photo mags & feelings of inadequacy

does anybody else feel inadequate about your photography when

looking at photo magazines like Rangefinder, PDN, American Photo,

Professional Photographer by PPA and others?

 

I do.

 

I guess is like advertising to teenagers/women/men by showing

idealized images of models/homes/cars/vacations. We either have

what they have (in the mag/TV/brochure) or we are not cool. We are

loosers, inadequate.

 

I wanted to quit several times because my work was not like ...

(fill in the blank -- successful California pj wedding

photographer). I've felt awkward because I don't have the D2X ...

has, with the wireless transmitter, and the assistant putting the

images up for viewing when he continues to shoot the reception.

 

I want that projector, or that gigantic screen to better show my

images. "I need them" to be successful, according to the mags.

 

What do you think? Do you go blindly to the store to purchase

what "they" suggest we have to have? Or do you realize we are being

had by having us believe we need all those things?

 

LMK

One thing about photographers featured in Rangefinder Magazine is that they are working professionals out there working every day. They are often at the top of their game in their geographical or national market.

 

It takes money to make money. If you want to make the kind of money they do (and we can't really be sure they're all making what we thnk they are) and hire assistants, buy the latest gear, and have top websites and studio/office space, you've got to charge for your work.

 

There will always be a place for the traditional photographer with decent skills, and demand is growing for reasonably priced photographers that produce above average quality with a bit of a PJ edge to their work. But to get to the cutting edge style these folks offer, you've got to push yourself into a new business model and push your skills to the limits every time you shoot.

 

I know where you are coming from. I just view things differently. You need to change your feelings of inadequacy and stop getting down on yourself. Instead, look at these people as the ones setting the bar and your job is to develop your own unique style and strive to match the quality of work they are doing (but not copy their style).

 

Also, a lot of these photograhers are the friendliest people in the world. I've met a few of them personally here in FL, some have exchanged emails with me or talked with me on the phone to help me along. They share their knowledge through seminars and books, and I buy becaue I recognize the value of what they offer. You take what you need, they make a profit, and you will profit too if you apply the knowledge to your business. You also need to take a look at attending the annual WPPI convention, PPA an state affiliate sponsored schools, and maybe joinging the DWF if you are a professional shooter. Best darn $100 I spent last year, for sure.

 

I'd like to be one of those photographers on the cutting edge of the wedding market. One day maybe I'll shamelessly market my own line of products and maybe my knowledge. I'm just not there yet. Not sure if I ever will be. I'm enjoying the trip, though!

"Don't forget, photogs have been shooting for a century without all of those gadgets, and

any of their shots are better/more intimate/more appealing than much produced today."

 

Perhaps that's a bit of revisionist history. For everyone of them there were a thousand

hacks, just like today ... we just don't remember them.

 

Advertiser don't make you feel anything, you do that yourself.

 

German, if you want to look at some work for inspiration, stop looking at other wedding

photgraphers work.

One thing to always remember when you compare yourself to other photographer's work is that you look at 100% of your shots and 00.01% of their work. This is particularly true when you read a profile piece. The number of pictures published would be a "best of" from a single wedding, and you're looking at the best of from a few years of work.

I agree with you, I feel inadiquate at times too. I can feel what you are saying.

 

But, here are some words of encouragement. On Monday, at my local PPA organization meeting, we had a wedding print competition and wedding album compitition. The only think was that the judges were normal people, not photographers. The reason for this was they were the ones to buy the prints, so it would be good to see their input on it. After each image was judged, one person would speak on why they scored the image the way they did. It was very interesting to hear why they liked and disliked images. Some of the things that were purposly done by the photographer to enhance the look of the image, (lighting, framing, positioning, lines, ect...) the person judging gave it a bad score because of that particular thing. Remember you have no one to please except yourself and the customer.

 

I worked for a wedding photographer who I admired his work. One time, I saw an unedited wedding of his, and I realized that every image wasn't like the images he advertised. In fact, there were a LOT of not so great ones!

Lack of knowledge, is the only thing worthy of creating feelings of "inadequacy". And hopefully we all work on knowledge acquisition every day?

 

 

You have to first understand advertising and consumerism. (We are all like cattle!) Lets examine the American SUV "craze" for example? Giant trucks, that most people can't park or control, have dominated auto sales in the US for a decade. These monstrosities have a 4 times better chance of flipping over than a passenger type vehicle too. And why do people buy these? To feel safe.

 

 

And then there is the whole concept of annual new model autos. As if a $20,000.00 auto is built for 12 good months, till the new models are out?

 

 

We allow ourselves to be sold many different goods & services that we have no use for!

 

Trust me when I say that simply owning a set of expensive chef's knives, won't make you ready for running a 4 star "Mobil Travel Guide" bistro.

 

 

Just as using a certain camera, or piece of gear won't make you a PPA "master of photography".

 

 

 

 

Once a craft is mastered, and the techniques learned, you are free to create whatever you can dream up,or you can copy any style/technique you see in a book or magazine.

 

 

However, until you learn to type first, you can't be "Ernie Hemingway".

 

Someone with basic photo skills, can shoot better pictures with a 100 year old camera. Than a "chimp" can, with a brand new camera.

 

 

Which leads me to the conclusion that photography is all "between the ears", not the hands. Ad men's dreams, aside.

Don't be depressed. Let these images CHALLENGE you to be your best! Great images should

inspire us!

I've seen your website, German, and I think you have some beautiful work there! You shouldn't feel inadequate. But then again, a true artist is never satisfied. I remember an interview with some great artist who was asked which of all his paintings was his favorite, and his response was "my next one."

 

As far as equipment, it's true that good pictures can be taken with mediocre equipment in the hands of a talented photographer, but quality equipment in the same hands will produce even better results. If the gear is limiting the talent, then it should be upgraded.

It's easy to succumb to the belief that the published work you're seeing is all superior to your own. Anyone who creates must work to stay in touch with the belief that his work is unique, and worthy. It's not always easy. This is not a profession for thin and fragile egos.

 

You are unlike any photographer who ever lived. Nobody sees the world as you do, nor shoots it as you do. Whether that's a good or bad thing for your market is up to you. That's why it's so important to perfect your craft, with whatever level of equipment you have. It's the images that are important, not the gear.

 

I have recently decided to price all of my print sizes up to and including 8x10 at the same price, because I realized that cost differences among paper sizes are insignificant, and, more importantly, it's the image on the paper that people are buying. What's the difference if it's 4x6 or 5x7 or 8x10? You are selling your vision, which, by the very fact that you are a unique individual, makes that yours and yours alone. Believe in what you do. Look at others' work and be inspired by it, learn from it, and incorporate what impresses you into your own style. Everyone has felt what you are feeling. Crawl, walk, and then run.

Remember always that to be successful in this business only two things are necessary: First, that your clients like the pictures you take of them and, second, that they like YOU. You can have the greatest artsy portfolio there ever was and win all kinds of awards but your client will really love that partially out of focus shot that shows Uncle Benny in the background because he died the week after the wedding. I remember being second shooter at a wedding where the main guy was doing this artsy, panoramic shot spreading the bridal party across an expanse of a golf course looking at the bride and groom in the foreground. Very nice composition, I thought. I was standing next to the bride's father and heard him say to his wife, "I don't want pictures of a golf course, I want pictures of people!" Guess who wasn't going to get a referral after that?

 

Gary Fong is wealthy and successful not because he is a great photographer (he isn't, and admits it) but because he is a great MARKETER and people LIKE him!

I don't know why you feel inadequate. I looked at your site and your work is great. I know that in this digital age almost everything is photoshopped to death. Including and mostly the big names. I know I wouldn't be where I am today without it. Has nothing to do with actually photography but more post production. Just a thought.

The two pros I've been associated with both farm out there images for PS.

 

A month or two ago my wife called to my attention that show where the up and coming clothing designers all compete for a big contract. One episode had them in some bigtime NYC studio. There appeared to be at least three (designer, photographer, editor) if not four if you counted the PS guru involved in the final choice of image.

 

They are selling fantasy while most of our worlds revolve in reality.

Hey guys & gals,

 

Thanks for the words of encouragement -- and sorry for not having responded sooner!

 

And thanks to those of you who took a look at my site.

 

I am confident in my work. However, when I see work from photographers like this Jose Villa, whom I had chatted with (in the Digital Wedding Forum last year) I don't feel that confident anymore. I know my work is good, but I wish it was better, and I keep trying -- don't get me wrong.

 

(He has awesome work, and it seems Fuji has recognized it and uses him in his film ads now.)

 

I know one cannot compare oneself to every great one out there, for there is always somebody that produces better work (in any area) than us.

 

Anyhow, thanks again.

 

As I always learn when attending WPPI, we have to do what we do best, in our way, whatever that way may be. Sometimes we (moi) start trying to please our clients and do not do exactly what we like to do, the way we like to do it. I guess we just have to say, screw it, and just do it our way. Our creativity will shine through then and our work will improve 100% -- and hopefully our bookings.

Part of being a good photographer is that striving to get better... if you're 'satisfied' with

your work, you're not making progress. You can always improve. However the problem I

see with digital especially is the "I need the latest and greatest" syndrome. Don't fall victim

to it. A nice camera, a backup, a few good lenses, and a vision, that's all you need.

i use the magazines to improve my work...much like the journals and books i read related to my social work practice. we each have something to contribute. some have talent, some have other virtues. some are blessed with vision or creative insight. find what is yours and go for it. Luke