The Best
Better than competition
It isn’t the camera that defines the quality, if so technology could eat what I do.
It isn’t the cost of prints or rights that defines the value, if so I’d be far more expensive.
It is not the studio that defines what is possible, if so I’d pay more rent.
Portraiture
I have mastered photography, I don’t worry about f/stops or lights or execution anymore. I think about how light travels, about human behavior and stealing souls. I can see the right moments projected before they happen. I anticipate the right fraction of a second on the infinite line of moments that crystalizes who you are. In this I am no different from almost any other professional portrait photographer.
Different
My style is recognizable and is what sets me apart. It is a little loose, candid, authentic and real. In contradiction the style is also classic, clean and technical. It is a controlled chaos and I like to approach portraits as powerful documents rather than staged eye candy.
An authentic portrait just feels better and your clients can feel it too.
I’m better than you: http://tysoncrosbie.com/portrait-photographer/the-best/
May 29th, 2010 at 12:28 amIMO only a select FEW legends have “Mastered Photography” I'm hoping you meant “Am proficient in photography” instead of “mastered”. One needs to be confident in their work, and confident in their abilities, but the same as anything in life one must push to improve the craft. Ever wonder why NBA stars still practice? If you think you're the best you might as well hang it up now. BTW, who is “the competition” anyway and if your style is recognizable and what sets you apart, then wouldn't people simply see this and not need a blog post to realize that. Anyway, I hope you fix your typo. ;-)
May 29th, 2010 at 9:12 pmMastery: Comprehensive knowledge or skill in a subject or accomplishment.
May 30th, 2010 at 12:15 amBecause I can walk into any technical set up and with little to no instruction make images that are technically exact and true to my style, I consider that photographic mastery. I also believe there are many more definitions to Mastery and that this is only mine. Also I'm certain that many future photographers will achieve mastery without a traditional technical knowledge.
I am curious which “Legends” you consider “Masters”? There is an extensive photographic history that spans many styles and opinions about what defines mastery. So the selection and/or exclusion of any set of photographers will immediately prove my point.
I am the best at what I do, I have to believe that. The point of this post is to highlight the value of individual style, and to break down the ideas of competition as we use them today. I think there is a need to because the photography market is changing drastically.
Adam just so you know, I believe you have also mastered photography by my definition. You know I've referred clients that didn't fit with me to you in the past so it isn't about who is the best for everyone. It is about who is best for each other and having better client experiences.
I'm not clear at what you're arguing for in your comment. However if your point is to claim that Mastery is independent of style- that any Master could produce any image and might even produce the same image. Well, I think that is dangerous to the professional market because when we're all the same the only thing left to argue is price.
Rather tweeting “I'm better than you” Why not say, “I'm the best ME there ever is”? If your point is every photographer has unique things and yours are X Y and Z.. then possibly a more clear way to say this is with a title of “Why Competing is Silly” or “Differentiate, Don't Compete” then a post slug of “the-best-me-is-me” would make more sense. Thanks for the props & I appreciate past and future referrals. I consider myself proficient, but still working to master photography. Your passion is being an artist, my passion is the art of my craft. (IMO)
If I'm arguing anything, it would be your sales / marketing pitch or copy-writing. It's confusing especially if another photographer is confused by it. #thatimypoint
May 30th, 2010 at 1:07 amThe second header is already “Better than competition”, which is exactly what your suggestions say. I'm confident those that take the time to actually read the post will understand the point of it quite clearly. Many people (including photographers) have already said so.
I think the marketing copy is spot on, I mean we're sitting here talking about it and you're blasting it around to all your followers. So thanks for all the leads. ;)
May 30th, 2010 at 1:25 am#robots! Okay. A response: http://tysoncrosbie.com/portrait-photographer/the-best/
May 30th, 2010 at 12:29 am@acmephoto @a_f @jamiemichelle