Posted by Doug
Tue, 20 Dec 2005 14:00:15 GMT
Discussions of talent vs. learned skill draw me in like a moth to the flame. I regularly get beat up over this, but I sincerely believe that natural talent or “giftedness” is over rated. That’s why when Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist David J. Leeson talks about the subject in a piece called The Voice Inside, I’m inclined to listen. When he supports my own thoughts, I’m inclined to post about it!
In fact, I have often said of my own life and career that I have always learned more from defeat than I ever did from victory. To win is an odd form of loss. I’ve seen it wreck young photojournalists who win big awards. Perhaps it is the mistaken sense of entitlement that ultimately ruins them – a belief that such things are supposed to happen to them. And when they don’t, they are left with no foundation from a lifetime of defeats. They know only the hollow sound of winning. A sword is forged in fire.
That’s where passion enters. I do not believe I was endowed with a special gift for something. Rather it was through hard work, determination, divine guidance and raw passion that allowed me the experience of a lifetime, to live as a photojournalist and travel the world with a singular purpose. All I ever wanted was to make a difference. I had my chance and I believe there is more to come.
This essay strikes me as similar to Craig Tanner’s The Myth of Talent. Both are highly skilled and acclaimed artists, but from different genres. Both have attributed their success to learning from failures and hard work. I recommend reading both articles.
See also my previous articles on this topic: Art, Talent, and Fear, and Red
Posted in Photography | Tags talent | 2 comments
Posted by Doug
Wed, 09 Nov 2005 15:27:48 GMT
My buddy, Britton Fraley pointed me to Radiant Vista today. What a wonderful website! Most photo sites are either crap for design or over-the-top flash. This one has a wonderful layout and design. That’s just what encouraged me to look around. It’s the content that has me so excited.
I feel like the site could use a little more “about me” stuff. I didn’t really know what to expect as I was wandering around. Most of the site is Quicktime videos. The Daily Critiques are videos of the site contributors reviewing a photo. I like hearing their voice describe their impressions and critique. I like seeing their mouse pointer move about the image highlighting what they are talking about. I like seeing the improvements to the photos as they make simple adjustments to improve the image.
There is also a nice 16 minute video tutorial called, A Primer on Composition. Again, the mix of voice, images, and pointer is used for excellent effect.
But I’m saving the best part to last. There’s a PDF aticle on The Myth of Talent that pushed me to ecto to write this note. It’s an excellent affirmation of everything I had hoped about art.
...the truth about talent is this—talent is a set of skills you
develop over time through desire.
I’m an aspiring photographer. By no means am I good. I’m pleased to say my work has improved over the last year though. When people see me they don’t say “artist”. My past is not littered with examples of great works of art. By all rights I should just admit I’m not a talented photographer and stick to what I am good at: programming. But this article gives me hope.
He talks about why we buy into the myth that talent is a “natural ability of a superior quality”. I agree with the author, Craig M. Tanner, the biggest reason is fear.
Being labeled talented only means we have survived being untalented.
So for some period of time we have to be untalented. It’s the fear of doing badly that keeps us from “surviving being untalented”. I’ve talked about this fear meme before. When I was taking photography classes at the University of Cincinnati Communiversity, my instructor said that fear is the opposite of creativity. That was a powerful thought. This article on talent’s talk about fear is further reenforcement.
Even if you don’t think of yourself as an “artist” or want to be a photographer, I highly recommend this article.
Posted in Internet, Photography | Tags creativity, critique, fear, talent, tutorial | 3 comments
