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What not to do to a Photographer/Videographer or Artist
9 years ago
I had this happen to me recently, and I'm not going to put names here because it is not important nor worth stiring Drama with name calling. I'm better now... but not before I completely lost it.
A PSA: The absolute WORST thing you can do to an Artist, and this includes Photographers and Videographers is tell them that their work is 100% USELESS and that they suck at what they do. Its a huge blow and one of two things will happen: The artist will get depressed ask themselves "Why do I do this if no one likes my work or I'm that bad at it..." and potentially take a break from their artform or quit altogether.
The other outcome, which is how I handled it, is they become ENRAGED. Now... those who become Enraged on the flipside means that they are less likely to quit their Art altogether once they have calmed down and taken the appropriate action to deal with their frustration and anger. Typically this Anger is directed at the person who made the comment rather then themselves. Regardless... its still stressful and the Artist does get wrapped up in their emotions to a point where they can't think clearly for a period of time. I calmed down relatively quickly, having a Friend to talk to directly after the incident helped a LOT.
There is a MAJOR difference between saying something like "Oh you could have done something like this a little better next time" or even "There were a few moments where the Video was shaky. Would you consider doing another take just to be sure" vs outright saying "The footage is completely un-useable. Maybe you should Quit"
In addition when another photographer or videographer has a different style then you, DO NOT try to belittle their choice of style. If a photo is taken at an Angle that you dislike or don't understand, constructive re-enforcement like "Huh, interesting. I wonder what this would have looked like if it was shot at this angle" vs "The Angle and Framing suck" One is constructive. The other Destructive.
I'm sure all artists of any media have ran into this before. And everyone handles it in a different way. I'll be okay... I was beating myself up over my videography last year and this certainly doesn't help but it did make me realize something:
Most people can accept Art as an expression even if it is not "Perfect". And I think this is why I enjoy NOT being a professional Photographer. Even when I do work for larger Volunteer organizations they are just thrilled that they are getting photos that are better photos then one of their walk in volunteers armed with a disposeable or pocket camera. There is no Critic sitting at the end with a ruler and a crop angle going "Oh this doesn't fit the rule of thirds. This photo is horrible and un-useable".
But there are those who expect Perfection. Even when they are not paying someone for it, which is the even more mind boggling part to me. I don't want to work with Perfectionists again. It is NOT an enjoyable experience.
So in short: Enjoy Photography and Videography as you would any other Art. The Photographer/Videographer put hours of their time, hundreds to thousands of dollars behind, and part of their soul into their work. Even as an amature. Sure... every Photographer and Videographer has different levels of talent, and experience.
But every single one of them is trying their hardest to make people happy with their Art. Please Don't Take That Away From Them.
A PSA: The absolute WORST thing you can do to an Artist, and this includes Photographers and Videographers is tell them that their work is 100% USELESS and that they suck at what they do. Its a huge blow and one of two things will happen: The artist will get depressed ask themselves "Why do I do this if no one likes my work or I'm that bad at it..." and potentially take a break from their artform or quit altogether.
The other outcome, which is how I handled it, is they become ENRAGED. Now... those who become Enraged on the flipside means that they are less likely to quit their Art altogether once they have calmed down and taken the appropriate action to deal with their frustration and anger. Typically this Anger is directed at the person who made the comment rather then themselves. Regardless... its still stressful and the Artist does get wrapped up in their emotions to a point where they can't think clearly for a period of time. I calmed down relatively quickly, having a Friend to talk to directly after the incident helped a LOT.
There is a MAJOR difference between saying something like "Oh you could have done something like this a little better next time" or even "There were a few moments where the Video was shaky. Would you consider doing another take just to be sure" vs outright saying "The footage is completely un-useable. Maybe you should Quit"
In addition when another photographer or videographer has a different style then you, DO NOT try to belittle their choice of style. If a photo is taken at an Angle that you dislike or don't understand, constructive re-enforcement like "Huh, interesting. I wonder what this would have looked like if it was shot at this angle" vs "The Angle and Framing suck" One is constructive. The other Destructive.
I'm sure all artists of any media have ran into this before. And everyone handles it in a different way. I'll be okay... I was beating myself up over my videography last year and this certainly doesn't help but it did make me realize something:
Most people can accept Art as an expression even if it is not "Perfect". And I think this is why I enjoy NOT being a professional Photographer. Even when I do work for larger Volunteer organizations they are just thrilled that they are getting photos that are better photos then one of their walk in volunteers armed with a disposeable or pocket camera. There is no Critic sitting at the end with a ruler and a crop angle going "Oh this doesn't fit the rule of thirds. This photo is horrible and un-useable".
But there are those who expect Perfection. Even when they are not paying someone for it, which is the even more mind boggling part to me. I don't want to work with Perfectionists again. It is NOT an enjoyable experience.
So in short: Enjoy Photography and Videography as you would any other Art. The Photographer/Videographer put hours of their time, hundreds to thousands of dollars behind, and part of their soul into their work. Even as an amature. Sure... every Photographer and Videographer has different levels of talent, and experience.
But every single one of them is trying their hardest to make people happy with their Art. Please Don't Take That Away From Them.
I've spent more money on photo equipment than I spent on buying my last car, I like what I like, and everyone else can go invest their own time and money if they think they can do better or want to do it differently.
Its not worth getting depressed or quitting...and its not worth the anger and stress of getting enraged.
And I get it as a student I'm supposed to be cool with it, and I love constructive criticism, but maaaaan. That feeling of working for weeks on something only to be told to redo it is a little soul crushing.
But yeah! Dude your stuff is great– if some rando tries to tear you down, just remember that there's a whole bunch of dog people who think you and your pics are awesome. If everyone did things the same way, art would be boring as heck.
When you do something professionally... you get the "It sucks, re-do it" all the time. When its for a company its impersonal and happens all the time.
I know a number of Furry Artists who get the "You Suck" said to them all the time. It frustrates me when that happens because it isn't fair. Out of the blue, even if its not on a comission the commentor paid for.
And that's what really grinds my gears, is people that tell someone "It Sucks" and they aren't paying you for it. If you are doing it for free then you know.. shut up and be gracious that someone is donating their time and resources to do something for you as a Volunteer because they WANT to, not because they are getting paid for it. Don't be a dick,
+ more ranting about this guy: it makes me even saltier when he says he hates stuff, because the very next day I'll show it to him again, unchanged and he'll love it. I changed my direction the first week or so and even though he said he loved it before, once I'd changed he pretty much said 'oh awesome I didn't like your old idea, I just didn't want to make you feel bad'
Whaaaaaaaat. It's so hard to take anything he says seriously now, lol
Just super weird. OK all done.
Then when proceeding to less favorable aspects always put the best construction on it. Rather than saying "your lighting on the picture was horrid" it could be put in words that show room for improvement. For example, it could be put that "I notice the lighting seems a little off in this part of the picture" and so forth.
It is always important to give artists the support we can for their hard work to show how far they have come and how much further they can go.