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Let’s face it: No one enjoys being criticized. We’d much rather hear “Gee, what a great shot” or similar. However, what do we learn from an “Oh gee” comment. Very often the comment is put out there as a matter of politeness and sometimes just simple ignorance. Even if the comment is well considered and deserved, how does it help us become better at our craft other than perhaps reinforcing a needy ego?

The ability to digest thoughtful and informed criticism is something every photographer needs to develop whether he ultimately agrees with and heeds that criticism or not. And that’s especially true if the criticism is coming from a client, real or prospective. In the reality of the workplace, I found there is little use in being anything but straightforward and honest in my assessment of a photographer’s work. What’s the point if I tell you “Hey, I really like everything about what you do” and then never give you an assignment because what I really should have honestly said is

I like some aspects of what you’ve done but let me tell you what bothers me about this shot or this shooting or your approach to photography in general.”

 Your critical eye is more important than any piece of camera or lighting equipment you ownI’ve talked at past seminars and in this blog about the importance of developing your own critical eye. Your critical eye is more important than any piece of camera or lighting equipment you own.

However, there is always another set of eyes to consider—the client, the viewer, the reader. We need to learn to listen and digest what they say. And hopefully they are telling us what they really think, not just what we want to hear.

Constructive criticism is not a personal attack. It is not meant to discourage but rather encourage us to improve, to look more closely at what we produce.

About Gary Cole

True genius is immune to criticism. Mozart didn’t care that the king said his sonatas had too many notes. Van Gogh would not rein in his at that time shocking approach to proportion and color even though he couldn’t sell a painting. Yeats wasn’t thinking about the rent payment when he sat down to compose a poem. But then true artists are all about following their vision, even if it means they starve in obscurity during their lifetime. So for you true geniuses out there, you can exempt yourselves from listening to criticism. For the rest of us, we must listen to it, internalize it, understand it and put it to good use.

~ Gary Cole

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