Be honest- Do you love your own photography?

Unfocussed Mike

"The weird thing about my photography is that I definitely seem to get better at it in the gaps between shoots. I'm sure there are things I am not getting better at by not shooting more frequently, but I am not sure those things matter to me as much."

You need "breaks". Ive gone weeks/months and not picked up my camera. But I do find myself prepping for next time when that may be.

I think we're in different ends. Those things that don't matter to you are probably really important to how I do things. But I love that you seem to have found what I can only describe as an "investigative niche" with photography. Something that you gain more out of than the "process"

Unfocussed Mike

"To answer the question I have been pondering, and without turning this into a broader therapy session:"

My photography accidentally became a therapy session in itself. So much of my regular process has made it so. But that's me.

Afrofilmviewer said

 Those things that don't matter to you are probably really important to how I do things.

They may also be things I am never going to be good at! I'd love to believe I will be, like, a dialogue-oriented portraitist for example, but I talk too much and listen too little. 

I mostly rate my images as mediocre with the occasional "hit" that I really like. I'm under no illusions as to either the artistic merits or technical standards of my results. I long ago gave up looking for perfection or to attain the standards I see from others because I enjoy the process of photography more than the results and putting pressure on in that way would take away that enjoyment. Likewise, I don't chase "loves" and FPIs, because I often feel that what pleases others often doesn't align with my own personal likes & I'm in this malarkey for my enjoyment - that's not to say that I don't like it when I get some loves or would be offended if I got onto the FPI queue, or was awarded one.

What a thoughtful question!

As someone deeply invested in analog photography and the handcrafted process, I find that my relationship with my images is always evolving. I don’t think I ever fully settle or feel "at peace" with them, and honestly, I wouldn’t want to. Each image is like a stepping stone in a larger journey of discovery, both technically and creatively.  

Handcrafting photographs, particularly with processes like collodion, makes me feel more connected to each image. The imperfections and unpredictability are as meaningful as the intended elements—they reflect the act of creating as much as the subject itself. But with that connection comes an even stronger sense of self-critique. I constantly ask: 'Does this image say what I want it to? Does it evoke a feeling beyond the aesthetic?'

 
At the same time, I’ve learned to celebrate the imperfections and the learning curve. It’s easy to get caught up in questioning, but I remind myself that every photo I produce is part of my personal growth, even if it doesn’t meet my standards at the moment.  

In short, I think the drive to “get better” is what makes this work meaningful, but I try to balance that with appreciating the process and honouring where I am at any given moment. 

I think I’ve got a mixed bag of photography. In terms of intentions and methodology I’m consistently changeable. I like something(s) about every photograph that I show… but I’ve genuinely never taken or constructed one that I’m 100% satisfied with. 

BLA@K

Do you feel pressured to post your work? I'm asking because, if you don't love many of them, are you feeling that it's better to post something, rather than waiting for the results you love.

Huw 👍🏽👍🏽

No never pressured but just posting on the off chance some people might like them I  haven't got a fan base or many followers but I like to put something up once in a while to see if it leads to anything 

I don't love it but for the most part I like it and a few pictures I am very pleased with.

However. I do know that without editing my photography would be quite poor so I do strive to understand the camera work better.

Nope. Never for more than a couple of days. 

ClickMore 📷 said

To love your photography you have to be your harshest critic. That way you can learn and the love the images you create. There are many photographers who don't really even like their images, as they are careless, don't think about composition, or edit to make the images look good. More in love with showing everyone they can take photos of boobs and bits.

There are many photographers who don't like their images for other reasons, like me. 

Yes.. and then no.. and then yes again 🤣

Sometimes I don't love my work because it hasn't turned out how I hoped and sometimes I don't love it because I compare it to what others do but more often than not I do love what I create because it's mine and it's my vision coming to life 😊

Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't...

Earlier to day I was saying to someone at the day job that sometimes I look back at work I've done, and think "who did this garbage" and other times I'll go "I was good the day I did that " 

It's the same with photography. Sometimes I'll look at something I did - that I might have thought was quite decent - and as I've put it before, I want to hurl the camera at the wall. Sometimes I'll open a folder I'd forgotten and go "wow, I was good that day"

Great question, when I post an image here I love it, sometimes I'll change my mind. How do I rate my photography? Against the photographers I follow on Instagram (because I rate what they do) generally a 3/10 not from a technical perspective but from a compositional and more importantly location perspective.