To be fair the original phrase is actually much more positive, and in line with what you say here "A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one"
You know I keep hearing that "The original was ACTUALLY ..." but I never see any sources cited. In fact insofar as I can tell the progression goes: "Jack of all trades" (descriptive) → "Jack of all trades, master of none" (1800's, disparaging) → "Jack of all trades, master of none, but often times better than a master of one" (2000's, uplifting the disparaging variant to shield against it's impact). Do you have any source for this claim other than "Someone claimed it without sources on their blog"? I'd love to figure out the true origins :)
@@BenjaTheOneyou’re absolutely right. This “original” is actually new and apocryphal. People attribute the original to Shakespeare, Robert Greene, and even Benjamin Franklin with absolutely no source. Your summation is accurate.
@@_rhapsodistjust diagnosed this year at 42! Couple that with aphantasia and I’m just a curiosity of how I can do anything creative, let alone photography 😅
Nice video, Roman, thanks. I used to feel a lot of guilt about having "too many" interests: "Everyone else is excelling at things while I am playing in the dirt! Am I just chasing the high of the easy wins open to a beginner and lazily avoiding the hard work that it takes to get better?" It is true that if you don't pursue excellence or at least greatness, you will never experience what comes from being an expert -- I do believe it has many rewards. But having many interests and pursuing them doesn't preclude becoming an expert at any of them - it only delays it. Life is long and if you keep at the things you like, even if you have many of them, you will keep getting better at them and become the expert you want to be - it will just take you longer than the people who are more focused in their interests. And it's also useful to recognize that our interest in certain hobbies may have a "ceiling," and embrace that. For me I found this in gardening. When we bought our house, the previous owner had a garden with three types of crops, so I dove into it to keep it going. I expanded it, learned about crop rotation and companion planting, added more and more crops, made sauces for freezing, and on and on. But after about a decade of that, I started paring it back, to the point that now it's "only" a dozen crops, and frankly looking a little shaggy with weeds and such. Younger me would think that paring back represented some kind of moral failure on my part, why am I not continuing the pursuit, even doing things the "lazy" way! But older me recognizes that the process has led me to find a level that fits well with the life I want to live now. Other gardeners know and do more and do it better, but so what? I'm not in a contest with those people. Honestly, if you think about it, isn't it kind of funny -- who said we all have to be experts at something? That we have to be a brand? That we have to use each hour productively chasing something? I hope we still have room in our lives to just "waste" time. So for all those reasons, I say, embrace the rich life of pursuing many interests. It too has its advantages, even if you never become "great" at most of them. Having many interests makes it easier for me to see connections across fields which helps me connect with and teach/motivate others, because I can find an idiom that speaks to them. And it lets you be creative in ways that others might not think of, because they wouldn't have thought to combine x and y.
This is such a wonderfully written, thoughtful comment. I really appreciate it. Personally I totally share this view on life, enjoying many things without the need to excell and being comfortable in your place is all that you need in some pursuits, but it is really reassuring to hear somebody like you validate that. Thank you stranger. :)
Thanks for this. I might copy it and save it somewhere. I drift from one hobby to another, and so I don’t really have any particular skills. The flip side is that I have a little bit of knowledge about quite a few things. I’ve been learning guitar over the past few years, and sold my cameras because I wasn’t working at photography. Now I kind of regret it, because I think it’s something that anyone can do, and I don’t have to be great at it. If I can document my life, and every now and then make a photo that I’m proud to show other people, maybe that’s enough.
@@trustnugget280 You're very welcome! I am glad you found value in it. Agree, it's easy to forget ourselves and get caught up in this unnecessary guilt, so hearing from like-minded people can be such a boon. Probably you'll have the chance to be that for someone else before too long -- maybe even future me!
great video Roman and totally agree - just do what makes you happy and do something that keeps you interested. I truly believe variety is the spice of life, its a big beautiful world out there full of wonder - get out there and enjoy it, expand your horizons and keep learning.
My version of this advice (more to myself) is "take every photo". Don't shy away from taking a photo because it doesn't match your perception as your "style", or because it's too cliche or because every tourist who ever walked where you did took that exact same photo. Every photo you take weaves into a broader learning experience that then informs every other photograph you will ever take. It reinforces familiarity with your craft and your equipment and ultimately means that, when you do come to that unique shot that matches your idea of what you want to be as a photographer, you're better prepared to make the most of that moment. By focusing on just one thing, you're turning down hundreds upon hundreds of little learning experiences that can indirectly inform your approach to that one thing.
Most people don't know the full phrase, which is: “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but often times better than a master of one.” Another good phrase to keep in mind is that "variety is the spice of life" 😉
I’m a hobby photographer and I photograph what catch my eyes or what I want in different subjects. Several years I joined a photography club and regularly I going out my comfort zone. It’s fun, challenging and at the end it makes me a better photographer
I niche'd down to capturing lonely 85mm street snaps for years, then I got a gf who wanted contextual portraits when we were travelling. I was out of my depth. 😂 I had never used anything wider than a 50 before. Safe to say I have moved to a have a variety of skills since then.
I'm someone who jokes(but kind of not a joke) that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. This is one of the reasons I decided to become an educator. I wanted to be able to teach and learn about many topics. Well, I'm about to turn 63 and just retired from teaching which was actually my second career. Before that I was an electronics/biomedical technician. So, when I hear this criticism, and I have heard it more than once in videos, I just laugh and move on. I love learning new things (except editing! LOL!). It's what defines me. So, my IG looks like I can't figure out what the heck I want to shoot! :-) I like it that way..... Have a great weekend!!!
I was once a "jack of all trades" for a few year when I went into art for animation. And I dived into most fields of design from time to time. But eventually when I decided to dial it back, I was able to use my knowledge of other fields to give me creative insight to what I do now. Now I am able to write and illustrate comics in ways that are unique to me. So being a "Jack of all trades" is a really valuable learning process from what I have experienced. However, I think for some people it may be too much running around into different things. Due to having to constantly learn new processes. In illustration, there is something called an "art anchor" where you choose an umbrella subject that can branch off into different things. Like armor, armor can apply to all sorts of things from sci-fi to fantasy, and even animals. For photography, an "anchor" could be something like inferred, lens type, color, film, or simply cropping a photo. Which can branch off into different subjects and themes. However, when I decided to "dial it back" and mostly focus on making comics. It does and will come at a price. I will most likely do permanent damage to my health in the process and I won't be able to live a normal life. But for me I am ok with it, because I want to make some really cool things. And hopefully improve the lives of those around me before I completely fall apart due to my own nature.
This is why I appreciate your videos, as they address topics like this even when they may not align with popular opinions... Another photographer I appreciate, suggested that it's beneficial to engage in various forms of photography to cultivate specific attributes. These developed qualities can prove to be more valuable than you might imagine within your primary style, and they can also help you stand out from the crowd.
Thanks for this comment, I totally agree...nevertheless, but in your head you have to cope with all the '...Mrs & Mr Know it alls...' from this world. Especially in this day and age of Social media. Believe me Roman, Photography is become more and more a Snapshot Factory...Many students from now, all missing the connection between Film and Digital. You see a revival of using Film and using Analoge cameras. As if it is the Holy Grail...The Photographers from before Digital are going back to 'Old School' technics to become the craftsman the were and to be fully seen as a real Photographer and not an image producing commodity on Instagram. It is nothing about you Roman, I like your style and thoughts. For me you are an old soul in a young body, that's why I like you and your style. Greetz from an Old School Photographer 70 years old...
Thank you Roman, such a good message. Live your life in your own way. Photographer is like an artist, a painter, who were exploring the world with different techniques.
So true - both in life and photography! I got stuck in a bit of a rut with my photography up to a few months ago in thinking the pinnacle of good photography was _bird_ photography. But I would gravitate towards preferring a spectacular photo of a mundane bird, than a mundane photo of a spectacular bird. So I would nail a shot of a bird that would be filling the frame, nice foliage in the background, focus tack sharp on its eye, but the bird was … a pigeon. I didn’t see how I could advance from there, until I took a step back. But in life as well: I do photography. I play golf, tennis, and squash. I play the piano. I go swimming. I do cycling. I hiking. And, surprisingly, in between all that I sometimes manage to do some … work! There’s none of those that I don’t want to be better at than I am, but equally none of them that I would be willing to sacrifice in order to devote more time to the others, so I just try and be thankful that I can be jack of all trades!
Not just photography advise. Also a bit of life advise! Your thoughts in this video resonate a lot with me, especially since I started a family. It can be hard being interested in a lot of things not getting perfect in one field or niche. Than again you are able to try lot‘s of different things and probably find something/things you really love doing becoming „just“ above average.
Hi Roman, everything changed for me and my life became much less stressful around photography when I read Barbra Sher's book, "Refuse to Choose" and learned that I am a "scanner". I thrive on the variety of pursuits and will never specialize in anything. Great shots on this video and appreciate you sharing your perspectives, as always. Keep doing you!
In complete agreement and going with your bodybuilder analogy, I'll throw in 2 modern competitive sports - Mixed Martial Arts and Crossfit. Both need dedication to multiple aspects to succeed. Can you use landscape techniques in the street, vice versa? Of course. Very refreshing to hear your views here
Another point that you hear a lot around is "Don't get more than 3 lenses and get really good at those focal lengths" And to me its like... do whatever you want? Are you only interested in a very particular focal length and thats what you want? Go for it. Would you rather have access to an entire focal range from ultra wide to ultra zoom? Go for it. Shoot and do whatever makes you happy and ACTUALLY motivates you to GO and SHOOT. Be that a single lens or carrying 6+ of them with you. It doesn't matter. Are you happy? Then good, do what makes you happy. And sometimes what makes you happy and what gives you a financial living end up hand in hand. Pursue that. Life is too short to limit yourself by other's do's and don'ts. You have 30-70 summers/winters ahead of you. Spend them well.
Totally with you on this one, Roman. As an amateur who pursues photography strictly for the love and fun of it, I'm sure not willing to forego the freedom of dabbling with whatever kind of photography I want and get the chance to. Okay, if it grips me, I will certainly try to get reasonably good at it. But then, those genres are somewhat arbitrary to begin with. Think of travel photography, which can take so many forms: portraiture, architecture, landscape, street, photojournalism, abstract, food, ... the list goes on. Some people and language skills, essential knowledge about the country and its culture and history will often help to open doors and make the whole experience so much more rewarding. Trying different things and stepping out of my comfort zone every now and then keeps me creative and motivated, and prevents me from becoming a "specialist idiot" or a one-trick pony. Admittedly, some genres will require a bit deeper commitment than others for sustainably satisfying results, such as wildlife photography, but do I really fancy waiting endless hours for that rare species while freezing my crown jewels off or being eaten alive by mosquitos? Now, are zoo shots even remotely close to the real thing? Probably not, but if you visit a zoo or wildlife park more than just once and at the right times, hone your technique, and - again - try different things, you will walk away with some pretty cool images too.
Great advice. Specialists reap rewards in certain ways but can pay a high price. To me, being a generalist and dabbling is a more full life and gets you off the hamster wheel. Key is to choose what works well for you, not society at large, and to be at peace with the benefits and costs.
To expand the conversation, I sense there’s space to delineate and clarify what the discourse around “specialist-generalist”, “mastery-jack of all trades” (needs to) centre on: developing skills (especially in the contexts of vocational spearheading). The assertion here is that focusing limited time, energy, resources upon specific areas/domains should yield the development of more skills, and greater depth to these skills. It is also worth noting that in practical terms often, certainly in photography, these skill sets are transferable. Wholly if not partially so. For instance, a landscape photographer who now is able to work with hyper focal distance, may be able to bring that to street, product photography. It may be helpful to set desired outcomes, contextual functioning as a separate matter. If we wish to meld desired outcomes into the conversation, IMO what I can offer a photographer, or a hobbyist seeking to enjoy photography, is a suggestion to be less mired in the abstract dichotomy of “specialist-generalist”. In being caught making a decision in a seeming fork in the road. Ultimately it’s not a hard equation. If one wants to develop skills, especially in contexts of finite resources, time, energy, then channeling that into one or a few specific areas/domains/genres may yield the most development. This connects to enjoying photography as IMO there are things that only become revealed, which are not apparent or anticipated in early stages of engagement or a more limited engagement with developing the skills, working with the craft. These IMO are the delicious fruits that can, and I’d suggest do, enrich our lives in quite deep ways. Ways that may lead us to a sense in ourselves that we do enjoy photography, do enjoy our photography hobby/practice. This does not exclude the possibility that a more broad approach could conceivably also derive enjoyment, though my sentiment is that developing a more acute, layered, affirming enjoyment may not be as likely given the possibly more cursory survey and dipping in.
Hi videoRomanFox. Thank you for creating this content, I very much enjoy it. I like your casual and down to earth approach to things. I hope things are well for you.
Well said! When I started photography, I found it a bit strange that people labelled themselves so strongly. Why be so limited? Other than preferring to be outside and using natural light, I just enjoy trying different styles and techniques 🙂
I told myself back when I started doing photography, I wanted to be a street photographer. But as my photography journey went on, I started getting more interested in trying out different things because doing just street feels boring.
Great subject to talk about, something ive been thinking about a lot the past year or so. one of the most important things ive learned, is to go out Live and Experience the world, this will shape and add depth to things you do.
Love your message!!! I was mostly known for location portraits, but was always shooting many other things for myself that interested me. I would include my favorites of these in the Personal section of my website. Art buyers and creative directors (the good ones) really like seeing these kinds of things. My photos at a no-kill animal sanctuary got me several wonderful ad campaigns for a national pet food company. Not my intention, just following my heart. My favorite art director ever would often hire me for projects that had nothing to to with my 'niche' - conceptual product photography, etc., etc. We always had a blast expanding both our horizons!
In photography, I tend to do mostly nature photography I do like to do other genres as it expands my skills. I think this applies in other areas, to be really good at things you need a broad base of relevant skills. To many 'masters' actually don't have the broad base of skills. Also, in life we each will perform several roles and have other interests. Also many now have multiple careers during their lives. So being broad helps to move into another career more easily.
Great video, Roman As always, your thoughts and advise really resonate with me. By looking at and taking part in all forms of photography, you can definitely learn and grow your set of skills. For me, it also keeps my passion going for the entire artform and not just get stuck in a lane of a specific genre.
The important thing is instead of dabbling into various interests that one wishes to excel at, focus on one and it’s sub parts. So in this case photography and it’s various forms.
The whole Jack of All Trades thing falls a bit once you think about how different skills feed into each other. Become a better cinematographer? It feeds back into RUclips video making. Become more involve in travel? That feeds into Photography. In fact, in bringing this outside perspectives can take ones work and art to the next level. It pushes you to new places. At the end of the day, success should not be about being a complete master in the field, but being at the level where you can achieve the work you set out to make.
I can totally relate to this video Roman 👍. I've been a "Jack of all Trades" all my life and since getting into photography and now videography too, I'm trying to be equally versatile in what has now become my favourite hobby. Totally agree with your advice! I've been doing many different types of photography since getting into it 2 years ago and as a result, I've been offered jobs as a photographer/videographer for surfing, tennis, dressage and maybe weddings next year. Therefore, I definitely think you're giving the correct advice here 👍. On a side note, thank you for helping me make my decision to upgrade from a Canon M50 MK ii to an X-T4. This camera has been beyond perfect for me and is a pleasure to use. I know you've moved on to an X-T5 and an XH-2S, but i still appreciate your videos in helping me decide to get into the Fuji system. Enjoy Malta 🤘
Kia Ora from New Zealand. Thanks for a nice chilled and relaxed video from Malta 🙂great vibes - its been along time since I've been there. Great message too. I think as you journey through life with photography you end up going through alot of the different genres anyways, as you explore your creative need. Great work mate. Kia Kaha
I think learning new skills is always beneficial, even if it doesn't mean that you become a specialist in a new niche. This goes for most skills and new genres of photography are no exception.
Thank you for this video, nice to know that I am not the only Jack... Actually, I have always thought that specilising is pretty boring, and I do shoot almost anything that seems interesting to me
This! Being a Photographer means to me not being a machine that is perfect at one certain genre - if there is an artistic approach there always should be a bit of your own personality in your works and that includes all the other aspects in life. Otherwise we all could leave the job to AI :D Great video, Roman! I hope this reaches many people.
Related to this topic, check out the book "Range" by David Epstein. It is about how generalists are actually incredibly succesful despite common belief.
The Jack of all trades is master of none, but often times better than a mast of one. I think that’s the original quote. Or at least someone’s version of the original.
Good video and advice for people. 95% of people are not special and will not be anything more than normal/ordinary. My advice for anyone who wants to dedicate their life to something like acting, music, etc don't get married or have kids. If everything else in your life comes second to your career why do you think that you will back off the pursuit and focus on them. Enjoy life and everything you can do as it is short. Variety is the spice of life as they say.
"i want to restore a house", "i want to start a family", "i want a chilled life". Erm, I think that you need to choose two. Bringing up a family and living in a building site isn't very chilled.
I wanna be an Instagram photographer.( sarcasm) I agree life before photography. My current goal is to be better at portrait but I dont know how to improve. I cant get soul of people.
Hi Roman ! Always enjoy your video offerings ... I just wish you and other youtubers would realize how annoying and distracting all that hand-waving is to the viewers. Cheers !
haha just don't say that to an Italian. Jokes aside, many people especially from the Mediterranean use hands while they speak. Speaking without hands is like covering your mouth with duck tape then trying to talk. I partly grew up in the Mediterranean and I'd rather delete this channel than speak without moving my hands.
Talent Stack. Instead of specialized in a single area-combining a series of unique skills creates a new category of proficiency. It’s about the unique combination of skills and how you mix and match your perspective(s) that separates you from everyone. A lesson from Scott Adams.
To be fair the original phrase is actually much more positive, and in line with what you say here
"A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one"
You know I keep hearing that "The original was ACTUALLY ..." but I never see any sources cited. In fact insofar as I can tell the progression goes: "Jack of all trades" (descriptive) → "Jack of all trades, master of none" (1800's, disparaging) → "Jack of all trades, master of none, but often times better than a master of one" (2000's, uplifting the disparaging variant to shield against it's impact).
Do you have any source for this claim other than "Someone claimed it without sources on their blog"? I'd love to figure out the true origins :)
@@BenjaTheOneyou’re absolutely right. This “original” is actually new and apocryphal. People attribute the original to Shakespeare, Robert Greene, and even Benjamin Franklin with absolutely no source. Your summation is accurate.
What I love about Roman is how down to earth these videos are. Feels like I'm sitting and listening to a friend
I have ADHD, the jack of all trades life chose me.
I can relate to this!
same here, got recently diagnosed at the age of 40 😛
@@_rhapsodist diagnosed at 36, better late than never!
@@_rhapsodistjust diagnosed this year at 42! Couple that with aphantasia and I’m just a curiosity of how I can do anything creative, let alone photography 😅
Diagnosed at 24 (last year). Strongly related to this comment 😂
Nice video, Roman, thanks.
I used to feel a lot of guilt about having "too many" interests: "Everyone else is excelling at things while I am playing in the dirt! Am I just chasing the high of the easy wins open to a beginner and lazily avoiding the hard work that it takes to get better?"
It is true that if you don't pursue excellence or at least greatness, you will never experience what comes from being an expert -- I do believe it has many rewards. But having many interests and pursuing them doesn't preclude becoming an expert at any of them - it only delays it. Life is long and if you keep at the things you like, even if you have many of them, you will keep getting better at them and become the expert you want to be - it will just take you longer than the people who are more focused in their interests.
And it's also useful to recognize that our interest in certain hobbies may have a "ceiling," and embrace that. For me I found this in gardening. When we bought our house, the previous owner had a garden with three types of crops, so I dove into it to keep it going. I expanded it, learned about crop rotation and companion planting, added more and more crops, made sauces for freezing, and on and on. But after about a decade of that, I started paring it back, to the point that now it's "only" a dozen crops, and frankly looking a little shaggy with weeds and such. Younger me would think that paring back represented some kind of moral failure on my part, why am I not continuing the pursuit, even doing things the "lazy" way! But older me recognizes that the process has led me to find a level that fits well with the life I want to live now. Other gardeners know and do more and do it better, but so what? I'm not in a contest with those people.
Honestly, if you think about it, isn't it kind of funny -- who said we all have to be experts at something? That we have to be a brand? That we have to use each hour productively chasing something? I hope we still have room in our lives to just "waste" time.
So for all those reasons, I say, embrace the rich life of pursuing many interests. It too has its advantages, even if you never become "great" at most of them. Having many interests makes it easier for me to see connections across fields which helps me connect with and teach/motivate others, because I can find an idiom that speaks to them. And it lets you be creative in ways that others might not think of, because they wouldn't have thought to combine x and y.
This is such a wonderfully written, thoughtful comment. I really appreciate it.
Personally I totally share this view on life, enjoying many things without the need to excell and being comfortable in your place is all that you need in some pursuits, but it is really reassuring to hear somebody like you validate that. Thank you stranger. :)
Thanks for this. I might copy it and save it somewhere. I drift from one hobby to another, and so I don’t really have any particular skills. The flip side is that I have a little bit of knowledge about quite a few things. I’ve been learning guitar over the past few years, and sold my cameras because I wasn’t working at photography. Now I kind of regret it, because I think it’s something that anyone can do, and I don’t have to be great at it. If I can document my life, and every now and then make a photo that I’m proud to show other people, maybe that’s enough.
Really well said. Thanks for sharing
@@trustnugget280 You're very welcome! I am glad you found value in it. Agree, it's easy to forget ourselves and get caught up in this unnecessary guilt, so hearing from like-minded people can be such a boon. Probably you'll have the chance to be that for someone else before too long -- maybe even future me!
@@thephotoroad My pleasure!
The original phrase is "A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”
So there ya go!
Came here to say this!
From Shakespeare
I think I had known that, but had forgotten it. Thanks for the reminder! I don’t feel so bad about having such varied interests.
I was about to say the same thing, people never know the full phrase and misinterpreted the actual point of it
If Roman knew it, it would be a shorter video.
great video Roman and totally agree - just do what makes you happy and do something that keeps you interested. I truly believe variety is the spice of life, its a big beautiful world out there full of wonder - get out there and enjoy it, expand your horizons and keep learning.
100% agree. I love exploring all different genres of photography. I learn more and meet more people. Great advice!
My version of this advice (more to myself) is "take every photo". Don't shy away from taking a photo because it doesn't match your perception as your "style", or because it's too cliche or because every tourist who ever walked where you did took that exact same photo. Every photo you take weaves into a broader learning experience that then informs every other photograph you will ever take. It reinforces familiarity with your craft and your equipment and ultimately means that, when you do come to that unique shot that matches your idea of what you want to be as a photographer, you're better prepared to make the most of that moment. By focusing on just one thing, you're turning down hundreds upon hundreds of little learning experiences that can indirectly inform your approach to that one thing.
Most people don't know the full phrase, which is: “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but often times better than a master of one.”
Another good phrase to keep in mind is that "variety is the spice of life" 😉
I’m a hobby photographer and I photograph what catch my eyes or what I want in different subjects. Several years I joined a photography club and regularly I going out my comfort zone. It’s fun, challenging and at the end it makes me a better photographer
I niche'd down to capturing lonely 85mm street snaps for years, then I got a gf who wanted contextual portraits when we were travelling. I was out of my depth. 😂
I had never used anything wider than a 50 before. Safe to say I have moved to a have a variety of skills since then.
Great advice, I wholehearted agree from both a life and photography perspective. There’s truth to the saying that variety is the spice of life.
I'm someone who jokes(but kind of not a joke) that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. This is one of the reasons I decided to become an educator. I wanted to be able to teach and learn about many topics. Well, I'm about to turn 63 and just retired from teaching which was actually my second career. Before that I was an electronics/biomedical technician. So, when I hear this criticism, and I have heard it more than once in videos, I just laugh and move on. I love learning new things (except editing! LOL!). It's what defines me. So, my IG looks like I can't figure out what the heck I want to shoot! :-) I like it that way..... Have a great weekend!!!
I was once a "jack of all trades" for a few year when I went into art for animation. And I dived into most fields of design from time to time. But eventually when I decided to dial it back, I was able to use my knowledge of other fields to give me creative insight to what I do now. Now I am able to write and illustrate comics in ways that are unique to me. So being a "Jack of all trades" is a really valuable learning process from what I have experienced. However, I think for some people it may be too much running around into different things. Due to having to constantly learn new processes.
In illustration, there is something called an "art anchor" where you choose an umbrella subject that can branch off into different things. Like armor, armor can apply to all sorts of things from sci-fi to fantasy, and even animals. For photography, an "anchor" could be something like inferred, lens type, color, film, or simply cropping a photo. Which can branch off into different subjects and themes.
However, when I decided to "dial it back" and mostly focus on making comics. It does and will come at a price. I will most likely do permanent damage to my health in the process and I won't be able to live a normal life. But for me I am ok with it, because I want to make some really cool things. And hopefully improve the lives of those around me before I completely fall apart due to my own nature.
Being a generalist apposed to specialist has its own perks, but the world needs both types of people.
yeah totally agree
Agree 100%! My art constantly evolves and my photography with it.
This is why I appreciate your videos, as they address topics like this even when they may not align with popular opinions...
Another photographer I appreciate, suggested that it's beneficial to engage in various forms of photography to cultivate specific attributes. These developed qualities can prove to be more valuable than you might imagine within your primary style, and they can also help you stand out from the crowd.
Thanks for this comment, I totally agree...nevertheless, but in your head you have to cope with all the '...Mrs & Mr Know it alls...' from this world. Especially in this day and age of Social media. Believe me Roman, Photography is become more and more a Snapshot Factory...Many students from now, all missing the connection between Film and Digital. You see a revival of using Film and using Analoge cameras. As if it is the Holy Grail...The Photographers from before Digital are going back to 'Old School' technics to become the craftsman the were and to be fully seen as a real Photographer and not an image producing commodity on Instagram. It is nothing about you Roman, I like your style and thoughts. For me you are an old soul in a young body, that's why I like you and your style. Greetz from an Old School Photographer 70 years old...
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree with the premise that most people are in photography as a way to express their creativity.
Thank you Roman, such a good message. Live your life in your own way. Photographer is like an artist, a painter, who were exploring the world with different techniques.
So true - both in life and photography!
I got stuck in a bit of a rut with my photography up to a few months ago in thinking the pinnacle of good photography was _bird_ photography. But I would gravitate towards preferring a spectacular photo of a mundane bird, than a mundane photo of a spectacular bird. So I would nail a shot of a bird that would be filling the frame, nice foliage in the background, focus tack sharp on its eye, but the bird was … a pigeon. I didn’t see how I could advance from there, until I took a step back.
But in life as well: I do photography. I play golf, tennis, and squash. I play the piano. I go swimming. I do cycling. I hiking. And, surprisingly, in between all that I sometimes manage to do some … work!
There’s none of those that I don’t want to be better at than I am, but equally none of them that I would be willing to sacrifice in order to devote more time to the others, so I just try and be thankful that I can be jack of all trades!
Not just photography advise. Also a bit of life advise! Your thoughts in this video resonate a lot with me, especially since I started a family. It can be hard being interested in a lot of things not getting perfect in one field or niche. Than again you are able to try lot‘s of different things and probably find something/things you really love doing becoming „just“ above average.
Hi Roman, everything changed for me and my life became much less stressful around photography when I read Barbra Sher's book, "Refuse to Choose" and learned that I am a "scanner". I thrive on the variety of pursuits and will never specialize in anything. Great shots on this video and appreciate you sharing your perspectives, as always. Keep doing you!
I appreciate that you don't depreciate your existence.
I think you are absolutely right. Thanks for posting this video, it confirms how I’ve been feeling about life and my photography in general
In complete agreement and going with your bodybuilder analogy, I'll throw in 2 modern competitive sports - Mixed Martial Arts and Crossfit. Both need dedication to multiple aspects to succeed. Can you use landscape techniques in the street, vice versa? Of course. Very refreshing to hear your views here
Another point that you hear a lot around is "Don't get more than 3 lenses and get really good at those focal lengths"
And to me its like... do whatever you want?
Are you only interested in a very particular focal length and thats what you want? Go for it.
Would you rather have access to an entire focal range from ultra wide to ultra zoom? Go for it.
Shoot and do whatever makes you happy and ACTUALLY motivates you to GO and SHOOT. Be that a single lens or carrying 6+ of them with you. It doesn't matter. Are you happy? Then good, do what makes you happy. And sometimes what makes you happy and what gives you a financial living end up hand in hand. Pursue that.
Life is too short to limit yourself by other's do's and don'ts. You have 30-70 summers/winters ahead of you. Spend them well.
Totally with you on this one, Roman. As an amateur who pursues photography strictly for the love and fun of it, I'm sure not willing to forego the freedom of dabbling with whatever kind of photography I want and get the chance to. Okay, if it grips me, I will certainly try to get reasonably good at it. But then, those genres are somewhat arbitrary to begin with. Think of travel photography, which can take so many forms: portraiture, architecture, landscape, street, photojournalism, abstract, food, ... the list goes on. Some people and language skills, essential knowledge about the country and its culture and history will often help to open doors and make the whole experience so much more rewarding. Trying different things and stepping out of my comfort zone every now and then keeps me creative and motivated, and prevents me from becoming a "specialist idiot" or a one-trick pony. Admittedly, some genres will require a bit deeper commitment than others for sustainably satisfying results, such as wildlife photography, but do I really fancy waiting endless hours for that rare species while freezing my crown jewels off or being eaten alive by mosquitos? Now, are zoo shots even remotely close to the real thing? Probably not, but if you visit a zoo or wildlife park more than just once and at the right times, hone your technique, and - again - try different things, you will walk away with some pretty cool images too.
Great advice. Specialists reap rewards in certain ways but can pay a high price. To me, being a generalist and dabbling is a more full life and gets you off the hamster wheel. Key is to choose what works well for you, not society at large, and to be at peace with the benefits and costs.
To expand the conversation, I sense there’s space to delineate and clarify what the discourse around “specialist-generalist”, “mastery-jack of all trades” (needs to) centre on: developing skills (especially in the contexts of vocational spearheading). The assertion here is that focusing limited time, energy, resources upon specific areas/domains should yield the development of more skills, and greater depth to these skills. It is also worth noting that in practical terms often, certainly in photography, these skill sets are transferable. Wholly if not partially so. For instance, a landscape photographer who now is able to work with hyper focal distance, may be able to bring that to street, product photography.
It may be helpful to set desired outcomes, contextual functioning as a separate matter.
If we wish to meld desired outcomes into the conversation, IMO what I can offer a photographer, or a hobbyist seeking to enjoy photography, is a suggestion to be less mired in the abstract dichotomy of “specialist-generalist”. In being caught making a decision in a seeming fork in the road. Ultimately it’s not a hard equation. If one wants to develop skills, especially in contexts of finite resources, time, energy, then channeling that into one or a few specific areas/domains/genres may yield the most development. This connects to enjoying photography as IMO there are things that only become revealed, which are not apparent or anticipated in early stages of engagement or a more limited engagement with developing the skills, working with the craft. These IMO are the delicious fruits that can, and I’d suggest do, enrich our lives in quite deep ways. Ways that may lead us to a sense in ourselves that we do enjoy photography, do enjoy our photography hobby/practice. This does not exclude the possibility that a more broad approach could conceivably also derive enjoyment, though my sentiment is that developing a more acute, layered, affirming enjoyment may not be as likely given the possibly more cursory survey and dipping in.
Makes sense, because you can’t really niche down without experimenting to see what sticks, what works for you.
Hi videoRomanFox. Thank you for creating this content, I very much enjoy it. I like your casual and down to earth approach to things. I hope things are well for you.
Well said! When I started photography, I found it a bit strange that people labelled themselves so strongly. Why be so limited? Other than preferring to be outside and using natural light, I just enjoy trying different styles and techniques 🙂
I told myself back when I started doing photography, I wanted to be a street photographer. But as my photography journey went on, I started getting more interested in trying out different things because doing just street feels boring.
Great subject to talk about, something ive been thinking about a lot the past year or so. one of the most important things ive learned, is to go out Live and Experience the world, this will shape and add depth to things you do.
Love your message!!! I was mostly known for location portraits, but was always shooting many other things for myself that interested me. I would include my favorites of these in the Personal section of my website. Art buyers and creative directors (the good ones) really like seeing these kinds of things. My photos at a no-kill animal sanctuary got me several wonderful ad campaigns for a national pet food company. Not my intention, just following my heart. My favorite art director ever would often hire me for projects that had nothing to to with my 'niche' - conceptual product photography, etc., etc. We always had a blast expanding both our horizons!
“Jack of all traits, master of none, better than master of one!” is actually the whole saying 🫶
Which genre of photography do you want to be an expert of?
Me: having a smile doing it, and having a smile looking back at those photos.
Really excellent advice and great video.
In photography, I tend to do mostly nature photography I do like to do other genres as it expands my skills. I think this applies in other areas, to be really good at things you need a broad base of relevant skills. To many 'masters' actually don't have the broad base of skills. Also, in life we each will perform several roles and have other interests.
Also many now have multiple careers during their lives. So being broad helps to move into another career more easily.
Great video, Roman
As always, your thoughts and advise really resonate with me.
By looking at and taking part in all forms of photography, you can definitely learn and grow your set of skills. For me, it also keeps my passion going for the entire artform and not just get stuck in a lane of a specific genre.
Hi Roman,
thank you for your inspiring and very well made videos. Great fun to watch.
The important thing is instead of dabbling into various interests that one wishes to excel at, focus on one and it’s sub parts. So in this case photography and it’s various forms.
yeah, if you want to climb high you have to focus like that rather than spreading yourself thin across many pursuits
Thanks for saying this!
I've felt weird with that kind of opinion since forever!
Thank you!! This came to me at a perfect time! I love how that happens!!!
My only rule or advice with photography is "if you're not enjoying it, you're doing it wrong".
The whole Jack of All Trades thing falls a bit once you think about how different skills feed into each other. Become a better cinematographer? It feeds back into RUclips video making. Become more involve in travel? That feeds into Photography. In fact, in bringing this outside perspectives can take ones work and art to the next level. It pushes you to new places. At the end of the day, success should not be about being a complete master in the field, but being at the level where you can achieve the work you set out to make.
Such a good point!
I can totally relate to this video Roman 👍. I've been a "Jack of all Trades" all my life and since getting into photography and now videography too, I'm trying to be equally versatile in what has now become my favourite hobby.
Totally agree with your advice! I've been doing many different types of photography since getting into it 2 years ago and as a result, I've been offered jobs as a photographer/videographer for surfing, tennis, dressage and maybe weddings next year. Therefore, I definitely think you're giving the correct advice here 👍.
On a side note, thank you for helping me make my decision to upgrade from a Canon M50 MK ii to an X-T4. This camera has been beyond perfect for me and is a pleasure to use. I know you've moved on to an X-T5 and an XH-2S, but i still appreciate your videos in helping me decide to get into the Fuji system.
Enjoy Malta 🤘
Kia Ora from New Zealand. Thanks for a nice chilled and relaxed video from Malta 🙂great vibes - its been along time since I've been there. Great message too. I think as you journey through life with photography you end up going through alot of the different genres anyways, as you explore your creative need. Great work mate. Kia Kaha
With you on that. If you look at Ernst Haas, he was pretty good through many genres, master of all he surveys.
I think learning new skills is always beneficial, even if it doesn't mean that you become a specialist in a new niche. This goes for most skills and new genres of photography are no exception.
Not many know the original saying is: Jack of all trades, master of some. Great message in the video.
Beautiful video! And the video and stills from Malta are spectacular!
Very sound piece of advice. Thank you for sharing
I haven't a clue what I would specialise in, I take landscapes, pet portraits, woodland, street and equine and thoroughly enjoy them all.
Thank you for this video, nice to know that I am not the only Jack... Actually, I have always thought that specilising is pretty boring, and I do shoot almost anything that seems interesting to me
I am going to Malta at 5-10. Can’t wait to see you footage from there!
And yet you are one of the best photography RUclipsrs out there ❤
But thank you for this video it feels great to be reminded of that !
Very kind, thanks!
This video describes me perfectly. I am bad at all photography! 😢
Saw the bricks outside your window, immediately thought you're in Malta
This! Being a Photographer means to me not being a machine that is perfect at one certain genre - if there is an artistic approach there always should be a bit of your own personality in your works and that includes all the other aspects in life. Otherwise we all could leave the job to AI :D Great video, Roman! I hope this reaches many people.
You are completely right!
Related to this topic, check out the book "Range" by David Epstein. It is about how generalists are actually incredibly succesful despite common belief.
Dude, closing in on that 100k sub milestone. Congrats!
Such great advice Roman, you've got a very wise old head on those young shoulders 👍
The Jack of all trades is master of none, but often times better than a mast of one.
I think that’s the original quote. Or at least someone’s version of the original.
Good video and advice for people. 95% of people are not special and will not be anything more than normal/ordinary. My advice for anyone who wants to dedicate their life to something like acting, music, etc don't get married or have kids. If everything else in your life comes second to your career why do you think that you will back off the pursuit and focus on them. Enjoy life and everything you can do as it is short. Variety is the spice of life as they say.
gotta show my boy some luv and leave him a like... keep grinding bro
Jack of all trades, master of none but oftentimes better than master of one.
Great video, Roman!
excellent video, couldn’t agree more
Where about’s in Malta was that? Looks great…
Waffle away please…always enjoyable and useful …..and I never knew Malta was so cool so thanks
Great message and video. I think exactly the same 📸👍👏
Excellent advice!
You have pretty much got the street photography tied down. The rest is a bonus for you.
Portra 160 or another Recipe ? Superbes tes photos 👍📸
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
"a vision journey of a Life"... ❤
See ya, blue skies 🤙🏻🍀📸
"i want to restore a house", "i want to start a family", "i want a chilled life". Erm, I think that you need to choose two. Bringing up a family and living in a building site isn't very chilled.
Great video / message
Great Advice mate 👌
I wanna be an Instagram photographer.( sarcasm) I agree life before photography. My current goal is to be better at portrait but I dont know how to improve. I cant get soul of people.
Wise words
Except for the accent, you sound like me. I see photos every where I look. They're rarely in the same niche. I shoot them. I can't help myself.
Name an athlete in the past 20 years that was one of the greatest in TWO sports.
Master Fox 🦊 ✨✨✨✨✨✨🙋
Agreed 😎👏
Hi Roman ! Always enjoy your video offerings ... I just wish you and other youtubers would realize how annoying and distracting all that hand-waving is to the viewers. Cheers !
haha just don't say that to an Italian.
Jokes aside, many people especially from the Mediterranean use hands while they speak. Speaking without hands is like covering your mouth with duck tape then trying to talk.
I partly grew up in the Mediterranean and I'd rather delete this channel than speak without moving my hands.
Talent Stack. Instead of specialized in a single area-combining a series of unique skills creates a new category of proficiency. It’s about the unique combination of skills and how you mix and match your perspective(s) that separates you from everyone. A lesson from Scott Adams.
This is the best photography advice i have heard in quite a while 😍 Thanks Roman for this 🫶