Is your work your “craft”?
“Kodak, like most companies nowadays, are so focused on expanding their customer acquisition through the latest and greatest whatever, they lose their most loyal customers by discontinuing the production of merchandise we have loved and used for years.”
That quote has nothing to do with what this is about. This is about Kodak discontinuing Kodachrome film processing. I know one would think “why film over digital photography” I mean, the long hours under noxious fumes and chemicals, developing photos that may or may not have come out right.
But in this profits-over-quality world we live in, it is a breath of fresh air to know that someone actually spent time on what they set out to do, and did what they said.
The question raised, is our work our “craft?”
In older days, your work became your craft. You discovered you had a knack for something. A mentor realized those certain talents in you. You studied under a mentor, they implanted the basics of the craft for you, and you went on to master your craft over some years. It was something you enjoyed to do…something you were meant to do. And if someone wanted your service, they’d would look at your work, not your “advertising blitz”. The work would advertise for itself.
Most importantly though, they instilled that sense of pride that arises from a job well done. I’m a bit old school in that, I appreciate skill over substance. To create something with your brain, mind, heart, and creativity is divine. I can appreciate the effort it requires.
I enjoy when effort is put into details. Intricate carvings you can look at for days and still find something new.
I like designs of today, but it seems as we move on, stuff becomes less…intricate. Less time is put into one’s craft, and more time is put into “it needs to be done by this date”. I mean, I understand a stone carver probably wouldn’t be the best field to go in, if you need to put food on the table. But still….
I understand that this is America. You have to do stuff fast, easy, and cheap in order to just barely keep up. We must not forget however, that we should aim to master and derive pride, pleasure, and enjoyment from what we do. Our motivation for our craft must not lie only in what monies it will bring to our pocket. Our motivation should also be to make the world just a little bit better with what we do.
chea.
~ ai. 2009
June 23, 2009 at 10:50 am
We all knew Kodachrome couldn’t survive the digital age. Why? Because it’s too wonderful, too involved. Have any idea how Kodachrome is processed? Painstakingly. That’s how. It’s black and white film with the colors carefully added later. The K-14 process is a PAIN in the ASS. But that’s what gives it its unique and vibrant look.
June 24, 2009 at 7:02 am
“Most importantly though, they instilled that sense of pride that arises from a job well done. I’m a bit old school in that, I appreciate skill over substance. To create something with your brain, mind, heart, and creativity is divine. I can appreciate the effort it requires.”
I think this is spoken from a true artist… I am however the direct opposite, I look at the finished product- does it work? Does it look good?
June 24, 2009 at 8:13 am
@iheartfilm
I have no idea really how tough that process is – I wasn’t quite blessed with the photog skills, but I can appreciate anyone who puts tough, detailed work into what they do. Sometimes, painstaking work is the only way to get the desired result.
@nicki…you’re not opposite
that design, the way it looks, feels, and performs is a derivative of a person who knows their craft.
As America has become a culture of “fast, easy, profitable” it’s hard to find someone who really puts in painstaking work into what they do. I hope that the people who do that continue to…it is really a dying art.
June 25, 2009 at 7:43 am
“As America has become a culture of “fast, easy, profitable” it’s hard to find someone who really puts in painstaking work into what they do. ”
I think so too… moreso in industry standards too. Notice how different you get treated in a mom and pop restaurant. It’s more personal to them.
June 26, 2009 at 1:03 pm
spot-on. “Work done in the spirit of service is worship.” When you perform your craft with a spirit of giving back to the world, making a positive mark on your environment with your talents, you’re fulfilling your purpose on this earth–and that attitude can transform an un-fulfilling “job” to a craft.
June 29, 2009 at 9:23 am
He is back writing again..