One year later: on writing a newsletter
Reflections on one year of newsletters
Happy new year! This newsletter is my 53rd issue which means that I’ve sent out one per week for one year. Today is the start of the second year. It’s surprising to me because it feels like the first one was sent out recently. As is customary for a new year, I’m reflecting on some of the things I’ve learned during this experience, accompanied by a series of self portraits since this newsletter is all me me me.
Something to say
One of the questions I got from several friends is how I find something to write about every week (or every other week if I am publishing a photo break). There is no straightforward answer. Sometimes inspiration just hits me on the head while I’m sleeping and the topics and words flow. Other times, I still don’t know what to write on Friday when I am supposed to send something on Monday.
On slow days, I usually just start writing whatever comes to mind without pressure on having something publishable. In the end, I find something to write about. I think it’s just that. It’s not that I inherently have a lot to say, but that I find something to write about because I write. The more I write, the more I have to say. Ideas don’t run out when I write them, they multiply.
Consistency
That same mindset of finding what to say rather than waiting for inspiration also helps with consistency. I don’t think about whether I should send a newsletter, I think about what I should send. In my mind, there is a newsletter going out every Monday evening so that becomes a given. There is no questioning whether I should send something (and whether I have anything to say). In that context, the consistency is embedded.
That being said, some weeks are easier than others. The first time I wondered whether I should skip a newsletter was two weeks ago. I ended up writing about storytelling in photography and visual narratives.
Photography progress
I’ve learned a lot about photography by writing about it for the past year. I’ve probably learned more than any other time in the past ten years of being interested in the subject. The biggest learning came from discovering the work of other photographers. Both household names that I wrote about like Saul Leiter, Sabine Weiss, Raghu Rai… or other photographers that I connected with online.
I can now finally write a real artist bio that says who my influences are. Because that’s what makes an artist, right? But really, a year ago, I would have been unable to name a handful of photographers whose work I enjoy while claiming I am interested in photography. A bit ironic.
I’ve also seen a noticeable improvement in my own photography in that year. The realization that I could practice photography like I practice guitar made me start my Practice the fundamentals series. I’ve put several visual language concepts into practice during that time
This has helped me articulate the reasons behind why some images “work”. If you are looking to improve your own photography, I think that it’s a good place to start: focusing on a specific concept for a set amount of time, finding some inspiration, and trying it out yourself.
There’s also been an evolution in my own taste regarding photography I enjoy looking at (and hence create). The shift is from order and symmetry to chaos and complexity. I have a new found appreciation for images with many things happening, compositions that are confusing, and even blurry images. I wrote about “the gap” recently: the period of time when your taste has evolved faster than your ability to produce at that level. I think I am still in it, but my work is closer to that evolved taste than it ever was.
Writing through the doubt
Given my self imposed Monday deadline I sometimes send out things before I think they are fully cooked. In the past year, I’ve prioritized consistency over quality or depth and I think that it was helpful. I can always come back and change my mind or develop the idea further in other posts. I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that sometimes, I will put stuff out there without being completely sure of it, and that’s part of sharing things online as I learn.
Sometimes, the posts or photos I have the most self doubt on are the ones that receive the most positive response while the others I put my heart and soul in barely get any attention. The lesson here is to share things even if they aren’t perfect.
For this next year, my aim is to continue publishing with the same schedule: alternating a written post with a photo break every week on Monday. I am planning a few longer terms self-assignments that I hope can create a consistent body of work that has a message.
I will also finally give a name to my unnamed newsletter.
Thank you for reading this far. I know some of you only look at the photos, which I also appreciate. But to the readers, particularly the ones who make it to the end, I thank you for your support.
Since some of you have joined along the way so I am sharing some of my favorite newsletters from the past year:
Cinematic photography: on color and emotions
Apparently colors are important in visual arts. I knew this intuitively of course but never thought about how it’s used intentionally. Recently, I discovered how filmmakers use color to help tell their stories and I thought I would try to apply cinematic editing to my own photos.
Internal dialogue: on finding flow during street photography
I wake up at 8am and decide to go out and capture the soft morning light. This is my thought process:
“The more I write, the more I have to say. Ideas don’t run out when I write them, they multiply.” So true. Wholesome to read this update. Congrats on your first year!
So nice to read this and its been so great to get to know you. Looking forward to reading more and seeing more from you.