Sharing Work and Embracing Criticism
“Light Post” 2024 - Captured using a Minolta X-700 on n 35mm Ilford HP5 Plus Black and White Print Film; Color Graded with Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop
No one becomes a great photographer overnight. Mistakes are part of the learning process. Honestly, it pains me to hear a critique on my work; I have often taken it as a personal attack when I received a negative review or piece of feedback. Over the last two years, I have learned to listen to the notes being given to me. I choose to allow criticism, constructive or not, to provide me with the fuel I need to become a better artist and creator.
For the past 35 years of my life, I have used the criticism of my work, my dreams, my aspirations, and my being as jet fuel to prove people wrong. Often I have been told I can’t do something, that my goals are too lofty or “dream islands;” and every time, I have been filled with anger for the slight against my character and my abilities. My response has always been, “What the hell does she know? Who is he to tell me what I can or can’t do? Who the hell are they to tell me who I am? I’ll show them!”
However, I did not realize that over time, the constant negation of my work also made me more secretive and unwilling to share what I was creating or working on. I built barriers between myself and the outside world. I placed armor around my heart in order to protect myself from the critique. So much so that when something was actually worth sharing, I would hide it and claim it wasn’t good enough or worth anything. Countless projects have been shelved thanks to my Inner Censor.
This experience is not limited to my journey as a photographer. As a filmmaker, director, and screenwriter, writing stories and bringing them to life on screen have also been subject to intense scrutiny. The narrative choices, character development, and visual storytelling are all open to interpretation and critique. Each script, each scene, and each shot carries the weight of potential criticism.
Nowadays, I actively seek out constructive criticism from peers and mentors, analyzing my mistakes, learning from them, and striving to improve. This approach has helped me develop a more critical eye and refine my technique. Mistakes are inevitable, but they are invaluable learning opportunities; each misstep teaches me something new and helps me grow as an artist.
Learning from experienced mentors has been incredibly beneficial, as they provide guidance, share their own war stories, and offer advice on navigating challenges. These conversations inspire me to experiment and take risks without the fear of failure. Even if something doesn't work out, I gain invaluable insights and experience from the attempt. If it does work, I stand to gain even more. This mindset fosters creativity and leads to unexpected discoveries, enhancing my work and equipping me with both physical and immaterial tools for my craft.
Seeking Feedback
I regularly share my work with a trusted circle of fellow artists and mentors. The key word here is trusted. These individuals provide honest, constructive feedback that highlights both the strengths and weaknesses in my work. Not everyone is equipped to give useful feedback. Most just criticize because that is all they know how to do. Searching for feedback takes courage because more often than not, the feedback you receive from your peers will actually be negative.
Nevertheless, by being open to their thoughts and suggestions, I gain new perspectives that I might have overlooked on my own. This collaborative approach enriches my understanding and allows me to see my work from different angles, ultimately making it stronger and more nuanced. Interestingly enough, the people I don’t know personally usually have better things to say about my work than those that actually know me and relate with me.
Analyzing Critique:
Normally, I take criticism personally. You may ask, “why do you take it personally?” Well, any form of artistic creation is your “baby.” We bring our baby to life. We nurture our baby. We love our baby. Deep down, we know our baby is not “perfect,” but our baby is the most “beautiful” thing we are ever brought to this world. They are a reflection of who we are. And for someone to come and tell you that your baby is “ugly,” “stupid,” “trash,” or “needs more work,” well, yeah, you would take that personally too, if they knew how much effort and pain you went through to bring your creation to light.
As of late, I have taken it upon myself to keep quiet, allow the criticism or words being directed at me wash over me, feel it, analyze it, and focus on the nuggets of truth that lie within. I take a breath, and I focus on understanding the feedback and identifying patterns in the comments I receive. For instance, if multiple people point out that my images lack something, I know it's an area I need to address. This approach helps me to view criticism as a tool for growth rather than a personal attack.
“Full Moon at the Grand Canyon” 2016 - Captured using a Leica M6 Rangefinder with a Voigtländer Nokton Classic Lens 40 mm / F1.4 on 35mm Ilford Delta 400 Black and White Print Film; Color Graded with Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop
Experimentation and Play:
Experimentation and play are crucial components of my creative process. I embrace feedback as a catalyst for growth, transforming it into actionable steps that I can play with. Experimenting with various lighting setups, shooting at different times of day, refining my composition techniques, or discovering new post-processing methods provides me with the tools I need to become a better artist, a fresh artist. Each critique serves as a valuable learning opportunity, pushing me to continually improve. By systematically addressing feedback and infusing a sense of play into these experiments, I achieve significant strides in my craft, leading to creativity and breakthroughs.
Reflecting on Progress:
Most recently, I have started to review my older work to see how far I have come. This reflection not only boosts my confidence but also helps me recognize the tangible impact of criticism from myself and others on my growth as an artist. Photographs that I dismissed years ago, now re-appear in a new light. These hidden gems, I now get to shape with the new techniques I have learned to process them in Photoshop and Lightroom.
As an artist, I've found that what may seem familiar, routine, or even outdated to me can spark awe and wonder in someone else. This realization breathes new life into my work and allows me to view it from a fresh perspective.
Imagine an old photograph, one that I've taken years ago and may now seem like a relic of my past. To me, it represents a time when my understanding of composition, lighting, and subject was still evolving. It carries the marks of my learning curve, the experimental phases, and the raw passion that fueled my early days. Over time, my style, techniques, and artistic vision evolved, making that photograph a testament to who I once was.
Yet, when someone new encounters this photograph, it is not weighed down by the history and context I attach to it. Their eyes see it without the layers of my personal growth, critiques, and changing tastes. They see it as a standalone piece of art, full of potential and possibility. To them, it is a fresh narrative waiting to be explored, a new world.
This cycle of renewal underscores the timeless nature of art. Each piece, regardless of its age, has the potential to evoke emotions, tell stories, and connect with people across different times and spaces. It reminds me that my past works still hold value, not just as milestones in my own artistic voyage, but as fresh experiences for those who encounter them for the first time.
Instead of criticizing my older works, I appreciate them for what they are. By viewing them with child-like eyes, I not only acknowledge the growth they represent, but also celebrate their ability to inspire others and myself anew. I am humbled by how my photographs transcend my temporal experience and become a living entity, ever-renewing in the eyes of its beholders.
Ultimately, the old becomes new through the eyes of the uninitiated, providing a continuous source of inspiration and reaffirmation of the enduring power of creativity. It challenges me to see my work not as static relics of the past but as present dynamic living pieces that continue to engage, inspire, and evoke emotions in those who experience them for the first time.
“Amen” 2024 - Captured using a Minolta X-700 on 35mm FujiFilm 200 Color Negative; Color Graded with Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop
Make it Obvious
When I first started, I often had a vague idea of what I wanted to achieve. Now, I set specific, attainable goals for each project. For instance, instead of just aiming to "take better photos," I focus on improving a particular aspect, such as lighting or composition. This clarity helps me stay on track and measure my progress effectively.
Make it Easy
I break down my photography goals into small, manageable steps. My daily goal is to take one photo. That’s it! Rather than aiming for a complete roll and beating myself up about not completing this task, I go out and take one photo. The process becomes less daunting. And guess what? As soon as I get that first photograph in, chances are I’m going to shoot a second and a third photo to go along with the first. This approach minimizes pressure and makes it easier to stay consistent.
“Triumph” 2024 - Captured using a Minolta X-700 on 35mm FujiFilm 200 Color Negative; Color Graded with Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop
Make it Satisfying
Celebrating small victories keeps me motivated. Sharing my work provides me with a sense of accomplishment and encourages me to keep pushing forward. I encourage myself whether people acknowledge it or not. I am sharing and I am satisfied with my ability to share the photographs I’ve captured and created. Even sharing this blog fills me with satisfaction. Recognizing and savoring these moments of success makes the work worthwhile.
Make it Attractive
To keep my passion for photography and filmmaking alive, I ensure that my creative process is enjoyable and stimulating. I surround myself with inspiring art, both in my workspace and in my daily life. I visit galleries, watch films, and read about other artists to keep my creativity flowing. Additionally, I explore new locations and subjects to photograph, keeping my work fresh and exciting. By making my environment and routine aesthetically pleasing and creatively stimulating, I find it easier to stay engaged and enthusiastic about my projects.
By embracing mistakes, allowing myself to take feedback - positive and negative - and viewing all of it as stepping stones rather than setbacks, I get to continuously improve and evolve as an artist.
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