One of the guys I work with pulled me aside recently and we were chatting business. He then informed me that he'd seen some of my photos and they "were not good", and that I stood absolutely no chance of being a professional in the field. He told me he was an expert as he had taken 8 years of photography classes between high school and college. I was a little agitated only that you can't pound on someone (in my opinion) unless you also have photos up--he has left that field and gone into DJ work. Sort of the, can you do better type deal. I was also frustrated in his response to my photography as, while I don't think I'm about to set out a shingle this minute, I think a good number of my shots are better than "professionals" in my area. . .so what are we using as a judgement? Am I as good as the guy shooting the National Geo cover? No. Am I as good as some of the masters on this site, No. Am I better than a decent number of people with actual photo businesses, yeah--not even counting the 15 dollar for a cd hacks on craigslist. At least in my opinion. LOL. Maybe I just secretly suck :p Whatever.
Blow it off. I think your own estimate of your skill is accurate. 8 years of classes makes him a better photog? Yeah, right. Classes can be useful but don't necessarily mean much on their own. Some of the most accomplished people in many fields are self taught.
That would either be highly entertaining or devastating. LOL.
He may be better. But whether or not does not matter, it was just a mean spirited thing to say. Perhaps the point was to make him feel better about his own work?
REPARTEE: A clever thing you think of to say after you've left the party,
"I'm just devestated that my work doesn't resonate with your highly-developed artistic sensibilities -- fortunately practically everyone else who has seen or bought my pictures really likes them."
REPARTEE: A clever thing you think of to say after you've left the party,
"I'm just devestated that my work doesn't resonate with your highly-developed artistic sensibilities -- fortunately practically everyone else who has seen or bought my pictures really likes them."
REPARTEE: A clever thing you think of to say after you've left the party,
"I'm just devestated that my work doesn't resonate with your highly-developed artistic sensibilities -- fortunately practically everyone else who has seen or bought my pictures really likes them."
You know, there's actually a non-Biercian phrase for that.... l'esprit d'escalier
Look at the rate with which you are crossing off your goals for this year. You are a shooting star. (pun intended)
I have been working hard to try to get my hands around this art form. It is a lot more complicated than I thought it was when I started out, but I love it. I never feel more alive than when I have a shot ready to go--and I would be willing to do photography just for that (whether I sucked or not).
He may be better. But whether or not does not matter, it was just a mean spirited thing to say.
+1
Besides.....you're not shooting for this idiot, anyway. you're achieving your goals, you're becoming more familiar with your equipment, and if you're pleased, and learning, from your result's, you're doing fine.
I'd be curious to see how many people here who are pretty damn decent photogs have little or no formal training whatsoever.....just what they've found here. I'm not half-bad, yet I didn't know squat 'til I found this place.
Shoot, edit, learn, have fun......and screw the mean-spirited, self-appointed critic.
One of the guys I work with pulled me aside recently and we were chatting business. He then informed me that he'd seen some of my photos and they "were not good", and that I stood absolutely no chance of being a professional in the field. He told me he was an expert as he had taken 8 years of photography classes between high school and college. I was a little agitated only that you can't pound on someone (in my opinion) unless you also have photos up--he has left that field and gone into DJ work. Sort of the, can you do better type deal. I was also frustrated in his response to my photography as, while I don't think I'm about to set out a shingle this minute, I think a good number of my shots are better than "professionals" in my area. . .so what are we using as a judgement? Am I as good as the guy shooting the National Geo cover? No. Am I as good as some of the masters on this site, No. Am I better than a decent number of people with actual photo businesses, yeah--not even counting the 15 dollar for a cd hacks on craigslist. At least in my opinion. LOL. Maybe I just secretly suck :p Whatever.
In response to this, I usually tell them that if they really do think they're worth a damn to come give it a go here.. If they go all gyaban on us, then I'll bow down and tell them that I do indeed suck. But.. Well... several invites later, and I haven't seen it happen yet.
He may be better. But whether or not does not matter, it was just a mean spirited thing to say.
+1
Besides.....you're not shooting for this idiot, anyway. you're achieving your goals, you're becoming more familiar with your equipment, and if you're pleased, and learning, from your result's, you're doing fine.
I'd be curious to see how many people here who are pretty damn decent photogs have little or no formal training whatsoever.....just what they've found here. I'm not half-bad, yet I didn't know squat 'til I found this place.
Shoot, edit, learn, have fun......and screw the mean-spirited, self-appointed critic.
I try to remember I am still in the learning stage, and that having my average raise from a 4.9 to almost a 5.2 as well as greatly exceeding my prior shots is in itself a victory. But, the self doubt monster creeps up when I don't continue to explode upwards in ability. Part of it is equipment issues, as there are shots I would do if I had the proper lighting and lensing (macro for instance), that just fail technically. I am also still trying to learn CS5 (pretty much on my own. . .lol). It will get there. I also try to remember that scoring at an average level on DPC is in itself an accomplishment due to the artistic and skilled nature of the competitors.
He may be better. But whether or not does not matter, it was just a mean spirited thing to say.
+1
Besides.....you're not shooting for this idiot, anyway. you're achieving your goals, you're becoming more familiar with your equipment, and if you're pleased, and learning, from your result's, you're doing fine.
I'd be curious to see how many people here who are pretty damn decent photogs have little or no formal training whatsoever.....just what they've found here. I'm not half-bad, yet I didn't know squat 'til I found this place.
Shoot, edit, learn, have fun......and screw the mean-spirited, self-appointed critic.
I try to remember I am still in the learning stage, and that having my average raise from a 4.9 to almost a 5.2 as well as greatly exceeding my prior shots is in itself a victory. But, the self doubt monster creeps up when I don't continue to explode upwards in ability. Part of it is equipment issues, as there are shots I would do if I had the proper lighting and lensing (macro for instance), that just fail technically. I am also still trying to learn CS5 (pretty much on my own. . .lol). It will get there. I also try to remember that scoring at an average level on DPC is in itself an accomplishment due to the artistic and skilled nature of the competitors.
Don't worry... I get upset with myself when I score at anything less than a 6.5 .... It's a sickness, and it only gets worse with time I'm afraid. Used to be anything with a 6 in front made me excited, now I feel meh about it unless it's a 7+, and I'm usually quite upset when something goes into the 5's...
Don't worry... I get upset with myself when I score at anything less than a 6.5 .... It's a sickness, and it only gets worse with time I'm afraid. Used to be anything with a 6 in front made me excited, now I feel meh about it unless it's a 7+, and I'm usually quite upset when something goes into the 5's...
If you go into every challenge expecting a with-the-pack performance, then you will not be disappointed and will often be pleasantly surprised instead.
