Your standards or theirs?

[sk66]

I find myself constantly hindered by "my standards"......I'm sure that's a very large part of why I've never "done anything" with my photography.

Logically, I know "what matters" is meeting the customers expectations. When I look at a lot of "pro work" that is out there (I'm not talking about the "bought a new DSLR pro") I know my work is consistently at least as good.

But my work occasionally fails to meet my own minimum standards and that has always held me back.....

So, what matters more for you?

(IMO, it should be both....but you shouldn't let being self critical keep you from pursuing a passion.)

I mostly deal with editors and publishers, so I have to keep them in mind as well.

Their feedback to me has consistantly been, "We like what your doing, composition is good, photos are always usable, we just need more of them".

So, in that vein, my photos are always my own making. I just have to keep in mind to provide more of what I do.

If I like what I do, the editors will see it that way. At least in my case it has worked out that way.

~Eric

[Indigo November]

I could never sell something that didn't meet my standards. But then again, I'm mostly just shooting for myself at this point!

[candidrachel]

I'm a perfectionist by nature. I have extremely high standards with regards to my photography and get easily frustrated when my photos don't turn out how I envisioned them in my mind.

I went on my local radio station website recently and a local freelance photographer took snaps of an event and they were awful. He tried to get those "angled shots" but they were too extremely angled and looked stupid imo. I could have done a better job myself.

I still think I need better lenses. I know people say its not the camera it's the eye behind the camera that matters but I disagree. Quality kit gets quality results and I am not in a position to buy professional equipment yet.

Originally Posted by Indigo November

I could never sell something that didn't meet my standards. But then again, I'm mostly just shooting for myself at this point!

LOL

Yea... when the first person who waves $1,000 in your face for a photo they "love"... you'll change your tune

[snowfalldesigns]

I struggle with these thoughts as well.

I would say that my standard means more to me than than my clients because I think I will always have a higher standard for myself than my clients will.
I know, based on the amazing work out there, that I can always be better and learn more. My clients don't necessarily know that. That is why some really boring/bad photographers somehow make it. They don't know amazing until you show it to them. I'm not saying I'm there yet, but I think I have qualities that are better than many of the photographers in my area that will help me have a good business.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

I mostly deal with editors and publishers, so I have to keep them in mind as well.

Their feedback to me has consistantly been, "We like what your doing, composition is good, photos are always usable, we just need more of them".

So, in that vein, my photos are always my own making. I just have to keep in mind to provide more of what I do.

If I like what I do, the editors will see it that way. At least in my case it has worked out that way.

~Eric

But are those your standards of what is "good photography" or "acceptable/passable/submittable"?
For me those are two VERY different things.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by snowfalldesigns

I struggle with these thoughts as well.

I would say that my standard means more to me than than my clients because I think I will always have a higher standard for myself than my clients will.
I know, based on the amazing work out there, that I can always be better and learn more. My clients don't necessarily know that. That is why some really boring/bad photographers somehow make it. They don't know amazing until you show it to them. I'm not saying I'm there yet, but I think I have qualities that are better than many of the photographers in my area that will help me have a good business.

Yes, but not "proceeding" because you are still trying to meet your own standards could mean you never do anything with your talent.....

[sk66]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

I still think I need better lenses. I know people say its not the camera it's the eye behind the camera that matters but I disagree. Quality kit gets quality results and I am not in a position to buy professional equipment yet.

I'm in the "gear doesn't make a photographer" camp....as long as your gear isn't stopping you.

Originally Posted by sk66

But are those your standards of what is "good photography" or "acceptable/passable/submittable"?
For me those are two VERY different things.

Err... not quite. That's what they tell me about "my standards" compared to theirs for the publication.

Perhaps that should have been more clear.

I think it's silly to sit and opine about every little detail in a photo. It's the imperfections that make photos good. Rarely is a photo "perfect" in anyones eyes... photographer or otherwise.

It's all impermanent