Why Continuing Ed Matters: beyond camera gear and PhotoShop tutorials
[by Carolyn Potts]
Last week was filled with the energy of students returning to classrooms across the country. It was only for a couple of hours, but, I, too, got a taste of the September excitement when I dropped in at Columbia College and attended the Columbia/ASMP Midwest co-hosted event: PDN’s 30 – Strategies for Young Working Photographers
Photography students filled the CC lecture hall to capacity and were studiously taking notes–especially when the evening’s panel of working photographers and a local art buyer, was asked the perennial question ”How do I get work?”
One answer that the pro photographers, art buyer, and the panel’s moderator, all agreed on was: “Create a portfolio of images that show your unique vision or voice.”
When then asked “How can I best develop my unique vision or voice?” the panelists again agreed: They all acknowledged that to create interesting and unique imagery, you have to BE an interesting and unique person. And becoming an interesting person is most often the result of being interested in, and curious about, the world around you–not just the world of photography.
While technical skill and business smarts are essential for success, your unique vision is still your most valuable business asset. Time spent in the exploration of the world outside photography can add real fuel to developing your vision. Think of outside exploration as your CEU’s (continuing education units) that other professions, such as health care and accounting, require for their members to maintain licensed status.
My personal “CEU courses” are chosen to feed both the analytical/business and the intuitive/creative sides of my brain. I like to mix it up with books, magazines, and podcasts. Here are some of my personal favorites.
For re-charging your creativity, a book I always recommend is The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. On the audio front, one of my fave inspirational shows is “How beauty will save the world” from CBC Radio’s intriguing series called, IDEAS.
For left-brain inspiration, I like listening to NPR’s On the Media which covers all things media-related. I like the FCC and Media law segments as many of the issues they cover effect me as a U.S. citizen and will also eventually affect the photography business.
I also like to read what our clients are reading. E.g. here’s a book that many members on the account teams at ad agencies have read. Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies
And finally, since so many photographers already have iTunes–either on their desktop or in their pockets–my newest continuing education fave resource is: Apple iTunes U. Amazingly, over 600 institutions of higher learning such as SVA, Harvard, Yale, MIT, and UC Berkeley have posted free content for your downloading pleasure and further education. Additionally, you can download free content from MoMA, Public Radio International, PBS, the Library Of Congress, and so many others.
Be Cool. Stay in school.
Carolyn Potts, perpetual photo evangelist; international consultant & speaker; and former rep, shows seasoned & proactive photographers how to get more work. Find her at www.cpotts.com , http://bit.ly/FaceBookPottsConsulting and http://carolynpotts.net
3 Responses to 'Why Continuing Ed Matters: beyond camera gear and PhotoShop tutorials'
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Well struck Carolyn! I think a similar sentiment is among my favorite things about photography. It seems true that the more you push image-making through advancing interests and chasing curiosities the more it pushes you. To discover, to learn, to find out more about the world and indeed your own relation to it…
I agree with you, Jesse. And following that path can enrich your life in SO many ways.
I’d actually forgotten to include one of my favorite resources for keeping your world view alive with inspirational new ideas: The Ted Talks http://www.ted.com/
I’ve been following them for years.
Amazing stuff on there!
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