Who better to share his knowledge about photography than Wes Anderson’s DP? You’re welcome.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Photo Tips from a Cinematographer – ART & SCIENCE – Medium
Photo Tips from a Cinematographer – ART & SCIENCE – Medium:
When Behind-the-Scenes Movie Photos Finally See the Light
When Behind-the-Scenes Movie Photos Finally See the Light:
Every film set has one. And the pictures they take are used for posters, promotions, ads, and posterity. If you live in LA or plan to visit here this year you can see these – and many more for free!
How Not To Turn Meaningful Discussions Into Arguments By Keeping This 1 Thing In Mind.
When in the midst of a discussion, all we really want is to be heard, and for our point of view to be considered. But sometimes in the heat of the moment if a conversation isn’t going our way, we can get defensive; escalating a friendly discussion into a full blown argument.
A lot of the time this happens without us even meaning to, and we lose control of the situation. We want our views to be understood. But sometimes while explaining our stance we might not realize that we are offending the other people involved in the discussion, turning it into something ugly and running away from the initial point.
The most volatile environment that this could happen is in the work place. You want to appear to be informed and articulate, so you engage with your coworkers about a politically inspired debate. This is an incredibly touchy subject regardless, so approach with caution when flinging your hard-pressed beliefs out in the open. (I don’t agree with the following example but bear with me for a moment). Say that you don’t believe that women should get equal pay in the workplace, because men have to spend more money to please their women. You could have been half-joking when you said it, but now every woman in the office probably hates you, along with many feminist empathizing men. There’s nothing wrong with shaking things up a bit, but think before you speak.
The same goes for friends and family. You don’t need to be as cautious because it’s not going to affect your professional career, but you also don’t want to offend those closest to you. Let’s suppose that you came from a small town, but moved to the big city to find your place in the rat race. When you return home, you view everyone as just doing the same old thing. While that may be true, be careful on how you word things if you decide to bring this up. Don’t use words like, “towny,” because now you’re offending even the people you returned home to see.
The original issue has now turned into a huge conflict.
Now not only do you need to backtrack to get your original point across, but you have to do some damage control to alleviate the situation that is now getting blown out of proportion. The original issue is now no longer relevant, and what should have been a friendly discussion is turning into a huge mess.
When people feel that they are being attacked or judged, they will immediately become defensive and retaliate. The conversation will shift into justifications for their behavior or beliefs that they feel you have been insensitive to, and the remainder of the discussion will consist of you trying to calm them down to realize what you actually meant, and return to your initial point.
It’s not a very good look for you, coming across as judgmental and not accepting of other’s point of view. That may have not been your intent at all, but because of poor word choices, you appear to be that way. Now others are judging you for being judgmental. Exhausting, isn’t it?
Emotions are on the rise and have taken control of the situation. Now all of your efforts are directed at diffusing the situation, and you may not ever get a chance to explain yourself.
Why do we get so defensive?
I think we all know that one person that is next to impossible to speak to, because we know that any little thing will put them on the defensive and shut you out. If you don’t know anyone like this, then maybe it’s you. But why does it happen?
1. Not feeling respected, or that you’re being heard.
Sometimes we react impulsively, or don’t realize the weight of our words until we’ve already said them. Then the recipient of our comments doesn’t exactly take it so well, and the original point has been lost.
Example: You’re unhappy with your boyfriend because he doesn’t seem to have any time for you. You try to talk it out with him, but your first point is that he makes you feel like he doesn’t care. Now, all of his efforts have been belittled, and he feels like you don’t appreciate all that he does for you. It blows up into an argument of accusing each other of not caring, and the original issue doesn’t get resolved.
2. We directly make judgments without explaining ourselves clearly.
Our brains are hard-wired to switch gears into our Self Protective System if we feel that we ar e being attacked verbally, physically, or mentally. Our brains don’t only react to situations instinctively, but reasonably as well to preserve our physical and psychological well-being. What’s interesting about our self-protective systems is that they are not learned. They are genetically manufactured, along with the other facets of our DNA and personality traits. From early childhood we will exhibit this instinct to protect ourselves.
Example: As a small child, you are trying to finish a puzzle before the end of playtime. Now the teacher is saying playtime is over, and you need to put the puzzle away even though you haven’t finished it. In your small developing mind, you feel that the teacher is undermining your ability to finish the puzzle, so you throw a temper tantrum that will nearly drive the teacher to tears.
How to diffuse an issue before it escalates:
1. Mirror the other person after they speak, to let them know that you are listening.
Example: If you’re in the workplace and your coworker suggests an action that you don’t agree with, you can respond by saying that you understand their idea to (reiteration of suggestion) although you think it might be helpful to look at it from another perspective as well, and perhaps find a solution that encompasses both.
2. Avoid using the word “but”.
The word just has a negative ring to it in the midst of a discussion. For example: “I hear what you’re saying, but-“ with just that one word, you have completely undermined the other person. By adding the word but, you are saying that what you are about to say next is more important than the point that they already made.
3. Don’t make judgments or speak about your own emotions without explanation.
Which of these sentences sounds better to you?
“You never take my suggestions seriously.”
“I feel frustrated because you haven’t responded to few of my previous emails, is it because you don’t find my comments to be useful?”
The first sentence is incredibly accusing, and will immediately put the recipient on the defensive. In the second example, the sender fully explains their feelings on the matter, and give the recipient a chance to explain themselves as well.
4. Invite them to give comments so they feel respected.
After voicing your opinion, ask the other person or people in the discussion to voice their opinions on the matter as well, so they know that their thoughts are valued.
Featured photo credit: criticallyrated via google.com
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crossconnectmag: Nicolas Barrome Forgues Today we wanted to...
Nicolas Barrome Forgues
Today we wanted to share with you the work of artist Nicolas Barrome Forgues. The French artist, who also founded the street art collective Jeanspezial, creates amazingly detailed images in a very recognisable signature style with busy images full of colours, textures, and even bizarre creatures. You can understand from his work that he’s inspired by all kinds of things, from religious art to icons of pop culture. He works in various different mediums, from digital drawing to painting to street art on walls. Check out the images below, and visit his site to see more of his great work. Txt Via
crossconnectmag: Nicolas Barrome Forgues Today we wanted to... crss
crssNicolas Barrome Forgues
Today we wanted to share with you the work of artist Nicolas Barrome Forgues. The French artist, who also founded the street art collective Jeanspezial, creates amazingly detailed images in a very recognisable signature style with busy images full of colours, textures, and even bizarre creatures. You can understand from his work that he’s inspired by all kinds of things, from religious art to icons of pop culture. He works in various different mediums, from digital drawing to painting to street art on walls. Check out the images below, and visit his site to see more of his great work. Txt Via
How to Make Someone Who's Angry at You Suddenly Become Nice (Even If He's a Stranger!)
We’ve all found ourselves in situations where someone is angry with us. It could be a spouse, friend, co-worker, or even a stranger! And if you’re someone who likes everyone to be happy and nice, then these instances make you uncomfortable. You want to solve the problem and make things better. But how do you make a person who’s angry at you suddenly become nice?
4 Steps to Fix the Situation
Every situation is unique and you’ll have to determine how to best approach an angry person in the moment. However, in most cases, the following tips and techniques apply.
1. Don’t Retaliate
The number one rule is to avoid retaliation. No matter what someone does, you can’t attack back. This will only make the person angrier. A common example of this is when someone gets angry and cuts you off in traffic because you’ve been driving slower than they’d like. If you respond by cutting them off, this will infuriate them even more.
As hard as it can be, never repay an angry action with another angry action. Even though you feel disrespected, you have to put your pride aside and move on. Make sure you don’t come across as sarcastic, though, as this can infuriate an angry person even more.
2. Show Your Care
Instead of acting angry, show the person that you care about their situation. You’ll find that angry people are often that way because they feel misunderstood. Taking the time to listen may be enough to change their attitude. Depending on the situation, here are some good lines:
- Can you tell me what’s wrong? Maybe I can help.
- I’m sorry you feel that way. Is there something I can do?
- This should have never happened. How are you feeling?
Little lines like these are enough to get the angry person talking. You may eventually be able to help them see past the problem by letting them talk it out.
3. Make Yourself Human
If the angry person is directing their malice towards you, the quickest way to reduce frustration is by making yourself seem more human. Tell them how their anger makes you feel – i.e. scared, confused, or anxious – and be sure to let them know that you mean no harm in your words or actions.
4. Lighten the Mood
You have to be careful with this technique, but a mean person can often be quelled by lightening the mood. Consider telling a joke, flashing a smile, or adding perspective to something that isn’t really that big of a deal. Knowing when to do these things will get you far in life.
Don’t Let Someone Else Ruin Your Day
When it’s all said and done, it’s impossible for you to control someone else’s emotions. No matter how hard you may try, some angry people just want to remain angry. If at all possible, don’t let them ruin your day. Choose kindness and you’ll be the better person.
The post How to Make Someone Who’s Angry at You Suddenly Become Nice (Even If He’s a Stranger!) appeared first on Lifehack.
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How to Do What You Don't Want to Do (but Have to Do Anyway)
Do you feel like your chores are piling up around you? Whether you’re inundated with housework, or you have a growing list of nagging tasks to complete at work, you are probably overwhelmed and frustrated. We’ve all been there, and we’ve all balked at completing these menial jobs.
As much as we’d rather go on an adventure or tackle that exciting work project, everybody has to spend time doing things they don’t enjoy. Your productivity and happiness is at stake if you can’t clear minor tasks out of the way. Most of these jobs take no longer than a few minutes to complete, but they can compound into a mountain of work if left unattended. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Every exciting work includes some tedious tasks, it’s inevitable.
Regardless of how your chores make you feel, you still have to do them. Having a negative view of your duties sets you up for failure. Instead of thinking of them with disdain, turn to them with gratitude. Even the most exciting assignments at work come with a certain amount of administrative baggage.
Know that hacking through the red tape, filling out the forms, and answering your emails is just a means to get to the work that you enjoy. Envision how much more productive, healthy, and happy you will be if you keep up with your chores.
To accomplish things you don’t feel like doing, plan your tasks with strategies.
Balance your day.
Use the Pomodoro technique to maximize your time without burning yourself out. Start by establishing your to-do list and grouping similar items on your list. Then, work for a solid 25 minutes on your first task or set of tasks. Take five minutes to recharge your batteries, and repeat the pattern. After you have worked for four 25-minute intervals, take a 20-minute break.[1] By working this way, you spend about 75% of your time on task and 25% at rest.
Make routine tasks automatic.
Forwarding your emails to a single address can keep you from having to open several email services. Most email services also give you the option to set up filters to automatically sort your messages. If you generate the same types of documents or messages over and over, come up with a standard template. You can still customize your work, but it is a lot easier to change a few details in your message than it is to reinvent the wheel every day. Automating processes such as paying your bills and refilling your prescriptions means that you won’t have to spend your lunch break doing tedious tasks.[2]
Make chores part of your schedule.
Block out time for them the same way you set aside time for appointments. Incorporate practices like the “One Touch Rule” to save time.[3] This rule requires you to take care of items right away so that you only handle them one time. For example, instead of throwing junk mail into a pile on your desk, throw it in the trash right away.
Do the things that require the most effort first.
Knock out your most challenging work early in the day. These might be things that require the greatest amount of creativity, or they could be the chores that you hate doing the most. You are less likely to experience decision fatigue[4] early in the day, and your levels of self-control will be higher.[5] You don’t want to spend all day dreading a task and then be too exhausted to complete it.
Complete tasks in batches.
When you tackle similar and related tasks in the same block of time, you will be able to complete them more quickly. Have a portion of your day set up specifically for making phone calls or completing orders. Designate times to check your email, and silence unnecessary notifications. Multitasking is rarely as effective as sustained focus on a single task.[6]
Turn completing chores into a game and reward yourself.
Think about things that make you happy and try to connect your chores to them. If it’s a vacation that you crave, agree to put a few dollars in the travel fund for each day that you clear all the items out of your incoming and outgoing files. You not only get the benefit of thinking about that vacation, but you also turn completing your chores into a game.[7]
Ask for help when necessary.
Depending on your position, you may be able to get some additional help with those chores. It is often less expensive to enlist an experienced helper than it is to waste valuable time trying to teach yourself how to do everything well.[8] Even if you don’t have the power to hire an assistant, you can still have an honest discussion with your manager or coworkers if your workload is untenable.
If you want to make your chores more manageable, keep up with them.
Edward Young once said,
“Procrastination is the thief of time.”
Putting off chores today only compounds the amount of time you’ll need to spend on them later. When you approach menial tasks with a positive attitude and complete your chores efficiently, you’ll have more time to enjoy the things you love.
Featured photo credit: Stocksnap via stocksnap.io
Reference
| [1] | ^ | Michael Hyatt: How to Use Batching to Become More Productive |
| [2] | ^ | Lifehacker: How to Find More Time in Your Day By Putting Your Chores on Autopilot |
| [3] | ^ | Age in Place: The One Touch Rule Will Help Declutter Your Life & Home |
| [4] | ^ | HuffPost: 8 Ways to Combat Decision Fatigue |
| [5] | ^ | NY Mag: Do the Worst Thing on Your To-Do List First |
| [6] | ^ | Forbes: Multitasking Damages Your Brain and Career, New Studies Suggest |
| [7] | ^ | Organic Authority: You can do it: How to achieve your goals by creating personal incentives |
| [8] | ^ | Entrepreneur: 5 Things Small Businesses Should Outsource |
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How We Are Attracting Fake News and False Information to Our Lives
A new phenomenon is taking the internet by storm, but in the worst of ways. Many of us have fallen victim to “Fake News.” And further perpetuate the issue by sharing this misinformation and regurgitating it as fact.
The news was once a trusted facet where we could inform ourselves of current events. But times have changed. With endless resources at our disposal, we are constantly confronted with news stories and studies that lack fact-checking and credibility. While these news sources are certainly in the wrong, we as readers are contributing to the issue and making it worse.
Perhaps it’s because these fake news stories appeal to our personal ideals, so we accept them as fact. Or maybe, it’s because we want to be the first one to share this information with our peers, appearing as if we are always in the know.
Our fear of missing out could be the culprit to our attraction to fake news.
The Fear of Missing Out (also known as FOMO) is the common condition with a pretty self-explanatory concept. We all want to be caught up on the latest news. It is part of the human condition to want to be informed. Therefore, when we see breaking news on the internet, we are inclined to share the stories to educate our peers.
The huge issue with this is that many people don’t make it past the headline. Without even reading the articles, we share them on multiple social media outlets such as Facebook or Instagram, not even realizing what we are actually sharing.
In our effort to feel superior and informative, we are actually showing our peers how ignorant and gullible we are.
When we passively take in information, we blindly fall victim to bias.
Do you have a favorite go-to news source? Are you sure that it’s credible? Sometimes when we find a news outlet that appeals to our concerns and ideals, we passively take in the information, and don’t even think to challenge the “facts.”
For example, individuals who consider themselves to be extremely right winged politically tend to gravitate towards Fox News and bash any news sources that dare contradict any of their news stories. They have developed a bias, and will reject any information that doesn’t follow their agenda.
Many of us do this without realizing it, and are negatively influenced by authoritative sources. There are three types of bias to look out for:
- My-Side Bias- the kind of bias that gets formed when you’re in a collaborative group with strong ideals. You will gravitate towards information that confirms your group’s objective.
- Authoritative Bias- a logical reasoning fallacy where you will refer to an authoritative source to either confirm or deny information. (Ex. Fox News. If they do not agree with the information, then it must not be true.)
- Confirmation Bias- blinds people from being objective to facts. We don’t want to believe that we are wrong, so we will dismiss information that contradicts our beliefs. We will limit our intake of new information that does not resonate with our pre-existing beliefs.
To stop taking in false information, start with removing unreliable sources.
Evaluate the source of information.
How credible is this source really? Why do you take their word for fact, and is there perhaps some bias involved? Think about why you started to follow this individual or news source to begin with, and if it is still relevant to your current interests.
For example, maybe you started to follow a public figure because he was a really funny guy who shared a lot of jokes and funny videos. At the beginning he only shared about some nonsense jokes or funny things he did every day. But later, he started to joke about issues related to different races or sexual orientation. Be smart enough to know whether the information is valid or whether the public figure’s stance on something align to what you truly believe. Don’t just blindly follow what he believes without processing the information.
Try to disconnect from Facebook.
Much easier said than done, as this is a deep-seeded urge that we all have. FOMO typically stems from unhappiness, and a need for attention.[1] How do we dispel these urges?
Disconnecting is one option. I know, I know. You just CAN’T LIVE without constantly checking into social media. But here’s the thing. You existed and survived without it before, you can do it again. Don’t go cold turkey, but just try to do it less. You have no idea how free and peaceful your mind will become when you stop overwhelm your brain with unnecessary information.
Search for different perspectives, always.
Don’t rely on one source for all of your information.[2] Look for opposing viewpoints on the subject that you’re looking into the get an even keel of the situation. You may realize something that you hadn’t noticed before and change your position on the matter.
Identify your stance on the subject, and look for contradictory evidence to disprove that fact. That might seem silly, but it is the only way to truly know if your opinion is concrete.
If in a group of people, ask each individual their opinion separately, as to not let them be influenced by the position of others.
Use the rule of three.[3] Identify three possible hypothesis for the subject to look at it from every angle. Three is the magic number because there is enough variation to get a solid overview of the subject, but not so much information that it gets confusing and the point is lost.
Featured photo credit: Stocksnap via stocksnap.io
Reference
| [1] | ^ | TIME: This Is The Best Way to Overcome Fear of Missing Out |
| [2] | ^ | Psychology Today: What Is Confirmation Bias? |
| [3] | ^ | Journal of Accountancy: 5 ways to overcome confirmation bias |
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