A very considered and insightful post. Self awareness is one of the most difficult things to achieve in our photography. This is something you clearly have achieved and in my view is essential to move forwards with our imagery. Asking for external feedback is a useful tool especially at the start of the photographic journey; it can also be effective where we are suffering from block or know there is something not quite right with an image but can't analyse it ourselves to understand why. However the ultimate is self critique and to be aware of why images that may be technically correct, possibly well "composed" etc do not offer creative fulfilment, then work on finding an alternative viewpoint.
I'm only a hobbyist but I imagine as a professional there must be many challenges between finding images that are "commercial" but not necessarily appealing to the image maker
Thank you so much for your comments Andrew, you make some really good points. It is always difficult to be objective about our own image making which is why it's a good exercise to look back on your photographic journey.
There is often a huge difference between what I like in an image and what is 'commercial' so I try to do a bit of both. For my own photography I like to try and avoid popular landmarks and shoot the things that inspire me in the landscape but these shots don't always make good commercial shots. Similarly I once entered a shot into a camera club competition which was slated by the judge and scored the lowest mark of the evening, but this image has gone on to be one of my biggest selling images - so I guess it is all very subjective :-)
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Photography is art and by its nature has the ability to create (or not) an emotional response in the viewer so will always be subjective to a degree
A very considered and insightful post. Self awareness is one of the most difficult things to achieve in our photography. This is something you clearly have achieved and in my view is essential to move forwards with our imagery. Asking for external feedback is a useful tool especially at the start of the photographic journey; it can also be effective where we are suffering from block or know there is something not quite right with an image but can't analyse it ourselves to understand why. However the ultimate is self critique and to be aware of why images that may be technically correct, possibly well "composed" etc do not offer creative fulfilment, then work on finding an alternative viewpoint.
I'm only a hobbyist but I imagine as a professional there must be many challenges between finding images that are "commercial" but not necessarily appealing to the image maker
A great short essay
Thank you so much for your comments Andrew, you make some really good points. It is always difficult to be objective about our own image making which is why it's a good exercise to look back on your photographic journey.
There is often a huge difference between what I like in an image and what is 'commercial' so I try to do a bit of both. For my own photography I like to try and avoid popular landmarks and shoot the things that inspire me in the landscape but these shots don't always make good commercial shots. Similarly I once entered a shot into a camera club competition which was slated by the judge and scored the lowest mark of the evening, but this image has gone on to be one of my biggest selling images - so I guess it is all very subjective :-)
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Photography is art and by its nature has the ability to create (or not) an emotional response in the viewer so will always be subjective to a degree
Wonderfully written and very inspiring indeed Gill. Reading this just before the Southwold walk makes it so exciting, l look forward to seeing you.
Thank you very much Ian, I am glad you are enjoying the posts. It's good to know that they are helping to inspire your photography :-)
Great reading very useful information
Thank you very much Pat, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Thought provoking! Another great article and inspiring images, thank you!
Thank you very much Chris, I am glad you enjoyed it.
I find your postings here consistently interesting, well crafted and inspiring. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your feedback Steve. It is lovely to know that you are finding the posts interesting and inspiring :-)