“My lack of knowledge in the beginning really helped, and really just made me refine what little I knew to make it work.”

Made with openframeworks.cc

Someone recently said I look like an Asian version of Louis Theroux. It got me thinking about his documentaries covering America and then, after a few searches, I realised that he wrote a book behind his TV series. My five minutes of fame also was a coincidence because I’ve thinking about buying both of Jacob Holdt’s books.

In my opinion Holdt is a more contemporary version of Robert Frank, so if you liked Frank’s work you will enjoy both of Jacob’s books. I’m going to buy all of them and Louis’ book for old times sake.

I’ve been grappling with my own photographic interests for the last year or so: trying to think about what inspires me the most. For me it’s life, it’s portraiture, both contemporary and traditional. Trying to capturing people, their moods and ambiance seems to provide the most creative and immersive challenges.

Photo props: textfield

All courtesy of Macgregor on Vimeo

So you want to be more creative, in art, in business, whatever. Here are some tips that have worked for me over the years.]

1. Ignore everybody.

2. The idea doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be yours.

3. Put the hours in.

4. If your biz plan depends on you suddenly being “discovered” by some big shot, your plan will probably fail.

5. You are responsible for your own experience.

6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.

7. Keep your day job.

8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity.

9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.

10. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.

11. Don’t try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether.

12. If you accept the pain, it cannot hurt you.

13. Never compare your inside with somebody else’s outside.

14. Dying young is overrated.

15. The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not.

16. The world is changing.

17. Merit can be bought. Passion can’t.

18. Avoid the Watercooler Gang.

19. Sing in your own voice.

20. The choice of media is irrelevant.

21. Selling out is harder than it looks.

22. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.

23. Worrying about “Commercial vs. Artistic” is a complete waste of time.

24. Don’t worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.

25. You have to find your own schtick.

26. Write from the heart.

27. The best way to get approval is not to need it.

28. Power is never given. Power is taken.

29. Whatever choice you make, The Devil gets his due eventually.

30. The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it.

31. Remain frugal.

32. Allow your work to age with you.

33. Being Poor Sucks.

34. Beware of turning hobbies into jobs.

35. Savor obscurity while it lasts.

36. Start blogging.

37. Meaning Scales, People Don’t.

37. When your dreams become reality, they are no longer your dreams.

August 22, 2004 – Hugh McLeod @gapingvoid