You Don't Drown By Falling In Water

© Rick Sammon

"You don't drown by falling in water. You drown by staying there." -  Zig Ziglar

In today's high-tech, fast-paced world, it's easy for photographers to feel as through they are drowning - drowning when it comes to keeping up with camera and computer technology, as well as with social media.

Been there, felt that . . . like many of my photographer friends.

But following Zig Ziglar's good advice, we need to get out of the water.

We can do that by learning.

For example, we need to learn about the latest camera gear and accessories. We need to learn how to use the latest versions of Photoshop CS and Lightroom. We need to learn how to use the latest plug-ins and HDR programs.

Of course, we need to keep up with social media tools: not only twitter, facebook and Google+, but with DIGG, Foursquare, Instagram, Pinterest, and so on. The saying used to be "Publish or perish." Today it's "Socialize or Succumb."

We need to see what iPhone and iPad apps are available that can help our photography and photography business.

Keeping up is a lot of work, for sure.

Just as important as all the aforementioned stuff, we need to keep healthy, exercising daily and eating right. That's a must.

Add to that family time and relaxing time, and trying to stay afloat becomes a full-time job in itself.

Summing up my friends, we need to change . . . as the times they are a changin'.

Here's another quote that relates to changing and to the topic of this post:

"When you are through changing, you are through." - Bruce Baron

Finally, here's a quote that inspires me to learn and to keep my head above water:

Learning is Health.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. If you like inspirational quotes, check out my app, Life Lessons We Can Learn From Mother Nature on my apps page. Photo tips are included, too.

Thoughts on Photography Turning Points

Recently, someone asked my why I have not scuba dived in several years – after having published five books on the underwater environment and heading up the marine conservation organization CEDAM International for 20 years.

The quick/funny answer was, "I did not need, and the world did not need, another picture of a clowfish." A few clowfish, swimming in the Red Sea among the protective tentacles of a sea anemone, are pictured below.

The real reason, I went on to explain, was that I had a turning point. While I was on a scuba diving adventure in Lombok, Indonesia, our group stopped at a school where I talked about protecting the underwater environment. After my talk, I did some magic tricks for the kids in their classroom. After the "magic show," the kids followed me out the main gate, cheering and laughing and jumping and smiling. They would not let me leave!

That was a magical moment for me. The above picture captures that magic. From that moment, I started to turn my attention more and more toward people photography, as well as learning about different culture, beliefs, and so on.

Sure, I sometimes miss scuba diving and some of the underwater close-encounters I've had, such as swimming with this school bus-size whale shark.

But photographing people at events such as the Sister's Meal Festival, where I took this shot, make up for it.

I'd like to hear from you! Did you have a turning point in your photography. Was it an event or perhaps an encounter with another photographer – or even a picture in a book or magazine? You don't have to be a pro to participate.

I know you can respond on twitter and facebook, but if you leave a comment here, everyone (including me) can see your response.

Explore the light – and be prepared for unexpected turning points.
Rick

Pros: Share Your Business Philosophies

Calling all pros. Share your business philosophies here - help aspiring photographers.

Here are my top five:

1) It takes a lot of peanuts to feed an elephant.

2) The harder you work, the luckier you become.

3) When it comes to pricing a job: Lots of fun, I don't charge a lot; little fun, I charge a lot.

4) Devote time to social marketing: twitter, facebook, etc.

5) Never give up.

P.S. Here are two valuable business lessons.