Photography mid life crisis...........

Markjay

I'm not sure where (?) or what forum to post this message to but, would really love your help with this one, my fellow photographers.......

Recently someone was in a position to view all of the images of mine that "never make it" to the promotional level. That is, images I don't "push" or promote, or even show for that matter.

here's what they said to me: "why are you not using some of these images, that are excellent!!".

My reply was: I don't think they are good enough, at least from my own standards so, I keep them in the folder with all my "less successful" images.

I was told to allow the viewers to decide if they are good enough or appealing or not.

So my questions to you fellow photographic artists are.......

1. do you do this also?
2. if I don't use my own judgement to determine quality, marketability, where does one draw the line then?
3. if I put images that I consider to be lesser quality in with my other images that are of high quality, isn't that going to bring down the overall feeling about my work?

I would appreciate anyone who is takes the time to respond to this.
Maybe it's just

photographer mid life crisis?

Thanks folks!
Markjay

gus

It would depend for me... was my mum stating it or a sports magazine editor.

This is all a very personal thing but there is no shame in shooting 'not so good' shots. People may see stuff that you cant. They may have upcoming ideas/events that a particular shot could be used in.

Shay Stephens

You are the photographer, it is ultimately your decision as to what it is you make available. "The buck stops here" in other words.

Now with that said, it doesn't hurt to allow experienced and *sometimes* not so experienced people to look at your work and offer suggestions. It can turn on a light bulb of insight that could lead you in a direction you had not imagined.

But, with that said, there is no quicker way to mediocrity than relying on others for your vision. Doing polls to find out what people want. Following every wind of change. You need an internal guiding compass for your vision. Allowing people to determine what that is will lead to ruin.

Markjay wrote:

I was told to allow the viewers to decide if they are good enough or appealing or not.

luckyrwe

If someone wants to pore through my seconds pile, either negs or digital, they are free to do so. Are there winners in there? Maybe to their eye. I am sure that if I ask enough people, all the images will be worthy of print (This is like folks who shoot with Leica, even a blurry gob of goo is good because it was shot with a Leica).

It is better to have folks ask why your hidden pictures never made print than to have them ask why your printed pictures didn't remain hidden!

Markjay

Thank you, Shay.....
Your insight and professional experience is a HUGE bonus for his forum (Dgrin), Shay. I for one appreciate having your guidance here...... THANK you!

This quote from you, is such a great answer! I know I need to use my own judgement to determine what's the best I've got to show and, I know like a American Idol hopeful who picks the "wrong song" to sing that night, that decision can make or break you if you are not careful.

I feel I have a pretty good eye for what's promotable. However, every once in a while people surprise me with taking a liking to some images I find to be good but not my best. Other times I'm amazed that people see one of my best images and comment instead on an image adjacent to it in my galleries :-) Dats the luck of the draw you have to deal with when you are "opening your doors" to the viewing public I guess?

Thanks a bunch to all of you who have responded so far, great comments!

Markjay

Shay Stephens wrote:

But, with that said, there is no quicker way to mediocrity than relying on others for your vision. Doing polls to find out what people want. Following every wind of change. You need an internal guiding compass for your vision. Allowing people to determine what that is will lead to ruin.

Shay Stephens

Let me add one more thought
This one I find is true quite often, because the unskilled just don't know what they are looking at many times and their decision making process is based on things other than photo content or style:

"Never underestimate the poor taste of your client"

They may like something, but that don't make it right ;-)

Markjay

What in your experience do the unskilled..........
...... base their decision on, then?

You mean like "oooh, look at that pretty sunset"
Not taking note that he water is completely out of focus :-)

You mean like that?

Or maybe like this?
I did a nature art show and, I can not tell you how many women walked up to my "booth" and said: "look, there's my bird that white bird I told you I love".

Ok, the art show is probably not the best example since, many of the visitors are art enthusiasts or have an appreciation for it or, are painters and collectors themselves. Even so, there were still those who were "laymen" and exhibited zero appreciation for the image quality or characteristics.

Just give the buyer what they want....... whatever that is.

Markjay

Shay Stephens wrote:

This one I find is true quite often, because the unskilled just don't know what they are looking at many times and their decision making process is based on things other than photo content or style:

"Never underestimate the poor taste of your client"

They may like something, but that don't make it right ;-)

Shay Stephens

The reasons are varied and random and mostly have nothing to do with the photos main content or style.

Markjay wrote:

...... base their decision on, then?

I don't like xyz photo because:
It reminds me of that terrible vacation I had
It reminds me of so and so, he is such a jerk
Those are not the colors I am going to have in my wedding
I have never seen a photo taken like that, it must be bad

I like xyz photo because:
{just reverse the reasons above}
Oh look at that puppy way off in the distance
Oooh, look at the purse she has, it's great.
Oh wow, that motorcycle is like so perfectly centered in the frame
I took a photo like that with my Crap-O-Matic 1000 back in the 60's

Markjay wrote:

Just give the buyer what they want....... whatever that is.

That desire is inversely proportional to the balance in my bank account ;-)

hehehe

ginger_55

I took 400 or more photos yesterday. Are you all ready to look at and comment on all?

On the other hand, I am not the best judge. The only challenges I have won have been with photos that I just put up because they were there........
No reason. I guess I thought the last one was funny. The other one seemed to fit in. If I had never let (made accessable)some of my "other" shots, I never would have won anything. Why I picked those is really kind of a mystery.

From a week ago I put up several threads early in the week of what I thought were my best shots. On Friday, I finished it off with another thread. Then I saw a few birds in flight that appeared to be in focus. I worked them up. One of them is my favorite bird shot ever. And everyone liked it.

ginger

4labs

I think in a perfect world it would be great for you to be able to do what you love and make a living at it also. I think as an artist you have to find a balance between what makes you happy and what is going to put food on the table. I don't think there is anything wrong with "giving people what they want" as long as you know why you are giving it to them and you stay true to yourself. I will never be a great photographer nor do I have aspirations to be one but I am the one buying the stuff from you guys so you should care what "I" think..