how do you know if you're any good?

I want to play this game, I like my photography and I like opinions as well.
The hard part was choosing only 3 images too define me.

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You talk to someone who is qualified to look at your work and make constructive detached evaluations. I have a friend who is an arts curator at a university ... it's her job to critique various art forms and organise exhibitions for her department. I value her input and she always says exactly what she thinks.
 
So, Keith, the answer is: You know you're good when Lord Voldemort, or some other self-described former magazine editor says it is.

I love it when some of the members here write about "hobbyists" or "amateurs" or "civilians". I think they handle those terms in quotation marks so they don't have to wash their professional hands afterward. :rolleyes:
 
The only thing I know is that when I look at Eugene Smith and Cartier Bresson pictures or some great members from the forum, mines are bad and I still can do better and continue to learn. But when I compare what I do with pictures taken by my stepmother or from some arrogant self pretending professionals or artists, mines are not so bad.

I agree in part with Vladernar, but what is intriguing with photography is an amateur can by accident take a great picture capturing unintentionally something beyond what he understand, but he may not be a great photographer. It is not a necessary truth that great pictures are taken by great photographer.
 
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Not fair to make fun of non-native English, unless it's on a T-shirt or Chinese menu. (it is non-native ... isn't it?)
 
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If I were to accept criticism of my stuff it'd definitely have to be from someone who's own work I admire.

Magazine editors do not necessarily have to have taste, just the ability to fit work to their magazine. Some I fear, haven't a camera.

If you want your work criticized seek your mentor very carefully. See what they can do. If they can't come up to, or surpass your standards in photography, go elsewhere.
 
I've decided to stop telling people whether their work is good or not.

There's no need to hurt their feelings or outrage them. A person incapable of judging their own work accurately is probably living in a dream world anyway, so no reason to pop their bubbles.

One also doesn't have to be good at a particular craft in order to judge talent. That's fallacious thinking.

A "genius" is also very rarely good as a teacher or mentor.
 
OK. Last one, cmog10, I will just say that your photos are somewhat trendy. The sentiments they convey are those of someone who watches MTV or who likes fire trucks.
 
I agree, but a fortuitous accident is not the same as consistently producing work commiserate with one's unique vision.

EtoileFinder said:
I agree in part with Vladernar, but what is intriguing with photography is an amateur can by accident take a great picture capturing unintentionally something beyond what he understand, but he may not be a great photographer. It is not a necessary truth that great pictures are taken by great photographer.
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cmogi10 said:
I value the input of my peers as much as those who are "qualified".
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I also value the comments of people I regard as my peers ... that's important to me. It's good though to have a realist like my friend Lubi who wouldn't hesitate to tell me if she thought I was on the wrong track photographically for the talents, or not, that I have naturally at my disposal. She points out to me what are the strengths in my work and what are the weaknesses.
 
While it is arguable if photographic talent can be learned, the ability to critique photography is something that can be developed.

By critique I mean something beyond the "I don't like it" that I see here and elsewhere on the net. A critic should try to impart an insight that goes beyond the obvious on the part of the viewer/reader. This popular go/no go style is, however, fun.
 
Ben Blacket said:
... or the "comments" section of your flickr photos is left blank, then you know you're pretty bad! No one will comment "this photo stinks", in fear of receiving similar feedback about their own work!
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I find popularity on Flickr not to be a good judge of who's good and who's not. I find that when people make lots of friends/contacts, their photos start building up comments regardless of how good they are. There seems to be a sheep mentality where people all follow the crowd. I have come across many photos I find very ordinary or worse, not even really good, that have pages and pages of trite comments and annoying awards. On the flip side I have found many wonderful photos with no comments at all that leave me scratching my head. Riddle me that, Batman.

I can think of one person in particular on Flickr (a very good and popular photographer) who's every photo gets lathered in gushing comments like "you are the master" to the point where I don't bother looking anymore because it makes me nauseous. :rolleyes:

I have met a few people online who have commented on my work which makes me happy. I'd rather have a few people say nice, honest things than half of Flickr posting stupid "DIAMOND AWARD" animated gifs all over my comments.

As others have said, I shoot for myself. If others like my photos then that's great. If they don't, well, that's life. I'm not pro, I'm not selling my work, I'm not trying to prove myself to anyone. I motivate myself, and I strive to better myself.
 
Keith said:
I also value the comments of people I regard as my peers ... that's important to me. It's good though to have a realist like my friend Lubi who wouldn't hesitate to tell me if she thought I was on the wrong track photographically for the talents, or not, that I have naturally at my disposal. She points out to me what are the strengths in my work and what are the weaknesses.
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It sounds like you've gotten yourself into a bit of a good position. Good for you.
 
M. Valdemar said:
I agree, but a fortuitous accident is not the same as consistently producing work commiserate with one's unique vision.
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After reading this thread and noting some of the malapropisms this one is either a covert test of the readers or it's a 'T-shirt worthy' phrase for all photographers. Perhaps it's a Freudian slip?

I believe the phrase is "commensurate with... " but Valdemar's is much better, and accurately describes the state of many photographers.
 
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