I never needed it. I never wanted it. I know this works for me, but I’m not sure it works for you. And, I’m not judging you. If you need it, great. I get it. But if you need it, look for it from someone knowledgeable. Strangers and bots don’t mean a thing unless your needs are bordering on the unhealthy. Take the time to learn the legends who live in your area and make a plan. It may take a week, a month, or a year. Being driven by positive affirmation is a dangerous game, but it could be a game that leads you to become the best photographer anyone has ever seen.
Some of the best affirmations I have ever received came in the form of negative feedback, but it was delivered by people who were more accomplished and more knowledgeable. Did it sting? Yep. Did it force me to rethink and become a better photographer? Yep. We live in a soft age, an online age, where providing anything constructive is often considered off-limits. But those of you out there who live honest lives when it comes to shining the lens inward, well, you know you can’t hide from the truth. And yes, sometimes that truth hurts.
Comments 6
Excellent advice!!!! As you wrote, Daniel, sometimes it’s the hardest critiques that make you stop and think and reconsider if perhaps one could have done
a better job. Sometimes it’s the best thing that ever happened to you, to me, to everyone. Don’t let really critical advice stop you. Learn from it but as you wrote, don’t listen to bots or people who you do not admire or who don’t really know that much or are just mean! Jealous! Whatever.
Perhaps closely linked – or perhaps not – the people who commission work without having any idea of how that work really should be handled.
I have had two lady clients with whom I have flown out (separately, different companies), to locations, and the vibe that both emitted was that they were scared of the job they were supposedly performing, their concern not the photographs I was trying to produce, but how their presence on the shoots would be judged back at their respective H.Q.
I guess that the lesson I should have learned early was that when you are asked to go on a trip, are allowed no input on which models will be selected, where the work will be done, the smart thing to do is to pass on that kind of gig. Unfortunately, the need to pay the bills meant that those events simply became TAMAR productions: take the money and run. Consequently, nothing for the portfolio.
Enjoyed your podcast. The men in suits will probably come to check you out… Menorca is the island next to mine; on a clear day, from a mountain, one can see it on the horizon. Sadly, it’s a ferry crossing, and can feature other the most violent seas in the western Med right between the two islands. Enjoy; it’s a lot less concreted than Mallorca or Ibiza.
that jacket Dan… not the glasses… that damned grey outdoor jacket…
loved the nat geo story, keep them coming
won’t make it to Paris, lots and lots of more significant things to do than seeking affirmation of Mr. Milnor LoL!
Author
Paris Photo, and surrounding fairs, were a lot of fun. Some dreamy images and books to be consumed.
Hola Uncle Danno!
Long time…I think I say the same thing every time but once again catching up on your site and the golden nuggets that come with that after a hiatus from online in general for work & life. Great to see and read you’re keepin on, keepin on. Looking forward to catching up on all your material (lol, and that’s not flattery disguised as negative feedback for inspirational purposes of the easily offended ego 😉
All the best,
JT
Author
Will be in Seattle soon. Don’t have time for Victoria but hope to get back soon.