Who's Critiquing Your Photos?

 If you're a photographer, whether or not you get paid, how do you know if your work is any good?

There's no shortage of photo sites out there that allow you to post your photos and get feedback from the community. The question is, should you even listen to what people say?

Answer: yes and no. Personally, I don't do forums. I used to do a lot of them, but I found some of the critiques to be misguided...and not just because they were hyper-critical. I can take constructive criticism if the critic knows what they're talking about. Often they don't, or just like to toss around advanced terminology to make you feel more like an amateur.

Some photogs strictly adhere to the "rules of photography" and wont hesitate to call you out if the exposure isn't perfect or the composition seems off...even if it's exactly what you intended. Some people like to throw around their "expert" advice on everything you do because it's not what they do, and they feel like they "oughta know" because they've been in the biz for x amount of years. These are the same people that tell you how to achieve great success without having had any themselves. Sometimes when I read some of their comments and critiques it sounds more think they're just lashing out at the community because of their own lack of success and let downs. Really, there's no point in listening to such negativity. It will get you nowhere.

Try this...when you get criticism on an on line photo forum, whether it's good or bad, take a look at their photos. If they are junk, then pay no attention to anything they say. If you really like their work, look at more of their work, then look at your own. Does anything they suggested to you resonate? If they take awesome photos, and they give you a suggestion, you should probably listen to what they say. The only photographers I solicit feedback from are the ones who's work I really, really like. Those are the opinions I trust most.

All forums are not bad...many, many folks out there truly want to help you out and don't mind sharing tips. Just be aware of who you solicit feedback from and teach yourself how to filter out the constructive from the destructive.