So you have taken your pictures, completed the re-touching in Photoshop and now it is time to upload. Which images shall I upload?. Surely it cannot be that difficult. Or can it?
I sometimes wonder if there are other people out there who also ‘struggle’ with the choice of which images to add to their profiles? If not, then I am probably to critical of my own images. In the last week I have taken more then 100 images of cheetah, lions and white rhino yet I always doubt myself (or the image) when it’s time to upload.
I am still not sure whether this is a good thing (to keep quality high) or perhaps a bit silly as you are not getting more input from other people on your images (which is always a good thing).
Case in point – I sold an image a few days ago (GREAT feeling and thanks to the buyer). I have always liked the image (Dark vs Light) yet if I had to guess it would never have been my choice for an image that would sell first.
So… do I still scrutinize my images as harshly as I do now or should I just let go and upload the ones I think is ok?? Hmmm, decisions decision.
I suppose in a way what makes it difficult for me is that all my images are captured in the wild. You get one, maybe two shots at any given image yet during those moments you do develop some kind of emotional attachment to the image. Beautiful moments, beautiful images and amazing memories all mix together in my mind when I try and choose an image. Is this wrong? Am I overlooking some great images because there is no emotional attachment to it?
Anyway, just a few random thoughts!!
Till next time!
Gerry
Rich Gale
Gerry, I struggle with this to its so hard to pick the best images you are always going to find things wrong when you look with a critical eye. Your comment about the emotional attachment is very interesting as I haves shots of what I consider a magic moment which have not done very well but are my favorites I think our judgment is clouded with the feeling of being there and enjoying the scene.
Rich.
gordontant
Gerry,
I am not a digital user yet… still on the trusty 35mm, I get my neg developed and scanned to the comparable 10mg camera size. from there I tweak the levels….
I will look at the image at 100% in photoshop and if it looks good, then that will do… I find that if you spend too much time you will find errors… but if you cant see them in the first 5 mins… they are not worth worrying about.
Gerry Van der ...
Thanks Gordon. I agree… don’t scrutinze to long. Difficult sometimes but I suppose you just have to let go at some stage! :)
Rich, thanks also for your comments. Very difficult to let go of the emotion of the moments that you capture. I suppose we can just hope that other people also feel a little bit of that magic!!
Lisa Weber
Gerry, as an artist i even struggle with this question. I find that i am my own worst critic. But at the same time i look at it this way, would the client want the image? would the client see this as marketable or just another image? How is the lighting could it be better, composition, etc…
Many times I create something (a luxury you dont have as you have already left the place of origin) and later go back and change something that suddenly now it looks right.
Your decisions sould be based on your opinion as it is your name on it.
Kevin Kroeker
I know how you feel Gerry. I am constantly doubting my own images and sometimes I just say what the heck… upload it and see how it goes. I am always nit picking my portfolio and second guessing it. Images I thought were mediocre have been doing great. I guess we are always more critical of our own work, my wife tells this all the time.
Brian Puhl IPA
Gerry, I’m ridin with you in this boat… I have the same thoughts run through my head all the time! Some of my least favorite works have become my most popular, its tough to criticize myself, but still not sell myself short-ya know! I guess as the old saying goes, “One mans trash is another mans treasure”, it could hold very true here, someone else will see something that we don’t in our works!
Sometimes I just test the waters, I’ll throw a piece online for a day or two, but if It doesn’t get any bites, or enough attention, I’ll pull it down and keep my portfolio clean. It works for me, maybe it would work for you.
Good luck and all, Your gallery looks great so far! Keep it up :)
Gerry Van der ...
Thanks a lot Brian. True words and yes… Will try that!
Best regards!
Elaine Manley
Miss Misery
Magaret Meintjes
hi gerry, i think every person, or photographer, has this wall to cross, “the choice” before uploading. I suppose profs. have the confidence, without giving it a thought! Then you get the group, like myself, that has never had any classes or studied photography, that has to compete with digital stuff and computers without experience or studies. How do we make the right choice? I think we all think our photos are winners when we see them for the first time, but, thats where your questions come in. You think, man, this must be a winner, boom, everything falls flat when it goes to the wall and you have to compete with all the experts. I know you do it by choice, but damn you have to start somewhere! So, …. I decided, if i think its ok I hang it! If I fall flat on my face, with my choice, thats knowledge I gained and stash it away for tuture use. All the profs. also had to start somewhere! Lesson: (Talk for myself) always try and help the guy that has just started where you just left! Have a great day! Mags from Limpopo Province, sa