Thoughts for Today by Joe Farace
“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” ―
My childhood friend Danny McKernan made the snapshot at left of a young Joe Farace in 1955 as we were climbing the 896 steps inside DC’s Washington monument. I don’t think you can do that climb today. The camera bag that’s slung over my shoulder held a Brownie Hawkeye that I used to make a similar photo of him.
Paul Simon once said that best way to tell if someone was a true artist is that they improved the quality and creativity of their work as they aged.
What about you? Has your work changed over the last twenty or so years? Compare some of the best images you made in 2006 with any of the photographs you are shooting today. What do you see? I once met a photographer who told me he had “20 years’ experience” but when looking at his images it was clear that he had one year’s experience twenty times. This phenomenon is something I talk about in my YouTube video on The Pros & Cons of Film Photography. Certainly a heckuva lot has changed in camera technology during the last twenty years.
Give These Idea a Try
If you’re feeling creatively “stuck,” here are a few suggestions that might help you get out of a rut. But ultimately, it’s all up to you.
Don’t be a CEV photographer: Take your camera with you at other times of the year than Christmas, Easter or Vacation. Bring a camera with you even if you’re just running errands because you never know what photo ops you’ll encounter along the way.
How I Made this photograph: I shot this sunset image at the Ponce Yacht Club in Puerto Rico with a 10-megapixel Four-thirds system Olympus E-3 and Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II lens at 28mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec at f/4.5 and ISOth a minus one and one-thirds stop exposure compensation
- Read a book about a photographer you admire or maybe one you never heard of. Go to the library and see what photography books they have on the shelves. Do some research to find work by photographers whose names you might not be a familiar with but who can be a source of inspiration. Get referrals from friends about innovative photographers or about books that inspire them. Reading is good for your mind because it’s a mental workout that can strengthen brain connections and protect your memory.
- Have your portfolio reviewed by somebody who is not a friend or relative. Those people already think you’re a photographic genius. so look elsewhere for critiques from experienced shooters. I suspended my portfolio reviews (for charity) that were offered during the last few years but might restart them in 2026. If anyone is interested in participating, click, CONTACT and let me know.
But most important of all, practice, practice, practice and don’t be afraid of making mistakes. It’s only pixels! And always remember to have fun with your photography.
If you enjoyed today’s blog post and would like to treat Joe to a cup of Earl Grey tea ($3.50,) click here. And if you do, many thanks.