Are you a midwit photographer?
Originally sent exclusively to The Focal Point subscribers on December 30th. Want to be the first to get my personal newsletter in your inbox every week? Subscribe for free here.
“It’s just vibes man”
Something to think about as 2024 comes to an end.
I’ve enjoyed personal development and ‘taking responsibility for your own life' since I first read ‘7 habits of highly effective people’ when I was 17 or something.
Pursuing personal excellence is what gives us meaning. Doing something well, having intention, direction and purpose doesn’t just improve your own life but those you love around you.
Classic Jordan Peterson language “Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world.”
Too many people complain about the government or their neighbours or their family before working on their own problems first.
Over the years the more I dived into the “self help” world the more hectic it gets. In some ways it’s kinda cult like.
But as the more bro-science content I consume or philosophical content I read the more I’ve realised “it’s just vibes man”.
The hippy skating along the beachfront had it figured out all this time.
My favourite meme that sums up this thinking is the Midwit.
For those who don’t know about the midwit.
The midwit in the middle would represent the overthinking, hyper-analytical approach that tries to dissect, strategize, and "perfect" every single decision or action, often missing the bigger picture.
The guy on the left is dumb and naive. The guy on the right is a wise old sage.
Effectively, they come to the same conclusion.
I’m probably still a midwit photographer - but I am aiming to be the guy on the right (or even left)
What am I even trying to say? That photography is just vibes man.
Good or bad photo? Good or bad project? Good or bad technique? Good or bad compositions? Good of bad focal length? Says Who? it’s all just a feeling.
The more I’ve chased those feelings and leaned into the ‘vibes’ the more work I’ve enjoyed making and looking at.
I guess ‘Vibes’ is your gut instinct and taste. (I spoke about taste last week, have a read here:)
Especially where art and photography is concerned, just do whatever feels right.
Follow your gut. Not what gets the most likes on IG.
Since I’ve done that in regards to my YouTube channel, my photography, what i’ve been posting, the things I’ve been consuming… I think… just maybe, i’ve been a little happier.
Not overthinking it too much, just enjoying the vibes.
See you on street,
Mike
PS. Edit your photographs like I do with these Lightroom Presets:
This Authentic Streets 3.0 is the 3rd edition of the series including 5 unique Lightroom presets.
These presets have been created with (mostly) street photography in mind. Although you may find they shine on a few landscape and interior shots!
My gold standard preset in this pack is Mayfair (I seem to use it on at least 50% of all my images)
The presets included in this pack:
Embankment
Mayfair
Oxford St
Soho
The City
Inside the pack you will find both Lightroom Desktop (XMP) and Lightroom Mobile (DNG) Preset Files
Quick tips for using these presets* I don’t believe any presets are a 1 click and fix solution so use these as starting points for you to develop the edit further if needed. Since I’ve been using these presets the main few things I like to tweak is my white balance and exposure. Depending on your cameras raw files you will need to adjust accordingly. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch via info@mikechudley.com - Thanks!