4.17.12 - How to Complain about my Work

When a picture is posted in a public forum like Facebook or Model Mayhem, some criticism is likely to be heard. I'm open to hearing it and I'm open to learning ways to improve my photography.

However, it is important for me to distinguish between a  person's personal opinion and constructive criticism. To an untrained eye, one could say, "she looks fat in that photo and her pose is awkward." A person with years of experience may say, "the lighting and saturation can be improved with simple techniques; here's what to look for."

The common trait among everyone who has criticized or offered opinions is this:
     No One is Asking Me What I'm Trying To Do.

With anything in life, it's important to ask the artist if their final product was intentional or mistaken. Maybe I wanted a fat person leaning over a balcony in an awkward pose and I achieved the look that I was looking for. Perhaps the lighting was dimmed on purpose.

There are particular rules to photography that need to be followed for particular reasons. For instance: Composition, Exposure, Focus. I prefer to listen to industry leaders and experts than I do Joe Blow off the street (sounds snobby, yes; so what). Experts are considered experts for a reason and I embrace the advice they give me. If you tell me there's something wrong without offering a solution you are simply wasting my time.

Photoshop.
The biggest piece of advice that's given to me is 'USE PHOTOSHOP."

No.

Stop telling me that my photos need to be photoshopped and retouched. For those ready to challenge, allow me to start, "I do use Photoshop." But I use it sparingly - adjusting exposure, contrast and very subtle touch-ups. I will NOT use it to make someone's arm skinnier or face smaller. I don't want my models to look like magazine mannequins. If you want smaller arms, then lift weights. I will try my best to capture you in your best light but I'm also an advocate of embracing your natural form.

I don't care what the industry is asking for. It's the INDUSTRY that is giving people the false hopes and desires to look a certain way. It's digital plastic surgery and I don't want to contribute much to its growing trend.

-Virak