go for the OUTRAGEOUS

That phrase has stuck with me ever since a seminar professor explained that it was the thing to do. You should always strive for the OUTRAGEOUS when shooting.

Sure, one could argue that that means going for what is sensational -- and that, of course, could mean a slam to integrity, a slight to your audience, some selling out or some cheap formula. It could mean you've bypassed art for the sake of shock value or sales and its lowest common denominator stats.

BUT, I'm happy to report that that is not what the professor meant at all. Going for the outrageous is to say, PUSH IT. Don't hold back, don't settle, but more so, once you think you have it, GO FURTHER. You may think you snagged a nice shot of your sexy girlfriend peeling a banana, but you'll have to do better than that ................ you'll have to light a fire and do some flambé.

Point is, you owe it to yourself to push limits and explore the scenario.