following the path
The decision whether to follow a path or not can be an important one. Some people get on a path that they have been told to follow and then they stay on it, never wavering, never questioning. For some things this can be a good plan, like that commercial about following the path to saving for retirement. Staying on a path can also be good for developing skills, especially those that need structured practice to see improvement. I have mentioned it before that some of the components to becoming a better photographer are practice and perseverance. This sounds like sticking to a path to me. You can read all about this in ‘So What Makes a Good Photographer‘, or ‘4 Simple Truths of Photography‘. This photograph is from a wedding and part of the ceremony is that the couple follows the path between the aisles to the altar and then exits along that same path. I think there is more here than just a room detail. That aisle, following that path, is a larger societal symbol of following traditions.
But sometimes it is not good to follow the path or do what other people tell you to do. This is where the realm of the artist and the entrepreneur come in. If you are going to be a true artist, and an entrepreneur is a form of an artist, then you cannot be afraid to step out of line and to not follow the path. I have written several posts on being an artist as it is very important to me. You can read these; ‘Finding Your Own Artistic Style‘, ‘The Art of Seeing‘, and ‘Don’t Be a Lame Photographer‘. All of these speak well about the idea of not being afraid to be different or creative, and taking risks to gain rewards. Your goal in life should not be to become a cog, an easily replaceable component. You want to become indispensable, a ‘linchpin‘ as Seth Godin would call it.
Now it is not like you have to choose to stay on the path or veer from it. There are times when you will want to do one or the other. The trick is to not do the wrong one at the wrong time. And in that choice lies the art and the key to your freedom.
Gary Miller
Houston Fine Art Wedding Photographer
Eye Candy and Brain Veggies
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[...] You can read more about that in, ‘4 Simple Truths of Photography‘, and in ‘Follow the Path or Not‘. There are many other posts on this blog that deal with these ideas since creativity and [...]
[...] It is too easy to go through life keeping your head down, not making too much noise, and passively following along. I am recommending that you step out of that routine. Now is the time to get out of line and make your own thing, your own art, your own life. That is what I have done and I encourage you to do the same. Find your own path. For some guidance read ‘Follow the Path or Not.’ [...]
[...] finding your personal style read my posts on ‘Finding Your Own Artistic Style‘, ‘Following the Path or Not‘, and ‘Stand Out From the [...]