SteveR Loc: Michigan

That's what I was trying to refer to.

dalbers

Is this a rhetorical or just an unkind question?

Dale

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

As per usual, Jacques, you present a challenging thesis by pretending that its required extremes of standard are recognized, accepted absolutes (“good” and “bad”). Yet for each ftgrphr the spectrum - or more precisely - the places along the intervening continuum - where each ftgrphr perceives his or her own work to fall is the personally important raison detre of continuing on their journey in ftgrphy. It is that place in the continuum that most ftgrphrs continue to attempt to readjust in the positive direction. Is that not why most in UHH are here?

Dave

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

The question itself should be invalid as it is based on a false premise to begin with. I don't know of any bad photographers at all. Some are just starting out and are trying to learn to be better. Some have been taking photos for years and will never get much better BUT the photos they take satisfy them. Who am I to say it is a bad photo when they love the photos they take.

On a somewhat related note sometime years ago when I was a supervisor I asked my own supervisor how I could motivate my people to work as hard as I did. He told me that I would never do that but the best I could ever do was to motivate them to work as hard as THEY could. I have never forgotten that. In that same logic I can only suggest to people about composition, lighting and so on but it is them who snaps the shutter button. They ultimately like their picture so who am I to complain.

As I said above the question (looks more like a foolish statement to me) is incorrect on the surface.

I just started on page 6 so if this has been stated before then I ask the reader's forgiveness.

Dennis

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I like many of the photographs I take, some I cherish... I hope you like your photographs as well..........

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

No one is perfect in photography or in life.... No not one
Always room for improvements

ltj123 Loc: NW Wisconsin

As a whole this was a waste of time...

Markag

I expected much more of a response from you on this topic. Are you still collecting your thoughts?

cnewb

DITTO for me.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

If a photograph achieves what the originator hoped for, then he/she is good. It’s all about personal satisfaction. If a photographer only presents images for the pleasure of others, something is missing. And if both the shooter and viewer are both pleased with the work..... well, all the better.

Nikon1201

What defines bad? Poor subject matter , out of focus , rule of thirds ? I have sold photos , published in a national magazine and a bag full of ribbons . We have all been here and have all shot bad photos. Is bad being consistently bad or occasionally bad?
This thread can go on for months.

Leitz Loc: Solms

It's none of my business what others think of their photography, and it's nobody else's business what I think of mine.

papakatz45 Loc: South Florida-West Palm Beach

Your question asks, "Why bad photographers think they are good?", therefore it is about "good" or "bad" which must be defined in order to answer the question. So to you I ask, what is a good photographer and what is a bad photographer?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

After reading through the thread, I have nothing more to add

.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

If it works for you that's all that matters. On the other hand if trying to make $$$$$ you will know for sure, no sales.

I have shot for Habitat for Humanity of NYC. I have seen good and bad photos on their web site, I am sure some have seen mine and said not my cup of tea, so be it.

What makes good, love is in the eye of the be holder.

Happy New Year to all and just keep shooting.......