Who am I?

So I've been working really hard to build networks with industry in a bid to establish myself as a professional photographer. I've been doing all of the work because I just cannot afford it financially, I'm just thankful I've got skills in graphics etc.

To get to the point of this thread, I'm struggling with my confidence in my work. Technically, I am extremely comfortable with photography and I'd like to think I can produce good photos. But today someone commented on my work saying good had been confused with average when commenting on my work.

it just makes me think am I a photographer, or am I a man with a camera?

I understand that you are always learning when it comes to anything, and photography is no exception to this rule. I try hard when it comes to photography but being a creative always leads to doubt in your own work. I do feel that my gear is holding me back right now but not letting it stop me taking photos.

I'm currently working on a project photographing bands who are local to birmingham and trying to get a solid concept behind each shoot.

I'll now apologise for the random sentences in this post its just how my mind is working right now, I figured I'd post it to you guys as a collective of like minded people.

Cheers for reading.

Hey Dan, we all reflect and go through self doubt - but that's good, as it helps you fine tune things or better understand yourself.

With your photography, I would suggest you put aside at least 20 of your favourite images, and then see if a number of them are a certain type, OR, post at least 20 of your faves in a thread and ask people what they think your strong points are.. in an effort to pin-point your niche.

Bit like we all say to Sam that her 'fantasy' graphics type work is one of the things that makes her photography unique.

Maybe we could start a thread where anyone can do that 'What's my thang!?' and people can post to get comments from others...

Dan

You can't please everyone all of the time and thats a fact. The most sever critic of your work is yourself not other people. For example I don't like photos that have been "messed" or should I say "altered " so they become unrealistic. That doesn't mean to say they are rubbish, infact far from it, its just that its not what I like. I think I have said that in many photo postings in the past.

Any adverse comment hits home far more than praise and plays on the mind. Quite often these comments are made purely because those making them are jealous of what you can do.

I would challange the person who made those comments to explain in detail what is wrong with the pictures and what they would do to improve them, my betting is they won't be able to answer. Then you have the ammunition to tell them to try and do better.

One person can create so much doubt in ones ability with adverse comments but my attitude is " If you don't like my work, then no one is forcing you to look at it" there are plenty of others that do.

Its only when you keep getting negative comments that you should take a step back and look at your work from the clients view point.

Bazza

Azz

Quote " 'What's my thang!?' " unquote . Is that some local dialect where you live I have heard of thong and thing but never thang.
I wouldn't know if its to look at/eat/smell/touch/throw/ or go to bed with.

Bazza

Cheers guys, I've been thinking about it and both your points are valid. I'm a really harsh critic with my own work so hopefully one day I can get a little more confidence. as for whats my thang? I've heard it! and think its a good idea.

If in doubt Bazza - look first, smell next - the rest is your call

I think Azz and Bazza gave some really good points.

What people 'like' is subjective and extends way beyond photography - it's down to personal taste and (thank God) always will be.

Some people will heap praise on 'flavour of the month' style images but like anything it's a fashion and fashions change.

Going back to your question - If people are saying your images are 'average' then I guess you will want to know why. If it's down to personal taste that's one thing but if you feel it's crit on technical ability (which you say your happy with) then it's worth considering.

Whilst everybody has their own 'style' - If you have a good understanding in the fundamental skills / rules and techniques of photography then I'm sure that you'll find yourself able to adapt to whatever styles are expected or what type of images are required.

I've had a lot of praise for my imagery, but looking back there are not many images I particularly like. It was one comment that has set of off on this whole negative escapade.

It wasn't a snipe at technically ability he just generalised and said my composition was uninspiring if not boring. The fact of the matter is he was unbiased as I did not know him, so feel there could be an element of truth in his word.

I was quite shocked to discover aperture and shutter priority the other day... I've always shot on manual haha, but thats another story.

I guess the obvious answer is show us the picture so we can see this 'uninspiring & boring' composition as these are quite subjective elements to a pic in my view.

Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority tend to be a stepping stone between Auto and full Manual. If you shoot manual then fair play. Lots of folk never go to full manual as they have the 3 main things (aperture, shutter speed & ISO) to consider to correctly blend for the correct movement and exposure.

That said - there's times when these priority modes are great to use. Camera's are getting better at this. If you've already decided that you want exactly f1.8 for dof or perhaps exactly 1/500 speed - why not fix that setting and leave yourself just one or two other variables to set. It could be the difference between a great shot and a missed shot.

The story is as this phil, I've been working hard on self promotion recently setting up little things around the net to boost my web presence, thankfully some of my friends got in on the act. One of my friends linked to my website and put the term 'This is an example of good photography' Maybe even the way its typed lead to what was said, but the person, made a generalisation about my entire portfolio on my website.

Feel free to have a look: http://www.danielhodson.co.uk, I can admit myself that it isn't the strongest portfolio, and maybe I'm at error for trying to fill it. Maybe that the problem.