Sunday Morning Reflections: Just Six Words
It’s a Sunday morning quickie – years ago I had the privilege of visiting the White House when Senator Howard Baker was President Reagan’s Chief of Staff. Baker was shooting Hasselblad and Nikon and just wanted to talk about photography. During the conversation we were talking about how a picture really is worth a thousand words. He told me about a letter he had sent to another Senator once, “I’m sorry this letter is so long. I didn’t have time to write something shorter!”
While the statement itself sounds like a complete contradiction, think about how hard it is to write something precise. We all use too many words to just get to the point. If it takes more than a paragraph or two to explain something then it’s probably too long.
Now, here’s a great exercise for a Sunday morning and it comes in two parts. First, if you could come up with just six words to describe your love for photography what would they be? Second, look at the “About Us” section of your website. Does the description of who you are on your site match up with those six words that describe your love for photography? And, are you able to do it in two paragraphs or less?
Happy Sunday everybody – make it a great day – enjoy your family and friends and relax! All the challenges of the business will be there tomorrow morning!
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This post has 14 comments
April 11th, 2010
Great advice! A great exercise for us all. But Skip, what are YOUR 6 words?
April 11th, 2010
Thank you, Skip! This is hard to do without falling into the trite. Here is my stab at answering: core, surprise, moment, drama, atmosphere, transformation
Now off to check my About page.
April 11th, 2010
Capturing images that capture my imagination
April 11th, 2010
That “Sorry about the long letter, if I had more time I would’ve written less” (paraphrased) actually was first said by Mark Twain, and it’s about editing! Just filling in trivia for you there, Skip.
Interesting though, about describing one’s work in a few words. I’ve recently been interviewing photographers and in so doing, asking them to describe their work with three words. I thought it interesting they ALL had to reflect for quite a while before they could list three adjectives.
April 11th, 2010
Wow, this is a powerful lesson! I really like this one.
April 11th, 2010
Capture Moments In Time Otherwise Forgotten
April 11th, 2010
Frozen moments will change your life.
April 11th, 2010
“Capturing subjects in their best light.”
Jeff
April 11th, 2010
Wow… a great challenge. Thanks Skip!
April 11th, 2010
Immersed in beauty noticing the details
April 12th, 2010
Skip,
Thanks for the challenge – I’ll see what I can do and get back to you!
April 12th, 2010
Skip,
A wonderful dilemma to have…6 words describe the way i feel about photography…ok here goes…
“My Passion Documenting LIFE as Art.”
Blessings,
Elena
April 12th, 2010
A photograph keeps your memories alive.
April 12th, 2010
I express my love of photography in two ways depending on the aggression of the art:
1) Capture stories – Nurture to health – Release
2) Stalk, Aim, Shoot – Stuff the trophies