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01/07/2004 10:45:07 AM · #1 |
Greetings...
One of the common discussions I see regarding photography on various web sites revolves around the theory of "Am I Getting Better?" As I read through these discussions, I see a very limited scope by which "better" is being judged.
Points and Ratings
On a lot of websites where photographers display their work, other site users are allowed to rate the work on a point scale of some sort and leave comments/critiques on the work. Can you use these ratings to determine if you are getting better? I think you can... up to a point. If your work has widespread appeal, your average ratings will rise if your 'appeal' level is getting stronger over time. At some point, however, your scores/ratings will level out and not continue to increase. You will post photos that score over and under your average and the average will become stagnant. Does this mean you are not getting any better? No.
Self Satisfaction
Are you happy with your photography? Are you truly inspired by your own work? Is it possible that your satisfaction with your own photography is based on what other people think of it? Have you ever had the feeling where one of your photographs has great impact on YOU, but you feel it will be considered mediocre in a public forum? Herein lies the issue. You have created a photo that you really love in some way. It has emotional value to you. You are happy with all aspects of the image. You can't imagine improving it in any way. It's a perfect photo. Does this mean you are getting better? Yes.
Goals
Photographers have their individual goals. There is no 'wrong' goal to have. Some photographers choose to shoot for money. They strive to produce images that they can sell. These may be one time sales of a portrait photo, or multiple sales of stock images. Some photographers choose to shoot for personal pleasure. Some photographers choose to shoot for family album purposes.
So, how do you know if you are getting better?
You have to determine this by defining your objectives with photography. When you know what your objective is, you can create your own gage as to how well you are meeting that objective....
Just some food for thought...
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01/07/2004 11:29:08 AM · #2 |
In photography, "better" can mean a lot of different things and feedback from others can sometimes help us gauge our progress, while in others I think it may impede it.
Becoming better at the technical aspects of photography, getting exposure correct, trying and mastering different techniques for creating images is one area where drawing on the insights and experiences of others is invaluable.
Creating saleable images is another area where others can provide valuable feedback. If your images do not appeal to your target market, they won't sell.
As far as satisfying your artistic goals and fulfilling your vision goes, feedback from others is of limited value unless they also have a good understanding of your goals and vision. You are the best judge of how satified you are with your image or images from an expressive standpoint.
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01/07/2004 11:45:31 AM · #3 |
just a mis-spelling...
gauge
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
gage |
its good of you to take the time to put these threads together.
Message edited by author 2004-01-07 12:09:32. |
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01/07/2004 11:47:54 AM · #4 |
I think it can even potentially be worse than you describe:
You start out, you shoot stuff. Then you try to learn, typically by copying styles you see in books, magazines etc. You learn what the common idea of 'good' is and copy it. Your scores on web sites go up (because all those other people are learning from the same sources and have the same view of what 'good' is)
You eventually reach a level of comfort and skill where copying stuff you see starts to lose interest, you might for want of a better term, develop your own particular style. Over time you start trying to do things differently, be more creative, heaven forbid, do some original stuff. Then suddenly you find your picture ratings on internet sites might even start going down as you aren't agreeing to the conventional wisdom. It comes down to a decision on who you are trying to please.
Also, this also changes in a commercial environment or if you are aiming to get there - if so, suck it up I guess. |
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01/07/2004 12:02:39 PM · #5 |
I believe that it is human nature to want to be accepted by your peers. Here that translates into higher scores/placing in the challenges. I think that many people that say that higher scores don't matter to them are probably fooling themselves if not others...
However, there is, I believe, a point where the scores do not mean as MUCH to a true photographer/artist. Will everyone reach that point? I think not. Some people are too competitive. Some people feel that acceptance by the masses is the same as success. Some may suffer from lower self asteem and need the reassurance! But for those that can reach this point, I believe that there is no way that they will NOT improve. It is invevitable! |
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01/07/2004 01:19:57 PM · #6 |
We have been conditioned to expect and set goals for just about any process imaginable. Technically, this is quite sensible. Given a little will, time and a camera, anyone can learn how to calculate and execute an intended effect mechanically.
Artistically, however, having a goal is not essential. A strong feeling (affection, passion, love for a thing, for a manner or way) is more useful and therefore preferable. These things bring about conviction and, perhaps, a unique vision of the world, which is not only beneficial to the creative process and an artist but they also make the the world richer for something that did not exist before. It is this vision which, in the end, determines the, occasionally, very technical steps needed to arrive at an aesthetically satisfying and precisely rendered intention. If we can do something out of conviction and with passion, I am sure, any considerations for measure and worth will evolve naturally and in proportion to the pleasure derived and distributed.
Yet, to me, and if the experience of accomplished performers is any indication, two great difficulties remain. How can we prolong the time we stay in the zone consistently, and how can we make our work cohere?
(Opinion)
Message edited by author 2004-01-07 13:26:05.
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