Satisfaction with your work

[Daniel Bates]

I think that my favourite images are not favoured because of any aesthetic or technical excellence, but rather because of the degree of difficulty I underwent in the process of making them. When I look back over last year's work, I don't really like any of my photos.


But then, I'm a fairly critical perfectionist, and my standards are constantly increasing.

[MicWayWal]

Wes,

As an artist I think you are normal, at least what artists normally feel. I have been photographing for almost 40 years and I still have those feelings. Even with my very best image I still want to pick it apart. You are in good company however. I can name painters, sculptors, photographers, and artist after artist, that feel they are never finished with a work of art, they just reach a point that they must stop.

In the beginning of my career, I would point out, to everyone who would listen, the mistakes that I saw myself making. Big mistake. It was like I was telling them I am such a good artist that I know the mistakes I made and you do not. Resist the urge to point out the flaws.

Here is how to deal with those feelings:
First, USE those feelings to improve your work. I hope you are never fully satisfied or feel like you have arrived. You can improve and when you do, you will see more flaws.
THEN, look to those who are enjoying your work. Look at the feelings you produce in them. ENJOY their pleasure and emotions. That is what you really produced. You can be proud of the emotions, feelings and statements, that you produce for and in others, even if there are "mistakes" in your image.

As an artist you communicate through your work, even with flaws.

[Dobick]

This just in...

Talk about a wake up call! Some random guy on the internet (as far as I can tell they lifted the photos from me and about five or six other guys... one of which I know is a member here) just called me a "****ty photographer". Kinda like someone being mean to your sister... You can be crappy to your sister all day long, and twice on Sunday's, but as soon as someone else does it, you tend to get defensive.

So I suggest that if you get to feeling too much like your work is not very good, have some random stranger tell you that it sucks! It put me in a completely defensive mood, almost immediately.

Sorry if this is off track, but I think it kinda applies. Think about how you would react if a stranger came up to you and said "Wow, you don't know what you are doing with that camera, do you?"

Kinda put it into perspective for me.