The Truth About Your Photos


Since YANAP focuses on critique of a sort, I will start with that as my first subject. As a photographer, I spend a lot of my time looking at other people’s work. I do this for a few reasons, partly to hopefully find some inspiration and in some cases motivation to shoot. Many times, I am comparing my work to figure out where I stand; am I better, worse or on par with what I’m looking at.

The only way to grow as an artist is to be critical of your work. When I was taking photography classes in college (back in the early 90’s), my professor was notoriously harsh with his critiques. It was frustrating, sometimes infuriating, but it also pushed me to strive to do better. It made me realize I was being too safe with my photography; I needed to take chances.

Since the proliferation of digital photography, new “professional” photographers are popping up every time someone gets a new DSLR for Christmas or their Birthday. If you bought your camera after 2008 and set up shop, you’re in this category. Truth be told, I’m in this category. This truth is not going away, it will not change. The majority of us have been pandered to by our friends and family on Facebook and now find ourselves on a sinking ship, overflowing with “professional photographers”.

Let me get back to growing, taking chances, and perhaps the point of this article. Like me, I’m sure many of you are members of some Facebook photography forum in your area. It seems that the majority of these people become overly defensive when their work is critiqued. I’m actually on a couple of forums where it is discouraged to critique work, that when people post their work, it should only be praised. The failure of these forums is it leaves no room to grow. It does not push you to take chances. If you never take chances and close yourself to learning new techniques; you will keep producing the same thing every time you snap the shutter.

So the challenge I put before you is this, learn the truth about your photos. Find someone you respect as a photographer and have them give you an honest opinion about your work. Listen to what they have to say and don’t get offended if it’s not what you want to hear. I challenge you to be very critical about your work. If you think your work is amazing, push yourself to find someone better. Learn what is setting their work apart and push yourself to the next level. Photography, like everything in life is about continual education. If we all strive to learn and apply one new thing every time we shoot, perhaps we will be one step closer to bringing back some respect to this profession.

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62 Comments

  1. Helen P. "Mickey" Megginson

    I am one of the after 2008 “photographers”. I welcome constructive criticism. And, I have 2 friends of whom I respect their work, and put to use the suggestions & things that they have taught me. IF I get to be a good photographer, it’s because of them! My camera beings me peace. If I don’t make money off of it, then so be it. If I do, then it’s a bonus. Thank you so much for posting this. I appreciate it! I also enjoy looking at the fauxtos!

  2. saintseester

    I completely understand what you are saying about the Facebook groups; I do not understand the purpose of fawning over mediocre photos. So, I generally just hold my tongue unless someone is really asking for critique. It isn’t just photography; we’re a thin-skinned society that clamors for the “like” button, but doesn’t even notice the absence of the “dislike” button.

    • Andrea B.

      That’s why you go to reddit and post there where there’s upvote and downvote buttons. =)

  3. so true so true. Sometimes I feel the photography community is a little to keen to critique. Always complaining about NOISE or distracting objects in a photo. A lot of the critique that I see given usually goes back to those two and they are hardly ever the main issue…It is also unfortunate that a lot of bad photographers will never grow because they are actually very successful and keep getting clients…and thus think they must be good. I gave up long ago thinking my work was even decent but I keep at it and will hopefully always love taking pictures….

    Rudy

    • Exactly the way I feel Rudy. I bought my first DSLR in 2005, upgraded in 2010. In that time I have produced many quality photos, many that would be in place in print but they continue to live on my computer or in photo albumns.
      I post a lot of ‘mediocre’ pics to FB and get all the woos and wows. I know that the folks do appreciate the pics, on the other hand there is a young bloke that I first noticed the work of a few years ago and have stalked him since and he is now at school furthering his ability. He pushes boundaries, posts images that I would never even have thought of and it is great!
      I would never consider myself a photographer, I am just someone who likes to take pictures, I like to invest in gear and I don’t mind putting myself in a position to do so!

  4. I find myself to be my own biggest critic most of the time. A lot of the work I do, I’m never satisfied with the end result even if it’s what the client wants or (with personal stuff) what my friends think looks cool. I always seem to compare my work (not just photography but video as well, which is my chosen/intended profession) to that of professionals who have been in the game since before i even got my hands on my first camera and I find that lack of satisfaction in my own work, while frustrating, is often what pushes me to strive to do better.

  5. Brandi McCarty

    This is a truth that will hit a lot of people hard. I am going to school to sharpen my photography skills. It is true that an honest critique of work will push someone to go further. There are currently no accepted standards of what a photographer truly is. My dream is to start my own studio. In the meanwhile, I am learning and I am striving to grow. I have invested a lot of time and money in my equipment and sharpening my photographic skills. I have joined the PPA and am hoping to start the process of becoming a CPP (Certified Professional Photographer) within the next 12 months. I have known a lot of friends and friends of friends who have gone with the facebook fauxtoghs and have been absolutely shattered when a timeless moment is ruined. I do not want to be responsible for that kind of loss. I seriously want the skills to put myself out there as a true Professional Photographer.

    There are levels, there are Hobbyists (most of the facebook crowd), Amateur and Professional. The key is to find out where you stand and decide where you want to be and how you are going to get there.

    • Areal photographer.

      Tell me again why being “CPP” or “PPA” will make you so much better then every one else. LOL

      • Areal photographer.

        OH wait it won’t it’s just a bunch of jokes who made a website and charge people like you into thinking getting their meaningless paper will mean anything to anyone. OK maybe it means something to the ignorant masses who will see your piece of paper and go “golly you must be good” LOL

      • I think it has nothing to do with you and why would you need to slam someone for wanting to get better at something or be recognized.
        It’s not like you are going to hire her anyway.
        If this is just about people trashing others in a forum I may just have to move on.
        Oh wait, I get it. Your name is A Real Photographer……..

  6. Great article. There’s a difference between offering constructive criticism and being plain mean for the sake of being mean. What are some good forums where I can get my work and website critiqued?

    • This forum isn’t BAD, but it’s not great for a critique. You might get shredded, but if it’s an unfair shredding, that’ll get pointed out.

      If you claim you’re a “pro” or wanting to go pro, post in the Am I a Fauxtographer? forum section. If you’re not a pro or aiming for it, you probably should find a different site for critiques. I will critique any “Imapro!” postings I see when I have time. I won’t critique any “I’m not a pro” posts.

      • Thanks Stef! I was confident enough to allow my work and website to be critiqued here under “Showcase Your Work”. My subject is “Give it to me straight”.

  7. While you may have gotten your DSLR after 2008 you learned photography the correct way, on film. For that alone one should be respected. You had to KNOW if you had the shot you wanted or you wasted money and time even composing the image. There were no do overs or ‘I’ll fix it laters’ it was done in camera or it wasn’t done at all! Kudos to all who have learned that way and HAD to purchase digital to stay current.

    • There’s nothing wrong with learning on digital. Film isn’t the “correct” way. Learning how to frame a proper shot and think before you shoot is the “correct” way.

      • I think it’s obvious that is what they meant when they said “correct’. With film you had to frame it, think about it and get the exposure right, or you were wasting money as well as time. With digital, you can just shoot a bunch and hey, if one turns out okay, you feel like you’re super awesome. Well, that is how fauxtographers do it…

      • You are right in saying you can learn on digital too. But what people don’t take actual photo classes and tend to just snap away without thinking. With at least film, you were taught to think before you pressed the shutter release.

    • Exactly. My first SLR was bought in 2004 for a film class and I didn’t start my business until 2010 after working with a few local pros.

  8. Amen.

  9. BurninBiomass

    “Find someone you respect as a photographer and have them give you an honest opinion about your work.”

    Good article, but I really liked that sentence. Not all critiques are created equal.

    Now, to contradict myself, if you are selling to the public (and not everyone is), its good to listen to “uninformed” opinions as well, as these are your customers. At times we photographers can build our own echo chamber when it comes to a critique.

  10. MarySmith

    Here’s my honest take on critiquing. The horrible images I see in forums or in FB…I say nothing. If they can’t take the time to learn, as I have, then I’m sorry, but NO FREE RIDE. If you’re doing lousy at your craft, I will continue to grow in mine. In the beginning, I did FREE work, so I could learn. As I grew stronger, I then started to charge. My first rate was $40 for a shoot, with no hourly basis…just shoot. Now, I charge $200/hr and I am getting it, because my work speaks for itself. Even though I have been shooting since 2007 and on my second Nikon (D90) I still have problems getting to know ALL the functions of it. I never shoot on Auto, and mostly in Aperture. I still have problems with dark, indoor shoots, but that’s probably because I need to invest in a lower F stop lens, which can be quite expensive. So, for now, I do post correcting in PS.

    • Several issues with this:

      1. You charge $200 an hour and don’t have the proper equipment. A D90 and kit lenses aren’t doing your clients any favors.

      2. You don’t even know the functions of your D90, yet charge $200 an hour.

      3. You think with the mentality that you’re correct it in post.

      Sorry, I hate to be mean, but you’re exactly what this website is about.

    • jvsanchez

      – So you’ve had a D90 for nearly 7 years and you still haven’t learned all the functions of it?
      – All the money you’re making, and you haven’t invested in top shelf lenses? You’re seriously shortchanging your clients, and creating more work for yourself. Not just one lens either, but lenses.
      – There’s nothing wrong with PP in a program like Aperture, Lightroom, or Photoshop, but it’s not something that should be relied upon. It makes more work for you and doesn’t teach you how to compose and light the way you should.

      Like Don said, you’re pretty much what this article is talking about.

    • Sorry Mary but you should be the topic of an article on what’s wrong with photography today. Wait, you are. Without having seen a single shot, I know you’re not worth hiring at even $2/hr. I wouldn’t let you shoot my photo for free. You’d just screw up a shot that can’t be re-shot. I’ll let the camera body go for now. I can get better shots with my friend’s T1 than she can with my 5D3. But I know how to use the camera. I know what the buttons do. I know how to get the shot in the dark and indoors and not have it look like a train wreck. I do have the equipment to get the shot I need. I use CS6 to adjust shots, not to correct them. You’re not doing yourself any favours (especially your “customers”) in telling anyone that in six years you still don’t know how the camera you’ve had in your hand (for six years) works and that you can take a good shot (according to you) in a well lit park but not indoors/in the dark. Do yourself and your customers and the horrible images you see on FB all a favour. First, learn how to use your bloody gear. Next, be honest with your customer and tell them you’re only comfortable taking a shot in the sunlight because your skills are limited (and you don’t know how to use your camera and don’t have the lenses to create the shot needed). Lastly, when you see a crap pic on FB, tell them so. You aren’t doing anyone a favour by hitting “like” and certainly not by keeping silent.

    • Dang…seriously? This makes me sad. While your photos might be bringing you the customers and the revenue, I can’t get over the fact that you’ve had your camera that long and not learned it inside and out, nor that you haven’t reinvested any of that money earned in some flashes or other lighting gear to help those indoor shoots. While I may never earn one cent with my camera, I still intend to invest in better gear so much as my meager disposable income will allow….because anything worth doing is worth doing as well as possible.

    • I agree with everyone who responded to this post. Photoshop should only be a tool to enhance a photo with subtle edits. Your camera should do the majority of the work. In my opinion, if you don’t have a least one fast glass, you are in no business to charge a single dime. A lower F-stop lens isn’t too expensive. You can get a 35mm f/1.8 and a 50mm f/1.8 for under $250 on eBay. It might not be a zoom lens and you will have to move forward or backward to get your shot, but it will help with low-lighting. A D90 has a maximum ISO of 3200. It should sure as heck be capable of low-lighting! My Nikon D3000 has been taking wonderful pictures because I know pretty much a majority of the ins and outs of my camera. When I show my portfolio to people, even to seasoned photographers, they’re been surprised I’ve only been doing this for a year (they’re not counting my years as a hobbyist landscape photographer). I can thank my 35mm 1.8 for that, but that’s also because I take the time to learn composition.

    • My Nikon 50mm fixed focal length lens is my go-to lens for low light settings. I think I paid about $150 – 200 for this new lens with its lowest aperture setting of 1.8.

  11. I agree completely. I went to college and had one professor for 3 semester because every semester he was so critical of my work, but I felt that every time I learned so much more from him. I’ve had professor who would give you the “it’s good” and that’s all you get and you don’t learn. Thanks for posting.

  12. Heather

    I see so many photos put out as professional work with sun flair ruining photos, sun sopts all over the photos, horrible lighing and shadows, poor focus and terrible composition. What is being presented as “amazing” photos are the ones I would have thrown in the trash or deleted. I had a near meltdown recently at out Fair. We have a huge photo competition, thousands of photos entered…..75% of them were complete trash (sorry it’s the truth) snap shots or cell phone quality, I’m not even kidding. then out of the 25% that were at least decent, another half of those either had no editing or were way over edited.so around 12 % of the 1,000’s of photos entered were even worthy of being looked at and then I could not believe who the winners were that were picked. It’s like the judges were drunk or something…..It seems there are just no rules anymore to photography and everybody is trying to be artsy and edgy. I don’t get the new hipster/instagram vintage sty photography, that looks like you are always shooting into the sun. I hope it is a phase and real talent and gorgeous, clear, composed photos come back into style

  13. When I studied photojournalism in college and my professor, who was a Pulitzer Prize winner, told me my work sucked and do it again it was hard and I wanted to wit many times. Looking back it made me the photographer I am today.

    • My PJ school was super tough as well. WKU’s program is one of the best because they don’t give you the “Nice photo” critique. There was always something wrong with your photo but you learned from those critiques rather than the “nice picture” critiques.

      When I taught PJ in college, I also gave tips on critiquing not only others’ work, but yours as well so your work improves.

      Honest critiques help the photographer grow more than a simple “I like this.”

  14. first article? Copyright broken. Crediting a photo doesn’t give you permission to use it. The original posting of this image is copyright, and there is no license given that allows anyone to just take it and use it. You want to claim you have some kind of knowledge or insight into photography? Stop stealing other photographer’s work.
    original
    picship.com/pic-104684.html

    Who knows if the person who uploaded that actually created it, but without an actual declaration that this photo is open to be used freely from the author, you’ve just violated international copyright law.

    • gordonl09s

      I just wrote the article, I didn’t have any photos that went with it, that came from the site.

      • At least it makes it clear who the thief is in this case..not that I’m particularly shocked.

      • Dawn Thomas

        So… If one had not stolen another’s photo, your credibility would still be intact.

        Excuses, excuses, excuses.

        If you are truly a “pro,” then why the heck didn’t you photograph something on your own?We were under the impression that you were a “pro!”

        Talk is cheap and excuses are plentiful. Pros do not make excuses because they know what they are doing, and how to get the job done right.

      • Dawn in this case it’s the site admin, you know the one blindly stabs at photographs and couldn’t tell a fauxtographer from a hole in the ground? Yeah, he’s the one who added the photo after this guy submitted the article. He’s also the one who doesn’t have the fortitude to fix and/or apologize for his mistake.

    • >> “Who knows if the person who uploaded that actually created it, but without an actual declaration that this photo is open to be used freely from the author, you’ve just violated international copyright law.”

      That’s not true. There does not need to be any actual declaration whatsoever. One can give permission to use works without requiring any link to the contract, terms, link, or whatnot.

      The use does not appear to be in Fair Use, like how most of the photos on this site are used for commentary, so there does need to be permission to use it. But you have no fucking clue if the site does or doesn’t have that permission, and are making a baseless and annoying accusation.

      If you have an issue, tell the owner of the image. It was even linked. They are the only ones with the actual right to have a problem with how it was used, not you, me, or gordonI09s.

      • Sure we do, there is only a link to some random site. A site, which by the way, only turns around and links to another site, making it pretty obvious that whoever added this photo didn’t get it from the original uploader, otherwise why link to a site linking to a site? There is zero evidence that this photo was obtained under any kind of permission. Especially because they also refer to that site as “photo credit” when it clearly is not.

      • and if you look closely on the upper right the image is watermarked. its hard to read but looks like mora or nora.tumblr.com
        again further proof that this a copyright violation
        here is the actual source, something someone would post if they had genuine permission. stop excusing this sad excuse for a site runner
        bymona.tumblr.com/page/4

      • >>”here is the actual source, something someone would post if they had genuine permission. stop excusing this sad excuse for a site runner bymona.tumblr.com/page/4″

        Good catch, Jack. I’m inclined to believe you now.

      • cameraclicker

        ByMona at Tumbler also has a Flickr page, DearMona. The photo is on both and on the Flickr page, all rights are reserved. But if you search for the image you will find it on several sites in different sizes. I, too, doubt she was asked or gave permission.

  15. visarts

    I wish I knew more professional (aka, experienced) photographers so that I could get more feedback. I get very little feedback as it is, and I truly am my worst critic. Even at my best, I view most of my work as mediocre.

    • BurninBiomass

      Depending where you are and what you are doing, looking for a local PPA, PSA, or even a local camera club might get you in touch with some good people.

  16. The way I see it is the proliferation of bad photographers are a result of the lowered cost of entry into the world of photography, and since the princes got lowered, there is more demand from the public at large.
    I recall in the early 90s getting some “glamour” shots done, at a cost of several hundred dollars. These were film shots of course, and are quite good. Proper lighting, posing, etc.
    Now I can hit FB and find some 25$ chump with a d40 and get it done. The trick is, too many people go for these 25$ chumps and have absolutely no idea what constitutes a good photograph. Where I work, an office of 130 people, there are tons of pics up that are just like this. These people wouldn’t know good photography from bad, and this allows the fauxs to thrive. If you educate the public (an impossible task, I know) then this site would no longer have a purpose.

    • People’s standards have absolutely plummeted. It’s pretty nauseating I agree to go anywhere, not just on the net and see people proudly displaying photos of their wedding, family, children that make me want to vomit. And they’re just so proud of these train wrecks. We can only wait and see if time will turn the trend around when quality means something again. As more and more of these $40/hr. putzes find they can’t really make a living at it (though I realize that photography isn’t the first job for most of these people and it should be the first clue to a client that they are not “pros”), they die off. I’ve had quite a few weddings booked by desperate people whose photographers have suddenly closed up shop. I’ve had quite a few to whom I’ve said, “sorry, you should have hired me in the first place cause I booked someone a year ago for that date”.

  17. The biggest problem with “professional” photography is that there are no standards or qualifications needed. Did someone go to school and take classes? Big deal. I had some physics classes in university and it doesn’t make me a physicist. I dare say they’d not let me near the Hadron Collider. But try to perform surgery on someone without not only the schooling but licensing as well and we all know that’s not going to happen. But anyone can pick up a camera and call themselves “professional”. And having taken photos for 2 years or 25 years also means little. Just because someone has been taken crappy shots for 25 years, doesn’t make him/her a great photographer just because he/she has taken shots for 25 years. Having all the right gear to make a photo does not make one a “pro” especially with a lack of knowledge of how to use it. But someone gets $20 from someone else for taking a crap picture of their kid and all of a sudden because they’re paid, they’re a “pro”. I paid a kid to cut my grass. He’s not a landscaper. None of us are really “pros”. We are photographers, some better than others, some shouldn’t even touch a camera let alone charge some poor soul money for doing so. Our photos are our pedigrees and that’s how we should be judged good or bad (call it “pro” if you wish) and there’s probably the biggest problem as I see it. People’s standards have dropped down the toilet. When people are satisfied with garbage from their phones, why would they pay a good photographer $thousands for photos? Luckily some still see the value but until the wannabies stop getting “likes” with people fawning over drivel, we’re going to keep seeing them populate the internet with crap that you see on this site. The only consolation I have is that the people who hire someone for $500 unlimited shots, unlimited time for their wedding is someone who would not have hired me anyway so it’s not really a lost customer.

  18. Here is my confession: I am a wedding photographer that gets a lot of business, I have at least 2 weddings per month booked and it pays pretty well, but my expenses are too high. I need to raise my prices to get better profit. But the thing is, I don’t think they are worth more than that. I have pretty low self esteem about my photos. I have so many friends, family, clients that express how great of a photographer I am, but the truth is,I feel that I am pretty average. I’m always striving to be better. Looking at other’s work, learning, listening. Sure I am usually satisfied with my photoshoots but I can always find at least one thing I could have done different with every photograph. My husband sees me as a perfectionist. But I don’t see it that way. I feel that if you are a newbie photographer, and you think every photo you take is just the bomb-digity, absolutely perfect in every way, than you are doing something wrong. Not that I’m doing something right…but that is the nature of a creative profession.

    When I’ve tried raising prices in the past, I didn’t get a single booking. But I think I’m going to try it again. Hopefully it will all work out.

    • gordonl09s

      I was given some sound advice from an established photographer when I was first getting into the paid photography business. He told me the time to raise your prices is when someone pays you the amount you just raised your prices to. I’m hoping that makes sense. Basically, if you raise your prices and someone pays you the amount you’re charging, then it was time to raise your prices. Pricing your photography is based on several things, but first and foremost, what do you feel you’re worth. I charge the prices I do, because I know the quality of my work; I stand behind it. Photography is more than just snapping a shutter, more than just saying, “you want pictures? OK I got a camera, let’s go.” I sit down with my clients, I get to know them as people, what they’re interests are. I get to know what they’re expectations are for their photo session, what they see their photos looking like. Price is always the last thing I discuss. I figure, if someone has come directly to me for my photos, then they value my work. If they value my work, then they will pay top dollar for it.

      I would also encourage you to sit down and do a cost chart. FIgure out how much you really need to be charging people to pay your expenses, taxes, growth, etc… and make a living wage. You might be surprised at what you need to make off each client. You should work smart, not hard. Four sessions at $1000 each might sound good, but one session at $4000 is even better.

  19. I’m right there with you! I remember taking Photography 101 back in college. After being the “Big-Fish-In-The-Small-Pond” in High School, I thought Photography 101 would be pretty straightforward, and for a lack of a better term, easy. ::: Facepalm :::

    Back then we started off with slides of our work, and after EVERY single student would critique the photo, one by one. When they were finished, the Professor would rip your photo apart. Needless to say, you learned quick.

    We didn’t have histograms, or LCD screens. We didn’t have the opportunity to take 75 photos of a subject only to use 1 or 2. Or none at all. We HAD to get it right, period and within 24-36 tries.

    I run one of those forums on FB, mostly gear talk and computer talk. I have heard the comment more than once of, “…if it wasn’t for digital, I would not be a Photographer.” “Film sounds so scary!” or “How did you ever get by without Autofocus AND not knowing if you got the shot or not? Wow!!”

  20. Most photography, in general, is terrible. Just flooded crap. I almost feel that the more terrible the image is, the more attention it gets. Strange. I feel it may be a backlash from all the photography snobs that are “classically” trained.

  21. mrrabbit2502

    This was a good read. Thank you for posting this. Finally someone had the guts to say something. I just wish the general public knew the difference, if it wasn’t so plain to see. I am also one of the 2008 photographers. Funny how you knew the year. One thing that helped me out of the box was joining istockphotography.com where I could sell the work that I was producing. If you want to be critiqued, it’s there because they only allow well composed, properly lit, in focus images. Not to mention the content must be the kind that sells. They have plenty of how to articles for beginners to “professionals” which should be read and put into practice on a daily basis. Sadly most who get the dslr don’t get the training, and don’t have the motivation to educate themselves. If only… The upside is that some people figure out the difference and are willing to spend the money, so may the chasm continue growing between us and them.

  22. I started with film when I was a little girl. My mother was a self-taught portrait photographer with a studio in a renovated rental house and she made a darkroom out of the basement in our home. My grandfather did photography in his spare time and after he retired. I grew up with photography. That said, I still wasn’t very good at it.
    In my early 20’s I came to terms with it and put away the camera. I used other methods to express myself creatively for a few years until my husband got me a Sony Cybershot point-n-shoot. That thing became my little buddy!! I have to sing a few praises for digital… I was newly married, we moved all the time, I worked crappy jobs so I just didn’t have the $$ to keep trying to figure out film like I should have… Digital gave me the confidence to try again. Especially because I knew that the people at the photo lab weren’t looking at my photos before I could weed out the entirely poor ones. I had the opportunity to try over and over and figure things out on my own. I did studies on how to light different subjects and tried to shoot from every angle I could conceive. Some of my shots came out fairly well! I won a couple contests and was given a scholarship (not a very big one, but it still counts!) After a few years of that I felt like I had learned a few things, but not enough. The most frustrating thing for me was not knowing what I did or WHY the images I took turned out the way they did. My “line” was that “I play the violin by ear and I play photography by eye”. Basically a suck-ass excuse for my suck-ass photography. I wanted to go to school, but no way was that gonna happen with only my little buddy by my side!
    Then in -you guessed it- 2008, Santa was very nice to me and gifted me with a full-fledged DSLR Nikon. It was better than some, but DEFINITELY far from professional. I had a lot more to learn. I took the first opportunity I could and enrolled in a 4-year degree program to learn everything I could from people who actually work in the fields they teach. I could feed off the creativity of other students and learn just like they did. I am pleased to say that in just a few short months I will be graduating with honors and have learned enough that I do actually charge people to shoot for them (I finished with the photography portion of the studies over a year ago). I have learned how to effectively execute numerous different types of photography and my confidence it exponentially higher than it was! I still am WAY critical of what I put out for people to see and still often wonder what people see in the work I DO share, but I think that is just the little devil of my past trying to make sure I remember he exists. I shoot in manual 98% of the time and really only try the other settings just for kicks. I know that if I am in control of all the settings that it is truly MY vision that comes through, not what I let the camera do for me.
    I tried to do it the right way! Well, at least for someone who didn’t start off with all the knowledge in the world with the most professional set-up possible… I have added many pieces of equipment to my arsenal and have plans to upgrade them all after graduation. AND, I know how to use them all!!
    Still, every time I come to my website I dread finding one of my own photos…. So far so good!!

  23. Areal photographer.

    I don’t respect any other photographers most of all the faux who use this site to hate on those who are out there doing instead of being online and moaning over their work. you can all eat a dick and wish you could get the work I do.

  24. It seems that the writer is just threatened by the onslaught of competition.

  25. One thing I really miss from being in university is critical critiques from other photographers.

  26. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do think that you should publish more about this issue, it
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    speak about these topics. To the next! Kind regards!!

  27. For me the harsher the critique the better, how do you learn from anything else? I shot for six years for NOTHING…. not a hundred dollars, not two hundrend, I charged not a cent. Learn your craft before you charge, learn about light and learn to use ALL your settings. There should be no doubt in your mind that you can produce quality images in any shoot. If there is doubt or you think you are only worth $200 for a whole lot of images you should stop charging and keep practicing… studying…. asking for critque (actually never stop asking for critique.. and take it, don’t get defensive)

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  29. Hi guys i am readed All comments. that was very lol. But need to say thanks for all commenters because i have got huge knowledge by those comments . But i will say personally that this site is not bad for growing our life.

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