On the Illustrations of Art + Math
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10 Things that are Not Photography
Last week I wrote about why I find it irritating (and potentially damaging) when people use lazy language that confuses AI images with photographs. It was interesting to see how people1 read that…
The Photograph as Oxymoron
There seems to be considerable confusion about what does and does not constitute a photograph. The problem is caused — surprise surprise — by AI. And exacerbated by the loudly ill informed…
32 Statements About Copyright
I know a thing or two (or 32) about copyright. But I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. Over the years, I have studied and written about copyright, and in so doing have been fortunate to…
Big Mad
Every summer, along with an actual vacation, I take a writing vacation. Straying from the hyper-focused essays that you, dear reader, have come to expect, I get out and explore new territory, see the…
If It Was Better, It Would Be Worse
“Yes, and…” you may know, is the foundational principle upon which improvisation is built. (If you don’t, please see last week’s essay before proceeding.) When two people are on stage, and one says…
Finding Inspiration in Radical Acceptance
One year ago, I was invited to participate in a creative summit, hosted by an advertising agency and centered around storytelling. As part of the process, I prepared a presentation which got me to…
The Future of Professional Photography
In part one of this story, I explained the good news — that the photo business isn’t dying — and then proceeded to list all the reasons why it seems like it’s dying. But the devil’s in the details,…
Photography Isn’t Dying
Photography isn’t dying. As a commercial endeavor, I mean. The shifts have been seismic, but not deadly. That’s not to say the outlook is rosy. Particularly if you have, say, 20 years worth of…
The AI Moonrise
Have you heard about the AI Moonrise? I spoke of this on the Continuous Agitation podcast (listen here!) so I will summarize briefly before discussing what’s new. In April, the Danziger Gallery in…
Continuous Agitation: The Professional Photography Podcast
You know how there aren’t enough podcasts? Well, Dear Reader, have I got great news. I’m writing today to tell you about a brand new podcast all about the business of photography. More to the point,…
I Don’t Love This
Photographers are too sensitive. It’s possible that I am the one who’s too sensitive, actually, but that seems awfully revealing so I’ll ascribe the trait to photographers broadly so I won’t feel so…
Traveling Light
I secured an all-too-elusive traveling assignment recently. My commercial concentration is corporate portraiture, and while that’s not the kind of thing that plays well on social media,1 I really…
Take It Or Leave It
Some readers have expressed displeasure upon discovering a post has a late paywall. So consider this a warning: proceed with caution. While the majority of the following is free for the taking, there…
My Camera the Hammer
I put my money where my mouth is for a change. I bought a bad camera. Well, not truly genuinely bad, exactly. More like just not state of the art. Because it’s a 7-year-old model. Which is surprising…
The $10,000 Photography Contest
Because I have odd hobbies, I was recently thumbing through a digitized copy of one of Alfred Stieglitz’s original Camera Work quarterlies — issue number 11 to be exact, from July 1905. The…
Photography Contest as Business Plan
How do we feel about photography contests? Are you a fan? They appear to be widely reviled while simultaneously remaining clearly profitable for the folks who host them. I haven’t entered many…
Excerpts from Outdoor Photographer
In my role as a contributor for a few of your favorite (mostly now defunct) photo magazines, I’ve had the good fortune of interviewing hundreds of amazing photographers. I learn something from each…
The Bad Camera Club
Last week I wrote about how I’ve had my fill of perfection. That was kind of the “why.” This week is a step toward the “how.” I mentioned that someone posted about being roasted for her terrible…
Zen and the Art of Photographic Quality
Last week, shared an essay by Peter Hoffman about the power of photography in the age of AI. Along with an explanation of the delightful photo-specific term “punctum,” Hoffman distilled an idea that…