The Subjectivity of Photography: How to Handle Criticism as a Photographer

This past Saturday I participated in an event as a vendor. I had the pleasure of speaking with a young photographer. One of the conversations that this young lady and I had was about how photography is a subjective art form and how different people can have different opinions about what makes a good photo. We talked about how it's important to listen to constructive criticism and feedback, but also how we should never let negativity or criticism stop us from pursuing our passion. She shared with me some of her favorite photographers and we talked about different techniques and styles that we both found interesting. It was clear to me that this young lady was very passionate about photography and that she had a bright future ahead of her. Giving her one of my prints for free was a small gesture, but I hope that it will inspire her to keep shooting and to never give up on her dreams.


As photographers, we pour our hearts and souls into our work, trying to create the perfect image that captures the essence of a moment. Yet, even with all of our hard work and dedication, we will never be able to please everyone. Photography is subjective, and what one person may love, another may hate.


Criticism can be a difficult thing to navigate in any art form, especially when it comes to something as personal as photography. We may find ourselves questioning our skills and our abilities when faced with negative feedback. However, it's important to remember that not all criticism is created equal.


Constructive criticism, when given with the intention of helping us improve, can be a valuable tool for growth. We should take the time to listen to feedback that is specific, actionable, and comes from a place of kindness.


On the other hand, we should be cautious of criticism that is overly harsh or lacks specificity. When we receive this kind of criticism, it's important to remember that everyone has their own opinions and tastes. We should take what we can from the feedback, but not let it discourage us or make us doubt our abilities.


It's also important to remember that photography is an art form, and as such, it's okay to break the rules and create something that's uniquely our own. If we listen too closely to the opinions of others, we may lose our own creative vision and voice.


In the end, we should strive to create work that we're proud of and that speaks to us personally. We should be open to feedback and criticism, but ultimately, we should trust our own instincts and creative vision.

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