96. To suck at something
and why this is good
Comrades, welcome to another issue this newsletter where I share my thoughts on the creative process illustrating them with some of my personal work. Thanks for being here joining me on this creative journey, you’re awesome!
This week, I had a stressful situation where I forgot about an important shoot that I had scheduled. Thankfully, my clients are amazing and have my back at all times. In the end, I managed to complete the job. Beyond the embarrassment and regret towards the client, I’m grateful for situations like this, as we are only human, therefore hardwired to make mistakes; but most importantly, they remind me of the importance of keeping a beginner’s mind in my creative process, or in other words, to suck at something, really bad!
In fact, I’m constantly reminded of this, mostly by choice, as I like to keep challenging myself creatively. Most recently, through a film photography workshop I took in London led by comrade Nathan McLune. His teachings pushed me out of my comfort zone, thinking and creating in a way that is completely alien to me and my process: Using film, shooting in the dark, at night, and with a fully manual film camera. Looking back at the pictures from the workshop I can proudly say that I suck at it!
I don’t think I even scratched the surface of what this film can do or what this style of photographing requires, I don’t even know what visual language I can create from this style of photography without falling into repetition of what already exists. That’s why I like what thus challenge taught me about myself, my process and the mindset of creating images in a different way.
I loved to suck big time at something, and there’s no shame in it. Be it guitar, martial arts, book and zine making, and even photography, I just get into new things just for the creative process, not for an easy end result. Speaking of martial arts, two concepts constantly resonated with me as a creative when I was training in traditional Japanese martial arts: Zanshin and Shoshin, Zanshin refers to keeping an open heart in a state of relaxed awareness; Shoshin refers to approaching life, learning, or practice with openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions, even when studying at an advanced level. Think about it, how cool is that?!
If you’re in London, I highly recommend taking Nathan’s workshop, or any other workshop anywhere else if you’re not in London, the point is to find things you suck at so you can develop a growth mentality to help you in your process. Suck at something, and don’t be ashamed of it, embrace it!
P.S. I think I’m entering my monochrome period
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We all suck!!!! Love it!
I love, love, love this post and your message! It is such an important message to share.
Keeping a beginner's mindset is so important for growth!!
Love this quote you shared: "The not-knowing is crucial to art, is what permits art to be made.” Donald Barthelme.