Skip to main content

2010 - celebrate your unique vision

Well here we are on the brink of 2010 and I wanted to wish you all a Happy, Creative, Prosperous and Healthy New Year.

You may have noticed that my blog has been a little quiet lately. All the usual excuses apply; been incredibly busy including doing two business films.

Looking back at the article I wrote on 31 December2008, it seems just as relevant today. As I had predicted 12 months ago, video has become increasingly important and integrated in the photographers armoury.

Twitter really took off, but as a marketing tool I have yet to be convinced that for most photographers it can generate sales and seriously impact the bottom line. As with everything there are of course a few exceptions but for most photographers... the verdict is still out.

The message I have for this year is that fads come and go. Photographers, creatives and marketers will keep chasing the next big idea. But the things that really matter, still matter and always will; authentic vision, individuality, clear creative thought and good communication will always be central to connecting the images you make with the audience.

So enjoy playing with the latest fads and technology but always stay true to your own vision. Uniqueness is still the most attractive and desirable quality that any creative can possess.

Have a wonderful 2010.

Yours,
Paul
www.indigo2photography.co.uk

Comments

SiLa said…
Happy New Year Paul!
Like always you post unique and truthful thoughts :)
ronsbell said…
Twitter is an interesting tool, but in using it as a marketing vehicle, one has to consider the value proposition to the audience. I have limited time and attention to devote to anything. If I'm going to follow you on Twitter, if I'm going to let you interrupt my day with Tweets, then how are your posts going to help me, make my life easier, inspire me, introduce me to a new point of view, provide immediate value? Lots of people are still figuring that out.

My initial impression is that it's easier to use Twitter to mobilize an existing fan base—e.g., if you are a well-known, well-respected photographer whom people seek out for perls of wisdom--than it is to use Twitter to build that fan base in the first place.

Popular posts from this blog

Approach to taking a portrait

Portrait of Amitabh Bachchan. Click on the image to see larger version. Every portrait is different but there are also elements which are the same, whether you’re shooting the famous or the locally famous. Fame is of course all relative. It depends on profession, accomplishments or media celebrity status. Whoever the ‘famous’ individual is there are millions of people in the world who will never have heard them. For example I photographed the legendary Indian Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, who amongst his many accolades was awarded the Legion d'Honneur, the highest civilian award of France. But I’m positive that many people in North America will not have heard of him – although he has more fans than Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson and Robert De Niro put together. I find that however well known a person is cracking through egos and insecurities is really important when it comes to getting authentic strong portraits. However I hasten to add that when it came to photographing Amitabh th

The portrait photographer's motivation

Easy access to the Internet and digital photography has resulted in an ever growing number of photographers uploading their images for comments and ratings from peers. Online communities evolve and these mini-societies each have their pecking order, internal groups and communal preferences. Photographers learn from each other. On sites that have a rating system there is often pressure to conform to certain styles, techniques and even subject matter. Although I participate in numerous sites (it's great fun), I recognise the danger of becoming a herd animal and losing the edge of individual creativity. There will always be the creatives that lead the way and the imitators that can only try to follow in their footsteps. This lead me to think about classifying photographers according their inner motivation. So as a bit of fun here are a few different types: The innovator Driven to always find something new, different and creative. Wants to be leading edge. Motivated by creative satisfa

Capturing the truth: The power of documentary photography to shape public opinion

Photographer, writer and artist, Paul Indigo (Photo by Magda Indigo ) Documentary photography is more important than ever because it plays a critical role in informing and shaping public opinion, particularly in today's fast-paced, information-saturated world. With the rise of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, we are bombarded with images and information daily. It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. From a trusted source, documentary photography counterbalances the often sensationalised and biased coverage of social and political issues. Documentary photography can challenge dominant narratives and foster greater understanding and empathy by presenting a nuanced, humanistic perspective on complex issues. It can highlight underreported and marginalised issues, giving voice to those who are often ignored or silenced. In a world where many people feel disenfranchised and marginalised, documentary photography can help to create a sense of community and solidarity by