My Award-Winning Photos Were an Embarrassment (To Me)

[@ThePhotographicEye]

If you're tired of your inner critic, then come and join us in a photography community where we help nip these voices in the bud: www.skool.com/thephotographiceye

[@csc-photo]

All of these reasons are exactly why I abandoned social media sites. Self-doubt, overthinking, under-expressing. I've painted myself into this little corner of perfectionism and guess what... it's polluting the joy of photography for me. At least as far as sharing my work goes. I LOVE shooting & creating. But I feel anxious about showing my work lately (at least publicly / online). I suppose the positive side here is now I'm having fun working on photo books, printing images and making photo albums. I'd like to find a balance again. Thank you for this message!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

My pleasure, thanks for watching and sharing your story

[@steveh8658]

I appreciate your vulnerability. There is much to learn and laugh about when we face ourselves in the mirror.

[@adude394]

Excellent topic, and a lot of great comments here. I'll spare you my normal rant about how social media is the worst invention in the history of the human race. However, I will say that at the age of 61, I've suffered from imposter syndrome nearly every day of my adult life. I've never felt that I actually fit in anywhere in anything. I'm a few years from retirement, yet I STILL have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. Photography is one of the few things I truly enjoy doing (that, crosswords, and sleeping are my three favorite activities), and I do it for one reason only: It brings me joy. I don't post my photos anywhere, though once in a while I may find that I have an image that I am happy with, so I might share it with my wife or my co-workers. It doesn't go any further than that, however. I look at the amazing images posted by so many experts here on KZbin, and I draw inspiration from them, but I will clearly never reach that level. All I can do is try to continue to improve my technique, and that's good enough for me.

[@L.Spencer]

sounds just like me, but I do post my photos though - and I wish everyone would because i love looking at them - especially my photo classmates, I love seeing what they're doing as well as the progression of their work

[@lynettedodson1118]

Thank you - perfect timing. I am currently in the process of changing my website by replacing the photos I thought I "should" include with the photos I love and reflect who I am. Putting the fun back in that had gotten lost in the "process."

[@jobecker1122]

Todd Hido said these great words: Trust your work.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Never heard that, so thanks for sharing it here

[@arneheeringa96]

Or Daniel Milnor: don't care about what anyone thinks about your work

[@marcussachse9353]

@@arneheeringa96its kind hard tho isnt it. I like Milnors rants and style of journaling, pretty dope.

[@arneheeringa96]

@@marcussachse9353 me too, his Q&A's and 'Notes on photography' are great

[@kyostischmidt3859]

Hi Alex - I love it when you are so honest, which is very rarely seen on KZbin (and elsewhere). Only the brave dare to be honest, and you are truly a fantastic teacher who dares to share your mistakes and doubts with the outside world. It's really well done! Chris / Kyösti

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks so much Chris!

[@bernym4047]

I used to shoot for social media 'likes' but now I shoot to please myself and am more happy and fulfilled. As a by-product, many of my friends also like my images. That's not to say I'm not very self-critical. I often re-visit and re-edit older images. Thank you for more pearls of wisdom.

[@paulmstuart]

Sounds like you have cleared some hurdles. It can be difficult. Well done. Cheers.

[@kristiebussler1320]

Thank you, Alex. This video is a perfect example of why I call you my photography teacher. Your honesty is priceless.

[@noname123-y8j]

Absolutely great video. Such an important topic from an amazing photographer! Highly recommend this video and channel! Your passion for your work is inspiring! This video underscores the true essence of your channel and its name!! An honest, authentic, open and transparent discussion!!! This video will inspire and help others. Refreshing discussion!! Will be watching this video several times…so much to gain…Wishing you the best! 🙏🏼

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you so much for your support and watching along

[@billbromer]

Thanks. Self doubt hits me when I look at my images on the computer. I love walking around finding possible photos and trying to make images. Feel like I missed the composition when I was at the computer and couldn't go back to try again. Thanks, I will try to learn from the best parts.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

No worries Bill. I hope it helped - glad you enjoyed the feedback on your photo in the community

[@TheSilverDartRacing]

I did chuck it all in the late 80's. After a 35 year career in a heavy industrial job. I've picked back up. Now I just shoot for me and what i like. Maybe it will go somewhere/maybe not. I'm good and it's enough. thanks I love your channel.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks a lot - I'm happy to hear you enjoy the videos

[@HeuerAndy]

For me, it's this voice that shows me how deep the indoctrination of the manufacturers runs. I mainly shoot with a Sony A77 and a Nikon D7100. However, I also have a Sony A700 and a Nikon D300 here. In principle, I much prefer to use these two cameras, the feeling they give is special, especially the Nikon D300, but then I hear that voice again telling me that 12 megapixels is not enough if I ever want to print a larger image. Even though I know that it also works with 12 megapixels. Sometimes it's really crazy.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

For ages I wrestled with using my iPhone for exactly the same reason

[@arneheeringa96]

I put them on 2-6 MP, sometimes they don't go below 8. I like Nikons Jpeg Basic.

[@Scott-j9o]

I bought a new Nikon D100 when it first came out($2000 for the body!). I had been printing 16 x 20 images from Kodachrome 25 for years before that. The common view of the 'experts' was 6 megapixels is really good, but it's just not quite up to film. Well, I printed many images from that 6 megapixel D100, that were without a doubt, better than any image I had printed from Kodachrome 25. Yet, like you, I had the voice of 6 megapixels isn't enough. I currently use an Olympus Omdem1mk2 system and still am battling those voices. It is crazy!

[@TFUTM]

Nerdy experiment- find something detailed in the distance like a tree without leaves. Photograph it at 50mm and pixel peep the picture on the rear screen. Compare it to what you can see. If you can see more detail on the picture than reality, your eye can't see to that resolution level and can get away with less megapixels. D300 should be enough.

[@michaelboylephotos]

Thanks!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you

[@adriancoleman1120]

I've bugger all confidence in my photography. I'm an amateur/hobbyist whose family and friends are not really interested in what I do if they're not family photos. So I have no outlet bar a very small local photography club I recently joined where the emphasis is on enjoyment, not judgement and the odd post on a mft forum where if you don't put up wildlife photos you rarely get a comment. I have therefore found it really difficult to a) show my work b) get positive feedback.

[@davidmilisock5200]

Looking at others work, working and not caring about the opinions of others, it's a Zen thing.

[@KarloFio]

A lazy perfectionist, what a great statement! I can totally recognise myself in it... Look, social media can never judge the quality of anybody's photographic work, no! We all try to replicate our feelings about the moment in which the photo was taken, it includes very fine and subtle nuances of light and colour, of crispness and falloff and so on... How is it possible to see all of it on a mobile phone or whatever? The squeaky screens with over the board, HDR like colours and contrasts are killing it. Anyway, it's still a fact that the photos can only be seen properly when printed. Everything else is like watching news without being present at the "crime scene"! And, do you think a Master Chef would serve you a meal which he doesn't like himself! So, the power of love and no confidence or the elimination of hedges is the key 😊 I think, if we show to the world the things we love, then it's ok and there is no place for self-doubt if you know you like or love something or someone, is it?

[@simonpayne7994]

Most people are not particularly interested in photography. Many do not appreciate a good picture. My experience is that if I shoot pictures of my relatives, the best critique I can expect is - on Simon's photos we always look good. If I present any other type of picture - landscape, still life, abstract, tabletop, castle, or whatever - nobody in my proximity has the vocab to say anything valuable about my photo and actually are not at all interested anyway. If my guys have a feeling that they somehow or ever look good when I take their picture - that is praise enough. 🙂 Of course I compare my stuff to the output of commercial photographers or photo artists. And of course i know exactly where I stand. Mentally I evaluate every single picture I see in adverts and every camera angle within a documentary or major film. I also compare my compositions to paintings in museums. What I do not expect is any sort of praise from normal people. Other photographers do not count at all because there are hardly any left. Of course, comments on any type of social media are completely worthless. They tend to fall into two extremes. 1) what a brilliant genius you are and that photo is the best I have ever seen. 2) The corners aren't sharp and there is noise oll over the place and you should have cropped in differently. And be the way, what were your camera settings? 🙂

[@13opacus]

I find it funny that someone with your talents has these phobias, I am a complete amateur with what would be considered rubbish skills by most but post it on Insta without regard for negative opinions purely for the sake of doing something I enjoy. Love your work, all the best.

[@pageofmoskof]

Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you for watching

[@RickCarroll-Canada]

Thanks for sharing Alex. One of the biggest things I hate hearing is when someone suggests that you copy someone else's work to learn. I hate that. It's fine to learn things but ALWAYS do yourself. I don't have imposter thoughts and I don't do social media for the most part. The photographs I like, I like PERIOD. That's it. To me, that's all that ever matters. Seriously... Don't ever do for others, do for yourself and love the experience of it all. Thanks

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Copying to learn is important, but, and it's a big but, copying work to try and fit in (like I was doing) was a huge part of my IS

[@RickCarroll-Canada]

@@ThePhotographicEye Hey Alex... Sorry for being tough on you. I appreciate your honesty. Your videos are great. At the end of the day, all anyone ever needs to do, is to be true to themselves. You have a wife and a son, a charmed life. Clearly you've done MANY right things.

[@kc1464a]

Thanks Alex for tackling this subject in yyour video. I would agree that to challenge your imposter feeling, you should post the photos you enjoy capturing.

[@sbai4319]

Alex, thank you for this video! I’m going through the same struggle at present. Dissatisfied with my work, I put the camera away! My solution now is to work on a few ideas of projects that will inspire me as part of what really energises my photography is not the single frame any more, I need to work on cohesive projects that share a common theme!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

For me large projects were to overwhelming to contemplate - hence why I preferred to experiment instead

[@stevecooney1361]

I wish my photos were as good as your photos, there is nothing wrong with your photos, i do have a degree of imposter syndrome regarding my photography. this vlog is brilliant. thank you for sharing your thoughts both personal and general thoughts, keep up your good work

[@TheAlanPee]

Thank you Alex just what I needed have been burying myself in very similar thoughts for too long now, so with a much better frame of mind it’s time to dust off my camera and get out there!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

I'm glad it helped. Thanks for watching

[@daemon1143]

Imposter syndrome is almost universal amongst the genuinely competent, it's usually only the dubiously talented and inexperienced that are absolutely certain of themselves, and only because they suffer from Dunning Kruger effect. The most commonly applied means to deal with imposter syndrome is to ignore the anxiety and do what's expected of you irrespective of one's internal dialogue. The most commonly applied means to deal with Dunning Kruger is to give it free reign and ensure all those in the vicinity are fully aware of the sufferer's magnificence. I don't have any of these problems because I know my photos are utter shite, which is why I haven't inflicted them on anyone for 40 years. By the way, I still like that red haired girl image at 5:23 for its light.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for watching - I'm very fond of that series. It was a fun experiment

[@gillyb44]

Thank you Alex, yes I am full of self doubt, I took up photography only 10 years ago at 70 years old. I use Jpegs and I am berated for that, but I think Fuji Jpegs are quite beautiful. I can edit them slightly. Not much. I also use vintage lenses, which give such a wonderful quality, with the light falling away, lovely bokeh if your lucky. I am just getting ready to print some photos out to put in a booklet. Doubt is creeping in, are they good enough, oh not in full focus etc etc. Making time for myself too is very hard as I am a carer for my husband. So again thankyou for inspiration to carry on, with what I like, not others.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

I'm glad you enjoyed this - thanks so much for watching

[@pierrematthieu166]

Thanks for your heart felt video. I do continue to deal with this. Hearing your words helps.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lenscap8925]

All egos are not created the same. I think the taking of portrait photos is very difficult to the photographer because the client is the last judge of "their image". Regardless of how you see them, they might not agree with the camera angle, lighting angle or intensity,background to apparel choice, blah,blah,blah. My little way to overcome self doubt was to open a stock photo account. If the pics were used for content, guess they were good enough.Are they wall hangers? No, but who ever chose the pic thought the idea was conveyed well enough for use, over other photos of the same subject. My brothers' graphic design work when entered into competitions (by a printer who printed the work) was always "Best in class...Must have been the only one entered in class". Well off to a motorcycle show for MY photos!

[@BubbleGendut]

Seeking emotional validation, to matter, to be heard and seen, to be understood and accepted. This is a psychological need left over from our childhoods. Seeking praise from parents or teachers. Now Social Media is added for us to seek external validation. It’s an illusion, it’s unfulfilling, it just makes you crave for more. The key is to stop seeking external validation & practice Self-validation, whatever brings you pleasure & fulfilment & joy!

[@ThePhotographicEye]

It's possible that there's a connection - I do struggle with self validation

[@lphilpot01]

I've always had imposter syndrome. Not just photography, but I had it BIG TIME for 40 years in my career (still do, and I retired almost four years ago). As a hobbyist landscape photographer who lives in a landscape-minimal region, my biggest challenge is finding legit subject matter. I don't feel quite as imposter-ish otherwise, but my inability to regularly access quality subject matter contributes heavily to it.

[@TheOlandex]

Interesting perspective. I have to say I never tried to subconsciously disassociate from my work to protect myself from criticism. I always owned my work. Of course that meant I used to hear criticism and it would cut deeply. I've gotten to a point where I recognize it doesn't have to cut, because it's subjective. And frankly the vast majority of critics who want to pixel peep and make negative comments are not really worth listening to in the first place. I have almost no social media presence - a fact which got me accused of not being a "real photographer" before. But as I age - and I've been into photography as both hobby and part time profession for over 37 years now - I just care less and less about what others think. If someone wants to hire me, I tell them my price and if they like my work they pay it. If not, I don't do the job. Easy. As for my more creative stuff, I create it for myself and am happy to share with anyone who appreciates it. Those who do not are free to pass on by, and that's ok. I think as a group we photogs are often too damned sensitive. I know I have been, and that too is ok.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. I've always found it weird that some people have these arbitrary sets of rules by which they judge if someone is 'a photographer' or not.

[@gregdarroch1946]

Most of my shots are pretty crap. It’s the occasional winner that cheers me up and puts the impostor temporarily out of mind.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

I used to talk about my work like that too - though in my case it wasn't healthy for me.

[@seaeagles6025]

Hi Alex, we all have self doubt at some point thank God I'm not on Social Media and don't post anything online. Great discussion Alex, thank you 😊.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for sharing!

[@seaeagles6025]

Your welcome Alex, thank you 😊

[@juanadan8003]

From Spain.Hola estoy asombrado y complacido por este video por ser revelador de o que pasa a muchos fotografos por culpa de las redes sociales.Tambien por como lo has superado.Yo cuando vi tus fotos QUEDE ENCANTADO fueran las que fueran porque dan una buena sensacion interior.Y sabes que? A eso se le llama arte cuando te hacen vibrar de alguna manera en el interior.Lamentablemente las ordas de gente en internet estupidos e ignorantes sabelotos muchos de ellos hacen que gente como tu que sabes de fotografia se vayan dejandonos con la estupidez y la ignorancia artística.Tienes mi apoyo total.Un cordial saludo

[@lw1622]

As a pure amateur photographer I only take pictures for myself. I post them on social media with an attitude that these are my pictures they are part of me. If a viewer does not like an image or has a problem with it then that is their problem not mine.I like the image if you find fault or do not like it so what? It may come across as being conceited however it does give you greater confidence with your images.

[@davidskinner274]

Congratulations, Alex opening up, not easy. Many will be inspired. Your work resonates with me and encourages m. Just a thought, would you consider collaboration with other togs, just go on a casual walk in the field, discuss stuff, and throw in a few images. From watching your images here, James Popsys , James Burns and Roman Fox come to mind.? These guys should resonate with you in many aspects of their work, style and growing confidence in themselves. They certainly do for me.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for watching and the suggestion.

[@TFUTM]

I found going on flikr and searching on a normal lens was very positive. Not a pro lens that would be used with studio lighting but something used by ameteurs like myself. Bearing in mind they range from quick snaps to people's best work; my pictures are not so bad.

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Hi Alex, thanks for sharing.

[@geogu3images]

How bad are my photos? Compared to what actually. I spend time and money on a hobby that does only one thing - simply to bring me joy. Other peoples opinions are like, well, you know what. I do actually like the odd compliment regarding a bit of my work, but then the real self doubt sets in. I probably didn’t see that photo the way the compliment meant it… what did I do wrong, what did they see that I didn’t?? OMG!! Two minutes later, I don’t GAF. All good.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

It's a crazy cycle!

[@LePetitMondedeMichel]

Sometime we do great work, sometimes we do good work, sometimes we do bad work. But the human nature is to remember what goes wrong in a survival instinct. Is a bad recipe for greatness very often we deserve a self hand in the back. Creative people have a tendency to be hard on themselves.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you for watching - yes we do tend to be hard on ourselves don't we?

[@krautstar8013]

Hi Alex, great video !

[@CP23798]

Creative people have their demons

[@ThePhotographicEye]

I'm sure most people do TBH

[@CP23798]

@@ThePhotographicEye Maybe, but creative people have really high-ranking, specialized ones.

[@Emilaria]

I am highly critical of my photos, but I wouldn't call it imposter syndrome. I look at them and know in my heart (whether or not it's true) that they're nothing special and nobody would say to themselves, "I want that picture hanging in my house". It's so bad that I don't go out and take photos to better my skills or experiment with new idea. Nor do I edit years worth of pictures to show others or simply to have them on display in my own home. In my head it's like, "what's the point?" I would love to be a professional photographer, but nobody buys landscapes. I would also like to try portraits by combining that with nature, but have no clue how you would even go about it. I can't go on vacation and take normal photos because I'm so obsessed with trying to make every shot look like something you'd see in a gallery, in a book, etc. My idea of how my pictures need to be and how I'm going to try, but ultimately fail, to achieve that goal ruins my enjoyment and love for photography. I don't know how to change. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Hi - I also struggled with that idea for ages - the 'what's the point' aspect. Then I decided the point was to simply do work I liked. What you're talking about in your comment is something we often discuss in the community (there's a link in the pinned comment if you're interested)

[@flightographist]

Yabba dabba do! oh, and thanks for fixing your backdrop bro :P

[@MWB_logic_reason_respect]

' Character is born from imperfections' - me

[@Jacknicleson007]

I need your help. I've always loved taking pictures but i have never been able to afford a camera I've shot on my iphone 8 till 2024 even now i have student loan and stuff so i only have 20000 rupees as a budget and i can only get a second hand camera for that money and i can get a canon eos3000d with 18 to 55 kit lens please don't judge life hasn't been good to me since covid. I' am having second thoughts about buying it or should i get another more modern camera. I really want one man i have got a few chances to use a camera and the moment i hold it its like my chains are broken. you've helped me a lot with how to be in the mindset of a photographer. please just respond with a yes or no if it's a yes i will buy it.

[@thescottishaccent]

My first DSLR was a Canon EOS 350D, way way way back in 2006. Some of the photos I took with that are still, to this day, some of my favourites - and many are better than anything I ever took on a more modern Sony a6000 I got a few years ago. The old saying goes that the best camera is the one in your hand - the 3000D is an entry-level camera, but it'll do you fine and give you more flexibility than a phone camera would, I think.

[@Resgerr]

There is nothing wrong with the Canon 3000d- don't forget you can add, when you can afford it any Canon EF lens and there's loads out there. Buy it and enjoy using it and getting to know it well- welcome to the Canon family😊 There's nothing wrong with second hand cameras alot of us have them.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

The camera is just a tool - buy what you can afford and don't overthink it.

[@Jacknicleson007]

@ThePhotographicEye thats what exactly needed. God I can't wait for tomorrow I ain't wasting anymore time

[@arneheeringa96]

I bought a Lumix G2 with kit lens in 2020 for about 60-70€. It was one of the cheapest used 'real' cameras on offer.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Never had any of these feelings or issues. Maybe because I’ve kept it a hobby the last 20 years? My photography was what it was. I would play with different styles and colors until I get bored and then try something else but never lock onto one style. But never once did I ever think am I imposter. I never even heard the term before until it became a popular topic on KZbin the last few years. It actually confused me that this idea existed 😂

[@tarikyurtgezer1700]

Thank you🙏

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you for watching

[@rbweston]

Every time self doubt hits me (and my inner critic is bloody harsh at times); I pull out my printed portfolio and look at the images to remind myself I'm better than I believe.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Does your inner critic know mine? He's an annoying bugger too! Once I learnt to accept praise, that helped a lot

[@chrisfowler7669]

The demon of external validation, it's been said, is the worst of all. In the end, the only judgement of your work that matters is your own.

[@dangilmore9724]

Self doubt is over rated. I ignore it. I don't worry about absolute perfection because perfection is boring. The imperfections are what make things unique. Sometimes, imperfection is the very essence of an artwork. I never pay much attention to negative critiques of one of my photographs. Criticism doesn't bother me. What bothers me is if there isn't any criticism. If there isn't anyone out there that doesn't hate one of your photographs, then that only means that very few people are actually paying attention. There are several "great" photographers out there whose work is absolutely atrocious, bland and snap-shotty, but I love the photographs. The point is (to steal an idea from Winston Churchill and adapt it to photography) - 'Someone said something nasty about your photography? Good! Then you're doing something right!' 😊

[@flickrmark]

OR....we can pack the still small voice of doubt into the kitbag and use it as a weapon *against* complacency, a creeping malaise that often infects those who are devoid of ANY self doubt....you know, those guys you'd find on forums (lookin' at you DiaPerReview) whose criticism was long on volume and short on portfolio 😉

[@markgoostree6334]

I look at my photographs and often see them as sub par. I se the poor choices I've made for shutter speed, or the F-stop, and often composition. Then I remind myself... it doesn't matter. Nobody ever sees the pictures any way. Next to me, right now, are 14 packages ... the last rolls of film I've taken. Packages. Not even made it to an album yet. oh,well

[@MarcRobson-g1m]

Maybe you could look at what you'd like to see in your photos and add it next time

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Are those choices poor choices because you made an unconscious mistake, or just in retrospect you'd do it differently?

[@AliasJimWirth]

I need to make this comment now even though I am only at 1:25 in the video. This notion of "impostor", I do not get. If you feel you are an impostor, who then is not an impostor and why are they not? (I realize you may address this point a bit further into this video, Alex)

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Did you see at the end?

[@AliasJimWirth]

@@ThePhotographicEye Yes. And I learned two things. 1) Discipline myself to wait until the end of a video to comment. 2) Do not comment when I have been drinking. Cheers, Alex.

[@MarcRobson-g1m]

I was going to comment on how the imposter syndrome is hard to understand as it's biased to American culture (obviously being devised by the APA), and even though it is the flavour of the month I don't think it's relevant to you. If I may, I'll suggest that it's more about photography being what you do rather than you being a photographer. A hedge is probably needed by artists, or they will keep producing variations of the same thing - breaking through may simply be an advantage of middle age. The only other thing that could break through would be vanity. There's also nothing wrong with looking up to people no matter their age. On a side note, your work you've shown I'm sure will inspire a lot of other shutter snappers. Hope this hasn't seemed like waffle. Cheers and beers

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.

[@janvier1618]

BROVO BOET .

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Shot man!

[@gaarax0x]

Ego

[@john-lenin]

I'm pretty sure that everyone else is an imposter except me.