WM-533: Should You Stick to One Genre or Should You Diversify? | Photography Clips Podcast

When gift-giving season comes around, photographers always get the same idea. Birthdays, Christmas, any big occasion, it seems perfect to give someone one of our photographs. It feels personal and meaningful. It feels like you're giving someone a piece of your creative vision, something you spent hours shaping. And since photographs can be customized, it feels more thoughtful than grabbing something off a store shelf. In our minds, the person opens the gift, loves it, hangs it on the wall, and keeps it there for years. That's the hope. The reality is usually a little different... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/give-photographs-gifts/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

As photographers, everything we do is tied to perspective. We think about it every day as we work on our images, but we don't always think about all the meanings packed into that one word. When you hear "perspective," you probably think about the angle you shoot from. That angle is part of it, but there's much more. There is the angle itself, there is your own personal viewpoint, and there is the subject's point of view, their thoughts, feelings, or experiences. All three of these perspectives matter if you want to create images that feel meaningful. So let's look at each one a little more closely... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/many-meanings-perspective/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

What is the real path to artistic success? Some people say it is nothing more than practice. Not just practice in general, but practice in one single area of photography, always working on that one slice of the craft. I see it differently. I think success grows out of diversity. Different styles, different techniques, and even different genres. Even the genres that might not be your favorites. Let me walk you through why I think this matters... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/should-you-stick-to-one-genre-or-should-you-diversify/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

When you've been a photographer for as long as I have, you start to realize that not only does this art give you joy, but it also comes with its own share of frustrations. It seems strange at times to be so frustrated with something that you enjoy so much, but it definitely isn't an uncommon feeling. Let me share some of my frustrations so that you can see that you aren't alone!.. Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/a-photographers-frustrations/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

What is "artspeak," precisely? It's a kind of blanket term, one you've probably seen used to refer to other activities, the type of term where the prefix is interchangeable. You'll sometimes hear the terms "computer-speak" or "techspeak." In a nutshell, these terms mean that people involved in the conversation are using language - technical terms and jargon - related to the field or area that the conversation is about. "Artspeak" refers to the types of conversations in which people talk about their education, their achievements, technical items like cameras, and the mechanical operation of their equipment. These are all things that pertain to art-making but such conversations tend to be incomprehensible to outsiders not well versed in artspeak and these conversations also tend to only scratch the surface of art itself, rarely delving into deeper concepts like meaning, symbolism or other abstract things... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/artspeak-vs-meaningful-conversation/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

We've long made the assumption that photography is, in itself, an art. And in a general sense, that is true, the same way that painting is an art or that writing is an art. But I think we need a bit more specificity about precisely what the art of photography is. Surveys from 2014 showed that 1.8 billion photographs were uploaded online each day. Now imagine how many photos are taken every day, most of which will never be uploaded. Are all of these images art? Of course not —just as not every written word is considered art, either. Even within my own collection of images, the external hard drives with gigabytes upon gigabytes of image files. Is each and every one of those files something that should be considered art? I don't think so. To me, those files are simply assets. They are a tool that I could use to create art but in and of themselves, they are not actually art. It is similar to the painter who goes to the art store to buy the paints, brushes, and canvas they will need. These three things are the assets that the painter will use, not the art itself. In that same way, image files are not necessarily art. Just an element that can become art. I realize that this must sound confusing, so let me explain my thought process a little more. Photographs, photography, is potential. I'll show you some of the things I think need to be done for those assets to realize their potential... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/photography-is-potential/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

A reflection on preparation, perception, and what really matters when the shutter clicks. There's a familiar ritual before every photography trip. The suitcase waits open, half filled with clothes and cables, but the real challenge sits beside it—the camera gear. I start stacking lenses, checking chargers, counting batteries, and convincing myself that this time I'll finally pack smart. Then the second-guessing begins. Will I need the long lens? Maybe. What if I see wildlife? Better take it. The macro? Could come in handy. The tripod? Probably too heavy, but what if the light calls for it? Soon, the table's covered in carefully chosen possibilities. I know I can't take everything, but each piece whispers its own argument. That quiet debate becomes a strange kind of comfort. There's reassurance in the act of preparing, in the illusion that the right combination of tools will keep me from missing the perfect shot. I've spent more hours planning what to take than actually shooting—and somewhere in that planning, a lesson hides... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/the-gear-we-bring-and-never-use/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

Every once in a while, I come across a story that reminds me how connected all the creative fields really are — photography, design, printing, art. They all share one foundation: color. That's what drew me to Pantone's story. It's not just a company that makes color charts. It's the reason we can all talk about color in the same language. Pantone began as a small printing business in New Jersey in the 1950s. Back then, the world of printing and design had a major problem: color consistency. What one printer called red might come out as pink or orange somewhere else. There was no universal system. The industry was full of guesswork and frustration.. Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/pantones-color-of-the-year/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

Capturing a photograph is much more than just pressing a camera's shutter button. It's an intricate dance of thoughts, emotions, and technical considerations that come together to capture a moment in time. When I prepare to take a photograph, I go through a detailed mental checklist, each step bringing me closer to the perfect shot. Here's an in-depth look at what goes through my mind before taking a photograph. Every photograph starts with a story. I think about what I want to convey through the image. Is it the serenity of a sunset, the bustling energy of a city street, or the quiet moments of reflection in nature? The story I want to tell guides my approach, the angle I choose, and the timing of my shot. For instance, when I photographed a recent baseball game, I wasn't just looking for the action shots. I wanted to capture the atmosphere, the anticipation, and the passion of the fans. I focused on the details—the weathered mitts, the scoreboard lights, and the intense expressions on the players' faces... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/capturing-the-moment-the-thought-process-behind-every-photograph/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography

Ever found yourself wondering, "Do I love photography or do I love photographs?" It might seem like a subtle distinction, but there's a significant difference between the two. Photography is the process – the act of capturing moments, exploring locations, and crafting images. Photographs, on the other hand, are the final product – the tangible results that we share and connect over. Understanding where your true passion lies can help you clarify your focus and how you approach your activities in this art form... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/photography-vs-photographs-where-does-your-passion-lie/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Follow me: https://www.facebook.com/Will.Moneymaker  #PhotographyClips #WillMoneymaker #Photography