On Writing

Photographers and Artists are always concerned about their writing skills... whether it's a blog post, email blast, promotion... images are accompanied (sometimes) by words...

A bit of help from Orwell - Rules on Writing

1. You don't need cliches.
2. Avoid long words.
3. If it's possible to cut a word out, cut it out.
4. Write in the now.
5. When in doubt, say it clearly.
6. Better to be interesting, than to follow these rules.

If the goal is to communicate - then say what you mean. Simplify and Send.

Inspiration

"Obstacles are those frightful hings you see when you take your eyes off your goals." Sydney Smith

Inspiration

"You must have long term goals to keep you from being frustrated by short term failures." Unknown

As we begin 2012, what goals have you set for yourself? Remember to break them down into actionable steps.

Inspiration

"The important thing is not to stop questioning." Albert Einstein

F Stop Magazine New Call for Entries

F Stop Magazine ISSUE #51: The Portrait - February/March 2012

What makes a portrait a portrait? How is it different from a snapshot, still life or a landscape? Do we learn who a person is from a portrait or do we learn more about the photographer? The portrait is the subject of issue #51.

Submit up to 12 images following the guidelines. Images must be received by January 15.
Issue #51 will have an expected publication date of February 1, 2012. Only one submission per person for an issue.

Inspiration

"An artist cannot fail, it is a success to be one." Charles Horton Cooley

Advice from Seth Godin

Well rounded (and the other)

Well rounded is like a resilient ball, rolling about, likely to be pleasing to most, and built to last.

The opposite?

Sharp.

Sharp is often what we want. We don't want a surgeon or an accountant or even a tour guide to be well rounded. We have a lot of choices, and it's unlikely we're looking for a utility player.

Well rounded gives you plenty of opportunities to shore up mediocrity with multiple options. Sharp is more frightening, because it's this or nothing.

Either can work, but it's very difficult to be both.