AN INTEREST IN INTERNS – BUT EVERYTHING REQUIRES THOUGHT
Eyes glaze over. Faces sag. Bodies slump. Confusion overcomes and normally confident persons whither at hearing the phrase: everything requires thought. This is especially true of those that quickly want to become a photographer. These want to assist, or intern, for a short while to learn everything there is to know and then they want to do what I do! Yup that is the essence of the short interview. Recently a young person found me in. That’s not so easy, as when I am in I am in creative sessions, and when I am out, I am not in. But here I was, listening to how her parents suggested the visit because she wants to be a photographer, even though they advised against it. I got the distinct impression that she had some brilliant parents.
Photography can be a wonderful career for those who love technology and take pride in developing both artistic and technical skill. Those insensitive to the human spirit, never feel the effects that an image has on its viewers the same way as those sensitive to artistic things can feel, and so put feeling into what they do. But it does involve an interest in understanding technical things, being good with gear, and great with people. It involves an artistic spirit but requires a mind that is both artsy and strongly founded in science. Doing something that is different is not doing something better. On the other hand, those that don’t love technical considerations ultimately fail to adequately and competently control the technical, which is essential. Automation does not suffice. Images a machine can do on its own render you superfluous. For those that want something special – you better be special!
This person tried to sell me on the idea that while she has a lot to learn and does not really know anything yet, that by being an intern with me, we will be helping each other. Yes, she could be learning a lot and possibly be of help to me. But if what she will be doing is not important then she would not be learning much and will soon quit, just after I started counting on her to have a modicum of ability in a task. If I have low standards, she won’t learn what is important, and if I am strict, she will tell others I am difficult. If a task is important then it involves caring, concern and accuracy.
When something is done well, all details are important and contribute to it being a success. When something is not done with care and precision, it cannot be worth much to anyone, including the intern – who would not be learning from the task. Some business owners either choose to take advantage of interns for cheap labor, or have little problem expecting little and delivering little both to the intern as well as to their clients. Good teachers first have to know, then have to care and finally have to communicate. Interestingly, few interns seem to value communication or excel at it.
Recently someone actually followed up on something that I said. What a surprise! Normally people say they want to learn but when given an assignment or a source to follow up, they show their true lack of interest. Last week someone actually sent me an email with a link to some items and ideas that I had mentioned earlier. It touched me. It meant there actually was interest. To most it is often only about the money, or the resume entry. It is hard to fake real substance, but being an artist is a way of thinking and everything requires thought!