This is a reminder about putting yourself out there.
Recently I participated in a photo critique at B&H Photo in NYC. I was in a room of over 40 other photographers as part of the Portfolio Development Program we are all participating in. We were asked to bring in 3 recent photos to be critiqued by a photographer at B&H and 3 people from a gallery in Soho.
When it’s your turn your images are projected onto the screens in the room for everyone to view. It can be a very vulnerable gut wrenching moment!!
I’m known there for doing portraits – and mostly of my girls. My girls won’t let me photograph them anymore so I’ve moved on to other subjects – one of them being flowers. Not sure why, but I’m following what gets me excited!!
The B&H photographer along with the gallery curators are known for NOT LIKING flower photographs which I knew going in but brought 3 flower photographs anyway.
These are the ones I chose to show:
Just as I expected they weren’t overly thrilled – not about my technical ability – they said as photographs they were strong but in general about the uniqueness of floral images. They’re just not into it.
I was really proud of myself though that I didn’t let it get to me or allow their opinions to define me. Instead it’s actually getting me excited and motivated to challenge myself and experiment more!!
To grow as an artist I believe it’s important to get constructive criticism and learn from it – no matter how scary it may be. You can’t expect to evolve if the only person you’re showing your work to is your mom!!
If you want to improve your work, look for places that do portfolio reviews.
A few tips I’ve learned from being in multiple crits:
- Your portfolio should be cohesive – something that ties the images together and looks like it’s coming from the same artist
- Choose to show black and white OR color, but not a mix of both
- Choose a format – square, portrait or landscape and stick to one to show. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t photograph in multiple formats – you definitely should but as far as presentation goes – especially to a gallery, they like to see one format. This goes back to being cohesive.
Let me know if you have any questions!! Happy to help.
By the way, crits get much easier the more you do them! The first one is always the toughest – but you CAN do it!!
Hi. Very interesting – sharing your experience. I absolutely love the photos. The first one is especially unique. I guess I understand the feedback to a point. But seems a bit on the strict sid.e. Of course, as you said, you take in the constructive feedback and learn from it. I have not studied the depths lot of photography either. Some feedback may be helpful and some may not match what you are all about and that is okay. I have gotten much better about receiving. Keep it up! :).
Yes – they are quite particular! Constructive criticism can be useful for any art form – acting, writing, etc. You just can’t let it deflate you.