Coke’s strong quarter fueled by higher prices, China rebound
Huntington Museum of Art to host EcoArts Festival Tuesday evening
HUNTINGTON — The Huntington Museum of Art will celebrate Earth Day with an EcoArts Festival on Tuesday, April 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. This family friendly event is part
It’s Optional, Except It’s Not: You’ve Been Voluntold
Come to my meeting. Plan my bachelorette party. Help with this project that’s totally not in your job description.
Please?
We’ve all been there, trying to persuade people to do things they don’t have to do, and probably don’t want to either. Or, we’re staring down a painful request ourselves.
“Inside, you’re questioning, like, how did I get here?” says
Matt Brattin,
a software company executive based in Fresno, Calif.
Matt Brattin was once roped into wearing a gnome costume at an employee event.
Photo: Matt Brattin
Over the years, he has been talked into everything from taking notes at meetings that had nothing to do with his job to donning a giant gnome costume at an employee event in the Texas summer heat. (He was working for Travelocity—whose mascot was a gnome—at the time.)
“Is this a thing I even have an option to say no to?” he wondered.
Definitely. It’s time to learn the delicate art of ‘voluntelling’: persuading people to help, or, if you’re the one always being voluntold, getting out of it.
The power of silence
Scoring the answer you want starts with asking the right questions, says
Jonah Berger,
an associate professor of marketing at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
You want to pose queries that guide the person down a path that inevitably ends at the destination of your choosing. Aren’t you excited about so-and-so’s new baby? (Yes!) Shouldn’t we have a shower for her? (Of course!) Can you help me plan it?
Make sure to pause frequently as you encourage the person toward your conclusion, says Prof. Berger, the author of a book about the magic words we can use to persuade others. A moment of silence is a cue for the other person to shake their head yes or mutter “uh huh.”
“They are implicitly starting to agree with what you’re saying,” he says. “You’ve given them that space.”
Best to also give the person choices. Would he rather be in charge of finding a venue, or coordinating the food? We all want to feel like we have autonomy, Prof. Berger says. Confronted with specific options, we’re more likely to focus on the possibilities we’ve been given, not declining altogether.
Skip the apologies
Don’t be tentative or apologetic with your request, says
Bob Bordone,
who coaches executives on negotiation. Saying sorry gives the person an easy window to say no.
“I’d be super grateful if you could help us out with this,” Mr. Bordone recommends saying.
Tap in to the other person’s perspective to make the offer one that they want to say yes to. What’s important to them? What do they care about?
Wassia Kamon says she approaches requests in the workplace with the idea of building partnerships.
Photo: Courtney Bush
When
Wassia Kamon,
a finance professional in the Atlanta area, noticed the supply-chain team at a former job was putting wrong data into her accounting system, she knew confronting the team’s leader with accusations and demands wouldn’t get her anywhere. The group didn’t report to her, and the executive had years more experience than she did.
Instead, she explained she wanted the departments to work better together, and help the company run more smoothly. After the pair held a group meeting with both departments, the supply-chain workers stopped making mistakes, and Ms. Kamon’s relationship with the executive got more cordial, not less.
“How can we form little alliances?” she asks herself.
Add some peer pressure
You can build additional momentum by winning support from people who are close to the person you’re ultimately trying to convince, says
Allison Shapira,
the chief executive of Global Public Speaking, a firm that trains managers to communicate persuasively. Think about who the person you need the yes from trusts. Get them on board first.
“Now all she’s doing is joining her colleagues in this, as opposed to standing out,” Ms. Shapira says.
Giving a specific deadline can also help, making the request feel less nebulous and open-ended.
If you suspect the person is going to be resistant, you can briefly acknowledge the road blocks or pressures she’s facing. You know she has another project on her plate, or that staffing is tight. Then quickly pivot back to potential solutions. Ms. Shapira recommends asking questions like, “What would make it easier for your team to attend this meeting?”
Say no with conviction
Sometimes, we’re on the other side, our hand raised for us.
Even when we feel we’ve already been roped into something, we still have the power to decline, says
Vanessa Patrick,
a marketing professor at University of Houston and author of a coming book about the science of saying no.
Avoid making excuses, she advises. At some point in the future, the excuse won’t be applicable. Instead, tie your no to your identity, using the word “don’t.” I don’t lend money to family members. I don’t volunteer in my kid’s classroom during the workday.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
How do you rally friends and colleagues for voluntary tasks—and say no yourself? Join the conversation below.
Research from Prof. Patrick and a colleague finds that using “don’t” instead of “can’t” increases the chances the person will respect your no, and adds to your resolve.
Worried about sounding harsh? Buffer the direct language with nonverbal cues, such as smiling, leaning forward, using your body language to communicate warmth, she says.
If you’re still tempted to go along with the demand, buy yourself some time by saying it’s your policy to take 24 hours to consider requests. Remind yourself of the opportunity cost. What will you miss out on if you begrudgingly agree to do this?
After all, convincing others to say yes is a valuable skill. But so is saying no when the moment calls for it.
Write to Rachel Feintzeig at Rachel.Feintzeig@wsj.com
Tyler Mitchell on Richard Avedon, his photography hero
When invited to select a photograph for the forthcoming show Avedon 100, at Gagosian’s New York gallery on West 21st Street, I chose an image of Richard Avedon and writer James Baldwin, together in one frame. The unassuming and lesser-known image is essentially a 20th-century “mirror selfie”. The two young men are looking at themselves in a looking glass framed by a decorative fireplace. Avedon holds a medium-format film camera at chest level. The fireplace is cluttered with a range of domestic objects – photographs, newspapers, ceramics, even a box of fabrics that appear to be bedsheets.
It was captured in the very intimate environment of Baldwin’s mother’s house in Harlem; Baldwin was 22 at the time, Avedon was 23 – the age at which I made history by photographing Beyoncé for Vogue, the first black photographer to shoot a cover. Avedon’s photograph was taken in 1946 – the year my father was born in Chicago. I can’t help but feel an auspicious connection to the work.
I look at this photograph of Avedon and Baldwin and see the many intimacies of a deeply collaborative friendship between two artists, one that was forged in high school and grew into such triumphs as the 1964 publication of Nothing Personal, a collection of photos and essays exploring American identity. Often, we are presented with images of these two figures in staged scenarios that position them as titans. And while they are titans, I love how pure and unguarded this moment is. Baldwin’s face is bursting with a rare teeth-revealing grin. It’s a moment of closeness and reflection. It reminds me of the significance of intimate friendships throughout the process of making and growing, creating and evolving.
Avedon’s photographs have seeped so deeply into the cultural consciousness that they have become impossible to ignore. A great artist leaves an indelible mark on their medium, and Avedon achieved this. During my university days, I was a film and TV student, but my love for photography drove me to enrol in a class about making magazines. The class was taught by the great art director Yolanda Cuomo, who worked with Avedon from the early ’80s up until the end of his life in 2004. Among other things, they worked on campaigns for Christian Dior, Chanel and Calvin Klein. She shared many stories about him and his childlike curiosity for each and every little part of image-making. She said he was constantly excited by each opportunity, and every detail and process – whether the work was being published in the pages of Vogue and The New Yorker or exhibited at the Marlborough Gallery. I remember her telling us how he would examine the prints of his images in the back of a taxi with his keen eye. I imagined him grinning in the back seat, unable to wait until he got back to his studio to look at them.
This rigour and zest for life is evident in the work itself. If a photographer doesn’t have these things, then what do they have? I imagine that Avedon’s wide range of subjects – whether the model Donyale Luna, James Baldwin or non-violent civil rights protestors in Atlanta – felt this teeming, magic energy.
Avedon’s pictures captured all walks of life, and many of his subjects were very different from his own. In looking at his work, I am reminded that to be a truly great photographer of people is to maintain a constant and genuine curiosity in others. Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of life, this is much easier said than done.
But for all the vibrance he brought to portrait sessions, he is also quoted as saying: “My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph.” Avedon was acutely aware of how the formal and technical decisions a photographer makes when taking someone’s portrait brings the viewer further from the “truth” and into a more slippery realm where the photographer and the sitter become one – if only for one moment. To make photographs is to make human spirits converge, shutter click after shutter click. This is precisely why I chose that image of Avedon and Baldwin for the exhibition.
Whether capturing an off moment or taking a highly staged portrait, Avedon understood the significance of crafting another person’s image in his own truest mind’s eye. He understood how doing so creates a truly unforgettable and human body of work.
Avedon 100 is showing at Gagosian, New York, from 4 May to 24 June, gagosian.com. Avedon 100 is published by Gagosian and distributed by Rizzoli, $100
Petra Gut Contemporary AG : Christian Coigny : A Storm in Black and White – The Eye of Photography Magazine
Christian Coigny is a Swiss photographer with an career in traditional black-and-white and fashion photography. Petra Gut Contemporary AG presents A Storm in Black and White is his first Solo exhibition in Zurich. It presents a comprehensive retrospective ranging over his entire career.
Christian left Switzerland for San Francisco in 1968. He landed an advertising contract with Levi‘s that helped launch his career there.
The artist mainly works with analog materials. His art is grounded in classical training and significantly motivated by prominent American painters like Edward Hopper, Georgia O‘Keefe, and Andrew Wyeth – whom he encountered during his 5-year stay in San Francisco. Companies swiftly requested him to project his signature onto their promotional activities.
The advertising poster for the department store Bon Genie Grieder between 1975 and 1985 marked the beginning of his arrival in Switzerland. These posters were delicately silkscreened by Duo d‘Art, making them matchless within Swiss graphic design history. After returning to Switzerland, Christian Coigny earned several accolades at the Swiss Posters Awards. For ten years, from 1987 to 1997,
Christian Coigny photographed more than 130 personalities from the cultural world sitting on Vitra‘s legendary chairs. His pictures have given life to an advertising campaign launched by “Mister Vitra”, alias Rolf Fehlbaum, for his company.
The celebrated campaign is the subject of several exhibitions around the world. The incredible snaps collected capture the relationships between style and status through iconic figures from art and performance. Coigny managed to take pictures of Charles Bukowski, Audrey Hepburn, Allen Ginsberg, David Hockney, Dizzy Gillespie, Ben Kingsley, Billy Wilder, Franco Moschino, Frank Stella, John Irving,
John Malkovich, Keith Haring, Lou Reed, Louise Bourgeois, Martin Scorsese, Miles Davis plus over one hundred other renowned people. His book of photos of well-known artists got him the Vitra “Celebrities” Campaign.
He also worked for clients such as Hermès, Krug Champagnes, Ferretti yachts, and Hublot watches, and for many years he has participated in creating catalogs and publicity campaigns for Chopard.
Currently, Coigny dedicates the majority of his time to being a photographer specializing in nude, landscape, and still-life photography. Christian‘s work is highly sought after by private and public collectors.
Christian Coigny : A Storm in Black and White
April 14 – May 27, 2023
Petra Gut Contemporary AG
Nüschelerstrasse 31
8001 Zurich
T +41 44 422 40 69
[email protected]
www.petragut.com
Shoot Express Photography: The New Name to Watch in the World of Wedding Photography
Wedding Ring Candid Photoshoot by Shoot Express Photography Team in Mumbai
Breaking Through the Noise: Shoot Express Photography Gains Momentum in Mumbai
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA, April 24, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — Shoot Express Photography, a young and dynamic photography company, is quickly gaining recognition as a leading player in the photography industry. With a unique approach to capturing stunning images and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, Shoot Express Photography has quickly emerged as a name to watch in the world of photography.
Shoot Express Photography has quickly made a name for itself in the industry. With a focus on delivering high-quality photography services, the company has quickly gained a reputation for providing customers with stunning images that capture the essence of every moment.
At Shoot Express Photography, the team of photographers brings a fresh perspective to every project they undertake. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the latest trends and techniques in photography, the team is able to create images that are both stunning and timeless.
One of the things that set Shoot Express Photography apart from its competitors is its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Whether working with individual clients or corporate clients, the team at Shoot Express Photography is dedicated to providing a photography experience that exceeds expectations.
From initial consultations to the final delivery of images, Shoot Express Photography works closely with clients to ensure that every detail is taken care of.
Whether working on a corporate project or an individual photoshoot, Shoot Express Photography brings the same level of dedication and professionalism to every project. With a wide range of photography services on offer, including weddings, pre-wedding, corporate events, food, interior, fashion and individual portraits.
With a commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in photography, Shoot Express Photography is constantly evolving and adapting to meet the needs of its clients.
As the photography industry continues to evolve and grow, Shoot Express Photography is poised to remain at the forefront of the industry. With a dedicated team of photographers, a commitment to customer satisfaction, and a passion for capturing stunning images, Shoot Express Photography is quickly becoming the new name to watch in the world of photography.
About Shoot Express Photography
Looking for a wedding photography services provider in Mumbai that is creative, experienced, and passionate? Consider Shoot Express Photography. They offer customized packages, state-of-the-art equipment, and exceptional customer service to make the wedding photography experience stress-free and enjoyable. Contact Shoot Express Photography today to schedule a consultation and capture precious moments beautifully.
Ashwin Singh
Shoot Express Photography
+91 77381 11094
ashwin@shootexpress.com
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Indian Wedding Photography & Videography by Shoot Express Photography Team
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NSFW | Featured Photographer: Rachel Portesi – “Hair Portraits”
NSFW | Featured Photographer: Rachel Portesi – “Hair Portraits” — Analog Forever Magazine
Len Lye’s $300,000 Wellington waterfront sculpture damaged again
It is the second time Water Whirler has been snapped – first it was due to boredom … this time, who knows?
Noyes Arts Garage to Host Free Workshops for Print Day on May 6
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) — The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University will host its first Print Day in May event from noon to 4:00pm on Saturday, May 6. The event will have six printmaking workshops for people of all ages and live demonstrations by professional artists. Attendees of all ages and abilities can choose to experience and experiment in multiple forms of printmaking through artist-led workshops.
Shop, Sip, and Get Crafty at the Arts Council’s “Princeton Art Bazaar”
(PRINCETON, NJ) — The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) will present the Princeton Art Bazaar, a day-long celebration of creativity held in Downtown Princeton on Saturday, May 6. From 10:00am to 4:00pm, 80+ vendors will line Paul Robeson Place off Witherspoon Street to sell their wares, ranging from ceramics, jewelry, wood, original paintings, printmaking, glass, photography, florals, and more.
