There’s a saying that you should understand. It’s “TALENT IMITATES. GENIUS STEALS.” Now before your undies get in a wad, I’m not saying steal work and pretend it’s you’re own. More deeply, I’m asking a question. Do you want to understand and set free your most creative work? Then pay attention here. And mark my [...]

Funny segue from yesterday’s political post… Got to thinking about politics and photography…. Though it seems otherwise at time, politicians aren’t actually celebs. Sure, they get their picture taken at press conferences, but–especially early on in their career–they’re not really used to having a photographer take a portrait of them like a rock star. They’re [...]

The hopes or goals of creative expression are to make a statement, to generate awareness, initiate reflection, feeling or action. We want the art to do work. Such was the case with my Seattle 100 book & gallery exhibition. But, in truth, I had little understanding when I published the project how much or what [...]

Do you know how to load a roll of film? Work a light meter? Edit slides on a light table? Scan film? Color correct scans? Track a photo inventory? Submit photos to clients? Work with a stock agency? Make prints? Pack a camera bag? Ship equipment? Set up lights? Scout a location? Drive on the [...]

HDSLR video is a great way to get high quality footage on a micro budget; and a great way to keep that budget micro is to be picky about what accessories are right for your setup.  I recently received an email question focused on this and–in particular–if I had to choose between the Rode Stereo [...]

Sarah Burke would light up a room when she walked into it. Actually more than that, she lit up an entire sport, and was bound to light up the world in the forthcoming Olympics, before she succumbed to spine injuries sustained while training in Park City on January 10. She passed away yesterday. The world [...]

Picture Monica Lewinsky w a cigar, Hitler in a bunker, the Beatles w their lawyers. It’s all here. Or rather it’s all in your mind… So what does a book look like that is targeted at visual artists and creatives, yet has exactly ZERO pictures and isn’t a how-to? Well, it looks like well-known photo [...]

I normally don’t post or link to my mainstream media coverage here on the blog–not necessarily because of the perceived horn tooting, but primarily because a lot of those articles are just sort of vapid, empty whitewashes with little depth and even less bite. That said, I was just featured in the December issue of [...]

I normally don’t post or link to my mainstream media coverage here on the blog–not necessarily because of the perceived horn tooting, but primarily because a lot of those articles are just sort of vapid, empty whitewashes with little depth and even less bite. That said, I was just featured in the December issue of [...]

When I was a less experienced artist, I thought that less gloss meant less talent. For, after all, it seemed to me to be commonly assumed in our culture that talent resided only in the gloss, the perfection, and the polish. If your art didn’t have polish it was only because you we’re able to [...]

The next time you have a great idea, don’t write it down. Just do your great idea. [Btw, the irony of this note is not lost on me...] —- [I'm starting to more regularly post these little notes I scribble out--little journal notes to myself that I'm making public. If you like them, please let [...]

Alright photo geeks. Indeed, Nikon just announced the much-anticipated D4. I’ve known about its imminent arrival for some time. So let’s get into it… Here’s some highlighted specs: _16.2 effective megapixel, full-frame sensor (16.6MP total) _10fps shooting with AF and AE, 11fps with focus and exposure locked, 24fps 2.5MP grabs _1080p30 HD video at up [...]

I get more questions via email and social channels than I could answer in a lifetime, but occasionally one jumps out at me as incredibly worthwhile to share. The answer to this question is important, and my response is below. Chime in and let me know what you think: “What’s more important as a photographer… [...]

Mara here – I handle the money & taxes here around Chase Jarvis Inc – chiming in with a few last minute year end accounting tips for all you creatives out there. In these moments of the year, I suggest you take an hour today before the parties begin to focus on your accounting paperwork [...]

Find your thing and do that thing better than anybody else does that thing even if you think that thing has no value because I promise you that it does. And I promise you that other people will see this value too. [I'll continue to post these little notes I scribble out--little journal notes--if you [...]