Discover if YOU are a BAD Photographer with this SIMPLE Test!

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

Come and join our friendly facebook group facebook.com/groups/1893064874281393

[@manuelepasqualini1429]

According to all the things you mentioned in your video my photography probably sucks: I don't have many followers on Instagram, I rarely get more than 10-12 likes on my photos, and - not having any contacts with photography agents or agencies - nobody contacts me to ask me to take photos. Regardless of all these negative aspects I like my photography and I highly enjoy taking photos. There is always an aesthetic effort in any photo I take even in a photo of a bin or of a random shadow on a wall. My photography is simple. I am not trying to catch anyone's eyes with anything extraordinary or please someone in particular. My photography is for myself. It means a lot to me. It is the way I look at the world and things which surround me. It often reflects my mood and it is my way to keep memories of places, things, people, and moments I would like to remember.

[@jonphebus6720]

If I may I'd like to emphasize on Scott's point about marketing. Things really turned around for me when I made it more clear to the world around me about my photographic intentions. I bet your photography is at least ok...maybe you just need to put yourself "out there" so that those who are attracted to your style will find you? ;-)

[@SuperEpicgod]

Well said 👏

[@MitchLally]

Dude - I watch a lot of your videos and some of the least viewed ones are the best! It has a little more to do with audience rather than it being good/bad. A video can be super valuable to a small audience and another video might be mildly valuable to a large audience and get way more views. I get what you’re saying though!

[@STILLWILLPHOTO]

I second that notion.

[@JustMe-bp6im]

I used to work in a custom print shop when film was king. Looking at the material that came in the door, and the great prints going out, I understood early on that the images I like to take had very low commercial value. It did not make any difference then and still does't, the images I take make me happy! I have taught basic photography a few times as well. That is where you see the light go on in some peoples eyes as you watch them develop the basic techniques and turn them into something they are happy with. Most were like me, they do it for fun, and maybe an occasional payment of cookies.

[@jkingofthechicken2217]

If people aren't booking you're not a good photographer... not a good marketer is a better deduction.

[@JeahnLaffitte]

What I do to reassure myself that I don’t absolutely suck is keep a record of all the wonderful encouragement I get from folks, especially if they are folks I look up to ❤

[@illfigureoutanamewhenimser4243]

When I get comments from pro's and likes from pro's that's when I get excited.

[@matthieurochette]

@@illfigureoutanamewhenimser4243 Yeah, when a photographer I like follows me back or likes one of my shots, it makes my day.

[@jonphebus6720]

What a great self health practice!!

[@Noname-yu8qw]

the algorithm can't really judge if something is good or not, you can try by posting known photographers great stuff on instagram and you will notice you are not getting likes even if the wotk is great, because instagram is dead and they want you to pay for the ads, otherwise you can make great work but it won't work. You are right about the email responses, before I got a yes I started getting a polite no, before that nobody even bothered to answer my emails.

[@lmnop7098]

Good advice, but I think what pros recognize as talent differs from what the average person on Instagram recognizes as talent. It's like the general public equates good photos with something flashy or other tricks when a pro could see the same things as cringey. Also something could be great but ahead of it's time too. So it's a hard slope to decipher.

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

I totally agree!

[@bl4841]

like terry richardson. Hes not good. Just knows how to be controversial

[@Drkbardockssj]

@@bl4841 he's actually good when you look at his real work. His celeb stuff isn't good just popular but his brand work and stuff is actually really good

[@ArtChickTV]

I got the polite rejection letters. Thank you for the reassurance that means I'm good. I'll keep at it.

[@shaunmaddox]

There is many variables to be considered a good photographer. First question, what is your actual goal as a photographer? Is it to be good as a artist? Or good at making your own marketing machine? Unfortunately, popularity doesn’t mean someone is creative, but it can help with marketing. There’s also the expectation of the base (audience). An artist is a trendsetter. Many legendary artists weren’t considered great until later in their career. The most important question of all, is it going to benefit you internally or benefit others? --update So I wrote that before listening to the ending lol. Great closer! It’s better to get a rejection letter with a window for opportunity than no response. You definitely have to have a heart of steel in this craft. Bravo video!👏👏👏

[@davidweibel]

What an awesome perspective on seeing a rejection letter as positive feedback. This makes me a tiny bit less scared to contact an agent 😭

[@jonphebus6720]

4:55 into this video is exactly why I follow you. You are not shy to correct yourself. Better, you are happy to let us see bad ideas and even your own mistakes so that we can avoid them and even learn to recognize them on our own!

[@vers1fier]

Man, after watching six of your videos, I've realized I'm gonna stick with it being a hobby. Especially because I'm interested in film over digital. Thanks for the heads up!

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

Oddly, a lot of pros I know shoot film atm. 6x7 portra 400 seems to be the trend

[@juniorwalter9083]

My photos are the best . My Mother, girlfriend, uncles, nephews, my cross eyed neighboor.. all of them say that i'm the King of photography, so i'm golden and thats enough for me.

[@VagabondKing100]

I know I'm doing good when no one says boo about my photos. I've gone too far when they say, "looked better in the photos, kudos to your photographer." I'm getting better because I can see, track, and correct the color casts and white balance changes throughout my shoots. I still suck because I rush, miss shots or focus, sometimes both. I'm slow to edit, but I'm taking 150-200 and delivering around 120-150. My real challenge is I do a very basic clean style and there's little time or room for creative stuff. What keeps me going? A long time ago, my coach yelled at me while sucking wind doing laps "Whatever you do, DON"T QUIT!" Some days, all I can do is put foot in front of the other.

[@stuarttracey2009]

I have always had a camera, but only starting taking photography seriously about 6 years ago. I have gone through the dunning kruger experience and I am now at the stage where I realize I am good but not anywhere near the greats and have years more practice to get there, maybe never. Photography is such a massive subjective subject with multiple genres! We can't be good at everything and I am less interested in the commercially viable work such as portraits and weddings! I have found your videos very inspiring and honest, so thank you, please keep them up :)

[@mikejefferis2748]

I don't equat any creative measure by social media, "likes" or any other online nonsense. Photography for me is a creative challenge of capturing images and my end game is the final physical print. I couldn't give a sh*t about the "algorithm" and other assorted online bollocks. Your art is your own. Learn it and love it.

[@glenkwonfilm]

How should I package my work when I'm sending it off to agents/agencies?

[@philliphickox4023]

I only very recently picked up a camera again, and started submitting to stock. The opportunity of being fast track to exclusive with one agency was offered to me and I thought about it, but it was far too restrictive. As you seen on you f/b I like to shoot events, and I asked a certain agency if they would accept my work, they declined very politely basically saying that they didn't have a position available for my speciality. I am not saying I am perfect, I still have along way to go, and I am only using basic editing for my images. Nothing complicated.

[@notjustanygeorge]

When you said “when it’s been a week and your inbox is dead..” I was a little relieved that it’s clearly a universal thing!

[@luckypennybenny]

Do I suck? Yes. I cannot explain why people like some of my photos and why they don't. All I can do is not be afraid to get negative feedback and practice.

[@StephenWilson-ox6pm]

This might be a bit of topic but one example of why social media might not be the best way to tell. There is a KZbinr who has over 5.6m million subscribers and is into photography etc all he has to do is post an image and he get an insane amounts of likes not because there is anything that special about image it’s about him as person and what he brings to his work his personality, process and his back story. So maybe it more about you and what you bring to your work that gets you noticed!

[@Kukainis]

I strongly disagree with you on this one Scott, in that how the algorith works has a LOT to do with how many people get to see and perhaps like your content. I got the most likes on Instagram when I just bought my first camera and I didn't even know how it works. the shots I took back then SUCKED. I got a lot better with years but I get maybe a 5th of the likes now, yes, because the algorithm works diffarently.

[@daylanbrawley631]

Yea if you’re not doing reels or posting skin it’s almost as if IG soft- shelves you

[@gohumberto]

I feel your pain. I am an imperfect perfectionist. What a curse that is. Dunning-Kruger??? Don't talk to me about it. I am perfectly intelligent enough to know how much I don't know and how distinctly average I am. Keep 'em coming. I love the channel (even though I will never turn Pro).

[@stevenbamford5245]

Came across your channel, brilliant and no BS... I wanted to ask, outside of your studio work do you shoot for yourself? and if so what kind of work do you like doing, and are you using a mirrorless system? Thanks Steve.

[@piotrlisowski2012]

Another fantastic video about a serious and not very popular topic(or maybe hard to swallow for some) Tbh most people who saw my photos loved them but I still struggle to find new models for sessions. It's a bit hard to get better at portraits when you have no one to photograph

[@addictofbrian]

That last part. I don't have anyone to photograph and I'm too broke to pay models so I can try to get better.

[@piotrlisowski2012]

@@addictofbrian i can feel your pain. And I feel like training on family members is not a real training. It's enough to get some basic understanding of good angle or light positioning but nothing more. I guess all we can do is hope for the better times ;) BTW try finding people on Instagram. I was rejected like 50 times but one girl finally agreed and it was very nice, we did 4 photoshoots afterwards and it helped me greatly. The worst point is starting from nothing but once you have some acceptable photos it's a bit easier

[@kevinparkes417]

In a recent video you talked about a commercial image not needing to be perfect but just good enough for the client's needs. Does the same principle apply here? To be a commercial photographer do I need to be good or do I need to be just good enough to satisfy my client's needs? Where is the line between good and good enough? Is good enough for one client different to good enough for another? How do I tailor my target market to my good-enough-ness? I'd be interested in your thoughts.

[@gchristopherklug]

Once again, to the point and spot on.

[@peter_shadow7559]

In my country, looking for agents is not possible, there are no agents. Where I live is a regular wedding destination and there is not a single store dedicated to photography. The Best Buy photography section is sad.

I don't think you've ever covered the MOST DECISING factor in pro photography. I mean, of them all really. Everything comes second or a distant third. What really makes you happen is simply: lucky. And. Nothing. Really. Else. It's all about lucky. Being there at the right time, to grab an open door, a solid partner, a solid agent, catching them in the best ever window that has been opened and will close in a few minutes. I'm a good photographer, but I've seem a girl who worked as an agency secretary - yup, not photographer, not retoucher, not art director, a secretary - leap miles ahead of me. Just because she was luckier to be in the right place than me. I've seem that more than once, just switching some names. Lucky is why you get far or not in pro photography. Everything else doesn't matter if you're not catching the beam of lucky shining upon a few.

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

Great video idea. I will see what I can come up with

@@TinHouseStudioUK Awesome that you found it valuable :) I'd elaborate my comment a bit further: time and time again I've seen proper photographers/videomakers getting no opportunities at all. By "proper" I mean, guys with decent equipment, portfolio, skills, and a genuine interest in making it a full time career. These guys, as proven time and time again, were left unemployed by basically anyone else with a bit more "lucky". A secretary working for the right agency at the right time (in fact, I known 2 female secretaries who became full time fashion photographers just because they were serving coffee for the right people, as harsh as that sounds). There's always that guy that became a pro photographer just because he was buddies with someone connected to the business. I've seen countless examples, all having more to do with lucky than with a proven portfolio, skill set or marketing ability. These guys just "happened" because they were at the right place, at the right time. . Here in Brazil, JR Duran is Brazil's most famous photographer, as he shot hundreds of Playboy covers. It's well known that he started out shooting for Playboy just because one day, he decided to show up at the magazine publisher and ask for a chance. They questioned him "did you ever shoot any nude?" To which he said "never." He got hired anyway! Reasons: decades ago, there were so fewer photographers, that you could walk in a Playboy publisher and get hired just for showing up at the front desk, imagine that in today's world... . This is a dark side of pro photography. It may never be under your own will to become a pro or not. It may happen out of lucky more often than not. As a personal note, I've been a pro 10 years ago. Got my @ss beaten every single day (I wasn't lucky enough to bond with an agent or agency, had to bust my @ss off for every single gig). Left the industry, and for the past 6 years I've been trying to make it happen again with zero success, as I didn't stumble with the right connection yet. My work is decent, I got a YT channel too... but still no gigs for 6 years. While secretaries got the chance much easier. Lucky is the name of the game. At least at the beginning.

[@nigelcrits]

​@Márcio Napoli more like its cus they were a woman 🤣. Seem hurt bro move on.

[@nigelcrits]

​@ its not luck either its called social dynamics of networking and appearances. Social engineering is a necessary skill to understand.

@@nigelcrits hello there. But I'm good at social skills, I was a perfect case of whatever clients asked, I'd say "yes sire, consider it done!". Truth is, I'm guilty of what I criticized, so I do understand this "lucky" mechanics... I have a YT channel, my current videomaker is nothing but a buddy at the office. He got the gig knowing zero about video, it just happened he's my buddy. Prior to him, my other videomaker was my assistant (and friend), also knowing zero about video. So I'm guilty of doing the same things I criticize. In this field, it's all about "who you know", "who you're buddies with".

[@narsplace]

Wiill this also includes lifestyle photography? Every photographer I have met, form event photographers to one who had a 100,000 deal with Huggies nappies Australia, which took him months to get done because he had to get approval to work with children and child safety considerations. Anyway have all insisted that I should do for photograph. In no way I gave my intention in doing it professionally, as I saw my self as not good enough. I study Japanese and it is common to meet a few professional photographers that are both English and Japanese, at language exchange events.

[@Blakelyboy21392]

Great this just made me think I’m a bad photographer. Thanks.

[@aaronvbarreraphotography2740]

I just had an agent reach out to see if I was interested in doing a test shoot with one of their current MU artists. I thought this was a step in the right direction but I’d love your input. I sent them an email back in January and they just responded this week.

[@patrickspahr825]

I suck but I do believe I’ve gotten better and continue to do so. Can you offer me a tip how to find all those agents you mentioned in NYC? I’m only about two hours away! Yes, my marketing sucks in that it’s nearly non-existent. It’s my next mountain to climb. Thank you!

[@martinlawrence8427]

Scott, how many of your audience are professional photographers? I don’t know the answer, but my guess is a small percentage. I’m not, but still enjoy your videos, not because I want to become one, but because I enjoy thinking about how I can improve as a photographer.

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

No idea but id imagine less than 1%? Would be cool to know though. As a pro, I oddly watch videos with hobbyist photographers most haha.

[@martinlawrence8427]

Anyway…keep ‘em coming…more of you in action with a camera would be my preference!

[@josephsherlock9140]

People recommending me to others is a big confidence boost.

[@zampination]

You can be a good photographer in the genres you've worked the most and simultaneously be a bad photographer in the genres you haven't. Me? As photography is not my means of puting food to the table i strive to one day become good at most genres of photography and in the end become a 'Complete photographer" One that can deliver bangers on every genre of photography if someone asks. Maybe a lifetime will not be enough though but still, it's a nice goal to have in life, i think

[@wendyhayes1046]

I tell myself that I'm only as good as my last event that I shot. I'm an introvert so I don't network much so o cannot consider all of my worth on how popular I am. But then again, I'm just starting to get back into the scene after taking a few years off.

[@openandrew]

If i email them and the police show up, that might be an indication as well, hahaha. Honestly, though my work is fine for myself, i am out of touch with what is commercially viable, and that is well just fine for me

[@jaimyrl]

Okay this hits hard 😅 I've been photographing for a while and I'm getting more and more work only my instagram page isn't growing 😣 but my photos are also seen by an average of 25 people... does that say something about my photography?

[@peter_shadow7559]

Instagram is rubbish, don't be measured by that rule. You know, it seems strange to me that Scott considers social platforms as a means of measurement. If I'm not mistaken in my mental calculations, he has a video in which he says that he paid thousands of dollars for promotion and did not have a client.

[@Popa_Bogdan_Light_Drawing]

thanks for the info's

[@chrisegonmusic]

When my inbox is empty, I remind myself that I became successful by being more stubborn than everyone else. I basically don't quit for longer than the competition when times get tough.

[@joaoborrega4594]

I use the same metrics, you want 3 pick 2 if it’s good and fast is not cheap, if you want fast and cheap it’s not good.

[@6thbrumba]

I didn't realize how badly I suck until now. I though it was all in my head.

[@addictofbrian]

Thanks for telling me that I should just quit doing what I love before I even started getting paid.

[@froreyfire]

I already know I'm a bad photographer, should I still watch your video? ;-)

[@froreyfire]

Ah ok, it doesn't matter because I'm doing it for fun! :-D

[@MarkusMischek]

All true but have to comment on the IG likes part. If you are a people photographer and post a great portrait of a male model you still don’t get a lot of likes. But if you post a crappy photo of a half naked women then people - mostly men - hit the like button a lot. So this method by itself isn’t very helpful. The best way to find out if you are really good is what you mentioned in the end. Writing to photo agencies.

[@meechcreativellc]

Most people who suck do not know / realize they do, they don't realize they lack the innate ability for lighting, composition, etc. and someone along the way told them they were good and paid them. Yet, as a community, we aren't supposed to disparage our fellow photographers...so, they never know it.

[@koltureshack7993]

Eeek. Long way to go for me, looks like. For me, it's getting positive feedback from top commercial photographers (who are currently working, and successfully)

[@johananGR]

You rule!

[@sigmundklaus]

Pick a hobby that you can not make any money with... or very little money even if you get really good at it... maybe that takes off the edge and it can really be just that, a hobby :) ... May I suggest calligraphy? ... you do have a fountain pen ... 😅

[@marzatomika]

What other hobbies do you have?

[@willsutton2235]

damn, i suck as a photographer. 9 months in and some of my photos barely gets 10 likes, but i won't let that stop me from getting better.

[@Losochill]

All this takes time people.. don’t expect any of this when your first starting out. Whether your good or bad it takes time.

[@PaulBenjaminPhoto]

Repeat clients, or referrals from former clients... If people who've paid me money are willing to give me more money, or persuade their friends to do so then I'm probably doing ok.

[@LSF000]

"And now look at it." 🤣🤣🤣

[@Lucy-dk5cz]

If I think an image of mine is good, it’s good. For the record, I think I’ve only produced one or two images I think are good. I have very high standards for myself

[@belaacs5238]

"Talk is cheap, show the money"!!!

[@dje7917]

i'm not bad! I'm just a novice since 2 decades. it would hurt me less that way

[@jeremyfielding2333]

Social media is the worst thing that could have happened to photography. No, 'likes' don't mean anything. Thank god I had my career before the madness began.

[@macwestcanon]

momsie says im great, lol really great channel ,

[@whatifschrodingersboxwasacofin]

101st! ❤

[@GPadugan]

The algorithms on social media don't work like that at all. Most social media doesn't show your post to 80% of your own followers let alone others. Unless you pay. I had a facebook page going back to the begining of facebook pages and had hundreds of followers, but would get thousands of likes. This means my posts were seen by far more than my followers. Once they monetized it however, not even half my followers saw the posts.........unless I paid to boost it. The whole thing is a scam and vast majority that are "popular" have paid to be there.

[@haingis]

I don't need a test to find out. I only use my cellphone.

[@johndwilliams]

I think the title should be 'Discover if YOU are a BAD Pro or potential Pro Photographer with this SIMPLE Test'. Like the vast majority of your subscribers, I'm not a pro photographer nor ever will be. Too old for one thing! But I enjoy the insight into that world and try to glean snippets of information that help me on my quest for perfection. But after watching this video, I've become quite disheartened with my photography. It's probably a symptom of how much I've followed and valued your opinions on photography. To come out with such an absolute statement saying that if you're not getting thousands, or even hundreds of 'likes' when you post on Instagram, then your photos must be rubbish. Most of us are well aware of how social media can destroy your confidence with its algorithms and trashy pics. But when someone whose opinion on photography you have respected tells you that there is no doubt about it, if you're not getting all those likes then you're crap and you may as well give up. I'm disappointed.

[@dimaermolenko98]

Yiu shouldn't give that much about just oppinion. He is talking about profesional Photography. Business not art. His dream Clients are MCDo amd Coca Cola. What do you expect? This chanel is more about marketing than anything else. Yiu get some goodninfk here and ther but mostbof the time it's about Marketing yourself.

[@matthewanderson7666]

Wow! I'm gutted hahha I think my work is ok but my marketing is nill existent . I send emails to companies I want to work with and get nice replies but not much work. I get likes on my social media but not heaps. I just signed up for the marketing 101 and hopefully I get some good information.

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

Best of luck!

[@os6219]

I surely know how to take a correct picture, be it with a smartphone or the latest and greatest. Sometimes when lucky even a good one. Nevertheless I must suck. Not consistent, no niche, no real style…

[@ftlbaby]

Shameless plugs are MUCH better than shameful ones.

[@colintraveller]

I get more likes on group pages that are about a specific criteria .. than i do on my FB . Do i care not really . Because I don't take pics to keep others happy i take pics that makes me happy !!! On another note .. there is a channel on here who proudly boasted in the video title of getting world class togs to to give opinions on his pics . When i ask about there backgrounds .. He never had the decency to reply .. also i noticed that one already had a channel on here . There is ones on here that can't even do an honest review of camera gear . ,

[@abdu724]

I don’t agree with you with the likes thing. Leonardo da Vinci doesn’t have any likes or any account, does that mean he is not good? 😂

[@cesarebonazza]

How you will deal with Ai from now on with your marketing, and further more do you think still life photography is in danger. Now regarding if i sucks what I do I look back 10 years if I 🤢 I know then I was bad and on the now present I get a smile for what improved I know I’m a better photographer. Last who win it is always the best marketer end of the story and yes you also have to be good.

[@TomParsonsposts]

Loving your stuff.. but will totally disagree in regards to social media. That is not a measure of worth or skill. It used to do my head in seeing shitty work getting thousands of likes.. almost depressing.. in fact it is depressing full stop. My IG is trashed after a wipe and re-brand, FB is trash, I get very little likes from either. But you hit the nail on the head with your last pearl.. ie agents. This is who you should listen to and as you said it is just a question of time and a bit of luck. These guys will not blow smoke up your ass. I look forward to your next vid :)

[@hoyaterp]

Yes I most likely suck. But clients pay me nevertheless. Next?

[@cameraman655]

What do I care if I am a ‘bad’ photographer...? As long as the checks clear, I must be doing something right. BTW, I do NOT do Social Media….👎🤬

[@wanderingambience799]

I don’t mean to be the oddball here but your portfolio on Instagram is not my thing at all. In fact I’d probably say it’s not good. Your KZbin videos are good, informative and makes people think.

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

I'll let my clients know

[@benjaminfaint5734]

I don't think I suck..........I know I suck 😅😂

[@petevonschondorf4609]

kinda disagree on the rejection letter, I'm always polite simply because you never know when the roles will be reversed. Besides how much effort does it take to be nice.

[@ac1320]

I think his point is the big agencies don't NEED to respond. If you get a response from a real person, you're good enough to get looked at & someone formulated a response to you.

[@olitography]

This video makes very little sense, you frame as a pro studio, agent and what not, great. Then you ponder the most amateur of questions, Am i any good? You're a pro so probably not. Your job is to produce the work your clients want you to. If you do that, you get more work, and exchange money for more images your clients will like. If you don't do that, well then it's an expensive hobby, but at least you'll get to take some pictures people will like on social media. ...Edit that sounds way worse than i meant it to. Excuse me while i finish up a job for a client "you want me to put an Instagram filter over it" why not?

[@ac1320]

I got ok enough to not get paid to shoot professional sports on an almost regular basis. Then my day job got in the way.....

[@dimaermolenko98]

Instagram likes as a measurement for success. Com on man...thats rubbish.

[@borderlands6606]

It doesn't matter whether your work is any good or not, what matters is that the people with commissioning power like it. Same with fine art. Everyone has an opinion but if a handful of people with big wallets like it, the millions who hate it as the daubing of a charlatan do not matter a jot.

[@jffgtwn9114]

the very first thing you mention on whether or not you're "good" is social media likes?? c'mon dude.....really?

[@ivanbuckingham2302]

I completely disagree with you. This whole video is based on measuring how good you are by other people's opinion of your work. Other people are idiots, most people think that the pictures that their smart phone takes are good. Take photos, learn what you like, make mistakes and learn from them. When you overcome a problem you're better than you were yesterday. The more yesterdays you learnt from the better you are.

[@BoB2011yay]

When you realise he follows ☺ Not sure I'm quite top in the world