This photo of nature’s “tossed salad” reminds me how my brain works concerning photography. I shoot mostly nature shots but there’s many other photographic elements and areas of the craft I’m interested in, a real mixed bag. My interest in general, on any subject, have never been singularly focused. I’m more of a generalist — a “big ol’ tossed salad.”
Being a generalist can be good as far as the requirements of daily life but it certainly can hurt one’s chances of greater success in any one field.
In blogging one of the first rules for success is to find your niche — a fairly tight focus of subject matter you can become an expert in. I’m sure those same rules apply in some manner to photography. By choosing a certain area, type or style of photography and sticking with it you can, with practice and a degree of talent, become “an expert.”
Yet I seem to be destined to be a generalist — life’s handyman. I’ve accepted it’s the way I’m “wired,” so all that’s left is to focus on becoming a darn good handyman!
Have a great weekend!
Earl – I think you need to worry less about variety and more about what appears to be radioactive material in your soil. ;-)
LOL….Humm, that explains those 6 ft tall mushrooms I found, Mark! :-)
Earl – could it be that you are specialising in “color”, or in “light”, or “beauty”? I just have read some thoughts of Michael Freeman, who describe this as a very normal behaviour of a photographer: Not specialising in named subjects, but with an open and free reception capturing what light and its reflection on subjects presents. Maybe this is not a good career recipe for a photographer who tries to optimize his income, but for an amateur in the true sense of the word it sounds like a reasonable way to go. Success, and if only in blog visits, is volatile anyway. But presenting personal impressions is interesting for all of us, who don’t want to stay at the surface.
Markus, thanks, excellent points to consider which will certainly be food for thought this weekend. There is at the core of my various efforts an interests to see and explore below the surface. This type of feedback is just one of the wonderful benefits of blogging.
I dunno, Earl, James Taylor makes it sound like a pretty good gig!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udkQiUPKWqA
Eric, very true. :-) But then James Taylor could make almost anything sound good with that voice of his. :-)
Earl, you’re a damn good handyman, in such case. That image look suspiciously psychedelic, did you eat from those mushrooms? (I really like it, quite in my taste for being a nature shot). :-)
Ove, thank-you! Some will like this image and some will not, true of any image, but I’m enjoying the strong and fun responses I’m getting to my “psychedelic” handling of the color pallet. I’m glad you like it…so do I! :-)
I’m with Mark – is that a blue pine cone in that image? Must be radioactive (as Mark says!).
As for the handyman thought, you never really know where today’s photographs will lead you. Maybe more of the same or maybe not. But I think we all eventually find that “niche” you’re talking about. Most of us who follow your work, for example, know the types of images we’re most likely to find and also what we’re very unlikely to ever see. So see, you’re already almost there. You’re just not totally sure where “there” is yet.
Paul, Blue pine cone…well as you know, this past winter was extremely cold and long. I can only surmise some pine trees must have gotten their little cones frozen off. ;-)
You’re absolute right about me not knowing where “there” is yet. I often wonder if I’ll know when I get “there” or is “there” a moving target as we continue to develop and learn ourselves and our craft?
It seems this image may have pushed the boundaries of expectations, at least in color rendition, from those who follow me. :-)
Yes, Ove, “psychedelic” was the word I reached for first. While Mark may be wise in the advise to start collecting soil samples, the colors here seem right for the usually upbeat mood of your posts. I enjoy the positive, energetic feeling of this. I really think Paul hits the nail on the head. While I couldn’t a name to what you do, I have a sense of what to look forward to when I head for your blog—and I look forward eagerly. You have a style. You just haven’t pigeon-holed yourself into photographing one subject.
Anita, this post conversation certainly highlights we often don’t see ourselves or our photographic work in the same light others do. I sometimes feel lost in my photography…adrift. But you my friends seem to agree I have a “Style.” What an unexpected development! :-)
Thanks!
There’s nothing wrong being Jack of all Trades! In terms of blogging, striking a nerve with your audience is a trial and error process, although it can be alleviated by using tools like Google Analytics. You mention in your previous post that a photographer is the product of his /her environment, perhaps this is an avenue you could look into. As I mentioned Google Analytics, you could really use it to see which post are the most popular / most views / most comments and stick to that genre. It doesn’t mean you’re driven by ‘stats’ or ‘chasing’ comments, but it does give you a good idea of your audience. After all, we all have these sites for people to see and share our thoughts.
I think anyone who’s passionate about photography will take photos of just about anything and everything. I take hundreds of photos every week, but only a few ever make it to my website, mainly because there’s a THEME that I want to portray. This doesn’t mean I limit myself to a specific genre. The beauty of the internet and blogging specifically, is that you can create the environment that you want.
NR, thanks! On popularity…While I certainly don’t strive for huge popular or commercial success in blogging or photography I think we all want those who we find interesting and “worthwhile” to find us interesting and “worthwhile” as well.
I’ve always been able to do a lot of things fairly well. Looking back I’ve been a sous chef, a certified motorcycle mechanic, a farm hand, a signal intelligence analyst, a project manager and a computer programmer…just to name a few. Being able to do a lot of things well is great…yet there’s always been the feeling lingering at the fringes of not being “truly great” or a “Master” at one specific thing. But, if today I was offered the choice of choosing “Master” over “Handyman” I don’t know I’d take it. We humans are such complex creatures! :-)
Well, maybe your niche is photography, all sorts of photography. That happens when we carry a camera around our neck or in our pocket. Images get taken, worked on in the cave then posted on your blog. People stop by and leave comments about radioactive material, some leave happy faces with their comments and some are inspired by your work. I’ve come to know your pretty “handy” with your camera, your digital darkroom and this blog. That’s a pretty cool niche ya got there, Earl. By the way, I’ve never seen a pine cone that color before? Do you only find them in NC? Have a super weekend. :-)
Mante, thanks! Yes, I am blessed with some good people, photographers and friends stopping and commenting here. I certainly appreciate their visit, humor and viewpoints.
As I attempted to explain to Paul above, I can only surmise those blue pine cones were a product of this past severely cold winter… ;-)
Hummm…now there is a Blue Spruce tree…do they have cones?? LOL
When I clicked on this photo to get the higher resolution, my monitor caught fire. I had to file a report with the FCC regarding hazardous sites. You’ll be hearing from them soon. You may be required to post a disclaimer on your home page.
When I was just starting out, I had to shoot a lot of portraits and, after awhile, I grew to hate it.Like you, I enjoy a variety of subject matter and styles, but I never warmed up to portrait shooting. It requires a higher level of social skills that I don’t have.
Ken, well that might explain those threatening calls I keep hanging up on. :-) Good or bad, this photo has been successful if measured in the ability to draw a response from people.
Yeah, I’m too much of an introvert to make a go of it shooting people all the time. I’d end up hating it as well.
Thanks and have a great weekend!
A fine nature shot with some exceptionally beautiful colors. I think you’re right on track and becoming a fine photographer regardless what you choose to shoot.
Hey Don, thanks. I guess the only critic we really need to satisfy is ourselves…not good news because I’m a tough one to please. :-) I hope your weekend is going well.
It may be a tossed salad, but I don’t think I’d want to eat it!
On niches, I suspect not ever feeling quite like you’ve found it is a good thing – it keeps you looking and open to opportunities.