I’ve gotten into a few habits lately that have been very “un-dude” of me. For instance, I’ve been doing a lot of writing and very little sharing. Growing up is weird. Sometimes I feel it doesn’t fit well, then I write a post about it.
Boring.
I don’t want to write it, you don’t want to read it, we are all satisfied.
Trying to decide what this blog means to me, or who my flickr account is for, and why I have both a Facebook profile and a Myspace profile, has been an ongoing struggle for me for a while. But, in the end they don’t add up to anything. One day I will die and all my harddrives will be broken and photos erased, films forgotten, and facebook profile deleted.
Lately I have had the pleasure of seeing the inner workings of two creative companies located in the middle of New York City. I feel like saying New York City proves they survive in a very competitive market…so…they don’t suck. Anyways, I have learned a few things there and the number one thing is, people don’t really care about what you can do. Demo reels, portfolios, how much you can bench press, these things mean nothing.
Speaking generally about employment and not about where I work, I feel the issue of job security is the root of this problem. The “grown up” world is a myth. It’s pretty much a bunch of old kids scared they won’t make enough money to pay their morgages. So, they protect their incomes and fall in love with themselves. So, the Rule of Thumb would conclude, they are the best at what they do, thats why they have this job. Right?
So who really is the best? Is it the kid with the top video on YouTube? Is it the girl with 200,000 views on flickr? Or is it the guy who has a job and makes money?
My mind has been blown at work so many times. Turns out you don’t need to shoot digital to be a photographer. You don’t need to know Photoshop. You don’t need to follow rules or know who Ansel Adams was for that matter. All you have to do is keep doing whatever it is your doing and find your place. (Or wait for your place to find you.)
You have two categories, techies and artists. Photographers who are really really excited about the Mark-III, guitarists who can’t wait to get their mits on the new XKR-22 pedal with delay, and cinematographers who will only color correct if it’s in 4:4:4.
Then you have artists, using old equipment, breaking rules, and work for themselves. I dig it.
Ok, I’m done. Now I can start writing about all the things that make me feel good again.
I strongly believe there is a third category there, where the two meet.
As far as the bench press thing goes though, thank the Maker. I was gonna be in trouble with that one.
its all in who you know
i appreciated your insight here. feel free to share more often.
OK
First I disagree with the bench press theory….315lbs baby. You put that up and then come talk to me.
But….you are right about many of these things do not matter. I do think that who you know comes into play but more importantly how do you know them. Everything happens for a reason and if you got the job off of someone you know than you met them for a reason. Whether it be a good conversation, through a friend or your work. As long as you live your life honestly and openly these so called “lucky” things happen to you. NO luck is based off the principle of good things happen to good people and that “luck” is what comes back for the great things you do.
So just keep doing what your doing and good things will happen.
Just think man under what circumstances did we meet….luck? Or does it have purpose.
People try to make money and have a successful career to support one of the only things that matter to them, their families. I don’t think that it’s all about mortgages and in some cases it is but more importantly is my family gonna lose their home. A man feels a certain responsibility to earn these things in life respectably. Maybe the projection is one of money hungry worrisome people but I believe that inside is one of a different tune.
I think that you make great points and just wanted to put a little spin on it buddie.
Thanks for making me think….nice to know it still works.
I really like your work, Josh. I like your thoughts, too. Very intuitive! I like analyzing life. I think we all need to do it more often. If we don’t, we start following rabbit trails. What are our priorities? What is more important than….or is it Who is most important? You are so right that adults are just “bigger kids”, still groveling. I remember the point I learned that and it does shake up your ideal hopes and dreams. But keep them for a better time and place! People sometimes do get shallow and self-obessed, why? Because they loose sight of what life is really about. (I don’t have a blog yet, so If you dont mind, I’ll share some of my thoughts.)I think life is all about learning that there is a Creator that DOES care and has an ultimate plan! And It’s about seeing that we are a part of His plan! When it’s all said and done, all WILL burn! so life’s really about relationships, LOVE is what’s eternal! God gives us gifts and talents to use as tools to bring about his plan. If our focus is not LOVE, caring for others, honoring our Creator, we have lost the whole reason we are on this planet. Life is so very freeing and energizing when you can focus on what’s most important! If you can simplify your priorities to loving and serving God and those he brings into your life, it can be the greatest adventure of all!