James Shadle
12-07-2008, 08:43 PM
I'll add an image soon, kinda busy right now. I would like to know if I should finish this piece.
One in a Million
As I begin each of my workshops, I like to ask four simple, but important questions of my participants. These four simple questions, are questions that should be considered by all aspiring photographers.
To begin the questioning I ask, who among you would like to be a competent photographer? To no surprise, almost everyone has their hand up to reply in the affirmative. I then ask the group, who among you would like to be a very good photographer? Again, almost everyone has their hand up to reply in the affirmative. My third question is who would like to be a great photographer? Of course, most if not all of my workshop participants, want to be great photographers.
My final question is, do you want to be “One in a Million?
No surprise, the vast majority of those who are asked my final question reply; yes I want to be “One in a Million”.
Saying you want to be an elite photographer who is capable of creating beautiful images, a photographer who has skills that are “One in a Million” is easy. Achieving that goal is anything but easy.
I consider myself to be “One in a Million”. Whether my photography is or not is subjective. If nothing else is, my attitude and the way I strive to improve my skills as a photographer is.
My hard work and constant effort to improve my skill set has enabled me to win numerous international photography contests, sell images and articles to magazines like Outdoor Photographer, Audubon, National Geographic Adventure, Pop Photography to name just a few. Winning contests (I no longer enter contests, I won’t compete against my clients) and being published is undoubtedly rewarding. Creating images I find pleasing and helping others create images they find pleasing is by far the most rewarding.
The question now is how do you become “One in a Million”?
The first step in a achieving this lofty goal is to have a positive attitude. Next you must prepare to work hard, prepare to practice, practice, practice and prepare for early disappointment and frustration.
The next step on the road to your goal of being a photographer who can be considered “One in a Million”, is learning as much as possible about your art. Photography done well is art! Learning is an ongoing process. I can state as fact, every outstanding photographer I know, will tell you they are still learning.
To be continued?
One in a Million
As I begin each of my workshops, I like to ask four simple, but important questions of my participants. These four simple questions, are questions that should be considered by all aspiring photographers.
To begin the questioning I ask, who among you would like to be a competent photographer? To no surprise, almost everyone has their hand up to reply in the affirmative. I then ask the group, who among you would like to be a very good photographer? Again, almost everyone has their hand up to reply in the affirmative. My third question is who would like to be a great photographer? Of course, most if not all of my workshop participants, want to be great photographers.
My final question is, do you want to be “One in a Million?
No surprise, the vast majority of those who are asked my final question reply; yes I want to be “One in a Million”.
Saying you want to be an elite photographer who is capable of creating beautiful images, a photographer who has skills that are “One in a Million” is easy. Achieving that goal is anything but easy.
I consider myself to be “One in a Million”. Whether my photography is or not is subjective. If nothing else is, my attitude and the way I strive to improve my skills as a photographer is.
My hard work and constant effort to improve my skill set has enabled me to win numerous international photography contests, sell images and articles to magazines like Outdoor Photographer, Audubon, National Geographic Adventure, Pop Photography to name just a few. Winning contests (I no longer enter contests, I won’t compete against my clients) and being published is undoubtedly rewarding. Creating images I find pleasing and helping others create images they find pleasing is by far the most rewarding.
The question now is how do you become “One in a Million”?
The first step in a achieving this lofty goal is to have a positive attitude. Next you must prepare to work hard, prepare to practice, practice, practice and prepare for early disappointment and frustration.
The next step on the road to your goal of being a photographer who can be considered “One in a Million”, is learning as much as possible about your art. Photography done well is art! Learning is an ongoing process. I can state as fact, every outstanding photographer I know, will tell you they are still learning.
To be continued?