One of the most important ways of learning and developing ones skills as a photographer, or indeed any other profession, is to be critiqued. Unfortunately, in the professional photography industry, there aren't that many people to be critiqued by.
It's not that there aren't plenty of people out there with an opinion, far from it! But you won't learn much if all people are doing is praising you all the time, (your mum is genetically programmed to think you're amazing!). It helps for people to say what they don't like about an image, or how they think it should be improved. It's also preferable to be critiqued by people with some form of photographic standing, especially if they're the type of person you aspire to be or work with.
I've been looking hard at my own portfolio lately with a view to improving it so I can get the clients I'm aiming for, but it's a difficult task without outside influence. We often get too close to our work. Some of our most striking images have become boring to us through over-familiarity.
So what's the answer? Well there are plenty of forums out there with millions of people willing to give their opinions. Be careful though as a lot of these people have no real photographic standing, and a lot of them will zoom in to 400% to check noise and sharpness... which is completely irrelevant! If it's a great photo, it's a great photo! There are also far too many people out on the internet who are quite happy to sit behind their keyboards and tell everyone else that they suck. Of course the important thing to remember about any form of creative medium, it's all subjective. What one person likes, another might not, so try and get opinions from several people in order to get a more balanced view.
For me, the best way to get good critique is to actually go and see people and talk to them. We live in a unique time where social media websites like Twitter and Facebook have allowed us to network with other photographers instead of being shut away in our own worlds. The trick is to turn these connections into more than just "virtual friendships". Use these people to go through your work and discuss why they like or dislike your images. How they think you could improve. What are your strengths and weaknesses etc. And in return, you can critique their work.
Over the next few weeks I'm going to be visiting several friends, whose opinions I respect, to get my work critiqued. Some of their opinions I might agree with, some I might not. What's important is that it will help to give me the direction I need to build the portfolio I need to attract the clients I aspire to.
It's not that there aren't plenty of people out there with an opinion, far from it! But you won't learn much if all people are doing is praising you all the time, (your mum is genetically programmed to think you're amazing!). It helps for people to say what they don't like about an image, or how they think it should be improved. It's also preferable to be critiqued by people with some form of photographic standing, especially if they're the type of person you aspire to be or work with.
I've been looking hard at my own portfolio lately with a view to improving it so I can get the clients I'm aiming for, but it's a difficult task without outside influence. We often get too close to our work. Some of our most striking images have become boring to us through over-familiarity.
So what's the answer? Well there are plenty of forums out there with millions of people willing to give their opinions. Be careful though as a lot of these people have no real photographic standing, and a lot of them will zoom in to 400% to check noise and sharpness... which is completely irrelevant! If it's a great photo, it's a great photo! There are also far too many people out on the internet who are quite happy to sit behind their keyboards and tell everyone else that they suck. Of course the important thing to remember about any form of creative medium, it's all subjective. What one person likes, another might not, so try and get opinions from several people in order to get a more balanced view.
For me, the best way to get good critique is to actually go and see people and talk to them. We live in a unique time where social media websites like Twitter and Facebook have allowed us to network with other photographers instead of being shut away in our own worlds. The trick is to turn these connections into more than just "virtual friendships". Use these people to go through your work and discuss why they like or dislike your images. How they think you could improve. What are your strengths and weaknesses etc. And in return, you can critique their work.
Over the next few weeks I'm going to be visiting several friends, whose opinions I respect, to get my work critiqued. Some of their opinions I might agree with, some I might not. What's important is that it will help to give me the direction I need to build the portfolio I need to attract the clients I aspire to.
6 comments:
In that case Jay, must try harder!! But a fair point chap, I also think that critique no matter positive or negative can become a real mental obstacle. I was fortunate to have what you could call a mentor who would regularly ,for want of a better phrase, ass rape my images! I got upset , I got angry but I went back and tried harder!
Now if anybody says theres a blown highlight, shadows etc etc, I can hold my head up high and say "its meant to be there!!"
Thats not to say im not constantly inspired by the work that's out there and once one method is perfected try something else without risking losing your unique style we all try and achieve!
Interesting, I was mentioning to another photographer about photography forums. I've seen many pictures criticized that have been published. My opinion, if it's a published shot, then it works. Job done. However if your working on your own portfolio on top of your usual photography, then you need a good opinion.
Andy - I've had various people inspire or mentor me over the years, and I often look back at how they influenced my work. I still think it's important to seek critique even when you're established as a photographer.
Nathan - I've had plenty of work published and I can honestly say, just because something goes in a magazine, doesn't mean it's any good! Some of the magazines I've worked for have no idea what makes a good photo!
Jay - first of all, thanks for throwing this question out there.
I'm an amateur so my opinion may differ. Personally I think its hard to critique photography as its so personal in style, if i take a photo and love it, someone else will hate it. So when its critiqued how useful will that critique be?
Also, ive taken a shot that i nearly binned, someone else said keep it and crop it differently and when I posted it people loved it.
Im not qualified to give you advice, but I'd say that as long as your creatitivy is constantly being tested and you continue to try new things then thats all you need.
I think aside from your day to day commisioned work its important to do personal stuff. But i expect you know that already.
I also dont subscribe to those who pick at each image for technical perfectness, the world isnt perfect, so why should the images be. If a bit of grain suits the image then so be it. Kind of agreeing with Andy there.
Cheers
Sean
I think it can be both helpful and dangerous to seek critique... helpful if the critic has a knowledge of your genre, and the special situations that it may bring. And dangerous if it is someone who is NOT in the know with what you want to do.
Fashion critiques should only be done by people in the fashion industry... and then only within the genre you are shooting... editorial, advertising, beauty etc...
The reason is that bringing that knowledge of what is EXPECTED is what sets the critique apart form "I like that shot... looks cool." Conversely, having someone critique that is not aware of the specifics of the genre of fashion could really be detrimental.
Many photographers THINK they know, but if they are not totally aware, the critique is meaningless.
Seek out fashion editors, magazine AD's, fashion designers and such for a critique. Stay away from Flickr photographers, amateurs, GWC's and people who are in direct competition with you.
I think your work is excellent and a inspiration. Maybe to me it appeals to a style and image i like and aspire to myself, but im sure even if your style was different the colour clarity and visual precociousness would still be hard not to like and appreciate.
There will alway be Critique from people that will pick at things and point they themselves can appreciate or understand things that dont appeal to them, that's their opinion, but its not always the big piture.
Photography is art and your artwork and expression, your statement you want to say in a vision, but whilst sometimes appealing to a trend, fashion or industry standard or trend (contradictory i know). So who is right to judge?
Do you work to what you want or what the majority want to see because they think its right or good.
Its a journey of expression and it'll go on and on and on as long you push yourself and be more expressive. I don't think there is a RIGHT or WRONG in photography, but weather your being creative and fully expressive, and these are qualities that shine through in your work Jay over the last few years.
Post a Comment