Welcome, creator friends!

Is free work the foot in the door for photographers? Here's how it can lead to paid opportunities. Dive in for details!

In today's rundown:

• 📸 Confronting Photography Myths

• 🎬 "Surprised by Oxford" Hits Theatres

• 🔆 Unlocking Secret to Soft Light

• 👓 Meta's Game-Changing Smart Glasses

• 🎥 Videographers' Square-off: Diversify or Struggle

Read time: 3 minutes

📸 Debunking Myths in Photography

The photography community, a colorful palette of diverse opinions, often finds itself entangled in debates that could use a fresh perspective. One such contentious point is the concept of working for free. While some view it as a detrimental business move, others see it as an opportunity to build their portfolio. The truth, however, lies somewhere in between - the value of unpaid work lies in its potential to pave the way for future paid opportunities.

Another widely contested opinion is the necessity of a degree in photography for success in the industry. The view often limits the scope of talent and passion, undermining the very essence of art that thrives on creativity, not credentials. Furthermore, the ongoing debate on photo editing being equivalent to cheating needs reconsideration. While certain fields require unaltered images, editing is a fundamental part of photography that adds to the artistic expression, and should not be blanketly vilified.

Read time: 4 minutes

The results from yesterday's poll are below 👇

🎬 "Surprised by Oxford" Hits Theatres

“Surprised by Oxford," a romantic drama by Ryan Whitaker, is set for a theatrical release after a five-year journey. An adaptation of Carolyn Weber's memoir, the film was made independently due to its genre hybrid nature that studios found hard to categorize. Whitaker's vision to capture the complexity of Weber's faith journey and Oxford experience was made possible by a collective effort from producers and a supportive cast, led by actress Rose Reid.

Read time: 7 minutes

🔆 Mastering Soft Light: It's About Size!

Soft light, a cornerstone of photography, is not achieved through diffusion or softboxes. The secret lies in the size of the light source relative to the subject—the larger the light source, the softer the light. Techniques include bouncing light off walls and ceilings, and utilizing a softbox with bounced light, particularly in confined spaces. Remember: diffusion doesn't inherently soften light—it merely alters specular highlights and diminishes hotspots.

Read time: 2 minutes

👓 Meta's Smart Glasses: A Game Changer

Meta's new line of Ray-Ban smart glasses boasts an improved design and a host of advanced features. Notable upgrades include a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, enhanced audio quality, and integrated Meta AI for hands-free operation. The glasses also allow direct livestreaming to Facebook or Instagram. With a sleeker profile, these smart glasses offer a comfortable fit, 150 frame and lens combinations, and are available for pre-order at $299.

Read time: 2 minutes

🎥 Diversify or Struggle: Videographers' Dilemma

While shooting music videos offers artistic freedom and opportunities to experiment, it can be financially challenging for videographers due to the misalignment in monetary expectations with musicians. High-paying opportunities are scarce, making it difficult for newcomers to sustain a career solely in this genre. Diversifying into commercial work, sports content, and collaborations with foundations can offer stable financial rewards.

Read time: 2 minutes

THAT’S A WRAP

Results from yesterday’s poll

The question: Do you support the WGA's decision to ban AI in scriptwriting process?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes ✅ (50%)

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ No ❌ (33.3%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Uncertain 🤷‍♂️ (16.7%)