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So I was reading a blog that was posted by john101477 on December 17th, and it intrigued me to write about what others see in your work. The timing couldn’t have been better. These last three weeks I’ve been working with a local gallery in getting my work displayed. This is my first encounter with the gallery world in displaying my work. The gallery theme changes every three months, which I think is pretty cool. This month is “winter theme”. So I spent several days working on the photos I wanted to include. Fortunately, I ran the photos past the gallery before having them printed. The gallery responded in a way that I was not expecting. They wanted me to change the photo process. Make the photos more “organic”. They wanted me to alter the photos to match what style they liked. Now to me, that doesn’t seem right. I’m selling my art, so therefore I want my work to represent me and my style. Needles to say, I did not continue on with the process. I know it may sound like I’m arrogant about my work… I’m not, really. I just don’t like the idea of someone else telling me how to do my work!
I recently had another experience with a “royalty free” stock photo website. I sell my stuff through them all the time, but the last submission of photos I had them deny quite a few of the photos do to lack of composition. Lack of composition??? What are they talking about??? It was interesting to me because the photos I liked the best were the ones they denied. It just goes to show that beauty is in the eye of the beholder…
So, in the long run… you’re never going to please everyone with your work, which is okay. You don’t have to. The main person that you need to impress is yourself. If you’re taking photos that you don’t like just because others like them, you’re not doing yourself any favors. How will you ever gain the confidence in yourself if you don’t like what you shoot. Instead, shoot photos your way. Your style. Even if it is a little different. Even if it is a little weird. That’s what sets you apart from your competition. I like to shoot children in their element (like playing outside, etc). My “niche” or “style” is a bit darker than usual with “punchy” or “bright” colors. I love that look, and that’s just what I do. People know me for this style and that’s why they hire me. That’s how it should be for you as well. Set yourself apart with your uniqueness and style.
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very well said!!! I an kind of wondering what a gallery is doing asking you to change your work to be more organic. I am not even really sure what that means in the photography world. next time you go in tell them you made sure the chemicals used to develop the images were all organic… Thought the theme was winter?
Thanks. When they said “organic” I believe they were doing something like a Polaroid transfer or something. What worse is that they wanted me to actually do the process of a Polaroid transfer, nothing digital. I don’t think so! I’m all digital baby!
This topic has been on my mind lately, too. For the same reasons you listed above, but others, too. You know the stories about the visit to a psychiatrist’s office - not that any of you have been there LOL! - but they have these little pictures they supposedly show you and ask you what they look like, right? Well, I had this picture I had taken of a beautiful orchid. From the angle it was taken, it looked like an angel to me holding a child in her arms and the wings spread wide. It was obvious to me the first time I saw it on my computer. I asked two people (without telling them what I saw) what it looked like to them. Neither of them saw anything but a flower. I even went to the extreme of circling the parts I saw and labeling what they were supposed to be. They STILL didn’t see it. My eyes did. So, bottom line, as photographers, artists, we have to shoot not only what we see with our eyes, but what we feel with our heart. Some may get it, some won’t. But that’s okay. That’s all part of the journey.
Very well said. I agree with you 100%. Thanks for your input. I would love to see that photo. Sounds really neat!
I’m rendering a fractal right now which is a HUGE hog on my computer. I’m just barely able to post on forums tonight. It’s been a very LONG time since I’ve been here on this site, so if I can remember how to post photos, I’ll try to upload it tomorrow and let you know. I’ve kind of spoiled the surprise by telling you what I saw in it, but I’d still be curious, after the fact, to see if anyone else will see the same thing. Tomorrow …
Randalama - There is often a confusion between design and art - and this is the source of the problem. The stock photo site are probably looking for sellers - and art isn’t necessarily that at all times, and the Gallery is the same - they probably want to show work that is deemed trendy… and in this way market themselves as such.
You should stay true to yourself, and your art. I would not change my art for any one, but my design work is a different story!
Hi Randalama,
Check out the email address you have set on the site - MANY people tried to PM you and all the PM notifications failed, getting to my admin email (naturally I don’t get the PM themselves, just the notice that the notification failed). Looks like you started a fire here… :-D
Some very good points here. I think that you need to be true to yourself but also ask yourself do you want to sell more? There are many artists that will change for what is trendy that sells. They may do something that they don’t like doing so much just to make money. I can’t help thinking of movie actors etc.. are kind of the same way sometimes. Just think about it if a trend comes around how many people jump in to just make some money.
You know once I had an extra spot in a wedding album that needed an image, I tossed two images back and forth (that I hated both of them and was planned to go to the round file (garbage)) Funny thing was it was the one image they love the best and order a very large print as well as the album. Sometimes I don’t get it. But it’s funny that way.
You can have more than one side to your art, or at least that what I think.
Randalama - I have that orchid/angel image now, but I can’t find how to post it here. Should I just put it in a new forum thread under sharing photos?