Photography

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A place to politely discuss the tools, technique and culture of photography.

This is not a good place to simply share cool photos/videos or promote your own work and projects, but rather a place to discuss photography as an art and post things that would be of interest to other photographers.

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Cant shake the feeling that everyone is a better photographer than me (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by SkinnyMiniMiller@alien.top to c/photography@viewfinder.pro

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First of all, I know comparison is bad for all our overall progression. And at the end of the day, photography aswell as all other art is subjective, which invalidates my statement. By "better" I guess I mean more sucessful.

I've been shooting photos for around 8 years, went to school for it, and still am. I even have a steady gig at a local skateshop. Learned alot of studio and flash while in school, yet knowing alot, i feel like my concept of photography and skill is miniscule, and there are much better photographers out there.

It might just be a classic case of the grass being greener at the neighbors, but I can't imagine that im alone in this predicament. In this digital age with instagram, the app is just as inspiring as it can tear me down.

Has anyone dealt with the same feeling and/or are in the same predicament? If so, how do you deal with it/dealt with it?

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[–] SkinnyMiniMiller@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I mean the goal for me is making shit that's unique and that has an impact. At the core that's what it is. For more context I'm more into fine art photography.

I didn't necessarily mean financially, but more creatively successful. Their ideas are fleshed out, they do so with little margin of error, and yes financials do play a part. More money = more creative freedom.

Im kinda confused on that last part though. From what i understand, you're saying that worrying about my skill and comparing won't help me reach that goal? If thats the case no. But the act of not comparing isnt as easy as flipping a switch either.

Thanks for replying :)

[–] av4rice@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I mean the goal for me is making shit that's unique and that has an impact.

So what would be external indications that you have the impact that you want? How do you know when you're meeting that goal? And/or how do you know that you aren't meeting it now?

You don't want to progress a goal but then miss the signs and continue to think you achieved nothing. And you don't want a goal that is so vague that it's impossible to know if you're really succeeding at it or not. Either way you're setting yourself up to always be failing at it.

they do so with little margin of error

Every photographer only shows their very best results. You don't really know how many other attempts/failures/rejects were also behind that same project, and usually it's more than you think. Don't expect all of your work to match up to the very best of someone else's work, because they likely have also produced lots of crap that they just hid from you.

More money = more creative freedom.

That money could come from anywhere, though.

If you really want a certain amount of money to fund a certain piece of equipment, or plane ticket, or event ticket, it's possible non-photography work could get you that money faster, and help with your opportunities in photography. Money is money.

Im kinda confused on that last part though. From what i understand, you're saying that worrying about my skill and comparing won't help me reach that goal? If thats the case no.

Right. Keep thinking about your goal, and the things relevant to achieving it or gauging your success at it. That should help diminish the importance in your mind of things that have nothing to do with your goal.

But the act of not comparing isnt as easy as flipping a switch either.

Nothing will be. I'm just offering small suggestions to help a little.