how do you know if you're any good?

NB23 said:
When you receive too many cheezy comments, you know it's a sign your pics are bad.
When no one comments, you know they are extra bad.

How to know if you're good? I have no idea. Usually it's obvious... IMO.
Click to expand...

Just because someone says they like your composition or that they like the light it means your pics arte bad? hmmm.....:bang:
 
I used to be a magazine editor and publisher.

When I look at something that stinks, I say "it stinks", and you can count on it.

If you feel otherwise, you're delusional, which is more common than you would imagine.
 
You can' t please everyone, so be sure to at least please yourself. Do what you do, the way you do it, to the best of your ability, and keep striving to learn and improve. If others like your pics, that's gravy.
 
Pitxu said:
Be happy with your own work yourself first. This is paramount.
Listening to others can be too confusing.

One member here once told me "You have no artistic value, give it up".

Another member has sent me PMs praising my photos.

Whom should I believe?

(ok, I believe the PMs).
Click to expand...


I agree completely with Pitxu.
 
back alley said:
how do you know if you're any good? photographically speaking...
Click to expand...

I look at two measures.

The first is internal, am I happy with the image. Did it convey or capture what I wanted it to with all the qualities I imagined when I pressed the shutter release? If so, then I'm good, for that frame.

The second is external. When I show a picture(s) to someone do they ask to see more. If so, then I'm good enough for them.

At the end of the day as long as I have one or the other I'm a happy camper. Both and it's a great day.

B2 (;->
 
pesphoto said:
Just because someone says they like your composition or that they like the light it means your pics arte bad? hmmm.....:bang:
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. But when someone says "Nicely seen", you bet it's cheezy and they just want to be your friend so you can reply something cheezy to them, too. 😉
 
some very interesting thoughts, many thanks.

as for me, well, i don't really have a well defined response. there are days i think that i'm pretty good and days when i think i should just sell it all and find a new way to spend money and time.

i have to admit that i'd love a few more 'wow' moments from others and even from myself. i'd like to be able to see what others see when they praise a photo that i think is poor and to stop wondering why when i love a shot and no one makes a comment.

but then, there are 'famous' photogs that i don't like at all...and some shooters here at rff that i just love.
 
NB23 said:
Not necessarily. But when someone says "Nicely seen", you bet it's cheezy and they just want to be your friend so you can reply something cheezy to them, too. 😉
Click to expand...

That's a really good response. I like the way you put it.
 
Nothin's good anymore anyway, so don't worry about it. Have a coffee, keep shooting.
It's only photography.

Imagine if it was building bridges.. now that's serious.
 
I read a study once (ten years ago) that had concluded that people that think they are competent are the least competent. AND the ones that were actually competent, never thought that they had done their task as well as the could/should. So, I guess, (and having employed many people in my life), I agree with this study. You can relate that to your photography; if you like.
 
Pretty subjective subject but as others have alluded, I like to think that if you're mostly dissatisfied and ruthless there's a good chance you're stuff will be occasionally good rather than always boring.
 
Yeah, I'd agree with some of the other posters, if you're happy with your own pictures, and you like looking at them, then that's all that matters.
 
"How do you know if you're any good?"

If you have any passion in you for what is you do, any desire that can not be quenched, so much invested that you deeply care - then I would allow myself the embrace the thought of knowing "I'm good." Now To Be Known is something quite different.

Unfortunately, we can and have created a measuring stick for everything and we carry it in our pocket everywhere we go. We not only use this tangible, narrow, generalizing, incognizant stick for our own work/expressions but we wave it around measuring every one's work around us too. Looking at some of the deeper currents and things in life I doubt you will find, as much as we want to, a means for measuring let alone a value for rating and doing so only hurts the experience.

Try, try your ass off, pause to care, and don't stop there.
 
Last edited:
back alley said:
...there are days i think that i'm pretty good and days when i think i should just sell it all and find a new way to spend money and time...
Click to expand...

I noticed that you do not get very close to your street subjects unless you "know" them and this may contribute to your feeling that your pictures aren't consistently good enough.

Even though your rf cameras are small they still have to be operated with two hands and you do end up looking more serious than your typical tourist as a result of using these tools all the time.

Perhaps a smaller automatic high-end p&s film camera, one that you could hide hanging under a jacket when not being used and operate with one hand only, might help you to get closer to your subjects and photograph them more quickly.

When I use my Minilux on the streets I find that I can easily get much closer and snap off much quicker shots of people. After a series of silent snaps I just let the Minilux fall out of my hand and it elegantly swings down under my jacket out of sight.

Do you own one of these high-quality compact film cameras yet, such as a Leica Minilux/CM, Contax T2/T3 or Nikon 23Ti/35Ti? These tiny 135mm film cameras with their fantastic small lenses can do wonders for your psyche on those particular days when you're not feeling so bold.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom