An inspiring, educational, and practical book about philosophy and art, and finding a personally meaningful life.

In Be Extraordinary: Philosophical Advice for Photographic and Other Artists, Guy shares his knowledge of philosophy and art, then offers advice on how to implement it into your own work. In the first part, “Foundations,” Guy lays out a conceptual framework for the book with short essays about philosophy and art. In the second part, “Practical Advice,” he offers a series of brief essays aiming to enable and empower you to apply the foundational philosophies to your own life and work. Together, the two parts demonstrate how Guy has carefully fashioned his own perspective on philosophy, art, and life, and offer you a set of tools for finding your own path.

Teacher, philosopher, and author Guy Tal has written several best-selling books on photography, creativity, and expression. While it would be understandable to label Guy a “photographer,” it is more accurate to call him a philosopher and artist who has forged a creative life on his own terms: a life shaped by his love of nature, his interest in science and philosophy, his individualistic temperament, and his desire to create art that is expressive and significant in the ways most meaningful to him.

This is not a how-to book of techniques and tips. The goal of the book is to make you think, to pose hard questions, to challenge you to question common beliefs and attitudes, to nudge you out of your comfort zone, and to help you find the courage to become who you—and only you—are. And in so doing, to create a life and art that is meaningful in the deepest ways that life and art can be meaningful, which is to say: meaningful to you.

Table Of Contents:

• Preface
• Introduction
• FOUNDATIONS
• PART I: Foundations
• The (Current) Problems of Philosophy
• Stoicism and Existentialism
• Dening Art
• Photography and Art
• Become a Philosopher
• PRACTICAL ADVICE
• PART II: Become Who You Are
• Know Thyself
• Become a More Complex Person
• Become a More Interested Person
• Learn about Art
• Be Open
• Be Daring
• Train Your Brain
• Rank Your Motivations
• Form Good Habits
• Set Priorities
• Dont Be Boring
• Be Creatively Promiscuous
• PART III: Live as You Are
• Memento Mori
• Amor Fati
• Experience First
• Set Vague Goals
• Dont Be Lazy
• Be in The World
• Leave the Cave
• Make Wise Choices
• Beware of Expectations
• Challenge Yourself
• Embrace Failure
• Interview Yourself
• Be Vigilant
• Dont Plan Too Much
• REST Often
• Persevere the Dismal Moods
• PART IV: Express Who You Are
• Create for Yourself
• Find Your Process
• Work to Live
• Make, Dont Take
• Keep a Journal
• Create Your Workspace
• Be Reverent
• Be Part of The Story
• Be Dignied
• Be Serious
• Be an Adventurer
• Dare to Care
• Regret the Right Thing
• Find, Dont Seek
• Dont Tilt at Windmills
• Dont Get Overwhelmed
• Dont Get Too Comfortable
• Be Extraordinary
• Epilogue

Specs:

Author: Guy Tal
Publish Date: November 26, 2024
Format: Hard Cover
Publisher: Rocky Nook
Language: English
Book Size: 6.9 x 0.3 x 8.8 inches
Pages: 248
ISBN: 9798888142042

In The Box:

Be Extraordinary: Philosophical Advice for Photographic and Other Artists