Chances Are, You Suck

Like others have mentioned already, somebody will "discover" negatives after I'm gone. When that day comes he or she will look at them and ask "Why did he waste his money buying a camera?" 🙂
 
The dude needs to get off facebook 🙂

The more we know *when* we suck, the less sucky we will become.

Photography is a growing process, it's not an event. And you can't suck forever unless you don't lift a finger.

As for RFF gallery, the type of photos I can take is limited to the spectrum that doesn't scream journalistic/street or even 'people'. So I rarely post there.

But I know at least one time I don't suck when a person who have zero reason to appease me basically said "I want *that* photo on my wall, how much?" 🙂
 
You know the other thing about sucking is that sometimes you think a shot is great, but when you revisit it you realize it's mediocre at best. Sometimes shots you thought were drivel, look really good a year later. Most bad shots, however, never get better.
 
paulfish4570 said:
i have never gotten a like on my flickr photos. occsionally i get a comment or two, and then usually from people who also are members or rff or mflenses, which are my key forums. i must be an abject failure ... 🙂
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Now that's not quite true, Paul. I put one of your B&W images in my Flickr favourites a few weeks ago...😉
Regards,
Brett
 
Over the three or so years I've been really interested in photography I can see that I have improved. Not that this was hard from where I started. So that is probably the most important thing to me personally right now. I know I don't have the natural ability to be anything special as a photographer; as a newby I suppose my first goal is basic all round competence in photographic practices, and to continue improving, particularly my composition.

Constructive criticism from a third party can be helpful; but it depends on who it comes from. It's always nice to read or hear kind words about one's images, even on-line, but when I observe large numbers of comments raving about (what I consider) hideously overblown HDR composites, grossly over-saturated landscape sunsets and waterscapes, or other crimes against photography, this reminds me that my own opinion should always matter most.

I always have a half a dozen or more books on loan from the local library. Over the last six months I've looked at collections by Irving Penn; Imogen Cunningham; Richard Avedon; Robert Doisneu; Mary Ellen Mark; HCB; Diane Arbus; just to name a few. Apart from the inspiration I receive, it certainly helps to keep me grounded and to keep my opinions about my own images in perspective!

I think one of the things I like the very most about photography is that it is, without question, a pursuit you can spend your whole life doing, and never ever stop learning, if you choose to do so. I really like that, and hope to grow old doing it. In the end, maybe that's enough?
Regards,
Brett
 
When I want a brutally honest critique, I use a photography board that doesn't require a log-in. The anonymity brings out trolls and people who can really let you know where you went wrong
 
I'm not very good, but I think I'm slowly getting better. At least I hate photos of mine that I used to like, so I think that's progress.

I liken it to golf. I never played golf before a couple of years ago, when my brother-in-law forced me to. I don't really like it, but I discovered why folks get so addicted. If you can at all swing a club and hit the ball, then at least once during your day of golfing, you'll hit a shot that any pro would be proud of. You might drive the ball 175 yards straight as an arrow, you might sink a long putt, you might chip out of a trap perfectly. But you'll hit one ball that makes you think you're a pro for a few seconds.

Photography has the same mechanic: anyone can take an awesome shot, with any camera. If you suck, your ratio might be 1:1000, but you can still take an awesome photo that Random Pro Photographer would be happy to charge money for. It's very satisfying to think you did something as well as the best there is, and golf and photography are somewhat interesting, in being the sort of activity where that's actually possible.

If you can't draw, you'll never produce a drawing like someone gifted and well-schooled in art. You'll never throw a baseball as well as Felix Hernandez, ever in your life. It's just not possible. But you can take a photo that HCB wouldn't turn his nose up at. Your baby picture might be something Anne Geddes would like. Your funny pet photo might be something William Wegman would like. The possibility of that happening is tantalizing, the reality of that happening is pretty awesome.

I see that as a big psychological driver for folks taking photos.
 
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Personally I view comments about my photography that say a photo sucks as far more valuable than one praising it, AS LONG AS the person also tells me why they think it sucks.
 
healyzh said:
Personally I view comments about my photography that say a photo sucks as far more valuable than one praising it, AS LONG AS the person also tells me why they think it sucks.
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That's the point -

On the RFF forum I have received some useful criticism, which I greatly appreciate. Hearing that my photo "sucks" is less than useful. Unfortunately, most internet communication takes the tone of "you suck", and that is what people are primed to expect.

It probably also is not useful to tell someone their photo sucks because it features a kitten. Even though I might tend to agree. ;-)

Randy
 
I'm happy with what I do. Some times I am very happy, other times not so much.

If I suck IYHO I would ask that you say how I can improve rather than a meaningless taunt. If you really need to stand on my lifeless body to feel you are standing taller I am sorry I am not fatter so you can be taller. Please do try next time to help me learn and become better, I'm tired of helping you inflate your ego.

B2 (;->
 
Have some confidence

Have some confidence

What's with all this forced artistic modesty? I know a lot of them are jokes, but even those cover a core of truth about how people try to represent themselves here.

I don't think that I suck, I like my photos. In a roll of 36, I get in between 20 and 30 that I like, and upload them to Flickr. I don't have many views or likes, but I hardly share them at all, they are for my own reference, or for showing them to people in real life on my phone or when I have access to a pc.

If there is anything I don't like, it's often the quality, so I plan to shoot more with slow film, and in MF. I try to get better, but I like my stuff. I also plan to show it to more people, and will start sharing stuff on my own Facebook (yes, facebook) page. I won't get as many likes as cats, but I don't care.

When I look back at last year, I see about 1000 shots that I am happy with, and I am proud of it. It makes me want to shot more and yes, better.

Sometimes I see people's gorgeous bokeh photos shot with their DSLR primes or L zooms, and I know that the average person likes those shots better than my shots, and that's okay. I am not trying to compete with them. I just want to portray certain things, and I think I am capable of that.

The other day a friend showed me the work of Alex Webb. I think he is amazing, and his work is MUCH better then mine. But he inspires me. Seeing those images I want to find more interesting subjects, which might be harder outside those exotic locations where he went, but I still think I can show telling images from where I live. And if someone criticizes me, I am grateful for the time that person takes to help me. If someone just likes it, I appreciate that too.

I am still a beginner, but I think I am doing well.

BTW, another (non-photographer) friend came in the room, looked at the Webb's photos on the screen, and asked if it was my work.
Best compliment in my life! :0

In the end I like this thread as a conversation starter. I always read the Philosophy forum, it rocks!
 
I, for one, am positively possessed by the concepts of originality and creativity and how they bind, meld, or do what ever they do to create something interesting. Hasn't helped me much!
 
My personal opinion, FWIW:

You can only get meaningful critique from someone with a personal relationship who you understand and have confidence in their breadth and depth of ability to critique. You will never know if old ILeicaDude on the internet has any talent or not. He may just like to puff out his chest and pretend he does. He may just like / dislike any photo of a cat. Or, he may be so narrow that he likes photos in his style and dislikes those that are not.

You must make the hard choice if you need someone who is primarily encouraging or you want someone who is brutally honest. Be very careful what you ask for as you may get it.

Ask someone to critique a cohesive body of work, not specific images. A body of work is where one sees overall direction and the photographers thought process. A single image or a pile of individual images just don't tell someone much.

Don't expect anyone to be able to tell you much how to improve a photo. They can only give you their thoughts if it accomplishes what you wanted or not. Remember, they have no idea what happened a second before or after you made the photo. They have no idea how a different angle would look. They simply were not there.

Many who are good at critique are also good photographers but the two are not synonymous. There are many good photographers who simply cannot communicate any way other than by their own photos. There are also some good photo editors who are not very accomplished photographers.

Never forget they are your photos and it is your style. Listen carefully to what the reviewer says but don't take it as absolute. In the final analysis, it comes down to what works for you. Nothing makes a reviewer more ill at ease than to realize you think their word is gospel to be implemented without question.

Remember, someone put forth their time, effort and skill for your benefit. They will be much better than you so you cannot offer to them what they gave to you. Repay them somehow. Buy them lunch. Buy a print from them. Fix their leaky faucet if you are a plumber. But do something to return the favor. You want a long term relationship and it has to be a two way street.
 
pismo923 said:
I personally don't worry too much about whether my photos "suck" or not. I am taking photos primarily for myself. What subjects I find interesting may not get a second look from someone else but that should not come as a surprise. It's a personal thing. Its only been about three years since I started shooting more seriously and I think that my photos have improved so that is good enough for me. I don't have any reason or need to post my images on Flickr, etc.
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+1. Exactly my sentiments--and the same time span for me as well.
 
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