"the hand of Tom", by the worst photographer ever
I am the worst photographer ever. There. I've said it.
So what does this mean to you? It means you aren't. Funny thing using words like, " best or worst"...etc. I've taken the title upon my self, there can only be one "worst" photographer. You'll have to settle for "bad" or "okay", because I AM the Worst.
Maybe you should look for a different title or descriptor when it comes to your photography. We all play this game. We (photographers, designers, artists) are creative. Right? I mean we have to think outside the box. It's easy to get upset at ourselves and think that we are the WORST photographer at times. The creative juices stop flowing. That shoot didn't go so well. Why can't I get that light positioned right? Everything looked good while I was shooting at the event. Blurry. Out of focus. Blown out. Too much contrast. People blinking in every group shot. White Balance is out of whack. (whack is still a word, right?)
Hold on, where did this all start. I (we?) start off taking a camera with us wherever we go. Pictures of nature. Pictures of family. Pictures of the cat. LOTS of pictures of the cat. It's just one cat for goodness sake! Finally it happens. Someone catches on that you take pictures. They see you as a photographer long before you do.
So they ask, "_______, will you photograph our ___________"? You fill in the blanks. It's how it happens, right? Many of us start out not knowing this would grow to be our path. I didn't know. Truth be told, sometimes I'm still not sure if this is supposed to be my path. 15 years of paying customers, (no, they paid me!) and I still wonder how I came to be a photographer. I tend to be jealous of those who knew this was it, but they are the exception, and not the rule. So you are working at it. You are growing. Taking pictures. People are asking and you're willing. "time to make the pictures"
Four tips for better self esteem as a photog.
- Stop looking at other photographer's sites 24/7. They post their best. Only the best. You should take note and do the same. Not every picture is perfect. We are just looking for the perfect one and it can take an entire shoot to get there. (or an entire year, or career!) Find your best and post it. Don't look back at the old and blurry.
- Learn something. Grow. Get up and take pictures. I've got a new goal to take more pictures this year. Just more time behind the shutter. More pictures taken+conscious and intentional thought about said pictures = BETTER PICTURES. New and better help you feel new and better.
- Find some "Raving Fans". You've got some. You can name them. They may be friends. They may be customers. It may be your MOM. (I love you mom) They are indeed out there and a talk with them will help bolster you through your growing pains.
- Ignore the "trolls". We've seen it. Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, Instagram, your favorite blog. Social world tendencies means we put our work in front of lots of eyes. Some people always know best, right? The guy who comments, (his handle is "hardly working"), that they don't see what's special about a Gursky. That picture, someone paid $4.3 mil for (really?). Say someone pays $4.3 mil for one of your pictures. I'm pretty sure that picture is something special to whoever is willing to pay that kind of money. Ignore the, "Your picture is too dark. Too light. Wrong angle. Should have used a soft box instead of an umbrella. Would have been better if they used Profoto gear." Whose picture is it anyway? It's your picture. You're the artist. We don't have to agree to the method, the image or any or all of the above. You decide. It's YOUR WORK, YOUR ART. If you aren't happy with it because you want to grow and become better, that's only for you to decide. Post your pictures that are your favorites, and as new and better comes out of your camera, replace the old stuff...because you won't like it anymore. Don't listen to the trolls! Don't respond to them. Ignore them, and of course, DON'T BE A TROLL!
Okay. That's enough. I'm not the only one concerned about this. Many pro photographers, who have been out in the open for way longer than I have, write about this very topic. I know we can all use some inspiration. So whether you are just starting out, or are feeling the burn; get out and take pictures for you. Clients should be hiring you to do what you like to do. To make images the way that you like too. Tell them to leave Pinterest at home when they come to a shoot. If you run with an idea from someone else, make it your own.
I don't figure most posts will be this long, I do have pictures to take too. Even if I am the #WorstPhotographerEver. (by the way, I did a search. There is a blog, I guess he beat me to it. I think he's got some great work and an awesome location...
What are some "self esteem" issues you have as an artist?
PS- "the hand of Tom" can be yours for only $1.5 million.