25 Oct
The Power of Positive Feedback From Your Peers
I spent all day today at a Super Monday workshop taught by Christopher of Allure Photo. I like the Super Monday workshops because they are inexpensive, and give me a chance to shoot with a little bit of direction (and the models are always great!), and I thought Christopher did a really great job. Once it got dark we started working with a video light and some off-camera flash, the area where I most need to practice. Christopher brought the models over (a 19-year-old boyfriend/girlfriend pair) and told me to come up with something. Eeeek! I just don’t have a lot of confidence when it comes to this area of photography.
I asked the guy to step out, and placed one flash behind the bride and had Christopher hold the other high up, pointing down toward the girl. I posed her and had her look up toward the light. It took a few tries to get everything firing at the same time but then it all came together and made this!
That’s the second time I’ve created an image I like using artificial light (here is the first) and it was such a nice feeling to think I might be improving.
The best part though, was hearing how much the instructor liked my image! When the shop closed up (this was taken in front of Calumet Photo) and the manager walked out Christopher called me over and had me show the back of my screen. I felt so proud that I had made something that other photographers admired.
Maybe I should consider entering some print competitions? After this experience I think I would really enjoy it.
I'm a farm-raised almost-crunchy stroller-pushing picture-taking lifestyle-blog-writing gastronomy-obsessed divine-seeking thrift-store-combing cheese-inhaling pavement-pounding laughter-sprinkling lover of individuality and taking chances.
It’s so important that professionals with the same passion (in your case, photography) build one another up. Often times I feel like people who are in the same business spend too much time destroying each other and not fostering positive working relationships, powerful networks, and strong local business that draw customers in. I that if business owners spent more time buidling one another up and focusing on improving themselves without bringing other business down in the proccess, the world would be a better place.
I especially think this is important with small local businesses.
Reply
Cécy Reply:
October 27th, 2010 at 6:40 am
I can’t think of a way to say this better. It can only help photography to do things like that. To encourage professionalism will help people see the difference in work with people who do it as a hobby.
Reply
That’s so neat! I love that you continually work to learn more about your passion. It’s a gorgeous shot!!
You should definitely enter some competitions! So fun!
Reply
2@Meg - I agree. In my profession, science, all we do is destroy each other and put each other down! I have such low self-esteem because of it. I would love to be in a more supportive career like this where you get good mentoring.
Reply
Kat22 Reply:
October 25th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Andrea that’s so true. It’s one of the reasons I don’t want to stay in science, it makes me feel stupid!
Reply
Kat22 Reply:
October 25th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Ooo, and I really like the lighting in that photo
Reply
Do it! I was scared to enter any writing competitions in college — but when I finally did afterward, i won! For some I took second place, but once I took first, and it was awesome!
You do need a tough skin, but for me I like it because I’m always thinking “what can I do that is award worthy?” Or “how can I pitch this for awards season?” I think it makes me try harder and it makes me a better person.
Reply
4I love it! The workshop sounds like a lot of fun.
I think competitions would be a great idea. Even if you don’t win, it’ll push you to constantly try harder.
Reply
5Great photo! And competitions are a great idea!
Reply
6Beautiful Jenna! Our photographer showed us one picture he took where his assistant held the flash behind an umbrella type thingy standing to the side of him and it was AMAZING. I can’t wait to see all of his pictures. That one alone has me DROOLING for more!
Reply
7It’s so dramatic. I love it.
Reply
8Is that the boyfriend’s face reflecting just to the left of her face? That would be so awesome!
Reply
9I think you should try competition. It’s worth a shot in any case and can always be a way to learn more about your work with others analyzing it.
Reply
10I love this photo! Her reflection in the window and the lighting is just perfect!
Reply
11