When you figure out you sucked...

[peeker]

Every have one of those outdoor shoots (hopefully not more than one in a row) where you think you did alright, then after trying to pick out some images that work, you realize you are having to retouch everything?

or when your images for that shoot looks like what you shot five years ago and hasn't changed...

or when you realize that you didn't nail focus...

or when you are still not satisfied with your images, when your client loves them...

Discuss...

[princer7]

I still suck... although the mindset is not all that bad. Keeps me wanting to improve. I have yet to be able to sit back and be at complete peace with the final image on many of my shots.

[rusty_tripod]

Beginning to think it is a lifestyle. Nevertheless, it challenges me to pay attention and strive to improve. Frustrating, and I blame myself. Now and then a shoot pops up and screams "Hang in there!".

[peeker]

Well, thankfully, it was only one shoot before I realized that I was shooting too "safe" and not stretching the creativity with light. Just got a bunch of work to do to recover some very flatly lit images.

Also realized again that good things can happen when you work hard to test out lighting variations before a big event shoot like last night.

Still interested in how others realize they get too comfortable and keep themselves from shooting flat, or thinking, "I can fix that in post".

[cstewart1977]

I have NEVER produced even one image that I'm honestly proud of deep down inside. I don't think I ever will, but I try every day.

[jkderby]

Are you saying you suck or just wanting to know about other "suckees"

[danchez]

try thinking of it in a different way. Think that you have gotten better, and it's getting harder to impress yourself with your new work. Keep trying new things. I am constantly looking thru magazines, online, whatever... trying to find new ways to shoot, new things to try. Just keep pushing yourself.

[texxter]

Scott, what do you mean by "they get too comfortable and keep themselves from shooting flat"? I dont understand what you mean by "shooting flat". Can you share an image or details on what makes you unhappy about these "flat" images?

[carrbowl]

Yes...I have had some shoots like that. I had a couple shoots where they didn't turn out like I thought...we went and re shot them because I asked if I could---and they were friends and said they would love to-- and we learned that the first set was really the best. So I have learned that it is usually me just not viewing them "correctly" and that if I will wait a day or two and change my expectations..not lower them, but change them, the shoot really did go okay afterall.

[Rson]

I always feel like I suck and I am so critical on myself. Oh well, back to Craigslist to post for more $75 sessions with CD. [kidding]

[sbfuller]

i feel like that all the time. we do some printing and i'll look at the prints and see slightly out of focus or color slightly off, focus not where i wanted it... but the client sees it and absolutely loves it... i've had models do the same and it's only when i say something like, "no, we need a different picture because that's blurry," do they even notice the blur... oh yeah, i didn't notice that.

[donlfaulkner]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

. So I have learned that it is usually me just not viewing them "correctly" and that if I will wait a day or two and change my expectations..not lower them, but change them, the shoot really did go okay afterall.

I've found that, with a lot of my shots I'm not happy with, if I wait a couple of days or more they seem to sort of "jell" and I could better critique them.

[Phisch]

I often make the mistake of chimping and thinking "these are horrible!" and then I take them home and find out things are ok.

I have come to the point where I *expect* to be disappointed but I also realize that's a good thing, I have to push myself more.

Forgive the analogy, it might be weak but it's like I'm in the beginning stages of a dating relationship. I'm not sure how to say what I want to say or if what I have to say is ok even. This is probably because i keep looking at others' work and compare myself. While there's a healthy level of that, it can be taken too far. One can't work in a vacuum and be spurred on to good work, you need to be exposed to others but not so much that you neglect your own work or voice. I'm negligent at the moment.

And, what Don said.

[crbeveri]

Originally Posted by peeker

or when you are still not satisfied with your images, when your client loves them...

Discuss...

I have this problem with every shoot I seem to do. I even asked a friend of mine that use to shoot for a magazine in Houston to pick out 25 images from a collection for a gallery and I only liked or was satisfied with about 5. She told me I was being to hard on myself. I probably am but I see this as just having to push harder and better to produce what it is I am looking for.

Then again, I have also been told that photography is an art in the digital (or film) expression of the artists vision of the world. Because of this not everyone is gonna like or see the world the same as you. I guess as long as you like the image is all that matters... but this leads back to the initial quote... what do you do if you are never satisfied?

[lscottpht]

I feel like that every time. Once in a blue moon I think I rocked something.