Leibovitz Urges FIT Grads to Take Chances-WWD

There was a cool article in WWD today featuring the words of Annie Leibovitz, I think anyone striving, (whether in photography or not) will like this:

http://www.wwd.com/media-news/leibovitz-urges-fit-grads-to-take-chances-2141201?src=rss/media/20090520


“When I am asked about my work, I try to explain there is no mystery involved. It is work. Things happen all the time that are unexpected, uncontrolled, unexplainable, even magical. The work prepares you for that moment — suddenly the clouds roll in and the soft light you longed for appears,” she said.

Leibovitz recalled how a young photographer recently mentioned she was struggling with reality in her work — that reality was not enough. “It was always enough for me. I wanted to tell her that things are pretty simple if you just keep at it. I did think that you will find that reality is plenty — that’s life, you make of it what it is,” she said.

“As a member of the graduating class of FIT today, you are at a turning point in your life. Graduation is a turning point in everyone’s life. But what is unusual about your position is that everyone else who works in the worlds of magazines and advertising and fashion is also at a turning point, not just the new graduates in the field. We’re all in this together. It’s an extraordinary moment, liberating, and I can’t but help feel that you have the advantage here. The future has to be invented and the future is almost always invented by the young — you. I wish you luck. We’re counting on you.”