Editing

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When Amstrad launched its word processor 30 years ago, writers were initially resistant – processing was for peas, not words. But many soon saw the benefits of life without Tipp-Ex.

How writers learned to love the computer

I'd bet that there are very few writers today neglecting the advantages of the backspace key.

Almost two hundreds years have passed since photography was born, and yet many still see editing as something evil.

The book is the destination. The image is the goal. The tools you use to make your art don't matter.

Listening to destructive criticism

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I've grown used to destructive criticism. I've got a lot of it since I quit my job 10 months ago to pursue a career as a professional artist.

I usually dismiss it and carry on.

One day, Person A -let's call them that way- was trying to discourage me and asked a question:

"You say photography is your job... Do you work 8 hours a day then?".

They weren't looking for an answer, but to diminish what I was doing. Those are the ways of destructive criticism.

I couldn't dismiss it this time, though.

It was true: I wasn't putting the hours. I was definitely getting out and making images, but starting a photography business requires so much more than that.

From that day on, I've been working 12+ hours a day on my photography, 7 days a week.

Even though some people will try to ridicule what you do, the way you take their words is up to you. Use them to your advantage if you can; discard and forget them if you cannot.

The key to making great art

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Photography requires -almost- no technical skills anymore. Modern cameras are able to perfectly expose a scene most of the time.

That alone doesn't make good images, though.

What is it, then? What's the difference between greatness and mediocrity in photography?

Talent -as in a naturally given ability to appreciate beauty- plays a role in this.

A lack of talent can be overcome, though, by anyone who possesses what I believe is the key to great art: passion.

While technical skills and talent can give a photographer a head start, only passion will bring them beyond the point where photographers without it can't go.

Why I started an IGTV (Instagram TV) channel

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Why I started an IGTV (Instagram TV) channel

During the last few days, I've been trying **IGTV** (Instagram TV) as a possible (and yet another one) outlet to share my work.

When it first launched a few months ago, I was very skeptical. I still am, but after playing with it for a bit I can see its huge potential.

So far, I’ve released 4 videos on my IGTV channel and I’m liking what I’m seeing.

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The X Projects

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The X Projects

Every once in a while, I have an idea for a project and work on it for a few hours or days. Then I realize that those images (or videos) I created don't really fit in with the rest of my work, and discard them. Well, not happening anymore.

Introducing The X Projects, a jumble where any weird, odd and probably wrong idea I have will find its place to live forever and ever.

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Hiking to Pena Trevinca

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Hiking to Pena Trevinca

After struggling on my hike in Somiedo a few months ago, I decided that it was enough. I had had a terrible winter: I didn't exercise and I ate and drank way too much; I had gotten fat and out of shape.

So I challenged myself and set some goals.

Climbing to Pena Trevinca was one of them. The highest peak in Galicia raises to 2,127 meters (7,000 feet) above sea level. That might not sound like much, but it would be a nearly impossible task for fat Adrian to achieve.

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