Comments on: Finding A Decent Story, Killing Crap and Reaching Your Potential

By: thechrisproject photography » Ira Glass on Art

thechrisproject photography » Ira Glass on Art — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:07:11 +0000

[...] saw these on A Photo Editor a little while ago and I’ve watched them (the second one in particular) over and over since [...]

By: 2009, here I come « Existing Light

2009, here I come « Existing Light — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:39:25 +0000

[...] A Photo Editor points out some great things Ira Glass said about the creative process: “by killing you will make something else even better live… not enough gets said about the importance of abandoning crap.” [...]

By: Knoxille Photographer moving into the dark

Knoxille Photographer moving into the dark — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:14:14 +0000

[...] my favorite) with Ira Glass of This American Life that you can listen to by clicking here. He reveals a common pitfall for people striving to reach a level of expertise that one can [...]

By: NB Wonderful Machine

NB Wonderful Machine — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:30:20 +0000

In addition, I think This American Life is the best thing going on any media right now. Every time I listen, I experience a combination of joy, sorrow, and laughter. I literally laugh and cry during each “episode.” Thanks for also reminding us of the merits of quality content, Rob.

By: Eric Hamilton

Eric Hamilton — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:23:25 +0000

This is fantastic material. Absolutely true.

By: Billy Sheahan » Blog Archive » Wisdom from Ira Glass

Billy Sheahan » Blog Archive » Wisdom from Ira Glass — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:35:46 +0000

[...] very wise photo editor Rob Haggart at his A Photo Editor blog. The posting with Ira Glass is called Finding A Decent Story, Killing Crap and Reaching Your Potential and has two great video interviews talking about how difficult it is to actually produce good [...]

By: Jesse Dittmar

Jesse Dittmar — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:13:27 +0000

Solid video and advice. I find it so hard to kill work that is essentially mediocre but the subject matter is too important to let go of. You hate to hear it, but its gotta be done. Thanks Ira.

By: Finding all the right angles. | Contesting Level-Zero

Finding all the right angles. | Contesting Level-Zero — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:25:45 +0000

[...] originally found this video at Randomness a few months ago and then I found it a few weeks ago at A Photo Editor. It is such an inspirational video and an important one. This is from the mouth of Ira Glass, a [...]

By: scott Rex Ely

scott Rex Ely — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:50:02 +0000

@Aaron, might I suggest, “Explaining Creativity” by R. Keith Sawyer. Here is the link for the Amazon Review:
http://www.amazon.com/Explaining-Creativity-Science-Human-Innovation/dp/0195304454

By: Hello world! « TR Photographics’s Blog

Hello world! « TR Photographics’s Blog — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:11:35 +0000

[...] I was cruising around some other blogs and came across this blog [...]

By: Dave Villemure

Dave Villemure — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:14:52 +0000

Thanks Hags!

Just what I needed to get me fired up about KILLING IT on my trip to Brazil and Columbia this week. Ira is spot on!

By: Aaron

Aaron — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:05:50 +0000

Thanks for pointing to this for us, Rob. I like that Ira’s solution for the problem of creating a lot of bad stuff is to keep doing it, work harder and harder. It’s amazing to realize how deluded I have been for as long as I have about the subject of talent vs. hard work.

In addition to this and your Chris Buck interviews, I recently read two articles that brought home the idea that genius is “99% perspiration”:

This is from a NY Magazine article from almost 2 years ago:
http://www.pantherhouse.com/newshelton/a-total-of-50-minutes-spent-teaching-not-math-but-a-single-idea-that-the-brain-is-a-muscle/

And the George Carlin piece in this week’s NYT Magazine:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/magazine/28carlin-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine

By: Kevin Brusie

Kevin Brusie — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:45:07 +0000

After a break for the holidays… (and returning to work on Sunday night?) this entry was perfectly timed. I am beginning a new personal project for 09 and have been dreading the fact that some shoots may not be up to par. As I like to say “sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug”. In lieu of sweating the shoots were I was the bug… just kill them… Leave it on the hard drive (never delete, the subject may end up (in)famous!) and find a better subject!!!
Have a great 09!!!

By: atn 36: links from creativity to photo instruction | pro photo life

atn 36: links from creativity to photo instruction | pro photo life — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 05:31:01 +0000

[...] a day project for 2009. As a result, I’ve been thinking a whole lot about creativity. There was a helpful post about reaching one’s potential recently on another of my favorite blogs, A Photo Editor. This article features videos of Ira [...]

By: Coco rococo

Coco rococo — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 18:56:24 +0000

..thanks.. it helps a lot

By: Don J

Don J — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:24:12 +0000

@Don J, disappointed with my own proofreading as well!

By: Don J

Don J — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:22:28 +0000

Thank You.
Great to know that there is an end to the the “dissapointment with your own work” phase as well.

Don J.

By: Colby McLemore

Colby McLemore — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:13:32 +0000

Great content. I love the two videos and Ira Glass is fabulous.
-Colby

By: A Photo Editor

A Photo Editor — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:24:05 +0000

I remember so clear just over a year in at Outside Magazine just treading water thinking “ok this is so not going to work out like I thought it would.”

By: Michael Clifford

Michael Clifford — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:15:27 +0000

@Greg Elizondo,

Exactly right. I watch these every couple months as a reminder to just keep on going and sacrifice to make it work.

I also show the second video to every creative person I know, and everyone relates. Everyone has gone through it or is going through it. If anyone hasn’t gone through it they’re not critical enough of their own work.

By: jeff

jeff — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:35:53 +0000

This is why I love your blog so much! Ira Glass hits it right on the nose.

By: Stephen Alvarez

Stephen Alvarez — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:16:47 +0000

This is the greatest advice anyone will ever give a creative person. Rejoice in killing crap.
Thank you Rob

By: Tamara

Tamara — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:38:23 +0000

This is positive reenforcement for even those who have worked for awhile. Thank you for the motivational link.

By: Greg Elizondo

Greg Elizondo — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:12:34 +0000

Advice like that given in the second video should be mandatory watching every month or so for new photographers. I know that it is exactly what I needed to hear (and will need to hear in the future). Thanks.

By: Alan Astonish

Alan Astonish — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:46:28 +0000

In the second video, Ira said (and I’m quoting loosely here) “… they could tell what they were making wasn’t as good as what they wanted it to be… they knew it fell short…”

So true. Sorting though my contacts, that’s what I’ve been seeing lots lately because my work isn’t NEARLY as good as it should be so my camera and I took a break. I’ve began working again and needless to say it was one of teh best things that happened.

I suppose even if we’ve heard advice like this time and time again, a refresher never hurt anyone. These interviews are what everybody needs to hear.

Thank you.