Failure...

[Sherlock77]

A post in one of my photography groups on Facebook, a local photographer friend made a post about a major accomplishment, being named a curator for a photography collective (of sorts)

My first thought? This has been an ongoing thought process with me, he has accomplished more in three years than I have in 13 years, it just makes me feel like a failure, as I have pretty much no accomplishments in all that time, and I have tried to put myself out there, but nothing ever works out... I've seen countless people pass me by professionally while I feel like I'm getting ignored... Several street photographers did a recent show, I doubt they even thought of asking me I'm so anonymous

Here is his bio on the website:

"---is a Canadian photographer practicing his craft ... since 2013. He is best known for his moody candid photographs that leave the viewers with stories to imagine and compel to introspect. --- university education in computer science and a career in IT have taught him to visualize thoughts, organize them and come up with innovative solutions to translate ideas into something tangible. This can be seen in his approach to photography where he takes environmental elements and blends available light with artificial, when necessary, to express his vision using everyday scenes and unguarded, un-staged fleeting moments. Primarily self-taught, he studied photojournalism --- to further advance his skills. --- photos have been widely published in online and print media and exhibited in various countries."

[I've rarely been published anywhere]


I think I've shared before that I almost can't say words as simple as "congrats!", because it reminds me of my lack of success, I know I probably should say something... I remember when I first met him four years ago, even then as a rookie photographer he was getting more social media attention then I have ever gotten, and he's still at it...

I still don't know how to get over the negativity in this part of my life, it's a constant struggle watching other people succeed

 

[Dorkasour]

Do you have a portfolio online? Do you mind linking it so we can see?

 

[Sherlock77]

My Instagram link is in my signature

 

[Fitzo]

I understand your frustration. I studied photography at uni and then did a two year full time course. I loved it and will never regret doing it but..... watching the work these young people produced whilst very inspiring, made me realise I didn't have 'it', that x factor that sets one person apart from the rest. Whilst you can learn technical expertise, innate raw talent cannot be learned. I realized that I can be good, but I'll never be great!

So I have to content myself with doing it for pleasure. Disappointing, but better than constantly beating myself up for something over which I have no control.

A bit like being on the spectrum really.

 

[Sherlock77]

I understand your frustration. I studied photography at uni and then did a two year full time course. I loved it and will never regret doing it but..... watching the work these young people produced whilst very inspiring, made me realise I didn't have 'it', that x factor that sets one person apart from the rest. Whilst you can learn technical expertise, innate raw talent cannot be learned. I realized that I can be good, but I'll never be great!

So I have to content myself with doing it for pleasure. Disappointing, but better than constantly beating myself up for something over which I have no control.

A bit like being on the spectrum really.

I also have a feeling that in our modern age, the younger folks who are adept at the (dreaded) social media tend to get ahead more, networking... And some of them jump easily between five or six different platforms, I struggle with just two...

 

[Progster]

I also have a feeling that in our modern age, the younger folks who are adept at the (dreaded) social media tend to get ahead more, networking... And some of them jump easily between five or six different platforms, I struggle with just two...

Yes, this is the point that I also wanted to make... nowadays, it's all about online presence, social media and networking, self-promotion. People often wonder that I have clients without having a promotional Facebook page, Twitter, etc, but my job doesn't work like that - EFL teachers are always in demand and awareness is passed on from student to student by word of mouth. Basically, the students do the networking for me.

 

[Major Tom]

For me personally, my photos are for myself, and to share with a few select others. They help me to remember the good things I've experienced in life.

Social media plays a huge factor in if people make it big or not. Another factor is your gear you are shooting with (to an extent).

I've seen some of your photos and have enjoyed them. Maybe the key is to do the photography for you and nobody else. Another thing to remember is that many famous artists did not become famous until after death.

 

[Lia]

First of all, stop comparing yourself to others. I'm assuming you didn't get into photography to compete with others, right? So don't focus on what other people are doing, and start focusing on you. Are you improving? Are you working as hard as you can? If not, then do what's needed to change that.
I also recommend working on yourself and the issue you have with other people's success. Envy is not a good feeling to have nor share with others, so by learning to celebrate and support others you will feel much better and it may even open some doors for you! Commenting on other people's work, complimenting them as well as giving constructive feedback is a great way to interact and get to know other photographers. Use their work and their success as an inspiration to work harder. Because if you want to master a skill, you need to put in the work. There is no such thing as "talent", only hard work and hours worth of practice. You need to be constantly learning, constantly challinging yourself and trying new things.
When it comes to social media, this is also something that can be taught. You need to learn how to market yourself. You can argue that all that should matter is the skill of a photographer, not their online personality, but most people are always going to want to work with people they like and can connect to.
I believe you can make it, I truly do, but you need to change your attitude and you have to make sure you work as hard as you possibly can.

 

[Suzanne]

I know how you feel, because I get that feeling often and it is just awful and often instils in us a sense of bitterness and so, that simple word of: congrats seems strangled in our throats, because we want it so much ourselves and of course, this is not a very nice human trait.

I looked at your photos and my first thought was: too cold for very colourful and happy subjects. Sort of: ice blue effect that actually deminishes the overall feeling of joy that the photos should convey ( but that is just MY opinion).

My husband has always been into photography and I made up a portfolio of his efforts, because I felt that he needed to see how good he is, but he never persuded it and thus, would not get recognised. Now, due to his interest, what he noticed immediately from your photos, is that you miss out things. There is no preportion - unless that is your intention? But the problem is, one should be able to convey that it is intentional within the photo, rather than getting one to think: is it, or is it a mistake?

 

[Sherlock77]

I know how you feel, because I get that feeling often and it is just awful and often instils in us a sense of bitterness and so, that simple word of: congrats seems strangled in our throats, because we want it so much ourselves and of course, this is not a very nice human trait.

I looked at your photos and my first thought was: too cold for very colourful and happy subjects. Sort of: ice blue effect that actually deminishes the overall feeling of joy that the photos should convey ( but that is just MY opinion).

My husband has always been into photography and I made up a portfolio of his efforts, because I felt that he needed to see how good he is, but he never persuded it and thus, would not get recognised. Now, due to his interest, what he noticed immediately from your photos, is that you miss out things. There is no preportion - unless that is your intention? But the problem is, one should be able to convey that it is intentional within the photo, rather than getting one to think: is it, or is it a mistake?

It is winter... I don't approach my photography with much emotion... And most of what I do is candid so difficult to control everything... And sometimes I will edit my winter photos to create more mood... On purpose

 

[Sherlock77]

First of all, stop comparing yourself to others. I'm assuming you didn't get into photography to compete with others, right? So don't focus on what other people are doing, and start focusing on you. Are you improving? Are you working as hard as you can? If not, then do what's needed to change that.
I also recommend working on yourself and the issue you have with other people's success. Envy is not a good feeling to have nor share with others, so by learning to celebrate and support others you will feel much better and it may even open some doors for you! Commenting on other people's work, complimenting them as well as giving constructive feedback is a great way to interact and get to know other photographers. Use their work and their success as an inspiration to work harder. Because if you want to master a skill, you need to put in the work. There is no such thing as "talent", only hard work and hours worth of practice. You need to be constantly learning, constantly challinging yourself and trying new things.
When it comes to social media, this is also something that can be taught. You need to learn how to market yourself. You can argue that all that should matter is the skill of a photographer, not their online personality, but most people are always going to want to work with people they like and can connect to.
I believe you can make it, I truly do, but you need to change your attitude and you have to make sure you work as hard as you possibly can.

And just for the record I did congratulate him... After a chat with a friend

 

[Sherlock77]

Not sure if I posted this photo slideshow on here, my 2017 photographic roundup, some of the different things I photograph...