Hi All,
I'm grateful to be known to many of you, I would like to introduce myself as an amateur and little frustrated photographer. I've reached the point where I know what I don't know and it's time for the next growth spurt. I am setting aside 2022 as "My" year: take the photos I like, what jazzes me....BUT! conflict > my camera club has decided to re-implement competitions.... that means I think I will have to attempt to satisfy a judges' sense of a "good photo". Cuz my other goal this year is to at least me recognized in a competition! I hate this pressure I am putting on myself....it's gonna be an exciting year photography wise!
It is a lovely self portrait - it is nice to see how we think of ourselves. I used to belong to a photography club when I lived in Rockhampton and I also miss their competitions. This year I am doing Capture 52 for the challenge, and also started a new album for experimenting with the camera shots - something I've always enjoyed doing. Good luck with your competitions.
What I am posting here is my opinion only so please take it with a grain of salt.
I really like challenges and competitions but the one thing I have to continually remind myself about is that art, which includes photography, is subjective.
You could enter one photo in one competition and not do well, but enter it into another and clean house! It really depends on the judge!
So - while you may want to try to please the judge, in my opinion, it is more important that you stay true to yourself and produce photos that you like first.
But - after all this is said and done - I really do not think you have anything to worry about! You are an excellent photographer!
I hope you find the balance - may I suggest you enter the competitions that appeal, and put most of your energy into what you want to do. You may find they merge more than you expect. I enjoy your project here a lot
Superb self-portrait. As for your goals: good luck with them. They are very good to move one upwards. One can't get better within the comfort zone where one is best... So, a bit of strain will do you good. Just don;t get VERY frustrated. A bit is fine, as long as it gets you moving forward.
I admire your determination and focus. I tend to flit through life with a fixed idea one week and then a laissez-faire attitude takes over. Just remember to enjoy the journey that you have set yourself and be prepared to change direction if the path dictates. Looking forward to following this journey through 365.
@farmreporter Thanks so much for your good advice (a great opinion) and your support. You are so right about art being subjective and even judges are swayed by their own prejudices. The answer, as you say, is to be true to yourself and that is what comes through your art via your own creativity. Thanks, too, for the wonderful compliment at the end. All these replies are making my day!
@koalagardens That is good advice. I shouldn't go into the projects trying to please some unknown person, I need my self to come through the photo. thank you stopping by.
@monikozi Thank you for your supportive thoughts, and yes, a beautiful pearl is formed around an irritating piece of sand. I think the biggest hurtle is recognizing when it's time to allow that resistance into your life. Thanks for all your visits!
@wakelys Very good advice to "go with the flow" when necessary! As a sailor, I know about adjusting one's sails. It's those surprise events in life that sometimes yield the best results. So glad to have your wonderful support on my journey.
January 6th, 2022
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I really like challenges and competitions but the one thing I have to continually remind myself about is that art, which includes photography, is subjective.
You could enter one photo in one competition and not do well, but enter it into another and clean house! It really depends on the judge!
So - while you may want to try to please the judge, in my opinion, it is more important that you stay true to yourself and produce photos that you like first.
But - after all this is said and done - I really do not think you have anything to worry about! You are an excellent photographer!