious (similar to the I Am Anxious... questionnaire I do in my newsletter - only this time with a more directed, photo-specific component).
Huge and universal topic!
If you ever want to take the questionnaire, I'd LOVE to have you! 😁
check in with me next month, I might have some time!
Another great post, sir!
thanks Scott!
I am a nerd for organization and a good organization system! I have always delighted in organizing my negatives both physically and digitally and am always looking to improve the system, so this was so fun to read, thank you for sharing!
Glad to hear that Chelsea :)
Such a helpful piece, thank you! I’m in the very beginning stage of creating an art zine for a band I’m a part of, Mothpuppy, that I’ve also been photographing for the last 8+ years. It’ll be releasing in tandem with an EP we’re currently recording. Looking forward to utilizing your wisdom & tips throughout the process!
Ooh that's so fun!
Is there a template of your Notion roll notes you can share? Really liked how you organized those!
coming soon!
It's one of the hardest parts, so don't feel bad. Thanks for the kind words Paul!