Comments on: Lessons I Didn’t Learn In Photo School 71–75

By: Jane

Jane — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:43:10 +0000

how right is #72.. on the internet the critique is often positive, and you so often nedd something honest

By: sgazzetti

sgazzetti — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:23:24 +0000

I always look forward to reading these.

I’m struck by how many of the photography lessons you share extend far beyond taking pictures. I like #74 (and it seems to me that a similar sentiment was contained in another LIDLIPS not long ago, but I am too ~~lazy~~ busy to track it down). I agree with you that respect, gratitude, and simple courtesy can be remarkably powerful tools, and it saddens me to think that the reason they’re remarkable is because they’ve become so rare.

Thanks for taking the time to share your hard-won expertise.

By: Rich C

Rich C — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:59:03 +0000

Always great posts on your lessons. Thank you for continuing to share them.

#71 gave me a laugh. A few “physical friends” (not on flickr) often offer compliments and wonder why I solicit from people I don’t know all the time. No insult or slight on my friends, I need input from folks willing to be brutally honest with me, and usually not knowing someone makes it easier to pop out a zing or two.

By: The Week in Review, a Month Later. | Notes from the Field

The Week in Review, a Month Later. | Notes from the Field — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:42:17 +0000

[...] Arena keeps cranking out his great Lessons I Didn’t Learn In Photo School posts, LIDLIPS for short. I love reading these, but I have to ask, what DID Syl learn in photo school. [...]

By: Kjartan

Kjartan — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:12:12 +0000

I agree completely with #72. It is very hard to get honest feedback for your work – Even the Flickr critique groups. So far 99% of the feedback I’ve gotten of my photos have been positive, with no opinion of what can be improved.

#73 is true for all kinds of business – not only photography. It’s got nothing to do with what you actually do in your job, but with the people you meet and make your friends…

Finally – It was great meeting you yesterday at Joe’s workshop. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

By: Joanie

Joanie — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:57:55 +0000

You never cease to amaze me with your mindreading prowess. Once again, PERFECT TIMING!

Thank you for sharing your insight and your time.

By: DaGoddess.com » Answers to Questions Not Asked

DaGoddess.com » Answers to Questions Not Asked — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:54:12 +0000

[...] Valuable lesson in my inbox today. Again, from Syl Arena’s Lessons I Didn’t Learn in Photo School series (this time, 71-75). [...]

By: Jeffrey Chapman

Jeffrey Chapman — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:34:30 +0000

These are great! I hope people read, reread and then reread again #73.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:23:51 +0000

Honestly, I sent the email before I read #74.

But it still stands….thank you!!!

By: LisaNewton

LisaNewton — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:29:13 +0000

I don’t often comment here, but I have you in my RSS reader, so I do read your stuff. All of these are of value to me, but #71 is particularly of value.

When I started taking photos a few months ago, I could visualize my shots, and loved some of them. I saw my potential, and knew with practice, I’d get better.

Recently, a much more trained photographer commented on my website about my growth over the last few months, comparing a few of my new shots to my older ones.

Because there are so many great photographers out there, my stuff often seems very amateur, but knowing I’m improving, really helps.

Thank you for hosting the upcoming Photo Walk. I’m looking forward to meeting you and learning more.