dude, you're 19 (well so your profile says)! Even if they were right you'd have tons of time to become better or find something your better at. You can't please everyone (dang second time I've said that in less than 1/2 hour) so shoot for yourself and enjoy doing it.
have fun man
you should have fun with photography
i do, thats what keeps me going
im totally down with not being a great photographer
as long as i enjoy it
im good to go
and if i keep enjoying it, i know eventually ill get better
You can check out my profile--I like to take funny pics most of the time. I can't say I like every picture I have submitted (I have some last minute, have nothing entries)..a lot of people won't like some of the stuff - Some people will like the stuff. Make yourself happy & find some friends on this site to help you. Look over the tutorials. Based on your pics in your profile I would say you are very far from a "bad" photographer. You have only participated in two challenges, you have a long way to go & a lot to learn. This is a great place to do it & almost everyone will help you as much as they can. You are doing a great job, just keep it up. Also, consider the possibility your "friend" is jealous.....photographers are sooo cool :) haha
A little over a year ago, a really obnoxious photographer told me I was no better than a middling photog. (It was true!) It made me so mad that I re-dedicated myself to getting better. And, I have. We are all blind to the flaws in our own art. Those who pierce the veil of our darkness provide a very valuable service. It takes a lot of intestinal fortitude and restraint, but take peer review for what it is... the truth that propels us to new heights. It's an entropy issue.
First of all: Sorry your friend doesn't like your stuff.
Second: Sorry your self-esteem is so invested in the opinions of others.
I'm not trying to be a smart-ass. It's just a fact that you will never be happy with your art if you do it for others. Creativity is a journey, not a destination; and as you traverse you will accumulate true fans of your work as a bonus to the joy you get from creating.
After taking a look at your favorites and your portfolio images, I'd say that you appreciate a certain style of photography; and that you have very good taste. My advice to you is to emulate those you admire and practice until you can recreate what they are doing. Then take those skills and branch out in your own direction.
I think that if you are honest with yourself, you still have lots of room for improvement. 9 months is not long enough for most people to become a stellar photographer.
There are two types of criticism: Destructive and Constructive. Ignore the Destructive and embrace the Constructive; then you won't need to start threads with the word "hate".
