First of all, I’m not talking about screwing up an entire session. If you’re doing that, there’s no help that I can give you and you’re on your own.
I’m talking about mistakes. Those “facepalm” “headdesk” moments that we all have from time to time.
In my quest for getting some orders done and out the door earlier this week, I screwed up one of them. The client sent me a message last night letting me know there was an issue and I fixed it this morning and had a replacement sent.
Even though the matter was taken care of in a timely and professional manner, I’m still kicking myself that I messed something up.
I am the queen of “here’s a little extra something for your inconvenience,” so of course I added some extra prints to the order.
Then a light bulb went off… add a little note to the order in the form of a 4×5 print… brilliance.
So, I have designed this 4×5 card to be included with any order that is a replacement because of an error.
You know, I just can’t be at my peak, efficiency-wise, if my desk is a wreck. I need things nice and neat with everything in its place. I don’t have all matchy-matchy stuff and it doesn’t look like it came from the portfolio of an interior designer, but my office does reflect my sense of style and work. It’s my little oasis of inspiration.
So, help yourself out and take a few minutes to clear your desk and create a calming area for you to work efficiently.
Oh, who am I kidding? I spent an entire day cleaning the whole office. It’s gonna take more than a few minutes, but for the sake of the Wootness that shall be achieved, we’ll just go with the “few minutes” thing. 🙂
Just because we’re adults doesn’t mean that life should be boring and without toys and candy. Every once in awhile I need a sugar break. Having a dish of my favorite candy of the moment handy is a cheap, simple pleasure, especially if you buy your candy in the 50% off aisle, like me.
And the toys, well, they’re just fun. I’ve got my little What the Duck duck standing guard over the candy, so a glance in that direction always brings a smile to my face.
And some days … I really need that smile.
Go on, you have an excuse now, buy yourself a toy and some candy and put your feet up and watch a cartoon. Cater to your inner kid.
Well, did everyone learn a new skill? Did anyone try the glass?
Much as I wanted to return to the glass project, I felt it wouldn’t be a prudent use of my time. Today, I decided to get caught up. I’ll probably never be caught up with everything, but I should always be caught up with client orders, so that’s what I worked on. And I did it. I’m now 100% caught up and have nothing hanging over my head. That’s Wootness right there.
So – pick something, anything, and get caught up. Client orders, sessions proofed, lab orders placed, laundry caught up… I don’t care – just pick something and get it ‘er done!
On to 30 Ways of Wootness, Day 2. One thing that always make me feel more Wootness-like is learning a new skill. Sometimes I find myself shooting the same thing over and over again. Today I challenge you to take a few minutes to learn a new skill. I decided that I was going to learn how to shoot glass. As I have discovered, shooting glass is a science unto itself. Fortunately, through the magic that is YouTube, I was able to find a tutorial that gave me simple, precise directions and voila! just a short time later, I was able to photograph glass way better than I had in the past. And by past, I mean the three hours I futzed around with it myself, without checking the YouTube video.
It’s not perfect, and I see some things I’d like to change, which I might mess around with tomorrow, but again, I might not. Anyway – today’s skill learning produced the photo below. If you would like to try it, the video tutorial I used is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlQwt7_ZXKg
March 31, 2013 Haikutography copyright christine walsh-newton
If you read my last article When your Passion for Photography is MIA, you understand why immediate Wootness rescue is in order. In order to re-instill the passion into my life and my work, I must reach deep into the Wootness bag of tricks and recycle things that have raised my Wootness quotient in the past. I will spend the next 30 days in pursuit of Wootness. Join me. Consider it a spritual journey…
Haiku has always been a bit of silliness in my life. Once upon a time I had a boss that would make bets with me (on football games, random stuff) and the loser had to write the winner a Haiku.
Yeah, it was random and it was weird. But it was also silly and fun. And I liked it.
Several years ago, when looking for a 365 project that was a little “out of the box,” I decided to do Haiku-tography. This was before Wootness, when I was struggling with needing to write more, but not having the outlet. I decided to incorporate it into my photo of the day project and write a Haiku for each day.
As a project, it kind of tanked. I did do 50 days of Haiku-tography, but it was a year when I had a lot of things going on in my life and just didn’t make the time to complete the assignment every single day.
I will say, that the 50 days of project that I completed we so very much more telling than any photo of the day project I had attempted before.
Back then, I was using the big girl camera for the shots, so I took more care. No random iPhone pics because I had to get one in for the day. I took the time to capture a nice image, post process it and then apply some mental time to it when creating the Haiku.
So, I’m gonna try and do a little bit more Haiku-tography over the next 30 days.
Here’s some others I did in the past:
May 6, 2011 Haikutography. Copyright Christine Walsh-Newton
Yes, I’m purposely using the word “passion” in a serious manner. Because this is a serious issue.
I look around me. My only non-related friends are other photographers. I stayed up late last night making plans for a Labor Day get together 10 hours away with… you guessed it, a bunch of photographers. Virtually every vacation I take revolves around photography conventions, workshops or just visiting with other photographers.
My days begin at 6 AM-ish. I check my email while I’m still in my pajamas and somewhere between that and clients showing up, I grab a shower and get dressed. In a studio shirt or a t-shirt I got from a photography convention.
If I’m not actively in the studio shooting, I’m working with my intern, retouching images, working on one of the three books I have in progress, writing a Wootness article, working with CPP candidates or putting together a slideshow for the next workshop I’m teaching.
If I leave the house, I drive a car with a photography logo on the back window and I carry a Kelly Moore camera bag that doubles as a purse. Which contains a stack of business cards.
When I socialize, I introduce myself as a photographer and in the back of my head I wonder how I can network with those present.
I rarely watch TV any more, there’s just no time, but when I do, I analyze the faces of actors and news anchors for lighting patterns.
I could go on, but I think you’re probably seeing the pattern here.
Somewhere, in the quest and scrabble to become the best photographer I could possibly be, between educating clients while trying to gain their business, and plumping up my resume with lists of achievements and photographic organizations I’m donating my time to…
I’ve lost the passion.
I’ve lost sight of who I am as a person.
I have let photography gain control of me and my life.
My priorities went to hell in a hand basket and instead of spending my Saturday afternoon weeding the flower beds, I’m brainstorming and designing my next studio special. Or writing a report for one of my volunteer positions. Or anything else that has nothing to do with the primary purpose for weekends. Or evenings. Or any time that isn’t my regular business hours.
When did photography go from being an enjoyable occupation to being an all-consuming life-sucking thief?
How did I let this happen?
Somewhere, I lost my focus. Pun not intended.
In my frantic quest at the age of 45 to make a career change and establish myself as a professional, I went overboard. And now, at almost-50, I find I’m backed against a wall, held hostage by a passion turned stalker.
Yes, I’ve worked hard. All of my friends in this same situation have worked hard. And I’m betting that you worked hard, as well, and some of the things I’m saying might be striking a chord with you, too.
We can blame this on the wave of newer photographers that have made us buckle down and climb higher. But, to be honest, I’m part of that wave, and my battle has been to emerge ahead of the crowd and stay there. But, I let it get out of control. In my desperation, I made sacrifices. Too many sacrifices.
In the beginning, I justified it because my children were grown and had lives of their own. I wasn’t shirking my duty as a mother. This was the time in my life that I’ve waited for – we’ve all said “when the kids are grown, I’m going to ______” – but realistically, I’ve never filled that blank in with “stress myself completely out by trying to single-handedly run a business 24 hours a day.” Nope, never said it. So why am I doing it? Why are YOU doing it?
I don’t know what the answer is, perhaps those smarter than I will comment on this with the solutions they found to be helpful.
I just know this has to stop. This has to end. There are far more interesting and satisfying things to do with my life than constantly stressing out about my business.
I should not work for photography, it should work for me. And it should work for you.
Starting today, I’m putting my foot down. I’m going to learn to say “no,” mean it and stick to it. I’m going to abide by my business hours and not accept appointments for photography I really don’t enjoy that much. One-on-one mentoring sessions will cease and other time-sucking, non-rewarding activities will be moth-balled.
Join me.
Put the laptop away. Close the office door. Hang out in the kitchen and make pizza. Call that old friend that you haven’t talked to in awhile. And don’t mention photography. At all.
Take this weekend and spend it with family. Reconnect.
Put down the damn camera and hug someone. With both arms.
This photo has nothing to do with this article. I’m weird like that. Yeah, it’s mine. copyright christine walsh-newton.
I guess it’s time to take off the nicey-nicey apron and get down to business, again…
If I am going to take the time to look at your images and provide thoughtful, tactful input that contains both comments on the good aspects of your images as well as some pointers for improvement, I don’t want excuses.
I understand that in the beginning, you can’t get clients. That’s good. Real good. I don’t WANT you to have clients. I want you to be using your kids and family members to practice on. That’s how you learn.
If you show me an image, I expect it to be some of your best work. If you follow up my comments with “this was just a practice session” or “this wasn’t a paying client,” you are making excuses. Even if your best work isn’t all that good, yet, I expect you to show me images that were done to the best of your ability.
OK, so maybe you don’t have your lighting down pat, yet. That isn’t permission to not iron your background, not wipe the snot off your kid’s face and not dress him/her in an outfit that matches. If you KNOW enough to tell me “well, I didn’t iron the sheet behind them because this was just a practice session,” then you aren’t practicing correctly.
Would your kid’s little league coach let him get away with not trying to catch that outfield fly because it was only practice? No. Your kid is expected to wear the proper clothing, bring the proper gear and perform as if a game were in progress. Right? You’d be all over your kid in a hot minute if they tried to pull this on their coach, so why are you doing it?
Practicing is pretending you are doing the real thing, with some allowance for screwing up because you are still learning. Maybe you didn’t know that sitting your kids cross-legged was preferable to having them with their feet sticking out straight in front of them. That’s ok, we can deal with that. I’ll let you know you might want to try that next time and tell you why it’s a better option. Then, we go on. But if the kid’s feet are dirty and they’re wearing pink pajama pants and an orange t-shirt with grape juice spilled on it, and your excuse is “this was just a practice session,” we’re gonna have a Come To Jesus Talk.
Let’s adult-up and stop making excuses. If you want to get better and improve, then make that apparent in your work. Don’t hand me junk and expect me to critique around your sloppiness because it wasn’t a real client or session.
Hey Look, another cute photo of puppies for your enjoyment! copyright christine walsh-newton
Today is March 15th. By 5PM I should have all my print competition entries, finished, registered, entered and sent. Sure, I’ll pause while you wipe up the pop you just spat out.
Since I don’t have time to write a lot, I’ll just leave you with a few thoughts…
I see that some of you are making arrangements for Easter photos. That involve chicks, bunnies, ducklings and the like. Without getting all preachy crazy on you – I’m just going to say this – be careful and be clean. Those little animals crap all over the place and animal crap is dirty and has germs, bacteria and other gross stuff in it. Clean your hands and anything the animals touch CONSTANTLY.
Once upon a time, when Mr. Wootness and I lived on the family farm, we decided to raise chickens. Aww, they were so cute. They came in a box in the mail and we had an incubator all set up and boy were they cute and chirpy. Mr. Wootness did a lot of work with them and handled them a lot when they were new. Within a few days, Mr. Wootness was collapsed on the floor of our bedroom after having vomited all.night.long. He could not stay upright or conscious. With a LOT of work, I got him in the car and rushed him to the ER. When he was admitted, his blood pressure was 60/40. He damn near died. He had septic shock and was in the ICU for several days.
So, that is why I don’t use live baby animals in my shoots with children. The chance is probably rare that a similar event would occur with a client, but I’ve seen it, it’s happened to me and I ain’t never going there, again. So… be careful and be clean. K?
It’s tough, that first time you put yourself out there and post an image and request a critique. Generally it seems that this event happens on a photography forum, where certain abbreviations may be used in regards to critiques.
Usually “CC” is the term that’s used, which I interpret as “Constructive Criticism.” In some photography forums, I have seen “HHCC” used. Just tack on “Hard Hat” to the front of CC. It means the image maker has steeled themselves for straight up critique. It basically means you don’t have to blow smoke up their butts and they probably prefer that you don’t, anyway. At least that’s how I interpret it.
And I like that. It’s exactly like “put on your big girl panties”… sound familiar?
But, think a minute. Big girl panties…. hard hats. There is a preconceived notion that critiques are less than pleasant when these kinds of terms are used.
It really doesn’t have to be that way. And if you ask the right people for critiques, it won’t be that way.
Unfortunately, some photography forums are filled with many photographers, all at different skill levels. Sometimes asking for CC will end as a lesson in frustration, since for every 3 people that respond, you will have 4 opinions. And that’s generally all you can classify them as; opinions.
I’m going to assume, since you’re reading an article about critique that you are indeed, serious about improving your photography and your requests for critique are serious attempts to elicit comments that would help improve your images.
If this is the case, try to ask photographers who have achieved the kinds of photographic goals that you have yet to achieve. If you want to be a successful fashion photographer, ask successful fashion photographers.
And do your research, please, please, please. Don’t rely on other forum members to tell you who the successful people are. Do a google search, look through fashion industry publications, study the photography featured in advertisements and search until you find out who the photographers are who create work you admire. Find out the industry awards for that type of photography and familiarize yourself with the organizations they are given by and the recipients of awards over the last 20 years. Join those organizations and network with their members. There, you are among those who have achieved what you desire or are on the path to doing so. The perfect photographers to critique your work.
Since I’m active in the PPA, I seek out groups with PPA members. Since I also involve myself in PPA print competition, I find groups where there are other competitors. I especially desire the input of photographers who have achieved the Master’s Degree or are affiliated judges because those are indicators that they have knowledge in the type of critique I am desiring. It’s not going to do me any good to ask for a PPA competition critique in a forum that is geared towards beginning photographers, or filled with non-PPA members.
Honestly, I rarely post my work on public forums for critique, any more. I have developed a group of knowledgeable friends and colleagues that I communicate with directly and often, in person. Over the years, I’ve weeded out forums and groups and have my own set of “sounding boards” or folks I can go to for help. And after a few years, you will have the same. But for now, you’ve got to weed through all the folks that really aren’t the ones to give you proper input.
Some of the critiques I give are in a group of photographers trying to earn their CPP designation. I also critique via email, private Facebook groups and sometimes over the phone. I’ve also critiqued in-person at my studio through private mentoring, classes I conduct and at my state association’s event. The common factor through all of these, is that I give critiques mainly to photographers who have the same goals as I. PPA members, PP of Ohio peeps and CPP candidates make up the bulk of requests.
But that doesn’t mean I’m a suitable person to critique all photography. I would be a good person to ask for a critique for a portrait. I generally only critique portrait work, since that is my strong point. I would not be a good person to ask about landscapes, though. But, through my networking I just happen to know two very fine landscape photographers in my home state that I could refer you to. So, here’s where your research is going to come in handy.
Research? I’m kidding, right? Actually, no, I’m not. Do not rush about willy-nilly shoving your work up under the nose of anyone in your group. Check out who they are first and if they specialize in or are talented in the area that you require input. There are times when I’m asked to do a session with a type of client that I have never photographed before, don’t intend on photographing and I just shake my head and wonder where the client got the idea that I did that kind of photography. It’s the same way with critiques. I would expect that photographers asking for critiques, especially via email or telephone would know that I only do portraits. I understand that if you catch me roaming around a print exhibit that there’s no neon sign over my head blinking “not an architectural photographer,” – I give a lot of leeway there, though, so don’t worry about that. But if you are going to ask a specific photographer for input, do a little research first, ok? If you’re going to ask for critique, make sure you get the best critique possible.
Go for quality, not quantity. By being particular where and from whom you request critiques, you will vastly increase the value of the critique you receive.
