Critique is sometime that’s been on my mind the last couple of days, as I posted my newest photograph and I struggle more than usual with my next one. I really am not sure what the correct steps to take are to make that image work, and my last one isn’t near perfect.
But the fact of the matter is, if I only posted images that were “perfect”, I would never post anything.
I really am my own worst critic. I know my major weaknesses, and I can usually pick out the biggest flaws in my photograph, even if I’m not sure how to fix them. I don’t struggle with this – it doesn’t make me love them any less. But I’ve made myself acutely aware of them for one very important reason – my mantra.
And that mantra is that I will never be as good as I can be. That no matter how hard I work, or how much time passes, there will always be room to improve. There will always be inconsistencies in my work, and it will never be perfect.
That’s a beautiful thing. It means I’ll never reach the end of my journey. That while I’ll never be my very best, I can always be better, as long as I work for it. There exists something to work towards, always. I love learning new things that better myself as an artist. It’s a part of the excitement for me.
It all comes down to perspective. You can choose to view the problems in your work or differences in opinion negatively, or you can own it. Not everything other people say about your work is going to be right, or even just opinion based, but the fact is, it’s usually said with the intent to help. And they cared enough about your image to say it.
So what does that tell you? How do you handle critique?
Xcetera Photography 
I face the same issue, I have done shoots previously and not used any photos, I can sometimes be quite negative towards my work, I am trying to over come that by doing a 365 day challenge, to take and post a photo each day, it may not be perfect but it is something that will help me overcome the self doubt of your own work.
Your work is stunning so you got nothing to worry about 🙂
I don’t see being imperfect as a negative thing, though. I see it as a positive thing – a sign that I have more to learn. As you learn and improve, you also learn that there is always some higher goal to be met. If I think my work as being good enough now, then what motivation do I have to keep pushing boundaries and become better?
The answer is my work is never good enough, and that’s a beautiful, wonderful thing.
360’s are okay, but artistic inspiration waxes and wanes. If you have a day when you aren’t feeling inspired and you force it, chances are you don’t produce your best work. Make sure to just keep your chin up and if you need a day off here or there, take it, and make up for it another day. Appreciate the valleys as well as the mountains 🙂
Well said! And couldn’t agree more with you, I still got so much to learn, and will never learn it all, but that’s the challenge isn’t it? Since starting the challenge and the blog, I seem to have gained back the spark to push myself, just hope I don’t lose it 🙂 definitely looking forward to seeing more of your work.
I wish you all the best in your endeavour 🙂 I’m sure you’ll do great! It’s an adventure, that’s for sure.
You too!
Personally, I like constructive criticism even if it’s not the most pleasant. I have always learned (something) from every comment that has been made about my photography or other creative adventures. Sometimes I learned things that the critic wasn’t even trying to teach me. Every question and answer helps me to learn and to grow and to change for the better, usually , so that works for me. So, yes, critiques good, even when bad , smiles.
This is so, so true.
And, I love the entry that you did about the nail polish -the textures and the instructions. Very nice! Thank you.
You’re welcome! Glad to hear you liked them 🙂