Good morning Gill, Some very beautiful images and I wished Woodbridge was not so far otherwise I’d have visited. After years of listening to camera club judges, i decided that I was the only arbiter of what I wanted in my images, and finished with the club. There’s also an element of enjoying the taking, despite what may be an average result, that I now find rewarding. The comment about the quality of the camera is common. However, remember the photographer who responded to that comment from his host saying, “ that was a lovely meal, you must have an excellent oven”. Keep up the good work, and a very happy Christmas and good health and fortune for 2025.
I agree with you about getting enjoyment from taking images, at the end of the day that is the most important part. I also love your comment about the oven - a brilliant retort. 🙂
Happy Christmas and thank you for your engagement with my blog.
Fantastic exhibition Gill, great images on display.
My thoughts have already been covered in previous comments.
Having seen the wonderful video on YouTube that Simon and yourself produced to give a sense of what a workshop being lead by yourself is like, it got me wondering!
Maybe we photographers have a role to play in educating the public as to what skills and effort goes into making a great image. Perhaps you could produce a video that shows you 'start to finish' explaining what happens maybe with your alarm going off at 3am, and you checking the forecast on your phone to see what the sunrise might be like through to you looking at the raw image, deciding on what you envisage the end result looking like and post-processing and making making several prints to adjust. Just a thought :-)
Thank you very much for your comments Martin. I agree, I guess if we want people to understand what goes into making an image then maybe we should educate them. Simon and I will look at the video idea because I definitely think it has merit. Thank you for the suggestion - lots of food for thought. 🙂
Gill, I suspect the reason people undervalue the skill and persistence that is often required to take a great photograph is because everyone knows how a photograph is taken (or at least think they do, most people not appreciating of course all the work that goes into post processing etc) - and many people have themselves got lucky and taken a decent photograph or two with their phone. Therefore unlike drawing or painting or playing the piano some of the magic is lost - subconsciously there is the thought “I too could have done that” - but conversely - for those of us that know how difficult it is, and how much skill, preparation, knowledge - and making your own luck - goes into making a great photograph - we can be inspired by photographs like yours to think “one day I too might be able to take a photo like that”, thus we are inspired to believe in our ability, not just believe that we haven’t been as lucky as the professional photographer.
Thank you very much for your comments. I think that is all very true although I think not enough people value the art of composition which is the main reason behind the success of an image. Like you say, people 'think' they know how to take a good photo but often underestimate the compositional side of things.
Interesting reflections Gill. I have little doubt smartphones have made most people consider that they can take the same image on their phone. And photography has become a popular hobby probably due to the digital age. The few prints I’ve sold have all had a purposeful reason or a connection of some sort. At a club exhibition a couple of years ago, I sold two copies of my least favourite of four images on display (Stiffkey Saltmarshes). One of those buyers said her and her husband visit the area every year and it was a gift for him which was lovely. I think the fact the image was on show in physical form also helped attract a buyer. On the subject of having a good camera… most folks who walk past if you’re on a shoot ask “What bird are you trying to photograph?”. Maybe another indication of bemusement that you may be capturing a landscape scene. I was at a bird reserve a few weeks ago and went to find out what the group of people with long lenses and camo gear were after. Chatting to one of the guys, I explained I was here by chance to see if I could catch a bird and that I mostly do landscapes. With his camera and lens obviously suited to birds in flight, he proudly told me somewhat dismissively he does landscapes now on his phone. I just smiled politely and hid my disappointment. Mind you, he also told me the birds had gone home for the day and it was pointless at this point. After he and the other folks left, I hung around for half an hour and had a cuppa from my flask, and duly caught the best bearded tit shot I’ve had to date.
Thank you very much for your comments Terry. It is interesting to read your experiences of picture sales and why people purchased the images they did. I always find that fascinating.
Your comments about birding really resonate as I find when I am out with workshop groups people always ask what we are doing and they always think we are photographing birds. It seems strange to me that no one can see the beauty in the landscape.
Well done on the bearded tit shots - they are such lovely birds.
How many times have I heard that?.... "Anyone can take photos these days"... Unlike many people, I don't dismiss the use of mobile phones..to me, the best camera in the world is the one you have on you at the time! My phone can be used in It's pro-mode exactly the same as my camera. Granted, I still think it's programmed to add in a bit of AI... but... it's possibly the future! Particularly for people like me who cycle tour... cameras/lenses/tripods/filters take up so much space!
The thing my camera cannot do itself, even on auto is composition...far and away the most important aspect of any image. So you could have the most technically brilliant image, shot on a £7k camera, if the composition is off...it shows.
I don't think non-photographers consider this. They don't see the thought behind the composition...they just instinctively know it works!
Editing too...most non photographers think that the best photographers should have no need to edit. The beautiful image should be straight out of camera... they don't realise that even my old Dad edited his film images in the dark room! Technology marches on but the principles remain the same. A camera, is still a camera. The science in producing an image is still exactly the same as in Victorian times.
I'd be interested to know if anyone else's images hang on your walls Gill? I have 1 panoramic Colin Prior of Assynt in my house and one day, when the weather gods allow, I will replace it with one by me 😊. As you say, it's the emotional attachment to that epic landscape that keeps it on the wall!
Oh my goodness...I'd so love to join you in Suffolk on a photo walk!
I wouldn't dismiss mobile phones either, for as you say the best camera is the one you have on you. And you are right it is all about composition. If this is wrong the image will fall to pieces.
I don't currently have any images from other photographers on my walls but if I was to consider something it would be from somebody like Bruce Percy or Lizzie Shepherd, both of whom I admire very much as photographers.
I tend to collect a lot of photo books which is another way I like to view peoples work. I have Fragile by Colin Prior which I think is a fabulous book.
Fscinating article and I'm not surprised Autumn morning sold-it is a beautiful image. A few years ago I booked a table at a fair in our local village hall. One of the prints on sale was a sunrise over a local mere. More than person remarked it was obviously photoshopped as the colours were to bright. When I gently suggested the colours were accurate and the image was taken on slide film with a medium format camera I was accused of showing off!
Thank you very much for your comments Tom. It would seem that with some people you just can't win. I usually try and explain my thought process when people ask about processing - sometimes they understand and sometimes they have very fixed views.
Fascinating, Gill. I smiled at your replay of the conversations. When I showed my jewelry and objects at craft fairs, people were keen to ask why didn’t I make [this] or offer helpful “suggestions.” I never understood that. Why not just appreciate what you’re seeing or move on?
Now that we all carry cameras in our pockets, it’s sad to see photography mistakenly demoted as an art form. That confuses the content with the medium. It’s about not only looking, but seeing and, as you so eloquently say, feeling. Not landscape as object, but subject. Portraiture of belonging and kinship.
This note, “the landscape as an archive of memory,” struck a chord. From what I understand, indigenous cultures take this quite seriously. Think Australia’s song lines, for example. Their stories and art are rooted in place.
Thank you very much for your comments Julie. I completely agree with you. I never understand why people don't just accept what they are seeing and decide whether they like it based on how it makes them feel. It shouldn't matter if an image is a photograph or any other medium, it is about whether you connect with it or not. Surely that is the power of good work?
I'm glad I could make the exhibition, Gill, and enjoyed chatting with you. One thing I pondered on the way home was about needing to take enough time to enjoy an image. I wonder if people who would be happy to take their time in a picture gallery don't spare photographs enough of a chance? Because there are so many photos on line, maybe we're in the habit of glancing and not really looking, and so devaluing them. I enjoyed the chance just to stand and stare at some of yours (and thank you for being polite when I asked about the choices you'd made in one or two!).
Talking of taking time, we had a judge at our camera club once who proudly said that he could tell within 3 seconds whether an image was any good or not...hmph.
PS I'll have to remember that quote from another commenter: “ that was a lovely meal, you must have an excellent oven”.
Thank you very much for your comments Mark and it was lovely chatting to you at the exhibition. I think you have made a good point about the time we take to look at a photo. On line that is only a few seconds at most, but in a gallery we have the opportunity to take longer and I think that is really valuable. If an image can hold your attention for a long time then it has something compelling about it. I am not sure you can really judge something in 3 seconds. You might be able to tell if it has serious compositional issues but beyond that you haven't got time to consider what the photographer was trying to do.
I think one of the tragedies brought about by cell phones is that everyone can so easily take photos these days. Most people only know it as pointing in a direction and pressing a button, and they do this very often and at a whim. Photography is entirely taken for granted. Artistic photography such as yours rises to an entirely different level due to everything you put into your images. To me this is obvious, but it is a hard thing to overcome with most people unfamiliar with photography.
I haven't been at this all that long, but I've heard these comments you describe. On the rare occasions I have been asked to take someone's photo, they stand where they want (always in bad light), pose how they want, and they say "hey, take my picture" as if it will will turn out good without any input from me. Frustrating, to say the least.
I haven't sold many prints at all. I think maybe one of the reasons is that my photos are mostly of places people have not been to themselves and don't have that connection of memory or familiarity. One print I sold was to a friend of mine. He bought it because he's interested in the American Civil War and he says it reminds him of that. That was certainly the furthest thing from my mind when I took the photo, but every time he mentions it he only talks about it looking like a Civil War photo. Haha! Kind of bizarre!
Thank you so much for your comments Erik which I found really interesting. Particularly the reason why someone bought your work. It stacks up with the theory that we associate memories (or in this case interests) with places or maybe a certain way you represented a place. There was obviously something about your image that sparked your friends interest. I think that is one of the intriguing things about art - the different reasons we all have for liking or disliking something.
Thank you for all your comments and engagement this year Erik. Enjoy the holidays.
Firstly, it was lovely to see you the other week at your exhibition. It was beautifully put together and a wonderful showcase of your work. Loved chatting with you too. I enjoyed reading your part 1 to this post last week. Where do I even start with this weeks?
I've heard all of the comments you've mentioned. The "you must have a good camera" one is classic! One of my personal favourites is "Well, we could just go there and take that ourselves". It does often strike me that, sadly, photography comes across as more of a commodity. Its value seems very subjective. I've only exhibited a handful of times and on one occasion, I had a gentlemen that was in awe of a photograph from Snape, spending a good bit of time looking at it. That was until his wife said it was a photograph and he sneered and walked off. It does snag and I don't read your post at all as grumpy. These things are definitely good to reflect on and talk about.
When people are purchasing images that resonate with them emotionally or signify a moment or memory, then that more than makes up for it. It's always rewarding when people feel that connection - and hearing other peoples experiences of that location would have been very rewarding I'm sure. It sounds like your week was a success for you.
I think the idea of meet ups are good too. A great way to create conversation and encourage.
Thank you so much Daniel for all your kind comments. It was lovely to meet you at the exhibition and good to have a chat.
I have had a very similar experience to yours with your Snape image and at the time it struck me as strange - either you like an image or your don't. Why does the medium matter? I do think it is sad that photography isn't valued as much as it should be, because it is a valuable way of communicating how we see the world.
Have a good Christmas and I hope to catch up in 2025.
100% - Every word of this rings true and is exactly my experience too. We once had someone buy a print of Loch Ossian because his nephew was called Ossian - no other reason.
And yes my favourites don't always sell, but that’s okay too, part of exhibiting is just letting people see your work. Maybe easy for me to say since I'm not a full time pro but putting your work on the wall says something about you, and my favourites are important to me.
Thank you very much for your comments Grant and I love the reason why someone bought one of your prints.
I agree with your experience - my personal favourites don't tend to do as well for me as some of my other images but I can't work out why. I'm not sure it really matters but I find these things interesting. 🙂
I've generally found that those of my images that I really like are not the favourites of the viewing public. Maybe it's because we know what went into making a particular image or it was a defining moment in our personal progress and, of course, such things are intangible and not evident to the viewer. Who knows, we're all fickle creatures!
I find it strange that people won't go on workshops as they don't think they are good enough. The whole point of going on a workshop is to learn. Whatever stage we're at in our photographic journeys, there is always room to learn and progress.
It's a pity Suffolk is so far away from the Highlands as I would have liked to come along to your meet ups.
Thank you very much for your comments Lynn. I agree with you - most of the images that do well for me are not my personal favourites which I find really interesting.
Regarding workshops I think some people lack confidence and feel embarrassed to share their work even to a fellow photographer. It is something I have come across many times which is a real shame.
It is a pity we are so far apart, it would be lovely to meet you sometime. Have a great Christmas and thank you for engaging with all my writing in 2024.
The landscape of memory, I love that and definitely agree.
" It is never the camera that makes the image, it is the person behind the camera. The best equipment in the world won’t make a good image if the voice and creativity of the photographer doesn’t shine through."
Yes so, so true!
The local meet ups.... how are you arranging them, facebook?
Thank you very much for your comments Hayley. I am glad you enjoyed the post.
My meet ups are local to Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk and the next one will be sometime in February. I will mention it on here. They are free, but they need to be booked through my website. www.landscapephotographytuition.co.uk
Thanks for this Gill. Once again, an interesting blog with much that I can relate to, especially with regards to people’s comments on my work and what sells. I too have found that my images that sell portray something that people relate to, which is usually a favourite place or a place we’re a memorable event took place here on the Peninsula. Also, I always have to bite my tongue at comments like “‘Your images are stunning - you must have a good camera.’”, to which I normally reply “Thanks, I taught it every it knows”. In the end though, what matters in my opinion is that we practice our ART-FORM for ourselves and for the rewards it gives us.
Thank you very much for your comments Steven and I absolutely agree. We should all take images to please ourselves and not worry about what anyone else thinks. It might be hard to do sometimes but in the long run we make better images if we keep our work authentic and true to what we like.
Playing catch up after a recent return from a cruise holiday, the benefit of which is to read the many comments, could this be the most to one of your articles? Very interesting and imotive, I have probably said before that 'art' is in the eye of the beholder, and yes that emotional connection initially only takes seconds, after which the internal discussion or those perhaps with a partner ensues before a purchase! The distinction between photography as an art form and taking a photograph can perhaps be summed up. Taking a photograph is of the moment, quick often done these days with a phone, a selfie, an urban or landscape scene to capture that moment as a memory aid, in the main they are not art. Creating an image takes time, and thought plus all the things said about composition, individual style and post processing, so no that photo that anyone can take will never be 'art' just a memory at best of that moment.
Looking forward to details of your meet ups and will definitely endeavour to attend, I also have to review your programme of diary dates, so looking forward to seeing you in 2025! Have a great Christmas 🎅
Gill, I am so pleased your exhibition was a success. Congratulations. If I can make two points.
Yes, confidence is everything in art. And yes, photography is much easier than it once was - we all take photos that would have been close to impossible not so long ago. The irony is that those iPhone shots are more highly processed than one of your beautifully crafted RAW files!
Thank you so much for your comments James which I very much agree with. I think that is why I rarely use my phone for photography, I really don't like the way the images are rendered.
For me confidence is really important and it is something that has only come with time. It is still very easily knocked but I think we all make our best work when we believe in ourselves.
Good morning Gill, Some very beautiful images and I wished Woodbridge was not so far otherwise I’d have visited. After years of listening to camera club judges, i decided that I was the only arbiter of what I wanted in my images, and finished with the club. There’s also an element of enjoying the taking, despite what may be an average result, that I now find rewarding. The comment about the quality of the camera is common. However, remember the photographer who responded to that comment from his host saying, “ that was a lovely meal, you must have an excellent oven”. Keep up the good work, and a very happy Christmas and good health and fortune for 2025.
Thank you very much for your comments Trevor.
I agree with you about getting enjoyment from taking images, at the end of the day that is the most important part. I also love your comment about the oven - a brilliant retort. 🙂
Happy Christmas and thank you for your engagement with my blog.
Fantastic exhibition Gill, great images on display.
My thoughts have already been covered in previous comments.
Having seen the wonderful video on YouTube that Simon and yourself produced to give a sense of what a workshop being lead by yourself is like, it got me wondering!
Maybe we photographers have a role to play in educating the public as to what skills and effort goes into making a great image. Perhaps you could produce a video that shows you 'start to finish' explaining what happens maybe with your alarm going off at 3am, and you checking the forecast on your phone to see what the sunrise might be like through to you looking at the raw image, deciding on what you envisage the end result looking like and post-processing and making making several prints to adjust. Just a thought :-)
Thank you very much for your comments Martin. I agree, I guess if we want people to understand what goes into making an image then maybe we should educate them. Simon and I will look at the video idea because I definitely think it has merit. Thank you for the suggestion - lots of food for thought. 🙂
Gill, I suspect the reason people undervalue the skill and persistence that is often required to take a great photograph is because everyone knows how a photograph is taken (or at least think they do, most people not appreciating of course all the work that goes into post processing etc) - and many people have themselves got lucky and taken a decent photograph or two with their phone. Therefore unlike drawing or painting or playing the piano some of the magic is lost - subconsciously there is the thought “I too could have done that” - but conversely - for those of us that know how difficult it is, and how much skill, preparation, knowledge - and making your own luck - goes into making a great photograph - we can be inspired by photographs like yours to think “one day I too might be able to take a photo like that”, thus we are inspired to believe in our ability, not just believe that we haven’t been as lucky as the professional photographer.
Thank you very much for your comments. I think that is all very true although I think not enough people value the art of composition which is the main reason behind the success of an image. Like you say, people 'think' they know how to take a good photo but often underestimate the compositional side of things.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 🙂
Interesting reflections Gill. I have little doubt smartphones have made most people consider that they can take the same image on their phone. And photography has become a popular hobby probably due to the digital age. The few prints I’ve sold have all had a purposeful reason or a connection of some sort. At a club exhibition a couple of years ago, I sold two copies of my least favourite of four images on display (Stiffkey Saltmarshes). One of those buyers said her and her husband visit the area every year and it was a gift for him which was lovely. I think the fact the image was on show in physical form also helped attract a buyer. On the subject of having a good camera… most folks who walk past if you’re on a shoot ask “What bird are you trying to photograph?”. Maybe another indication of bemusement that you may be capturing a landscape scene. I was at a bird reserve a few weeks ago and went to find out what the group of people with long lenses and camo gear were after. Chatting to one of the guys, I explained I was here by chance to see if I could catch a bird and that I mostly do landscapes. With his camera and lens obviously suited to birds in flight, he proudly told me somewhat dismissively he does landscapes now on his phone. I just smiled politely and hid my disappointment. Mind you, he also told me the birds had gone home for the day and it was pointless at this point. After he and the other folks left, I hung around for half an hour and had a cuppa from my flask, and duly caught the best bearded tit shot I’ve had to date.
Thank you very much for your comments Terry. It is interesting to read your experiences of picture sales and why people purchased the images they did. I always find that fascinating.
Your comments about birding really resonate as I find when I am out with workshop groups people always ask what we are doing and they always think we are photographing birds. It seems strange to me that no one can see the beauty in the landscape.
Well done on the bearded tit shots - they are such lovely birds.
How many times have I heard that?.... "Anyone can take photos these days"... Unlike many people, I don't dismiss the use of mobile phones..to me, the best camera in the world is the one you have on you at the time! My phone can be used in It's pro-mode exactly the same as my camera. Granted, I still think it's programmed to add in a bit of AI... but... it's possibly the future! Particularly for people like me who cycle tour... cameras/lenses/tripods/filters take up so much space!
The thing my camera cannot do itself, even on auto is composition...far and away the most important aspect of any image. So you could have the most technically brilliant image, shot on a £7k camera, if the composition is off...it shows.
I don't think non-photographers consider this. They don't see the thought behind the composition...they just instinctively know it works!
Editing too...most non photographers think that the best photographers should have no need to edit. The beautiful image should be straight out of camera... they don't realise that even my old Dad edited his film images in the dark room! Technology marches on but the principles remain the same. A camera, is still a camera. The science in producing an image is still exactly the same as in Victorian times.
I'd be interested to know if anyone else's images hang on your walls Gill? I have 1 panoramic Colin Prior of Assynt in my house and one day, when the weather gods allow, I will replace it with one by me 😊. As you say, it's the emotional attachment to that epic landscape that keeps it on the wall!
Oh my goodness...I'd so love to join you in Suffolk on a photo walk!
Thank you very much for your comments Jayne.
I wouldn't dismiss mobile phones either, for as you say the best camera is the one you have on you. And you are right it is all about composition. If this is wrong the image will fall to pieces.
I don't currently have any images from other photographers on my walls but if I was to consider something it would be from somebody like Bruce Percy or Lizzie Shepherd, both of whom I admire very much as photographers.
I tend to collect a lot of photo books which is another way I like to view peoples work. I have Fragile by Colin Prior which I think is a fabulous book.
Fscinating article and I'm not surprised Autumn morning sold-it is a beautiful image. A few years ago I booked a table at a fair in our local village hall. One of the prints on sale was a sunrise over a local mere. More than person remarked it was obviously photoshopped as the colours were to bright. When I gently suggested the colours were accurate and the image was taken on slide film with a medium format camera I was accused of showing off!
Thank you very much for your comments Tom. It would seem that with some people you just can't win. I usually try and explain my thought process when people ask about processing - sometimes they understand and sometimes they have very fixed views.
Fascinating, Gill. I smiled at your replay of the conversations. When I showed my jewelry and objects at craft fairs, people were keen to ask why didn’t I make [this] or offer helpful “suggestions.” I never understood that. Why not just appreciate what you’re seeing or move on?
Now that we all carry cameras in our pockets, it’s sad to see photography mistakenly demoted as an art form. That confuses the content with the medium. It’s about not only looking, but seeing and, as you so eloquently say, feeling. Not landscape as object, but subject. Portraiture of belonging and kinship.
This note, “the landscape as an archive of memory,” struck a chord. From what I understand, indigenous cultures take this quite seriously. Think Australia’s song lines, for example. Their stories and art are rooted in place.
Thank you very much for your comments Julie. I completely agree with you. I never understand why people don't just accept what they are seeing and decide whether they like it based on how it makes them feel. It shouldn't matter if an image is a photograph or any other medium, it is about whether you connect with it or not. Surely that is the power of good work?
I'm glad I could make the exhibition, Gill, and enjoyed chatting with you. One thing I pondered on the way home was about needing to take enough time to enjoy an image. I wonder if people who would be happy to take their time in a picture gallery don't spare photographs enough of a chance? Because there are so many photos on line, maybe we're in the habit of glancing and not really looking, and so devaluing them. I enjoyed the chance just to stand and stare at some of yours (and thank you for being polite when I asked about the choices you'd made in one or two!).
Talking of taking time, we had a judge at our camera club once who proudly said that he could tell within 3 seconds whether an image was any good or not...hmph.
PS I'll have to remember that quote from another commenter: “ that was a lovely meal, you must have an excellent oven”.
Thank you very much for your comments Mark and it was lovely chatting to you at the exhibition. I think you have made a good point about the time we take to look at a photo. On line that is only a few seconds at most, but in a gallery we have the opportunity to take longer and I think that is really valuable. If an image can hold your attention for a long time then it has something compelling about it. I am not sure you can really judge something in 3 seconds. You might be able to tell if it has serious compositional issues but beyond that you haven't got time to consider what the photographer was trying to do.
I think one of the tragedies brought about by cell phones is that everyone can so easily take photos these days. Most people only know it as pointing in a direction and pressing a button, and they do this very often and at a whim. Photography is entirely taken for granted. Artistic photography such as yours rises to an entirely different level due to everything you put into your images. To me this is obvious, but it is a hard thing to overcome with most people unfamiliar with photography.
I haven't been at this all that long, but I've heard these comments you describe. On the rare occasions I have been asked to take someone's photo, they stand where they want (always in bad light), pose how they want, and they say "hey, take my picture" as if it will will turn out good without any input from me. Frustrating, to say the least.
I haven't sold many prints at all. I think maybe one of the reasons is that my photos are mostly of places people have not been to themselves and don't have that connection of memory or familiarity. One print I sold was to a friend of mine. He bought it because he's interested in the American Civil War and he says it reminds him of that. That was certainly the furthest thing from my mind when I took the photo, but every time he mentions it he only talks about it looking like a Civil War photo. Haha! Kind of bizarre!
Thank you so much for your comments Erik which I found really interesting. Particularly the reason why someone bought your work. It stacks up with the theory that we associate memories (or in this case interests) with places or maybe a certain way you represented a place. There was obviously something about your image that sparked your friends interest. I think that is one of the intriguing things about art - the different reasons we all have for liking or disliking something.
Thank you for all your comments and engagement this year Erik. Enjoy the holidays.
Firstly, it was lovely to see you the other week at your exhibition. It was beautifully put together and a wonderful showcase of your work. Loved chatting with you too. I enjoyed reading your part 1 to this post last week. Where do I even start with this weeks?
I've heard all of the comments you've mentioned. The "you must have a good camera" one is classic! One of my personal favourites is "Well, we could just go there and take that ourselves". It does often strike me that, sadly, photography comes across as more of a commodity. Its value seems very subjective. I've only exhibited a handful of times and on one occasion, I had a gentlemen that was in awe of a photograph from Snape, spending a good bit of time looking at it. That was until his wife said it was a photograph and he sneered and walked off. It does snag and I don't read your post at all as grumpy. These things are definitely good to reflect on and talk about.
When people are purchasing images that resonate with them emotionally or signify a moment or memory, then that more than makes up for it. It's always rewarding when people feel that connection - and hearing other peoples experiences of that location would have been very rewarding I'm sure. It sounds like your week was a success for you.
I think the idea of meet ups are good too. A great way to create conversation and encourage.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
Thank you so much Daniel for all your kind comments. It was lovely to meet you at the exhibition and good to have a chat.
I have had a very similar experience to yours with your Snape image and at the time it struck me as strange - either you like an image or your don't. Why does the medium matter? I do think it is sad that photography isn't valued as much as it should be, because it is a valuable way of communicating how we see the world.
Have a good Christmas and I hope to catch up in 2025.
That's what struck me. It resonated and wasn't just a passing gaze, yet was immediately devalued by medium.
I will have to keep an eye out for some of your walks.
100% - Every word of this rings true and is exactly my experience too. We once had someone buy a print of Loch Ossian because his nephew was called Ossian - no other reason.
And yes my favourites don't always sell, but that’s okay too, part of exhibiting is just letting people see your work. Maybe easy for me to say since I'm not a full time pro but putting your work on the wall says something about you, and my favourites are important to me.
Thank you very much for your comments Grant and I love the reason why someone bought one of your prints.
I agree with your experience - my personal favourites don't tend to do as well for me as some of my other images but I can't work out why. I'm not sure it really matters but I find these things interesting. 🙂
I've generally found that those of my images that I really like are not the favourites of the viewing public. Maybe it's because we know what went into making a particular image or it was a defining moment in our personal progress and, of course, such things are intangible and not evident to the viewer. Who knows, we're all fickle creatures!
I find it strange that people won't go on workshops as they don't think they are good enough. The whole point of going on a workshop is to learn. Whatever stage we're at in our photographic journeys, there is always room to learn and progress.
It's a pity Suffolk is so far away from the Highlands as I would have liked to come along to your meet ups.
Thank you very much for your comments Lynn. I agree with you - most of the images that do well for me are not my personal favourites which I find really interesting.
Regarding workshops I think some people lack confidence and feel embarrassed to share their work even to a fellow photographer. It is something I have come across many times which is a real shame.
It is a pity we are so far apart, it would be lovely to meet you sometime. Have a great Christmas and thank you for engaging with all my writing in 2024.
So interesting!
The landscape of memory, I love that and definitely agree.
" It is never the camera that makes the image, it is the person behind the camera. The best equipment in the world won’t make a good image if the voice and creativity of the photographer doesn’t shine through."
Yes so, so true!
The local meet ups.... how are you arranging them, facebook?
Thank you very much for your comments Hayley. I am glad you enjoyed the post.
My meet ups are local to Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk and the next one will be sometime in February. I will mention it on here. They are free, but they need to be booked through my website. www.landscapephotographytuition.co.uk
Thanks for this Gill. Once again, an interesting blog with much that I can relate to, especially with regards to people’s comments on my work and what sells. I too have found that my images that sell portray something that people relate to, which is usually a favourite place or a place we’re a memorable event took place here on the Peninsula. Also, I always have to bite my tongue at comments like “‘Your images are stunning - you must have a good camera.’”, to which I normally reply “Thanks, I taught it every it knows”. In the end though, what matters in my opinion is that we practice our ART-FORM for ourselves and for the rewards it gives us.
Thank you very much for your comments Steven and I absolutely agree. We should all take images to please ourselves and not worry about what anyone else thinks. It might be hard to do sometimes but in the long run we make better images if we keep our work authentic and true to what we like.
Playing catch up after a recent return from a cruise holiday, the benefit of which is to read the many comments, could this be the most to one of your articles? Very interesting and imotive, I have probably said before that 'art' is in the eye of the beholder, and yes that emotional connection initially only takes seconds, after which the internal discussion or those perhaps with a partner ensues before a purchase! The distinction between photography as an art form and taking a photograph can perhaps be summed up. Taking a photograph is of the moment, quick often done these days with a phone, a selfie, an urban or landscape scene to capture that moment as a memory aid, in the main they are not art. Creating an image takes time, and thought plus all the things said about composition, individual style and post processing, so no that photo that anyone can take will never be 'art' just a memory at best of that moment.
Looking forward to details of your meet ups and will definitely endeavour to attend, I also have to review your programme of diary dates, so looking forward to seeing you in 2025! Have a great Christmas 🎅
Thank you for your comments Chris, the cruise sounds good, I hope you had a good time.
I agree with your words, creating an image definitely takes time and thought. Capturing a moment is more impulsive and such probably less artistic.
I hope to see you in 2025.
Gill, I am so pleased your exhibition was a success. Congratulations. If I can make two points.
Yes, confidence is everything in art. And yes, photography is much easier than it once was - we all take photos that would have been close to impossible not so long ago. The irony is that those iPhone shots are more highly processed than one of your beautifully crafted RAW files!
Thank you so much for your comments James which I very much agree with. I think that is why I rarely use my phone for photography, I really don't like the way the images are rendered.
For me confidence is really important and it is something that has only come with time. It is still very easily knocked but I think we all make our best work when we believe in ourselves.