Earlier I use to wait for me to be a perfectionist and then take actions but now it's totally the opposite. Now, it's Action Action Action !! I don't wait for me to be a perfectionist. I just go out and do it no matter what because that's what teaches me new ways to create things.
I tend to not create as often because I wait for perfection. I've tried to let go of that lately and your weekly prompts on Instagram have encouraged me with that!
Time doesn't wait for perfection. Feel what you want to create then do it. Be grateful for the experience. It gave you an understanding. Move on it. The clock is ticking.
Study: I follow experts and listen to them; couldn't do that if I unfollowed them. It's really nice to see that my initial instincts were correct; that the experts with decades of experience share my views on photography. At least some aspects of it. And I've learned a lot from them and I'll continue learning.
Action. Every day I wake with a sense of urgency to create something. Life is short. This means my house isn't as tidy as it could be and I constantly run out of clean underwear because I'm out taking pictures rather than putting the washing machine on, but who cares ;-) Regarding following people, you are the only photographer I follow! I'm too busy creating to be online much, plus I either feel inadequate that I'm not as good as other people and then have a crisis of confidence, or I try to emulate their style instead of following my own path. You, OTOH, I just find amazingly inspirational, joy filled and encouraging x
Action - Lesson from my Uncle many years ago. He owned a store and needed a sign painted. He ask me to create the sign and I started laying it out, etc. After about 30 minutes he started hovering... finally he couldn't stand it any more. He took the paint bush and made the sign that was for something that was on sale. It wasn't perfect, but it delivered the message.
I am an 85 year old Electronic Engineer who has always been interested in photography. I retired 20 years alt and took up photography full time. I am still working every day at my photography. I am an Action person and I strive for Perfection, but do not get upset when perfection is not achieved. I am happy when I learn something new every day.
I'm absolutely all about action. All my work has flaws, and I accept those flaws as integral to the product - in my instance, songwriting and guitar playing. I live by Warhol's advice: "Make your art and let others decide if it's good or bad. In the meantime, make more art." Thanks for your content 💟
I'm definitely an action, with the expectation of perfection. I have always had the mindset of fake it until I make it, and in my ignorance it's often worked. Or better out there than perfect, even though I pursue perfection within the journey. It means that I often have to go back and "fix" or update things as I grow and get better. But I am in love with the journey so it's ok. Plus because it's already out there I get the added benefit of directly seeing my personal growth when I do finally update things to my current level and expertise.
In my personal life, I'm more ACTION. for my business, I'm more PERFECTION. fyi, my friend just sent this to me randomly. He's a photographer friend from college (years ago). I needed to hear your words today. Thank you for making this video. :) I'm now a subscriber.
Just be. Be. Do. Complete. I came to this in my own artistic endeavors a few years ago. Doing and completing a project refines skills vital to an important project down the road that needs to be perfect and polished. This opens one to the mindset of failure as a necessary part of success.
My expertise/perfectionism was never an issue when I started sports photography because my competition was lousy smartphone photos. Even the crappy shots that I took were immediately 20x better and there was no one there to compete with. In those junior/local games either I took the photos or no one did.
Hey Brooke, this was wonderful and so great. So often so many of us suffer from imposter syndrome feeling like we don't really do what we actually do. This is brought on by the same points you put in this vid by constantly comparing ourselves to others by following accounts which probably bring us down. I actually fit on the action side and the perfection side equally. I'm full of action but also I can't help myself by always striving for perfection at the same time which means i'm constantly fighting myself and deliberating stuck between the two..
Action! During this time of the pandemic, I have been taking walks and playing with techniques I don’t often use. In the process I find myself improving.
Action FTW! Done is better than perfect. I know too many people that hold out for perfection which in turn just ends up holding them back. It's so sad. My thinking is whatever didn't work out the first time, I can always work on improving the next time. I love your videos, Brooke!
I don't create as often because I wait for perfection. well most of the time Brooke. but i am trying to change the other way. i really like your videos and your work in general.
It really depends... in some things I’m pretty good at leaning far into the actual side of the scale (oh hai, scripting, computer stuff, and generally work). When it comes to art I tend to try to come up with solid ideas before hand, sketch them out, and pretty much plan into the ground. I need to strike a better balance, because the perfect is the enemy of the good, as many people before me have said.
Definitely action. I think practice improves anything you do. I have bipolar and just do things quite often in the moment. I'm trying to plan more and find writing my ideas down helps. I have a very big list of things to work through.
Test: initially I just put my sports photos out there without any thoughts on testing. I got some good feedback. Then I moved to Flickr to get more analytics; which photos were most looked at. It wasn't enough so I moved elsewhere. Plus I added statistics gathering to Instagram. Now I have a much better idea of which photos do well. I still have my own preferences and I follow them too.
I follow you and enjoy your creations, not because I want to do exactly what you do, but because I so love the visuals you create. I am going through one of your CreativeLive classes to see how you do what you do, and constantly think how I can incorporate that into my *own* visions. I do a lot more analog experimentation (film, printing, lens shifting) before I go into the digital realm. I am definitely more on the 'Action' side of the spectrum.
Such an amazing video, Brooke. Thank you. Before this video, I was making the #1 mistake which you highlighted. It has been corrected since, both in my bio, and my mind.
Also I am working on a book with 100 self-portrait prompts. I do mention you as my favorite self-portrait artist. You have been super inspirational to me over the years. I hope my book inspires someone to start taking self portraits, the way your videos have helped keep me on this journey.
First of all, thanks Brooke for another really valuable video. Regarding action/perfection, to me there’s a real distinction between doing the work and sharing the work. Personally I do a lot, but I share very little. Perfectionism is one factor in this, but for me there's more of a spiritual dilemma. As many artists have said, it’s far more authentic when we make the work just for ourselves. As a result, I find that once I have made work which I am satisfied with, I often don’t feel a need to share it. After all, I made it for myself. If I have connected to some source of creativity that has flowed through me and guided the making of the work, surely appreciating that should be reward enough? With that thought, sharing seems more about attention-seeking or ego gratification. I have an expert mindset, but perhaps a fear of using it for "wrong" ego-fuelled reasons. Even though I would love if my professionalism could support a creative career, it somehow feels a bit “dirty” to try and make money from it.
Thank you. I needed to hear this. I have loved you & your art ever since i first discovered you. Lately, your videos have been inspiring me so much. I have felt lost for the past few years when it comes to the direction of my photography/art but I feel like Im getting a renewed vision for my passion. Not to throw too much cheese on it but I really do feel like I'm coming back to life again and a lot of it is thanks to you and your videos.
I definitely struggle with perfection. I know this, so I launch myself into action. Action for me is in creating, learning and experimenting. I create a lot more than I share. They feel like they are two completely different processes. I realize the feedback of sharing informs my process, but I'm still learning how to allow to let it strengthen my technique without changing my voice. In the past I feel that my striving to perfect technical aspects left my work feeling sterile and empty, so I sometimes feel the need to "protect" my favorite work. I know this is a flawed thought pattern, but I'm a work in progress. 😁 Thank you, Brooke (as always) for making me think, examine, grow and create! Wishing you much continued success with your beautiful work and inspiring others. 💕
Initially I was all about action and it's still true. Obviously when I started I knew nearly nothing about sports photography so on my way to the first football game I googled it for 2min. 1/1000s shutter speed: go! Now I think about the games and I plan my shots but when I'm there I'm still all action. After all, a failed shot is still better than not taken one.
Definitely action. 15 years ago it was perfection, I now have rules and can definitely say I'm closer to the action scale. I revert to "perfection" when I haven't done something before and I'm scared.
Wording: I just take photos. Within my sphere it's not necessary to think whether I'm an expert or not. My photos have been good enough for the people that view them so perhaps they consider me an expert. I like some of my photos but I doubt they'll ever be good enough for me :). Btw. I'm @denarced at Instagram.
I tend to take action more if I'm not grounded or nervous and lean hard into perfection when I'm in the zone, but if I get too relaxed than neither lol.
Celebrate yourself: initial journey is easy because when you try you'll improve dramatically during those first steps. In my mind the first 50% of expert knowledge comes really fast. I'm guessing the last 10% can take a decade. So celebrating your achievements is really easy when you're starting.
First of all: perfection. Next, I think a big stumbling block in considering yourself an expert is thinking, consciously or otherwise, that to be an expert you have to know more than anyone else. You don’t. You just have to know more than someone else. To what degree depends on your craft but more importantly your audience.
Hi Brooke, I really love your approach to photography and teaching. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm feeling inspired to do more steps. :) I saw you edit using that screen. Can you share with brand/model is it? Keep being you! ;)
I have been feeling really down. I created a new Instagram account for my art but it's hardly being seen! I'm not getting follows or likes or anything. And that is making me not want to create. Because I do create to connect and that has never seemed to happen for me :( i was thinking that I don't think I'll ever reach your level hahah (but i love you, not in a negative way)
Unfollow: I know there's experts and my stuff isn't even close to theirs. It was never necessary to unfollow them. I knew I probably won't achieve their level but I'll try to get as close as I can. In my own style of course.
Earlier I use to wait for me to be a perfectionist and then take actions but now it's totally the opposite. Now, it's Action Action Action !! I don't wait for me to be a perfectionist. I just go out and do it no matter what because that's what teaches me new ways to create things.
Perfection. Lately trying action and i've gotten good and not so good results. It's a surprise.
I tend towards action, but always strive to put out the best work I can. Even if nobody appreciates it.
I tend to not create as often because I wait for perfection. I've tried to let go of that lately and your weekly prompts on Instagram have encouraged me with that!
Time doesn't wait for perfection. Feel what you want to create then do it. Be grateful for the experience. It gave you an understanding. Move on it. The clock is ticking.
Perfection with a little bit of action on the way.
Study: I follow experts and listen to them; couldn't do that if I unfollowed them. It's really nice to see that my initial instincts were correct; that the experts with decades of experience share my views on photography. At least some aspects of it. And I've learned a lot from them and I'll continue learning.
Action. I will never be perfect but I will strive to keep learning 😊
Releasing my work has been a downfall of mine. Not recently though! Thank you for the encouragement. I posted a "failure" of mine today. Feeling it.
Action. Every day I wake with a sense of urgency to create something. Life is short. This means my house isn't as tidy as it could be and I constantly run out of clean underwear because I'm out taking pictures rather than putting the washing machine on, but who cares ;-) Regarding following people, you are the only photographer I follow! I'm too busy creating to be online much, plus I either feel inadequate that I'm not as good as other people and then have a crisis of confidence, or I try to emulate their style instead of following my own path. You, OTOH, I just find amazingly inspirational, joy filled and encouraging x
Action - Lesson from my Uncle many years ago. He owned a store and needed a sign painted. He ask me to create the sign and I started laying it out, etc. After about 30 minutes he started hovering... finally he couldn't stand it any more. He took the paint bush and made the sign that was for something that was on sale. It wasn't perfect, but it delivered the message.
I am an 85 year old Electronic Engineer who has always been interested in photography. I retired 20 years alt and took up photography full time. I am still working every day at my photography. I am an Action person and I strive for Perfection, but do not get upset when perfection is not achieved. I am happy when I learn something new every day.
I'm absolutely all about action. All my work has flaws, and I accept those flaws as integral to the product - in my instance, songwriting and guitar playing.
I live by Warhol's advice: "Make your art and let others decide if it's good or bad. In the meantime, make more art."
Thanks for your content 💟
I'm definitely an action, with the expectation of perfection. I have always had the mindset of fake it until I make it, and in my ignorance it's often worked. Or better out there than perfect, even though I pursue perfection within the journey. It means that I often have to go back and "fix" or update things as I grow and get better. But I am in love with the journey so it's ok. Plus because it's already out there I get the added benefit of directly seeing my personal growth when I do finally update things to my current level and expertise.
In my personal life, I'm more ACTION. for my business, I'm more PERFECTION.
fyi, my friend just sent this to me randomly. He's a photographer friend from college (years ago). I needed to hear your words today. Thank you for making this video. :) I'm now a subscriber.
Action for sure! I have never been a perfectionist, I am way too impatient to get on to whatever comes next.
Just be. Be.
Do. Complete.
I came to this in my own artistic endeavors a few years ago.
Doing and completing a project refines skills vital to an important project down the road that needs to be perfect and polished. This opens one to the mindset of failure as a necessary part of success.
Perfection, but working on changing that.
Perfection. It's been my downfall for years. Would love to break through that block and take more action.
My expertise/perfectionism was never an issue when I started sports photography because my competition was lousy smartphone photos. Even the crappy shots that I took were immediately 20x better and there was no one there to compete with. In those junior/local games either I took the photos or no one did.
I tend to action nowadays, but it was not like that before. I realized I don't have time for perfection.
Hey Brooke, this was wonderful and so great. So often so many of us suffer from imposter syndrome feeling like we don't really do what we actually do. This is brought on by the same points you put in this vid by constantly comparing ourselves to others by following accounts which probably bring us down. I actually fit on the action side and the perfection side equally. I'm full of action but also I can't help myself by always striving for perfection at the same time which means i'm constantly fighting myself and deliberating stuck between the two..
I'm definetely on the action-side :D
Definitely tend towards action. In recovery they say "progress not perfection".
Can't do without Brooke :)
Action! During this time of the pandemic, I have been taking walks and playing with techniques I don’t often use. In the process I find myself improving.
I would say that I do take action, quite often, but then I slide down to the perfectionist side of the scale when I begin to edit and/or go to share.
Action FTW! Done is better than perfect. I know too many people that hold out for perfection which in turn just ends up holding them back. It's so sad. My thinking is whatever didn't work out the first time, I can always work on improving the next time. I love your videos, Brooke!
I don't create as often because I wait for perfection. well most of the time Brooke. but i am trying to change the other way. i really like your videos and your work in general.
Action, and hope for best 😬
It really depends... in some things I’m pretty good at leaning far into the actual side of the scale (oh hai, scripting, computer stuff, and generally work). When it comes to art I tend to try to come up with solid ideas before hand, sketch them out, and pretty much plan into the ground.
I need to strike a better balance, because the perfect is the enemy of the good, as many people before me have said.
I lean towards perfection or is it more a fear of failure (if i'm honest) that is the problem I have. These traits maybe linked some how.
Definitely action. I think practice improves anything you do. I have bipolar and just do things quite often in the moment. I'm trying to plan more and find writing my ideas down helps. I have a very big list of things to work through.
Test: initially I just put my sports photos out there without any thoughts on testing. I got some good feedback. Then I moved to Flickr to get more analytics; which photos were most looked at. It wasn't enough so I moved elsewhere. Plus I added statistics gathering to Instagram. Now I have a much better idea of which photos do well. I still have my own preferences and I follow them too.
Perfection and working within to take more steps into action. Great message!
I love your videos so much Brooke, action leads the way to eventual perfection imo.
I follow you and enjoy your creations, not because I want to do exactly what you do, but because I so love the visuals you create. I am going through one of your CreativeLive classes to see how you do what you do, and constantly think how I can incorporate that into my *own* visions. I do a lot more analog experimentation (film, printing, lens shifting) before I go into the digital realm. I am definitely more on the 'Action' side of the spectrum.
It's a permaculture mindset - observe -> take action -> review -> adjust -> re-observe -> and so on the circle goes.
Such an amazing video, Brooke. Thank you.
Before this video, I was making the #1 mistake which you highlighted. It has been corrected since, both in my bio, and my mind.
I love your transparency. Your time and advice is appreciated.
Also I am working on a book with 100 self-portrait prompts. I do mention you as my favorite self-portrait artist. You have been super inspirational to me over the years. I hope my book inspires someone to start taking self portraits, the way your videos have helped keep me on this journey.
First of all, thanks Brooke for another really valuable video.
Regarding action/perfection, to me there’s a real distinction between doing the work and sharing the work.
Personally I do a lot, but I share very little. Perfectionism is one factor in this, but for me there's more of a spiritual dilemma.
As many artists have said, it’s far more authentic when we make the work just for ourselves. As a result, I find that once I have made work which I am satisfied with, I often don’t feel a need to share it. After all, I made it for myself. If I have connected to some source of creativity that has flowed through me and guided the making of the work, surely appreciating that should be reward enough?
With that thought, sharing seems more about attention-seeking or ego gratification. I have an expert mindset, but perhaps a fear of using it for "wrong" ego-fuelled reasons. Even though I would love if my professionalism could support a creative career, it somehow feels a bit “dirty” to try and make money from it.
Thank you. I needed to hear this. I have loved you & your art ever since i first discovered you. Lately, your videos have been inspiring me so much. I have felt lost for the past few years when it comes to the direction of my photography/art but I feel like Im getting a renewed vision for my passion. Not to throw too much cheese on it but I really do feel like I'm coming back to life again and a lot of it is thanks to you and your videos.
I definitely struggle with perfection. I know this, so I launch myself into action. Action for me is in creating, learning and experimenting. I create a lot more than I share. They feel like they are two completely different processes. I realize the feedback of sharing informs my process, but I'm still learning how to allow to let it strengthen my technique without changing my voice. In the past I feel that my striving to perfect technical aspects left my work feeling sterile and empty, so I sometimes feel the need to "protect" my favorite work. I know this is a flawed thought pattern, but I'm a work in progress. 😁 Thank you, Brooke (as always) for making me think, examine, grow and create! Wishing you much continued success with your beautiful work and inspiring others. 💕
Perfection!!! Great lesson in this vídeo Brooke! Thank You for sharing
Initially I was all about action and it's still true. Obviously when I started I knew nearly nothing about sports photography so on my way to the first football game I googled it for 2min. 1/1000s shutter speed: go! Now I think about the games and I plan my shots but when I'm there I'm still all action. After all, a failed shot is still better than not taken one.
Definitely action. 15 years ago it was perfection, I now have rules and can definitely say I'm closer to the action scale. I revert to "perfection" when I haven't done something before and I'm scared.
Love love love!! You are such an awesome motivator brooke!
Perfectionist
Wording: I just take photos. Within my sphere it's not necessary to think whether I'm an expert or not. My photos have been good enough for the people that view them so perhaps they consider me an expert. I like some of my photos but I doubt they'll ever be good enough for me :). Btw. I'm @denarced at Instagram.
Struggle with Imposter syndrome, so I lean against perfection (I am sorry to say). But I work to become a recovering perfectionst! :)
I think if you wait for perfection your journey will never end.
Mostly action 😊💕
Hey Brooke !! I miss the subtitles. They helped me a lot! Could it come back? ^-^
I tend to take action more if I'm not grounded or nervous and lean hard into perfection when I'm in the zone, but if I get too relaxed than neither lol.
Celebrate yourself: initial journey is easy because when you try you'll improve dramatically during those first steps. In my mind the first 50% of expert knowledge comes really fast. I'm guessing the last 10% can take a decade. So celebrating your achievements is really easy when you're starting.
Perfection
First of all: perfection. Next, I think a big stumbling block in considering yourself an expert is thinking, consciously or otherwise, that to be an expert you have to know more than anyone else. You don’t. You just have to know more than someone else. To what degree depends on your craft but more importantly your audience.
Action
Hi Brooke, I really love your approach to photography and teaching. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm feeling inspired to do more steps. :)
I saw you edit using that screen. Can you share with brand/model is it?
Keep being you! ;)
Perfection - it has blocked me for years.
Perfection 😏
I have been feeling really down. I created a new Instagram account for my art but it's hardly being seen! I'm not getting follows or likes or anything. And that is making me not want to create. Because I do create to connect and that has never seemed to happen for me :( i was thinking that I don't think I'll ever reach your level hahah (but i love you, not in a negative way)
tofu. yum!
New video 💖💖😍😍😍
Your teaching very nice
Action!!!!!❤️
Haahah, first.
Hello Brooke :)
you are so inspirational - big like because you are vegan
Unfortunately I tend to be towards perfection. It can lead to procrastination
How you can look younger in every new video?
Unfollow: I know there's experts and my stuff isn't even close to theirs. It was never necessary to unfollow them. I knew I probably won't achieve their level but I'll try to get as close as I can. In my own style of course.
Perfection
Action
Perfection