In my book, I dreamed about a 24 hour cable TV show dedicated to photography.

Then, when fantastic resources like Photography Mentor and The B School came along, I was convinced my vision was happening sooner than I thought. On the heals of individual efforts like the Simple Photo Minute in the early days of video podcasting (as well as the more updated and upcoming AskDane.com), these pioneers have begun to create mass amounts of content to really drive where we’re headed.

Now it’s looking like another significant player has arrived with the announcement of The Photography Network.

Led by industry icons, Denis Reggie, Bambi Cantrell and Joe Buissink, this is sure to make a dramatic addition to the learning landscape. I was excited, humbled and a little surprised to be included in their promotional video (click The Concept in the lower left when you go to the site) but am really glad to be seen as someone playing a part in the leading of our incredible industry. And as Seth Godin says, lead we must!

These are extraordinary times to be a photographer and gaining access to the best and brightest will really help to raise the stakes for all of us.

Super stoked!
- Dane

I got a great question on the forum this week that I wanted to share…

“Any words of wisdom on the juggling of photography with outside life, children, pets, spouses, clients and the work I can’t/don’t want to outsouce and how to best fit it all in?”
- Ami D

Here’s what I say… Don’t juggle… Don’t try to balance (do you actually know any balanced people?)… Just stop.

Live in tension and let things fall once in a while.

In fact, just for fun: I double dogg dare you to commit to intentionally letting one non-critical thing drop this week. If you can’t, I say there’s a problem.

Stuck to know what to let go? Ask a (true) friend to point something out that objectively won’t kill you if it doesn’t get done. If it really hurts, pick that one. You’ll cuss your friend out tomorrow but in a week you’ll be buying them dinner.

For what it’s worth, I did this last week which is why I was so absent on the forums. I’m so grateful I didn’t get judged for that by the way. Fact is, I actually felt loved! My man Jack noticed my absence and reached out. It was such a gift!

My advice: When you need to walk away from the virtual world, do it guilt free. We’ll be here when you get back! That’s the beauty of living in tension… you can flex and we’ll flex with you.

Speaking of Forums, there are some amazing new communities out there that I hope you guys are taking advantage of! From Photography Mentor to B School… these Facebook for photographer sites are just amazing and some of my closest friends in the industry are behind them! They have bells and whistles that blow doors off of any forum on the Internet. They are just remarkable.

“But wait!” you might say, “aren’t these new ventures bad news for the Fast Track Community?” I appreciate the concern but rest assured it’s nothing but good!

From Photography Mentor to The B School to Triiibes to Facebook, we have Fast Track Groups/Clubs all over the social networking world and membership is rising!

But here’s the thing: The Fast Track Forums are nothing like them.

And, here’s the bigger thing: The reason we created The Fast Track Forums was not to be the latest flavor of the month for photographers. It actually exists to be an intimate community of like-minded photographers who are interested in close relationships and keeping our little world free of the Grumpies. That’s it. Pretty modest I know.

But, given the potential challenges that juggling all these cool spaces requires, those who call Fast Track home have found that intimate virtual space is pretty tough to find these days. As Seth Godin likes to say, “Small is the New Big“… this is certainly so for Fast Track.

So, if you are needing to let some balls drop and are craving a little up close and personal time with your some safe friends who will be “for you” as long as you’re grump-free, come join in the fun! If not, we’ll see you at the parties!

- Dane

I am so stoked on this week.

Not only does Pictage’s PartnerCon 2008 in LA start on Tuesday, on Monday a bunch of my favorite photographers and I are doing a bonus pre-conference…

The Total Truth tour is Monday afternoon and I think there are a few spots left, so if you’re local and especially if you’re coming to PartnerCon – or, even if you’re not coming to PartnerCon – you gotta come to this thing!

Here’s are a couple clips with some of the Total Truth and PartnerCon speakers doing a video shoot for Shoot Dot Edit last Spring. If nothing else, watch the last 30 seconds of the last clip (Episode 3) when Me Ra totally throws me under the bus… good times!

PartnerCon is going to be a blast! I can’t wait to speak again this year. My talk is brand new. If you’re planning on coming, it’s Wednesday @ 10am. I’d be honored!

Here’s a synopsis of what I’m up to… I really hope it helps (despite what Me Ra says)…

I can’t wait to see everyone!
-Dane

PS… I’m also doing a book signing for SDE on Tuesday @ 5pm, so please come by and say hi!

Join us for the Truth or Dare pre-party. We’re keeping it super cheap just to cover expenses ($39) so everyone can join in the fun. I can’t believe the teachers that are participating. It’s going to be a blast!

All the details are below and to register, click *HERE*!

Can’t wait to see you guys!
-Dane

See below for the full explanation of all that Photography Mentor is about as well as two really cool announcements relating to Cut Frame TV and your free copy of Fast Track Photographer. Those particular details show up at about the half way point in the video.

Check it out…

Keep it networked!
-Dane