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- How do you respond to someone who compliments your photos when you know they aren't that good?
Topic Author - KenMan
- Master of the Lens
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11 years 6 months ago #251619Post #251619
I have friends or people that will look at my photos and start talking about how beautiful they are and so forth. Now I'm not sure what they are smoking, but my photos aren't that good 
. I almost feel like people enable you to get comfortable and are too cautions to give their real opinion on your photos because they don't want to hurt your feelings.
You ever feel that way?
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- effron
- Newbie
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11 years 6 months ago #251687Post #251687
Tell them thanks. Be aware that you are often your own worst critic, and maybe your pics are better than you think. Your friends probably don't spend a lot of time surfing sites looking at great photography and having that for comparison..... 
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- Darrell
- Apprentice
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11 years 6 months ago #251710Post #251710
Everyone sees something different when they look at pictures. As photographers we tend to analyze pictures to death and often miss the subject. It could be the cutest baby in the world and a photographer will say the back ground is blurry or out of focus etc, but the regular public will think you caught a great moment. If someone tells you your pictures are great, accept the compliment, as it was meant...
I took a baby pic one time with way to high ISO and it was very cute but very grainy, the grand mother told be it was an awesome shot, I explained other wise, she responded: "I am looking at the baby and did not see the gaminess until you mentioned it"
You will not be judged as a photographer by the pictures you take, but by the pictures you show.
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- Happy Snapper
- Photography Hooked
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11 years 6 months ago #251711Post #251711
all good advice. And although I hear what you are saying, I do think some people are to kind when criticizing photos, while others will dig right in and give you a true perspective of your work.
Gripped Nikon D810 --- Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 --- Sigma 10-20mm f/4 --- Nikon 50mm f/1.4 --- SB600
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- nedward50
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11 years 6 months ago #251730Post #251730
I agree KenMan, I never ask friends or family not only do they spare your feelings they won't probably have the skills to advice on technical or artistic matters. Unless they are photographers themselves of course.
However, if they say they like it then that could be a good indicator of a true emotional response, which for me is better than anything.
I too don't think my pictures are much good, but for me it's about the whole experience of planning the trip, going there, taking shots and then loading them into the puter to mess with.
Then there are the people you meet along the way and forums like this where you can discuss things with like minded people......well in the main. So post some shots lets have a look see. Remember to shoot what you are passionate about.
Cheers
Ned
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- rmeyer7
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11 years 6 months ago #251760Post #251760
I think the best response is a simple "Thank you."
If you have better photos than the ones they're complimenting, you might even say, "Thanks - I'd love to show you some of my better work too." But always be thankful for the compliment even if you don't feel the work is as good as they think it is.
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- Rob pix4u2
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11 years 6 months ago #251775Post #251775
Remember not to be too hard on yourself and don't nit pick your work to death. Maybe as others react to your work it is truly what they see in it that should be your key. Sometimes your friends are a good indicator. I can tell an honest reaction from a fake. you should be able to see a true reaction from an insincere one. Also ask them once in awhile if they would like a copy to hang on their wall and give one as a gift and see where they place it- I regularly give some a whirl that way and my friends generally hang them in a prominent place for all to see.
Remember to engage brain before putting mouth in gear
Rob Huelsman Sr.
My Facebook www.facebook.com/ImaginACTIONPhotography
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- Henry Peach
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11 years 6 months ago #251889Post #251889
Say thanks. Be gracious and polite. They think your fashion sense is just as wacky, but they don't give you heck about that either.
The value of critiques and opinions varies. It's good that you are able to recognize that.
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- Stealthy Ninja
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11 years 6 months ago #252002Post #252002
Like others I just say Thank you and leave it at that.
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- Kid Prodigy
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11 years 6 months ago #252034Post #252034
Yep, thank you and let it be my secret if they are wrong
Canon EOS 7D|Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L USM |
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(2) Canon Speedlite 480EX II
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- Joiemagic
- The Lounger
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11 years 6 months ago #252083Post #252083
As someone has said above... we are our own worst critics.... I look at my photos and can tell many times that it is the money shot and others will give it that "eehhhh" response and then they look at another photo I feel is so-so and they will love it... It is in the eye of the beholder and everyone's tastes are different. They may see something that you don't.
How to respond? Simply say thanks. If you want, you can even as them what it is that appeals to them about the shot to get an idea of what they are seeing...
Joie Fadde
Fadde Photography / Sports Shots, Etc.
"Capturing the Timeless Moments of Life"
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- sree2472
- Photography Hooked
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11 years 6 months ago #252497Post #252497
just say thank you
former senior writer cum features editor for Diamond World - a trading magazine for the gem and jewellery industry
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- garyrhook
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11 years 6 months ago #252633Post #252633
At a recent visit with relatives I was showing some of my shots (kids, sunrise, clouds, etc) to my mother-in-law. Her choice of favorite shots was, without exception, not what I would have gone with. I found the entire experience enlightening.
Flip side: Even other photographers are blinded by their biases. I've recently had photos which have been roundly appreciated by the subject be completely rejected out of hand by another photographer in deference to their own work. Much of which (I think) is substandard to what I know they are capable of. I'm adopting a "meh" attitude about it.
The proper response is, "thank you. I'm glad you like them."
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