Edit 10x Faster | Stoke-Ness
The first snow already fell…
in the mountains. The leaves are gone and last night the edges of the river iced up.
November is known as a shoulder season around here. Not warm enough for summer activities, but not enough snow to start skiing and snowboarding. I make the most of it by working on all my postponed projects and I have some exciting new things in the works.
This month I’m sharing a book that changed my mind, a lens that gets me close and a song that creates a flow state.
Be stoked,
Isaac
Photo/Video Technique
Edit Photos 10X faster
A month ago I went camping with my friend Forrest Mankins. As we were about to drift off to sleep the conversation fell to editing photos and how much time it takes me.
Often after a commercial shoot I will have 1500 + images but only need to deliver 20. I’ll spend days editing and choosing the best 60 to show the client. I become creatively exhausted from spending so much time in front of the computer.
Forrest told he doesn’t spend as much time in front of the computer, but instead only edits the images he is sending to the client. It saves him days of computer time and this vs that comparison of images.
Did you catch that? The simple trick he uses is picking before editing, no exceptions, is to edit less images.
It can’t be that simple right? Well if I, on average, spend say 10 min per photo editing and multiply that by 300 then I am going to be editing for (pause to realize I don’t like doing math) a long time. If I only edit 30 photos I will lighten my load by 10X.
So I tried it myself. An edit that normally takes me 3 full days took me an afternoon.
There is temptation to start editing just a few or trying to see if a image can be saved with adjustments. Don’t edit anything until you pick your images based on content and composition.
Give it a try and see if it helps you as much as it did me.
Bonus: Use the program Photo Mechanic to make your selections even faster because it moves through raw files even faster than Lightroom.
Gear
35mm Macro Lens
For the first time since I started in photography six years ago, I bought a brand new lens. I bought two actually, but I want to share with you the lens I am most excited about.
It’s the Canon RF 35mm 1.8 macro.
What I like about it:
It’s only $499.
It’s RF so fits on my R5 without an adapter making it smaller and lighter.
Small and light, its the perfect one lens for fast and light mountain missions
Macro so I can shoot details and textures close to the lens, as well as landscapes and portraits
I highly recommend it if you haven’t got a small size lens or a RF lens yet.
It turns out it’s on sale right now for $399 (a steal). Get it Here
Who I am Following
Megan McClellan
I love Megan’s understated style, the way she finds details and scenes that make me want a simpler more fulfilling life.
Give her a follow Here
Music I'm Diggin'
Recovery by Rival Consoles
This one has been on repeat after hearing it from Alex Strohl. It starts slow but moves slyly into one of the best songs ever heard this year. Give it a listen and you will hear why.
Listen to it on Spotify Here
Videos, Movies, and TV
Junk Films. Beau Miles video critiques
I love this video and as a creator I can relate. Beau talks about all the mistakes I’ve made before and what he would have done different to make each film better or complete. I find it refreshing and wise. It’s also a fun watch.
Reads
Simple Path To Wealth
I almost bought a truck I didnt need a few weeks back. The start of this book stopped me from doing it. I think as a freelancer I am even worse at saving money than when I had a salary. This book was recommended to me (I cant remember by who) and makes all of the excuses evaporate + gives me hope/excitement for the future.
If you have thought investing was too complicated and expensive then give this book a go.
10/10
Get the book Here
Parting Thought:
“The antidote to a bad day is a good workout.” - James Clear
Be stoked and have a great month,
Isaac
This newsletter, my photography and my videos are all free, but not cheap. If you want to help me continue to make things you can buy me virtual coffee.
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