{"id":31802,"date":"2016-09-28T02:00:46","date_gmt":"2016-09-28T09:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=31802"},"modified":"2016-09-25T19:54:29","modified_gmt":"2016-09-26T02:54:29","slug":"7-principles-elon-musk-can-teach-photographers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/28\/7-principles-elon-musk-can-teach-photographers\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Principles Elon Musk Can Teach You About Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Portrait
Portrait of Elon Musk \u00c2\u00a9 Dan Winters \/ Esquire<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

I often get the biggest inspiration in my photography and life from non-photographers. Why? I feel that photography is such a tiny field of art, and we can learn so much from outside fields. As photographers, I think we are often constricted. I think to really self-realize your talents, skills, and visions in photography \u00e2\u20ac\u201d you should seek outside inspiration.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

One of my biggest mentors and guides at the moment is Elon Musk. Not because he is a billionaire, but from his work ethic and passion to help humanity. I almost see him as a more self-realized Steve Jobs, who has revolutionized (even more) fields than Jobs himself.<\/p>\n

What are some lessons we can learn from Elon Musk, and apply it to our photography? Here are some things that he has taught me:<\/p>\n

1. Create what is useful to others<\/h2>\n
\"Lansing,
Lansing, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I once read something like, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153To make a billion dollars, figure out how you can help a billion people.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Many people get confused. They think that to become \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rich\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153successful\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is to have great marketing tactics, to have really good connections, and to squeeze people for all their money.<\/p>\n

However the way to really become \u00e2\u20ac\u0153successful\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is to create massive value for other people. To create something that will inspire, uplift, and empower others. To create things that are very useful.<\/p>\n

Elon Musk taught me to think about the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153utility delta<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of something\u00e2\u20ac\u201d to compare the usefulness of something versus what already exists.<\/p>\n

For example, if you see something in the world that you think sucks \u00e2\u20ac\u201d think of how you can make it 10x better. You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to seek a subtle change or improvement; you want to create something radically more useful.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, Elon Musk has challenged me to think about how to best help humanity. While Elon Musk is trying to save the world through sustainable energy and inter-planetary travel, I have more humble endeavors \u00e2\u20ac\u201d to help empower as many photographers as I can.<\/p>\n

One of the big mistakes that many people and companies make is that they get distracted. They don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what to focus on. Elon Musk encourages us to focus on \u00e2\u20ac\u0153signal over noise\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d the concept that we need to focus on what is truly important (signal), and we need to ignore distractions and trivial things (noise):<\/p>\n

\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Focus on signal over noise. A lot of companies get confused. They spend a lot of money on things that don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t actually make the product better. So, for example, at Tesla, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never spent any money on advertising. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve put all the money into R and D and manufacturing and design to try and make the car as good as possible.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d – Elon Musk\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For Elon Musk, what he did differently from other car companies is they aim to make the best car possible, rather than making new versions for the sakes of sales. While other big car companies are pouring in tons of money into marketing and advertising, Tesla is using that money to improve their cars.<\/p>\n

So for Elon Musk, the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153signal\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is making a better product. The \u00e2\u20ac\u0153noise\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is advertising and marketing.<\/p>\n

Elon Musk expands on this idea:<\/p>\n

\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And, I think that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the way to go. For any given company, keep thinking about, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are, these efforts that people are expending, are they resulting in a better product or service?” And if they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not, stop those efforts.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Takeaway points<\/h3>\n

For me, I get distracted by \u00e2\u20ac\u0153noise\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as well. For me, noise is social media. I get too caught up in worrying about likes, comments, and followers. I forget what my \u00e2\u20ac\u0153signal\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is (creating great photos and great blog posts).<\/p>\n

So for us as photographers, here are some other forms of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153noise\u00e2\u20ac\u009d which distract us:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Wanting to buy a new camera or lens<\/li>\n
  • Wasting time on gear-review sites, tech blogs, camera rumor sites<\/li>\n
  • Wasting too much time on social media, seeking to get more likes, followers, comments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    However if we actually want to create value, we need to focus on \u00e2\u20ac\u0153signal\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d which can include the following:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Creating great photos<\/li>\n
    • Creating great photo-related content (blog posts, videos, books)<\/li>\n
    • Creating a community of like-minded photographers, that will empower one another<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The key word as photographers we need to always think of is: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153value<\/strong>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d How do we create value for others?<\/p>\n

      If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a commercial photographer, you create value by delivering images that bring happiness and joy to your clients.<\/p>\n

      If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a photo blogger, you create value by delivering blog posts that empower and inspire your readers.<\/p>\n

      If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a photographer, you create value by delivering images that excite, entertain, and empower your viewers.<\/p>\n

      I also think of social media this way: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is this photo I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m about to upload going to deliver value to my viewer? Does the world really care that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m drinking a cappuccino? Is this image really going to empower someone?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

      Always think of creating value for others.<\/p>\n

      2. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seek incremental improvements, go for \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcradical innovation\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/h2>\n
      \"Paris,
      Paris, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      The problem in society is that we reason by analogy. Rather than creating radically-new ideas, we always think of slight improvements.<\/p>\n

      For example in cars, there are always tiny improvements. Each year, cars have slightly different headlights, wheels, and design. With smartphones, there are tiny improvements to the display, speed, and camera. With digital cameras, there are tiny improvements to ISO, image quality, and handling.<\/p>\n

      But what if we aimed for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153radical innovation\u00e2\u20ac\u009d which were like moon-shots? Rather than incremental improvements, we seek 10x improvement. We seek radically-new ideas that have never been done before, or ideas that are 10x better than what currently exists.<\/p>\n

      Takeaway points<\/h3>\n

      For me, whenever I blog, I try to either write about something that nobody else has written about. Or I try to write something that is 10x better than what I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve read before.<\/p>\n

      For example, when I started the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Learn From the Masters of Photography\u00e2\u20ac\u009d series, I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t find any information online about practical tips\/guides from the masters of photography. Therefore I embarked on a quest of self-learning, and shared my findings.<\/p>\n

      Furthermore, whenever I read photo-guides online, a lot of them feel lacking in terms of information, practically, and soul. Therefore I try to write information which I perceive to be 10x better than what I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve read before.<\/p>\n

      In your photography, how can you apply this idea of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153radical innovation\u00e2\u20ac\u009d?<\/p>\n

      Perhaps that means to do the opposite of what everyone else is doing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      For example, if everyone is lusting after more expensive digital cameras with more megapixels\u00e2\u20ac\u201d go opposite. Seek cameras that are smaller, or have fewer<\/em> megapixels. Maybe while everyone else is seeking medium-format digital cameras, you stick with shooting on an iPhone.<\/p>\n

      Another idea\u00e2\u20ac\u201d try to make photos that are 10x better than you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve created in the past. Perhaps your photos can be 10x more emotional, 10x more simple, or 10x more elegant in terms of composition.<\/p>\n

      Or it means making photos that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never seen before. What kind of photo-project have you never seen before, but would like to see? I think one of the best ways to be creative is to create what you would like to see.<\/p>\n

      Another tip I got from Elon Musk is to not<\/em> follow trends. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t copy what others are doing. Follow your own intuition, gut, and soul.<\/p>\n

      3. Work like crazy and be tenacious<\/h2>\n
      \"London,
      London, 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      I was listening to an interview with Elon Musk and he said something like: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you need inspirational words, you probably shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Another interview he wrote that starting a business and being an entrepreneur was like eating shards of glass and staring into the abyss.<\/p>\n

      Elon Musk is infamous for being a work-a-holic. But he isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t working for working sake. He is working his ass off because he is trying to help humanity as much as possible. He has a deep fervor for his work, and a passion to help others.<\/p>\n

      The harder you work, and the more tenacious you are, the more likely you are to succeed.<\/p>\n

      For example, the only real way to improve your photography is to shoot. A lot. To constantly push your boundaries, to not settle for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good-enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, and seek personal greatness.<\/p>\n

      If you want to become stronger, you cannot keep lifting the same weight at the gym. You need to progressively increase the weight at the gym. For example, it took me 5-6 years to increase my deadlift from 135 lbs to 405 lbs. But the progress was surprisingly easy- I just added 5 pounds a week. And those gains were steady, but ultimately compounded massively.<\/p>\n

      Also when it comes to blogging, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been able to be successful because I write a lot. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve written over 2,000+ blog posts in the last 5-6 years here. Now Google sees that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve written for a long time, give in-depth information, and am consistent. Therefore they rank me high in Google search rankings.<\/p>\n

      Takeaway points:<\/h3>\n

      How can you apply these working ethics to your own photography?<\/p>\n

      You gotta work your ass off. Photograph as much as possible, given your lifestyle. Try to shoot as much everyday as you can\u00e2\u20ac\u201d whether that be during your commute to work, during your lunch break, or your journey back home. Shoot in the subway, in the bus, or in your car. Obsess over photography. When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re bored at work, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look at gear reviews. Go to the MagnumPhotos.com website and look at the work of the masters. Invest your money in photo books, education and travel.<\/p>\n

      Look at your photos every year and see how you can improve. Seek honest feedback and critique from peers you respect. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t settle for second-best.<\/p>\n

      Seek constant improvement, and know that you also want to work \u00e2\u20ac\u0153smart\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in your photography. Know the best times to shoot photography for you, and maximize your energy and effort.<\/p>\n

      If your passion is color street photography, try to only shoot during the hours of the day when the light is good (sunrise or sunset). If you are a commercial photographer, try to work on expanding your portfolio with your highest-paying clients. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re just a photo hobbyist, seek to make photos that bring you personal satisfaction, and which are better than you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve shot in the past.<\/p>\n

      Seek to improve the composition, emotion, and soul in your photos. Perhaps that means adding complexity to your work. Or that means simplifying your images.<\/p>\n

      Whatever it is, put in the hours and the hard work. There are no shortcuts.<\/p>\n

      4. Take risks; do something bold<\/h2>\n
      \"Tokyo,
      Tokyo, 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Elon Musk has a pretty high threshold for pain, stress, and risk. Yet he is still afraid, just like any other human being.<\/p>\n

      For example, when he started SpaceX, several times he was close to bankruptcy. He risked his own money, reputation, and effort throughout his career.<\/p>\n

      But he knew that for personal greatness and to help humanity, he had to take these risks. He needed to take bold steps. He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want incremental improvements, he wanted to revolutionize several industries and the world.<\/p>\n

      When Elon Musk started Tesla, it had been close to a century that a new successful car company was created. And electric cars weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t commercially successful. There were issues with infrastructure (where to charge your car). There were millions of skeptical people out there.<\/p>\n

      With SpaceX, he knew that NASA wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make any improvements to their space exploration. So he knew he needed to create something by himself.<\/p>\n

      With SolarCity, Musk knew that he needed infrastructure to help Tesla as well as with climate change. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s constantly investing money into solar technologies, to reduce the carbon footprint of the Earth, and also to power the industries of the future.<\/p>\n

      The thing to note is that Elon Musk isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t taking stupid risks. They are calculated risks. Even when he decided to start Tesla and SpaceX, he calculated his chance of success at only 20-30%. But he was willing to make this risk to help humanity.<\/p>\n

      Life is short. Why aim to be average? Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you want to help the world and make a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153dent in the universe\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as Steve Jobs once said?<\/p>\n

      Takeaway points:<\/h3>\n

      Elon Musk is changing the world with industries that might change the course of humanity.<\/p>\n

      Of course as photographers, our ambitions are a lot more modest. We are in the business of making images, inspiring others, and finding personal happiness through photography.<\/p>\n

      But at the same time, now is the time for you to take more risks and be more bold in your photography.<\/p>\n

      You can take more risks in your photography by trying to take on more commercial clients. To charge money. To explore to a part of town that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never been to in order to make photos. You can take risks by clicking the shutter more often, even when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not sure whether it will be a good photo or not. You can take a risk by taking a street photo that might get you into trouble.<\/p>\n

      Be bold in your photography. Aim to create even greater images. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let negative self-talk (or the haters) hold you back. Have confidence in yourself, and know that you were destined for great things.<\/p>\n

      5. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t compromise your ideals<\/h2>\n
      \"London,
      London, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Everyone has a different moral compass, and a set of ideals.<\/p>\n

      For Elon Musk, that is helping humanity. It is preventing humanity from killing ourselves. This is why Elon Musk is dedicating his entire soul and being into fixing transportation, sustainable energy, and interplanetary travel.<\/p>\n

      It is easy to compromise in the world to simply please everyone. But if you compromise your ideals; you will no longer have anything to stand for. You will lose your zest for life and for living.<\/p>\n

      For me, one of my ideals is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153open source\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photography and information. I know that my purpose in the world is to empower as many people as I can through this blog. And once I start putting paywalls and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no trespassing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d signs on the content on this site, I know that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve compromised and not stuck to my ideals.<\/p>\n

      Takeaway points:<\/h3>\n

      How can you \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcnot compromise\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 or stick to your ideals in photography?<\/p>\n

      Perhaps that means sticking to your ethics in photography. Your ethics might be to take photos only with permission. Or your ethics might tell you to only take photos candidly.<\/p>\n

      Your ideals might to be to deliver only the best photos you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve created, and not settle for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good enough.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Perhaps you ideals are for perfection.<\/p>\n

      Whatever your ideals are, stick to them. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t compromise.<\/p>\n

      6. Reason from \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfirst principles\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (not by analogy)<\/h2>\n
      \"Downtown
      Downtown LA, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      In physics, there is a concept of \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfirst principles.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 What that means is to start with fundamental truths about reality, and work your way up.<\/p>\n

      \u00e2\u20ac\u0153First principle\u00e2\u20ac\u009d thinking means to not<\/em> reason by analogy. It means not<\/em> to say that something \u00e2\u20ac\u0153is like this.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d It means to start from a blank slate, and to create more novel and creative ideas.<\/p>\n

      First principle thinking means to not<\/em> iterate from different ideas. But mentally, it is easier to reason from analogy. It takes less brain-power.<\/p>\n

      But we need to think about the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153fundamental truths\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of something, and then work up from there. We need to figure out what is true, and what is false.<\/p>\n

      In the example of Elon Musk, an example is when it comes to battery technology.<\/p>\n

      His critics always said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can never make a successful electric car because battery packs are too expensive.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

      But Elon Musk did \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfirst principles\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 thinking by thinking to himself, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why are battery packs expensive?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d rather than thinking, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Battery packs are expensive, and therefore they will always be expensive, and it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worth pursuing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

      First-principle thinking means to challenge traditional ideas and theories. It means to disregard popular sentiment, and ask ourselves, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is this really true?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

      For example, when I was a beginner in photography people always told me, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you want to make better photos, you need a more expensive camera, a full-frame camera, with more megapixels.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d But why is that the case? If your photos have better image quality, does that mean you will really make better photos?<\/p>\n

      Another way I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve applied \u00e2\u20ac\u0153first principles\u00e2\u20ac\u009d thinking to photography is challenging other beliefs:<\/p>\n