Kbelz67 Loc: Nottingham,MD

What is your process for critiquing your own photos? I have been thinking about selling them and I want to put out a great photo. Yes, photography like other art forms, is highly subjective but how do you not fall into the trap of not seeing the flaws in your work. For example, I have worked on photos to get them where I like them but when put out for critiques, they get ripped apart on things I did not see or seemed on par with other well liked images. I am working on getting better but still need work.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

As I no longer count on selling my photos, I dont bother critiquing, I either like them for one reason or another , or I dont and they go in a file and will probably never been seen again.
When I did sell photos, many, many moons ago, it was mainly on contract. I would be hired to do a job, photograph a machine, a person, family, even an old aircraft once. At one stage I had quite a lot of business photographing amateur golfers on a tee at a local golf club. That came about when I was hired by a wife to photograph her husband for a birthday present portrait. He was a fanatic golfer and she picked the site. When we were watched during the shoot I got 2 other bookings and it grew from there. For awhile.

In your case, from what you say, you want to sell random 'great photos'.
Put yourself in the shoes of a buyer. Why would you buy someone elses photo. Even if it was a 'great photo'. A form of art?
People buy pictures for all sorts of reasons. I get the odd request from people to buy a photo Ive taken somewhere in NZ. Mainly its because they've been there and have happy memories of the location or they didnt get a picture they liked from their camera. (I dont sell, I usually send them a jpg file and thank them for the compliment.)

In my opinion, very few people would buy a photo just because it was a great photo. Unless it means something to them, art form or not, buyers wouldnt be lining up. And to make it worthwhile, you would need to sell more than just a few.

I suggest you look at selling 'stock' photos if you want to be commercial. Google the requirements for stock pictures. The technical requirements are high. The need to be technically perfect while being the sort of picture that can be used commercially. If they capture people, you would need model releases (at least here in NZ anyway).
Pick a genre, study what others have done and do better. Become an expert in that aspect and you might sell photos.
You do need to decide how you are going to sell them of course. On-line you will need a website and search engine skills. Maybe you have a local cafe or shop that will let you display your pics for a commission. Local markets could be an option.

If you are getting negative critiques, listen to what they say but also get to know your equipment so well you can select the right settings, the right lens without thinking about it. When you walk around, look at everything from a photographic view. Even without a camera in your hand, look at your surroundings as if thru a lens.

I wont go on. Its a very broad subject the way you put it, but I hope Ive offered you something that might trigger a thought that helps you decide where to go from today.
Good luck.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

PERSONALLY...I would rather have someone else critique my photos to find those flaws and things I didn't see. I also appreciate that someone is seeing from a different perspective. The first critique of a photo (this was years ago in a photography class)(hobby type through the community college) left me heartbroken and defensive. I wanted to drop out of the class but I realized that I would never learn if I ran from someone else's opinion and I decided that I would take each critique as a learning experience. In the end, if you are happy with your photo the way it is then don't change it because ultimately it's your opinion that matters. If you are trying to sell your work and it's not selling than perhaps there is validity in what you are being told in the critique.

When I offer a critique I try to explain what I would do differently and why I would prefer my way. It doesn't mean the person has to do it my way but just understand that there is a different way.

If you submit your photos to the For Your Consideration and Photo Analysis sections I think you will find honest opinions. Linda from Maine is very good about keeping the trolls out.

Dodie

Vietnam Vet

Do your final critique with the photo turned upside down. You will be amazed.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Being receptive to critique can be a way to improve. Or it can be detrimental. It depends on the person doing the critique. Who is critiquing you work? Is it someone you know and respect? That can be very positive. But if you simply put an image on-line in a public forum and ask for critique it will get ripped to shreds. Because there are too many people who pad their own egos by tearing down others work. That can be devastating.

Ultimately you the artist have to like your work. There will be people who don't like it and that is ok. But you have to like it.

Pistnbroke Loc: UK

If you are a qualified member of the BIPP or MPA you will have had to learn how to take a defect free photo . The camera is only a box on the end of your arm ,What you put in front of it is controlled by your brain (or your mouth if it contains people.) If you don't like what's in the viewfinder don't take the picture.
Look at Rockwells Christmas family photo if you want the worst photo ever taken.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I have photo shows, for me, if a photo sells, it must be liked. I used to take action shots of birds and wildlife but I have found that these images do not sell. What sells is portrait type images of birds and wildlife, along with unique lighting on them.
So, I have adjusted my shooting techniques to match what folks buy. Not sure if buying habits are exactly the way to improve my images but it has improved my bottom line.
For general photography, I simply please myself, I could care less what others think.
And, in my shows, if I like a particular image, I will present it regardless if it sells on does not sell. I like to display some of my images that I like. I mix them in with good selling images.
Remember, most of all, critiques are SUBJECTIVE, keep that in mind, my best advice is, shoot for what YOU like, most famous artists over the centuries did work for money from rich benefactors but also created images to please themselves. So, please yourself and to hell with everyone else.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

That is a great question to which there is no simple answer. My take on it is that people buy art for a variety of reasons, and seldom is the "quality" of the artwork a consideration. When people buy my work, it is usually because it means something to them. There have been many times when I have exhibited stunning landscape and wildlife images, and sold very few. However, I have sold 11 copies of the image below.

The key to selling photographs is to accurately predict what will sell, and demonstrate at least a reasonable amount of skill at preparing the image(s) for sale. It really doesn't matter what YOU think of the image.

(Download)

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

Get some time between taking and viewing your work. You will see your photos in fresh way.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

I have definitely seen the flaws in my older photos and sometimes wonder what I was thinking with the settings or composition.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

What looks great to you isn’t necessarily what looks great to another viewer. Getting it to the point of looking good to others takes way more effort than point and shoot. Those are my thoughts and it’s why my photos are just for me.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

This is SO TRUE!

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

I learn from every critique and it is easier for me now to spot some flaws before others point them out. I didn't used to notice electric lines, for instance, and now when possible I try to avoid including them in my field of view. And I've become more sensitive to distractions in the photos while I'm post-procesing.
And going back in a week or so helps me take a more objective look.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

If it sells, it's good. If it doesn't sell but I still like it, it gets replaced in the sales catalog but goes into my "Still Like" folder.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

Because I've never considered my photos good enough to sell, I sometimes enjoy posting them with the hope they are good enough that some will enjoy a view that they would not normally see. When there is critical reviews I try my best to learn and fine tune my technique. Thank you UHH for this site.