On Exposure

Jay Mawson January 16, 2014

Originally posted in May 2011...but still just as relevant...

Photographers are driven by different motives to shoot. But one driver is common across every photographer I've ever met - the desire to have their work seen

There's an extension from that, to having their work appreciated and acclaimed, but the first step in the chain is simply having it seen.

At its most basic, what's the first thing that you do in the pub once you've snapped your friend having his eyebrows shaved off? You show the picture on the phone's screen. "That's a good one". Debatable, but the social pattern is set. The only person who agrees it's actually shit is the bloke with one eyebrow. And even then he means it's a shit picture of him, not a shit picture per se. There you have the digital workflow in a nutshell - identify a scene, shoot it, display it and get instant feedback.

Best Camera Ever?

Jay Mawson January 6, 2014

…or cynical title to encourage click throughs?

I'm not particularly into gear. I need it, I buy it, it gets serviced, it reaches the end of its natural life, I buy something else. Repeat. But this post is about gear. Probably only of interest to photographers. You have been warned. Just skip to the photos.

jay mawson _ Weeeeeeee Toooooo _ 20070214.jpg — 10 Bad Habits

Being Real

10 Things Photographers Do Online That Amuse Other Photographers

Jay Mawson January 1, 2014

We all do a little bit of self promotion. But every time you try and subtly mislead your market or indulge in a little bit of self aggrandising you raise a knowing smile from another professional photographer.

At one time or another, I've probably been as guilty as the next man. But, y'know, you live and learn...

Money Can't Buy You Friends...

Jay Mawson December 2, 2013

...but it can buy you followers. For a few quid you can make yourself look like the most insecure and boring person in the room.

Admitting you had a penis extension is mildly less embarrassing.

Imagine walking into a party with a whole group of hangers on...who then completely and utterly blank you for the entire evening. That's what it's like when you have an army of fake followers.