Photographers Constructive Criticism on Facebook

Constructive criticism, sounds a bit cold.  The term alone doesn’t sound too inviting does it? A more formal word followed up by a negative.  No thanks, not for me. You sit scrolling through Facebook as a means of winding down at the end of the night or an attempt to enjoy what feels like a very short lunch break.  Image after image, comment after comment. You’re not even invested in most of these folks but you find yourself drawn into reading all 43 comments on their photo. Why so many comments? 43, wow that’s a lot!  Down the rabbit hole I go suddenly drawn into someone else’s battle zone. You read through all the negative comments from the negative nellies that somehow seem to take up far too much space in this virtual world.  The negatives are usually followed up by the sweet souls that have a mother’s heart and come to defend the wounded. THIS is why I don’t post I’d say to myself. Nope, not me, no thank you. Those brave souls that put their best work out into the world only to be criticized by others.  If only they saw how hard I worked. If only they knew I just started a few months ago. If only they knew I can’t afford that new full frame camera with the Art lens like they have. The ifs could, and do,seem endless.  

I thought this way myself for far too many months.  What changed for me? I met a fabulous someone. Monika is confident, not afraid of the fall, not afraid of the climb, talented, and lucky for me so very giving.  In a way it feels like having an older sister, you’re just more comfortable knowing she’s there with you. I sent her a private message to do a little girl talk, or so I thought.  I of course went into the conversation thinking she’d agree with me. Look at this poor woman being attacked, in my mind, by these mean people! Her reply left me speechless. “ I don’t know why people are so afraid of constructive criticism any way”. Like the cool girl in school who had enough confidence to not care what anyone else thought.  I forget her exact words after that because my world was spinning. I never thought of it from that perspective so it felt too foreign and crazy to accept without reflection. So often we’re so defensive to constructive criticism that we don’t stop to think about what we’ve actually heard without being on defense. It took me a while to sit and really think on her words.  Her over all follow up was basically, it’s part of what has her successfully standing in her new studio living her dream. I personally never even thought of it that way. Why did I view constructive criticism as just criticism? 

 What if we did post that photo? I’m not sure how many of you follow Rachel Hollis, but it seems to be all of you these days considering her continuous bestseller status.  I too find her very inspiring as well for those big moments when I need that Rocky swagger. Or hell even just a strand of confidence if I’m being totally honest. The I GOT THIS attitude needed to do all the scary things I’m so afraid to do.  As I was driving to throw myself into certain death,or possibly I’d wish I were dead afterwards, aka my first wedding photography attempt I listened to her podcast for 5 hours!! Granted it was in a different state but thank goodness because surely this would do the trick!  She said in her RISE podcast “what is the very worst thing that could happen”? Then talk yourself down from there. What is the worst that could happen if you post the photo? A mean comment,…. consider the source. Not too many likes? We’ve ALL been there and some days still are!  I’m not as good as they are. They didn’t get good by sitting on the side lines. They all jumped! It’s ok to cover your eyes on the way down screaming. Just remember to remove your hands on the way back up and take in the scene.  

You never know when or where that next trick, tip, or greatest action might be learned.  What if that photographer in Florida teaches you something you’ve never heard of before. I myself recently really over did the highlights on a portrait.  That was until a photog friend said they needed to come down a bit. How did I not see that I wondered? It was suggested to me from a place of helping to make it the best portrait it could be.  I made a new layer and tried out her thoughts. She was right, so I merged down. If you don’t like it you can always delete the layer right. Heck you don’t even need to listen to the criticism that’s being given.  Photography is just another form of art. As we all well know just like with music, we all feel it very differently and for different reasons. 

Now that I mention my friend(s) it makes me realize it’s a part of why I’ve recently found comfort in my own place in what often feels like a race.  I’ve managed to surround myself with some really fantastic photography friends. I’m not sure how I got to this great party but you better believe I’m going to stay for dessert.  You might say oh you got lucky but I could never find that. You might say the photographers in my area are too unwelcoming. Even that you are just too much of an introvert. I actually found all but one of my creative friends online.  Yep, one connection led to another and another. Possibly by posting that one image you’ll connect with someone who sees something in it and a great friendship of your own might be created. Go find your Monika. Give yourself the chance to try.  What’s the worst thing that could happen?

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Written by Contributing writer Catherine TapperYou can find her on Facebook at Catherine Tapper Photography