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Author Topic: Guide: How to Take Criticism to Improve as a Commercial Photographer  (Read 3678 times)

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Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« on: September 21, 2016, 08:06 »
+1
Hey all,

I've put together this attached pdf guide which I trust most will find useful, particularly as you are trying to hone your craft.

Please feel free to comment.

Thanks

Brasilnut


dpimborough

« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2016, 12:43 »
0
Hey all,

I've put together this attached pdf guide which I trust most will find useful, particularly as you are trying to hone your craft.

Please feel free to comment.

Thanks

Brasilnut

That is a great little guide!

Though I would never advise using the likes of 500px or Flickr as arbiters of quality

And you could mention that you should always be your own worst critic Dutch style!  ;D
« Last Edit: September 21, 2016, 13:33 by Teddy the Cat »

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2016, 13:24 »
0
Quote
That is a great little guide!

Though I would never advise using the likes of 500px or Flickr as arbiters of quality

And you could mention that you should always be your own worst critic Dutch style!  LD


Thanks! :). Ah Flickr, I never even bothered!

I'm glad you found it useful. I wrote another guide a few days ago and it's on the General - Top 4 thread: http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-big-6/i've-compared-my-earnings-with-some-of-the-bigger-sites-interesting-article/

Good point about being your own critic but I've seen people take this too far and are too afraid to make mistakes so they don't even bother shooting anymore!

Good luck

Brasilnut






« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2016, 13:48 »
0
You're hitting on a lot of common experience with your articles, which is great!

I think the biggest thing you're saying well here is: "swallow your ego, listen to and learn from the harsh feedback"

Which is a tough thing to do, whether it's about getting better at photography or basketball or cooking meals.

In defense of Flickr and 500px:  Though it's a fun time waste to scroll though and fav stuff between uploads, these social media sites can be channels for giving and taking feedback:
1. There are groups on flickr for strictly for harsh critiques. 
2. It's a great way for me to see my friends' work immediately, so as to be ready to have conversations about the shots next time I see them in person.
3. Location scouting.  I can see a variety of images from an upcoming location and critique others' work so I know how to do better/what to do differently when I'm at a certain spot.
4. Not only with my local friends, but I also make online friends who give me good critique, and respect my opinion when I look at and comment on their stuff.
5. If you do a little tagging and describing, you've got a good base to copy from and paste to description fields and keyword fields in stock upload pages.

So, if used intelligently, Flickr and other photo social media sites can be of great value specifically to my microstock photography skill set.

I still agree that we should be our own harshest critics, though.

Brasilnut

  • Author Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock & Blog

« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2016, 03:18 »
0
Quote
In defense of Flickr and 500px:  Though it's a fun time waste to scroll though and fav stuff between uploads, these social media sites can be channels for giving and taking feedback:
1. There are groups on flickr for strictly for harsh critiques. 
2. It's a great way for me to see my friends' work immediately, so as to be ready to have conversations about the shots next time I see them in person.
3. Location scouting.  I can see a variety of images from an upcoming location and critique others' work so I know how to do better/what to do differently when I'm at a certain spot.
4. Not only with my local friends, but I also make online friends who give me good critique, and respect my opinion when I look at and comment on their stuff.
5. If you do a little tagging and describing, you've got a good base to copy from and paste to description fields and keyword fields in stock upload pages.

You are right as it's a good way to improve your work. Although I'm constantly improving and take inspiration from others, I'm at a point when I need to focus on how will I make some coin before socializing :) 


 

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