Compare. Compete. Critique.

Comparing, competition and critique.  Are they important?

I think so but there is a line where any of the above can cross over to a ridiculous obsession.  Yes, you need to compare your images with other photographers.  Yes, you need to have enough confidence in your own work to enter competitions, whatever the outcome.  Yes, you need to be able to critique your work or take criticism from other people and not feel offended or take it personally.

The realities of wildlife photography are:

• There is always be photographers who are better than you.
• There will always be photographer who think they are better than you.
• There will always be photographers who look up to you and your work.
• You can learn from almost any other wildlife photographer.
• Critique, when taken correctly, will make you better.
• Your subject will more than likely not play along.
• Not everybody will like your work.
• Some people will hate your work.
• Some people will love your work.
• You will capture many average images.
• You will capture many amazing images.
• You need to process your images.  Yes, you do.
• You need to process your images – but not too much.
• Some days there will be nothing to photograph.
• Some days there will be nothing to photograph.

This is but a starting point so if you have any others to add please go ahead!  Where did this all come from?  Well, the first reason is that I have a slight issue with wildlife photographers who think, and more importantly, act as if they are better than everybody else but gonna leave that one there.  For now…

The second reason is to link it to tomorrow’s guest post.  Having someone crit your images is normally quite nerve wrecking as we do tend to take it personally.  The reality of it is that you can learn a lot from the experience and, with that in mind, I have no doubt that tomorrow you will learn a lot.  Now if you have ever browsed the galleries on Outdoorphoto you have no doubt came across ‘The Chad‘.  He is one of the most vocal members who makes the most comments on the various images on the site and that is why I asked him to do a guest post.  Chad is very direct with his criticism but not in a negative way.  It is very positive criticism that can only make you learn – if you are willing to.

I am very happy to have Chad Cocking as tomorrow’s guest blogger for his article ‘Wildlife Photographs That Work‘.  In his post Chad looks at a number of his images and shares his thoughts about the image and why they work.  Chad’s images are truly inspirational and the way he breaks down the images will teach you a helluva lot about how to approach various scenes and subjects when you are out in the field.

I will be back on Friday but make sure to pop in tomorrow for some fantastic images that will teach you a lot about African wildlife photography!  Oh, the black and white image above is the result of me playing with some grain versus black & white.   I like the result even though not everybody will agree and some might even hate it and you know what?  It doesn’t matter!!  Go out there, shoot images and be proud of them no matter what!

Until next time.

Gerry