by Editor Kimberly
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 31st of March 2023

'Geography lesson' by Brig Barkow

American Rick Rubin is one of the most sought after, talented, interesting, and unconventional record producers of his generation.
His new book "The Creativity Act: A Way of Being" is a comprehensive guide to unlocking creative potential and achieving success in your chosen field. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the importance of finding your passion, the role of failure in the creative process, and the power of mindfulness and meditation in fostering creativity.

Rubin emphasizes to follow your passion. He argues that the most successful creative people are those who are truly passionate about what they do, and that this passion is what drives them to push through the challenges and obstacles that inevitably arise in any creative endeavour. He encourages readers to pursue it relentlessly, even when the going gets tough.

The book highlights the role of failure in the creative process. Rubin argues that failure is an essential part of the creative process, and that it is through failure that we learn, grow, and ultimately achieve success. He encourages readers to embrace failure, to learn from it, and to use it as a springboard to new and greater achievements.

Rubin also highlights the power of mindfulness and meditation in fostering creativity. He argues that by quieting the mind and focusing on the present moment, we can tap into our innermost thoughts and feelings, which are often the source of our most profound and original ideas. He encourages readers to practice mindfulness and meditation on a regular basis, as a way of tapping into their deepest creative potential.

Rubin’s book is a comprehensive and thought-provoking guide to unlocking creative potential and achieving success. It is packed with practical advice, real-life examples, and inspiration for anyone looking to achieve their creative dreams.

In photography, developing a personal style is crucial to finding success as a creative artist. A personal style sets you apart from others, showcases your unique perspective, and makes your work recognizable. The creative process is a journey that involves experimentation, inspiration, and determination.

Seek to identify what inspires and motivates you as a photographer. It could be anything from nature, people, or a specific cultural movement. Find what you are passionate about and focus on capturing it in your own unique way. Explore different locations, find new subjects, or experiment with different lighting, cameras, lenses and post processing and compositional techniques.

Experimentation is crucial. Don’t be afraid to try something new and push the boundaries of what is considered conventional. Look at the works of other photographers you admire and explore how they’ve shaped their own personal style. Critically analyse your own work and identify what you do well, what you need to improve on, and what makes your work unique.

The creative process must involve collaboration with other artists and photographers, to expand your perspectives, provide feedback, and inspire new ideas. Participating in photography communities, attending workshops, and joining photo clubs are great ways to connect with other photographers and learn from each other.  

Exposing oneself to critique is an essential part of the creative process. Getting feedback from other photographers allows you to gain an objective viewpoint, to see your work through the eyes of others. This helps to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, which can lead to further growth and development. When we are all too close to our own work; it can be challenging to see its flaws and limitations.

Critique helps to build confidence. Hearing positive feedback from others can be a confidence booster and can help to validate your choices and decisions. It can also provide motivation to keep working and developing the craft exposing you to new techniques and styles.
Critique should be approached with an open mind and a willingness to learn!

Not all feedback is going to be positive; it can be challenging to hear criticism. It is however essential. Critique is an opportunity for growth and that taking it to heart can lead to significant improvement in your work. This is the “failure” Rubin emphasizes as a crucial part of the creative process.

The creative process is a journey, there is always room for growth and improvement. Push the boundaries of what is conventional, find your passion, and refine your style. Ultimately, success comes from persistence, dedication, and hard work. It can take time to develop a personal style, but with the right mindset, you can achieve great things.

And folks, all this is available to you, right here, on 1x!

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