"I shoot only for myself": This is a common claim, and to some extent, it must be true. Unless you are being paid for your pictures,you must surely shoot for personal reasons. But a...

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

This is a common claim, and to some extent, it must be true. Unless you are being paid for your pictures,you must surely shoot for personal reasons.

But a lot of people say they shoot only for themselves, then ask for others' opinions of their pictures. Unless they get substantially unqualified praise, they reject any advice or criticism on the grounds that they are shooting only for themselves.

There is a certain inconsistency in this.

Any thoughts?

Cheers,

R.

lesws Loc: Colorado

Roger Hicks wrote:

This is a common claim, and to some extent, it mus... (show quote)

I shoot for myself but like every thing else I do I always try to be with someone better than me so I can learn. Just my way of doing it. I have had some harsh feedback over the years.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I agree that you should shoot for your self, but you can only progress with some cc if it is helpful. We all have are preference just as with anything else we need to consider. I personally do not like a cluttered foreground unless it adds the pic. I like to shoot a little bit underexposed except the subject. Bokeh is good example, I have had people comment that every thing is not in focus.I do not like over saturated colors, but some do. Ever one has to develop there on style

nyweb2001

Roger Hicks wrote:

This is a common claim, and to some extent, it mus... (show quote)

You may be shooting only for yourself given the fact that no pay is involved, but once you display your work, whether it's on the web or for the wall, you're shooting for all to see.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

OK, I sort of understand. But the first two responses so far are from people who DO want to learn. Believe me, there are those who don't!

If you're dissatisfied with your pics, then of course it makes sense to try to find out how to get them closer to your personal vision.

But when I'm doing a critique, I try to say, "What were you trying to achieve here?" Then, based on what they say, I'll try to suggest as many ways as I can think of, to help them get closer to what they want.

It's the people who reject any suggestions that freak me, especially if they then say, "I don't care what anyone else thinks". If they really didn't care, they'd not ask anyone else's opinion.

Cheers,

R.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

nyweb2001 wrote:

You may be shooting only for yourself given the fact that no pay is involved, but once you display your work, whether it's on the web or for the wall, you're shooting for all to see.

Dear Pete,

That's exactly my feeling. If you don't care what anyone else thinks, why are you showing them your pictures? And even if you're only looking to improve your pictures for your own sake, you must place some value on their opinion.

Cheers,

R.

lesws Loc: Colorado

nyweb2001 wrote:

quote=Roger Hicks This is a common claim, and to ... (show quote)

Good point.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I don't have a dog in this hunt because I really haven't given the issue any thought...But (always a but) I have on occasion shown people pictures of "things" or "people" I wanted them to see and not interested in the photo at all. Example: I've got a car that is a collectible and I've shown folks pictures of the car because I want them to see the car not the quality of my photo. Maybe I want to show someone what my grandchildren look like so I show them a photo. I guess what I'm saying here is that photos are not always the subject and do not always take center stage.

rickyd Loc: Dothan, Al

my only thought here is that I agree that once you post an image here it is open for all here to see, I am here to learn, I cannot learn if I am not critiqued, but I do have a problem with some critiques, not as to the subject of the c&C, but the way they are done, most , almost all do it in a constructive way that you can learn from, but there are a few that seem to want to show they are better are want to be a harsh and crude as they can be,,I have a problem with that, I have taught many classes over the yrs, not photo classes, but they are all the same in how people percieve being taught, th ewya you present material to betaught makes a world of difference in hpw it is recieced,,most on how it is learned,,,just the thoughts of an old medic,,keep shooting!

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

Roger Hicks wrote:

This is a common claim, and to some extent, it mus... (show quote)

I feel that some of the time, people are so impressed with their own skills that they post something in an effort to get their ego stroked(I have been guilty of this) Then when someone finds problems with their work it is like a slap in the face.
Their first reaction is internal "how dare they, My photos are better than the crap they they have posted!" (again, I am guilty of this)

The trick is to hold off on the 'how dare you' post and come back an hour later. When I do that I usually find that the advice is correct. And if I still do not agree with the advice given, no harm done.

1eyedjack

I agree with Rodger Hicks. This is a "show and tell" forum
is it not ??

nyweb2001

hlmichel wrote:

quote=Roger Hicks This is a common claim, and to ... (show quote)

One thing about advice and critique concerning an image....ask 10 people, get 10 opinions ! Gotta take the good stuff with you and get rid of personal preferences.....photography IS a form of art.....everyone has a different opinion ! I've looked at pictures I thought were garbage and they ended up wining awards !

RiverNan Loc: Eastern Pa

Who else really do you do anything for....most of what we do, we do for ourselves....even when we do for others it is usually because it makes US feel good. It has been seriously debated whether altruism exists at all.
The genuine quest for help comes from wanting to do it better. Those folks will appreciate constructice critism Not everyone is genuine in their request.
My thoughts in a NUT shell, which some may conclude describes my head.

jerseydevil Loc: Galloway NJ

I was in two Camera Clubs for a number of years. I learned a lot from the various members, but, there were always one or two that had the attitude ,"If it's not shot or printed like I do it, it's no good". Just disreguard this type of critque but still study their work and learn from it. Seldom to two photographers shoot, think, or see alike. I have taken photos that were for me, and I have taken pictures that were shot for others. I still like shooting for "ME", but using what I have learned from others to better please myself. The learning process should never end.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

rivernan wrote:

Who else really do you do anything for....most of what we do, we do for ourselves....even when we do for others it is usually because it makes US feel good. It has been seriously debated whether altruism exists at all.
The genuine quest for help comes from wanting to do it better. Those folks will appreciate constructice critism Not everyone is genuine in their request.
My thoughts in a NUT shell, which some may conclude describes my head.

Ah yes, that age old question, is there really such a thing as a selfless act? I could write a book and considering your field of expertise I'm certain you could too.