July 26, 2024 • 30 mins
Feedback: Friend or Foe? We've ALL Felt That Sting!
Ever felt like feedback was a sucker punch instead of a helpful nudge? You're not alone. We all cringe at the thought of someone critiquing our work. But what if I told you feedback is actually a GIFT? A secret weapon to unlock your true potential?
In this episode of "The Savory Shot," we're diving headfirst into the messy, beautiful world of feedback. We'll unpack why it's so damn hard to hear and even harder to give. Buckle up, because we're about to turn that cringe into a craving!
Join me, your host, Mica McCook, as I spill the tea on my own rollercoaster ride with feedback. From my first shaky portfolio review to now actively seeking out constructive criticism, I've learned a thing or two. We'll break down the art of giving feedback that uplifts and inspires and the art of receiving it with grace and a growth mindset.
So, are you ready to transform feedback from a dreaded foe into your biggest fan? Trust me, it's possible. Tune in to the full episode of "The Savory Shot" and discover how to embrace feedback as the ultimate growth tool.
Got a feedback story that changed your life? Or maybe a tip for giving criticism that doesn't make people want to hide? Share it all in the comments below! Let's learn and grow together.
Remember, keep shooting, keep growing, and most importantly, keep listening. Feedback is a gift waiting to be unwrapped.
💬 Join the ConversationSavory Shot Shownote: https://micamccook.com/guests/art-of-feedback/
Website: https://micamccook.com/podcast
Instagram: www.instragram.com/mica.mccook
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesavoryshotpodcast
Would you like to be a guest on the show? Fill out the guest form, and we'll be in touch soon.
Special ThanksAnd before we wrap up, a huge shoutout to our sponsor, Flodesk, for supporting this episode. Don't forget to check out their email design services tailored for food photographers, and enjoy an exclusive discount just for our listeners!
So, are you ready to turn your limitations into your greatest strengths? Tune in now, and let's embark on this creative journey together. After all, the best masterpieces often come from the most unexpected places! 🚀✨ Get 50% off your first year by using the code: SAVORYSHOT50 Visit Flodesk now
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Mica (00:00):
Welcome!
(00:02):
To the 53rd episode of The SavoryShot, a podcast about the art and
soul of working in food photography.
Y'all know who I'll be.
I'm your host, with the most, Mica McCook.
Y'all, I can't start this show withoutfirst thanking you, the listeners.
(00:23):
If this is your first time, thank you somuch for taking a chance on this show.
Welcome to the Hot Mess Express.
And if this is your 53rd time listening,thank you so much for being here.
Again, and again, and again, and again.
Now y'all, let's get rightinto today's episode.
(00:44):
I am so excited to talk about today'stopic because y'all, I feel like
this isn't talked about often enough.
Today we are diving intoall things about feedback.
Criticism.
How to give it, how to take itand how it can help us grow as
(01:07):
photographers and creatives.
Basically this episode is aquest to discovering how to turn
critiques into growth opportunities.
I'm not an expert in this, butanytime there is a topic that I don't
understand, I just immerse myselfinto learning it and exploring it.
(01:30):
So this episode is that.
My findings.
What I've discovered, and if it helps methen chances are it's going to help you.
But before we jump into all that,go grab your coffee, your tea, your
cocktail, if it's been that kindof day and let's start the show.
(02:56):
Every photographer deals withcritiques, or with feedback.
I'm saying that with air quotes, feedback.
And I don't know.
I personally love portfolio reviews.
I get energized by them.
But, I know that there are some folksout there who really just despise it.
And I get it.
(03:17):
One part of us wants to improve andgrow, but sometimes hearing what others
think about our work can be tough.
Especially if the reviews are givenby like our hero, like someone in the
industry that we really love and respect.
And especially if the feedbackisn't complete and total praise.
(03:42):
When you hear something that isconstructive and critical, Ugh,
it's like a knife to the heart.
It's like, do they love it?
Do they hate it?
Do they just not get it?
Your photography is so personaland it's close to you and getting
your work reviewed is absolutelya vulnerable thing to do.
(04:04):
You're literally putting your hearton a plate and handing it over and
saying, "Please break my heart gently."
I remember my first portfolio reviewwhen I went to photography school.
I was so nervous.
My hands were shaking.
(04:25):
My eyes were twitching.
I was sweating.
My heart was racing, y'all.
I hadn't felt that kind of nervessince I was in middle school
auditioning for my very first play.
But I gotta say, after thatfirst review, I was hooked.
Now, I'm not going to say that firstportfolio session, it was all praise.
(04:47):
And kiss my feet and threwconfetti in the air and it was
just this wonderful experience.
I had some tough conversationsthat portfolio review.
But it was valuable.
And now.
I crave portfolio reviews.
I love them.
If there are portfolio reviewsbeing offered, I jump right on it.
I'm the first to sign up to itbecause I know how valuable it is.
(05:11):
They help me see my work in a newlight and it pushes me to get better.
Sometimes I will look at a photo ofmine and I'm like, I don't know what
it is about this image, but I'm justnot happy and I need help to break
down how this photo could be better.
(05:33):
And reaching out to a more experiencedphotographer that I respect and getting
their feedback, it really just helpsme look at things that I didn't notice
before because I'm just so in it.
It's just too personal that Ican't be objective about it.
But here's the thingabout giving critiques.
(05:54):
It's an art and not a lot of peopleknow anything about it giving
critiques or receiving critiques.
So that's what we're breaking downtoday, how to handle feedback, how
to use it to get better, and moreimportantly, how to give feedback
(06:15):
in a way that helps others shine.
Because I feel like if you master howto give your opinion, that you will also
master how to receive other's opinions.
It's an art.
So let's get into it.
Let's jump right into it.
(06:44):
So what exactly is constructive criticism?
Now, I did all the research, lookedup books, looked up articles,
and the overall general consensusof this term and what it means.
Such a formal way of sayingwhat is constructive criticism.
(07:08):
So constructive criticism it'sfeedback meant to help you grow.
According to Terry Barrett in his bookCriticizing Photographs, if you guys
don't have that book, it's on Amazon.
Go buy it.
It's a bit of a schooly ready read,but it is definitely full of knowledge.
(07:30):
Terry says that critics do four things.
They describe, they interpret, theyevaluate and theorize about the work.
Constructive criticismshould be objective.
It shouldn't leave youfeeling uninspired or down.
And the thing about constructivecriticism, it takes time and practice
(07:52):
to perfect giving and receiving it.
A lot of people don't know the first thingabout giving critiques, and because they
don't know how to give feedback, theyalso don't know how to receive feedback.
Now, I'm going to repeat thatfor the people in the back,
because this is muy importante.
(08:13):
A lot of people don't know the first thingabout giving critiques, and because they
don't know how to give feedback, theyalso don't know how to receive feedback.
When you give feedback, you're in adelicate, sticky situation, because
you want to share your thoughts, butin a way that doesn't make the other
(08:35):
person defensive, because as soon asthat person gets defensive, anything
you have to say, it really is justgoing to go in and over their heads.
They are not going to be in a positionto listen to what you have to say.
So it's very sticky.
You have to be real perceptive,reading people's body language,
(08:56):
using kind language and words.
It's tough.
And on the flip side, when you'reon the receiving end, you're putting
yourself in a vulnerable position.
You have to mentally and emotionallyopen yourself to receiving feedback
and hearing others interpretationof something that's so personal and
(09:20):
close to your heart and walk awayfrom that conversation still intact.
That's hard.
It's not easy.
Yeah, I've gotten so muchcriticism about my work.
You develop a thick skin over time becausesome feedback is great and you get all
(09:41):
the love, all the glory and that liftsyour head and sends you to the clouds
but when you get some critical feedback,that sends you crashing to the ground.
It can be soul crushing.
For example, I've been told thatmy work is too saturated, it's not
sharp enough, it's too painterly.
(10:01):
And that used to kill me, but then Irealized that they're talking about style.
Because I like saturation, I like softfocus, I like that painterly Dutch look,
that Golden Dutch era look, I like that.
And if someone is critiquing mystyle, then I take that with a
grain of salt because not everyonewill like what I do style wise.
(10:26):
And you know what?
That's okay.
But if they're critiquing my technique,like lighting, composition, maybe the
retouching needs work, things like that.
I view that as objective and I absorbthat and implement that into my work.
But that's just me.
That's me personally.
(10:47):
What you might find as valuablemight be different for you.
And what you will take with a grain ofsalt will also be different for you that
I also think that's a tough personalconversation to have with yourself.
But when I go to portfolio reviews andI get a negative review or I never like
(11:09):
to say the word negative, but like acritical review on my work, I respond
to it positively, meaning instead offeeling bad or giving up or going,
Oh, I'm just questioning everythingabout my, myself and my career.
Instead I ask myself, howcan I learn from this?
(11:31):
How can I turn this negativeinto a positive outcome?
How can I see this as a chanceto improve and grow at what I do.
Cause at the end of the day, it'simportant to remember that there's
no such thing as a perfect photo.
Mistakes will be made.
Mistakes are what makes you human.
(11:54):
Mistakes are part of the journey.
And mistakes are also subjective.
One reviewer might love the waythat you compose a shot, and
another reviewer might go, Eh, thisshould have been a rule of thirds.
That's the thing about photography.
It is so subjective.
(12:14):
So again, that's why I say whatyou decide to take with a grain
of salt versus what is valuable,that's a personal conversation that
you need to have with yourself.
Because again, it's subjective.
To help you, know the difference betweenwhat is constructive versus what isn't?
I thought a nice littlechecklist would help.
So let's break it down.
(12:35):
What is constructive criticism?
According to my research, it's specific.
It points out exact areas for improvement.
It's helpful.
The reviewer offerssolutions or suggestions.
Maybe they'll say that theshadows are a little bit harsh.
(12:58):
Why don't you use a white cardto bounce a little bit light?
Something like that.
It's positive.
Now I'm not saying it's all sunshineand daisies and, a little Munchkinland
song in the background playing.
But what I am saying is thatthe reviewer delivers the
feedback kindly and respectfully.
They do.
Treat you like a humanbeing, in other words.
(13:22):
So they'll say something like, Oh,I really love this composition.
It's very strong, but I feellike it could be better if we
did, if you would have done this.
It's focused on the work.
Not you, the person, meaning thecritiquer addresses the photos
(13:42):
and not the personal attributes.
So example, the framing of thisshot could be improved versus
you're not good at framing.
You see the difference?
And finally, it's actionable.
The reviewer provides you withsteps that can be taken to improve.
Maybe there's books that theylike, or maybe there are other
(14:04):
photographers that they suggestyou study and look at their work.
You walk away with this tangiblechecklist of things that you
can do for your future projects.
Now, what is not constructive criticism?
It's vague.
The person doesn't give you any details.
They just say, and your photos need work.
(14:27):
It's unhelpful.
It's negative.
The critiquer is rude andthey say unhelpful things.
Like someone told me, someone looked atone of my photos and it was this shot of
this, cocktail and I use a slow shutterspeed so that it looked like fire was
(14:47):
coming out of the glass and the reviewerwas like, Yeah, you shot this cocktail
drink of like fire coming out of a glasswhoop dee doo like that's not a big deal.
Everyone's done that.
I was like, what?
Okay, thanks.
What do you say to that?
I don't know what to say to that.
(15:08):
So that was not helpful at all.
It was demeaning, it was rude,it was vague, not very helpful.
But let's talk about receivingfeedback because receiving feedback
can be really hard, especially whenwe're putting our heart on a platter.
We're bearing our chest.
We're showing, our Achilles.
It's hard.
(15:29):
So when you receive feedback, both goodand bad, it's important to count to five.
Especially if it's not positivefeedback, you feel your emotions
rising, maybe you're starting to like,turn red in the face or you could
feel like tears welling in your eyes.
I find that closing your eyes,counting down from five to one
(15:54):
to give yourself a moment to calmdown and to take deep breaths.
Just take a deep breath.
Listen actively.
Focus on what the reviewer issaying without interrupting.
Don't think about what you plan to say.
That's not active listening.
That's actually being defensive.
(16:15):
If there's something you don'tunderstand, ask open ended questions.
Do not do the yes or no.
That is not going to be helpful.
If there's something you don'tunderstand, say, can you give
me an example of what you mean?
I know some of these portfolioreviews, they go by really fast.
If you're lucky, some of themare 30 minutes, but typically
they're 15 minutes long.
(16:36):
So start every question withwhat can I like, what, how, why.
Things like that.
If you can take notes, writedown the comments to reflect
on how the review went.
Thank the reviewer.
A thank you goes a long way.
(16:56):
And remember that the feedback is agift and the person giving the feedback.
Whether it's critical or praiseworthy,they are not doing it to be hurtful.
They don't want to hurt you.
They want to help you.
This person is trying to help me.
They're not trying to hurt me, butjust remember that feedback is a gift.
(17:17):
It's an opportunity to see ourselvesfrom another perspective and grow.
It's important to rememberno one is perfect.
We all have areas where we can improve.
And one thing to remember is that youcan take the feedback or leave it.
Really you can, becauseagain, it's subjective.
(17:37):
You can apply what you found helpfuland take the rest with a grain of salt.
that's like the most important thing.
Personally, I.
I don't go into every reviewhoping for critical feedback.
I want to know how I can get better.
Compliments are great.
It makes me feel good, but there's areason why I go to portfolio reviews
(18:02):
because my friends, my family willalways tell me, Oh, your work is amazing.
It's amazing.
It's amazing.
It's amazing.
And I know that when I go to portfolioreviews, I'm going to get the real nitty
gritty of how to improve and get better.
The next time you find yourselfin a position to give or receive
feedback, just remember to bekind, be specific and be open.
(18:35):
Now that we know what constructivecriticism is, let's talk about who
you should listen to when seekingfeedback because this is crucial y'all.
This is so crucial because notall feedback is created equal.
I think I've said this once or twiceor a thousand times about how much
(18:55):
I dislike Facebook photo groups.
It's one of the reasons whyI'm hesitant to start my own
Facebook group, which I still am.
Savory Shot Insiders coming soon.
A little shameless plug there.
But really I don't likethese photo groups.
They are all the same.
(19:17):
The problem with some of these groupsis that the person giving feedback,
they might not even be qualified.
It's like the new leading the new.
I don't know.
That's just my opinion.
I could, again, subjective.
It's an opinion.
Slapping a photo on a wall andasking for feedback can lead to snap
(19:39):
judgments based on personal tasterather than constructive advice.
And also, you got these keyboardwarriors, they feel safe to say
some horrible shit to you online.
Let's set the scene.
Somewhere out there is a new photographerwho's passionate about photography.
(19:59):
They're always carrying theircamera around, and they're eager to
learn, eager to grow, but they'reso nervous to post something on a
group, and then they finally geta shot that they are so proud of.
They finally muster the courage to sharethat photo in a Facebook group, hoping
(20:21):
to receive some valuable feedback.
But instead of constructive feedback,instead of compliments, their photos are
met with harsh, vague, ugly comments.
And this new photographergets cut and shredded so badly
that they feel discouraged.
(20:43):
They question their talent.
Maybe they never pick up thecamera again, and they never
post in another group again.
And in between the ugly soul crushingcomments, there's feeble attempts of
people offering solutions, but theperson who's giving the solutions
is talking out their ass and they'regiving all kinds of wrong advice,
(21:05):
which, maybe their heart's in theright place, but you got a lot of blind
leading the deaf around in these groups.
I'll tell you what, I had tounlearn a lot of things when
I went to photography school.
A lot of things that Ipicked up in these groups.
So what can you do insteadof these Facebook groups?
Where can one go for tangible,actionable advice that will
(21:28):
actually help you improve?
Especially if you don't have theluxury of being in a classroom setting.
First, be selective.
Let me just put that out there.
Be selective.
You can seek feedback fromphotographers you admire.
I remember reaching out to photographersin other states, asking them to
(21:51):
maybe look at my portfolio and giveme some feedback if they have time
to zoom with me for like 15 minutes.
Some will say yes.
I got a lot of nos, but you know what?
All you need is a few yeses.
You can find a mentor or joinlike legit groups like The Luupe.
So if you're not a part of The Luupe,or APA or some kind of local group
(22:16):
where portfolio reviews are offeredon a regular basis, that's something
that you might want to look into.
I joined The Luupe.
I joined about two years ago and theyprovide portfolio reviews and I've
gotten lots of great help out of them.
I also signed up for mentorship programs.
I did the Apostrophe Repsand that was like invaluable.
I will forever be grateful to all thefolks at Apostrophe Reps for all of
(22:40):
their help and their advice that theygave me then and still give me now.
But if you like online groups, Thereare a few groups that I do like
that I do recommend that are not onFacebook that you might find use with.
So there's the Fstoppers community.
It's an online community that focuses onphotography education and inspiration.
(23:03):
I like to read a lotof the articles posted.
There's Photo.
net.
It's one of the oldest photographycommunities on the Internet.
I found lots of helpfuladvice on the forums.
Then there's the DP Review,Digital Photography Review.
It's a comprehensive site with forums forphotographers to share and get feedback.
(23:25):
And I didn't know about this one.
But it looks interesting.
I might submit some things to getsome feedback on it, but it's the
National Geographic You're Shot.
It is a community of photographers toshare their work and get feedback from
National Geographic's photo editors.
So those are some great ones.
Choose your critics wisely, y'all.
(23:46):
Seek out critics who havethe knowledge and experience
to guide you constructively.
And if you are posting in Facebookgroups, the next time you post something,
think about who you want feedback from.
(24:08):
All right, y'all.
We've covered what constructivecriticism is and who to get it from,
but how do you give and receive itin a way that's helpful and positive?
Let's jump into some practical tips.
(24:29):
So when giving feedback, Ifollow this simple formula.
It works for me.
I think it'll work for you.
First, start off with what you like.
Second, talk about howthe photo makes you feel.
And then third, how it can be improved.
So what you like, what you feel,And how it can be improved.
(24:51):
When giving feedback, the goalisn't to label the photo as good or
bad, but to analyze and study it.
On the other hand, if you're therecipient of a review, think about what
you need to take away from reviews.
I've learned that when it comes tofeedback when it's received with
(25:15):
the right mindset, it can actuallybe a powerful tool for growth.
But the best reviews I've ever hadwere the best reviews because I went
in with a list of goals, things thatI need to take away from this review.
I used to ask for feedback withoutgoals, like I would just walk
(25:36):
into a review and I would just belike, okay, tell me what to think.
And I don't think I learned anythingnew about myself or my work.
I really don't.
But when I go into portfolioreviews, I have a list of
questions, things that I like goals.
Things that I'm strugglingwith as a photographer, ways
(25:58):
that I want to grow, etc.
Of course, I want to hear more fromthe reviewer and I want to hear
their interpretation of my work.
And oftentimes they'll answer thequestions without me having to ask.
But if there are some questionsthat aren't asked, then obviously
I'll throw them out there.
And when I'm giving reviews beforeI like start, I ask the person I'm
(26:23):
talking to, what are you hopingto gain from this conversation?
I was surprised how often we forget toreally dive deep into the purpose and
feelings behind our creative choices,but doing so can make all the difference.
So finding the purpose and feelingbehind your creative choices, it really
(26:46):
helps to talk about your photo, talkabout the inspiration, the goals that
you had, the lighting choices you made.
Get comfortable talking aboutyour work that really comes in
handy in these portfolio reviews.
I think a well rounded critiquehas, the following elements.
(27:08):
The reviewer talks aboutlighting and composition.
They ask about the choicesmade and the effects achieved.
They ask the story and emotion.
They discuss what feelings ormessages the photo conveys.
Technical skills.
They review the technical aspectof the photo, like the focus,
the exposure, the editing.
Creativity and style.
(27:28):
They talk about the uniqueelements and personal style and
suggestions for improvement.
They provide constructive tipson how to enhance the work.
I feel like the five thingsthat I mentioned just now
provide a wonderful review.
(27:52):
Before we wrap up, let's recapwhat I hope you've learned.
Feedback when given and receivedconstructively can be a powerful tool
for growth and helps you see yourwork from a different perspective,
understand your strengths, understandyour weaknesses, pushes you to improve.
(28:15):
Remember to be selective aboutwho you get feedback from.
And if you are on the giving end, givehonest and compassionate critiques.
Always keep growth in mind.
Are you helping this person grow?
Thank you for tuningin to today's episode.
(28:35):
Speaking of feedback,
if you got a minute, would you goon to Apple Podcast and give this
show a five star review and tellme what you think about the show.
Tell me what you think about this episode.
But I hope you found these tips helpful.
Feel more confident ingiving and receiving reviews.
(28:59):
Keep shooting, keep growing.
And y'all remember every greatphotographer started where you are now.
Every great photographerhas gotten reviews.
They've gotten criticalfeedback, positive feedback.
No one is immune to it.
This is meant to help you grow.
So be open to it.
Be open to receiving and be kindenough to pay it forward by giving it.
(29:25):
All right, y'all.
Buh bye!
Welcome!
(00:02):
To the 53rd episode of The SavoryShot, a podcast about the art and
soul of working in food photography.
Y'all know who I'll be.
I'm your host, with the most, Mica McCook.
Y'all, I can't start this show withoutfirst thanking you, the listeners.
(00:23):
If this is your first time, thank you somuch for taking a chance on this show.
Welcome to the Hot Mess Express.
And if this is your 53rd time listening,thank you so much for being here.
Again, and again, and again, and again.
Now y'all, let's get rightinto today's episode.
(00:44):
I am so excited to talk about today'stopic because y'all, I feel like
this isn't talked about often enough.
Today we are diving intoall things about feedback.
Criticism.
How to give it, how to take itand how it can help us grow as
(01:07):
photographers and creatives.
Basically this episode is aquest to discovering how to turn
critiques into growth opportunities.
I'm not an expert in this, butanytime there is a topic that I don't
understand, I just immerse myselfinto learning it and exploring it.
(01:30):
So this episode is that.
My findings.
What I've discovered, and if it helps methen chances are it's going to help you.
But before we jump into all that,go grab your coffee, your tea, your
cocktail, if it's been that kindof day and let's start the show.
(02:56):
Every photographer deals withcritiques, or with feedback.
I'm saying that with air quotes, feedback.
And I don't know.
I personally love portfolio reviews.
I get energized by them.
But, I know that there are some folksout there who really just despise it.
And I get it.
(03:17):
One part of us wants to improve andgrow, but sometimes hearing what others
think about our work can be tough.
Especially if the reviews are givenby like our hero, like someone in the
industry that we really love and respect.
And especially if the feedbackisn't complete and total praise.
(03:42):
When you hear something that isconstructive and critical, Ugh,
it's like a knife to the heart.
It's like, do they love it?
Do they hate it?
Do they just not get it?
Your photography is so personaland it's close to you and getting
your work reviewed is absolutelya vulnerable thing to do.
(04:04):
You're literally putting your hearton a plate and handing it over and
saying, "Please break my heart gently."
I remember my first portfolio reviewwhen I went to photography school.
I was so nervous.
My hands were shaking.
(04:25):
My eyes were twitching.
I was sweating.
My heart was racing, y'all.
I hadn't felt that kind of nervessince I was in middle school
auditioning for my very first play.
But I gotta say, after thatfirst review, I was hooked.
Now, I'm not going to say that firstportfolio session, it was all praise.
(04:47):
And kiss my feet and threwconfetti in the air and it was
just this wonderful experience.
I had some tough conversationsthat portfolio review.
But it was valuable.
And now.
I crave portfolio reviews.
I love them.
If there are portfolio reviewsbeing offered, I jump right on it.
I'm the first to sign up to itbecause I know how valuable it is.
(05:11):
They help me see my work in a newlight and it pushes me to get better.
Sometimes I will look at a photo ofmine and I'm like, I don't know what
it is about this image, but I'm justnot happy and I need help to break
down how this photo could be better.
(05:33):
And reaching out to a more experiencedphotographer that I respect and getting
their feedback, it really just helpsme look at things that I didn't notice
before because I'm just so in it.
It's just too personal that Ican't be objective about it.
But here's the thingabout giving critiques.
(05:54):
It's an art and not a lot of peopleknow anything about it giving
critiques or receiving critiques.
So that's what we're breaking downtoday, how to handle feedback, how
to use it to get better, and moreimportantly, how to give feedback
(06:15):
in a way that helps others shine.
Because I feel like if you master howto give your opinion, that you will also
master how to receive other's opinions.
It's an art.
So let's get into it.
Let's jump right into it.
(06:44):
So what exactly is constructive criticism?
Now, I did all the research, lookedup books, looked up articles,
and the overall general consensusof this term and what it means.
Such a formal way of sayingwhat is constructive criticism.
(07:08):
So constructive criticism it'sfeedback meant to help you grow.
According to Terry Barrett in his bookCriticizing Photographs, if you guys
don't have that book, it's on Amazon.
Go buy it.
It's a bit of a schooly ready read,but it is definitely full of knowledge.
(07:30):
Terry says that critics do four things.
They describe, they interpret, theyevaluate and theorize about the work.
Constructive criticismshould be objective.
It shouldn't leave youfeeling uninspired or down.
And the thing about constructivecriticism, it takes time and practice
(07:52):
to perfect giving and receiving it.
A lot of people don't know the first thingabout giving critiques, and because they
don't know how to give feedback, theyalso don't know how to receive feedback.
Now, I'm going to repeat thatfor the people in the back,
because this is muy importante.
(08:13):
A lot of people don't know the first thingabout giving critiques, and because they
don't know how to give feedback, theyalso don't know how to receive feedback.
When you give feedback, you're in adelicate, sticky situation, because
you want to share your thoughts, butin a way that doesn't make the other
(08:35):
person defensive, because as soon asthat person gets defensive, anything
you have to say, it really is justgoing to go in and over their heads.
They are not going to be in a positionto listen to what you have to say.
So it's very sticky.
You have to be real perceptive,reading people's body language,
(08:56):
using kind language and words.
It's tough.
And on the flip side, when you'reon the receiving end, you're putting
yourself in a vulnerable position.
You have to mentally and emotionallyopen yourself to receiving feedback
and hearing others interpretationof something that's so personal and
(09:20):
close to your heart and walk awayfrom that conversation still intact.
That's hard.
It's not easy.
Yeah, I've gotten so muchcriticism about my work.
You develop a thick skin over time becausesome feedback is great and you get all
(09:41):
the love, all the glory and that liftsyour head and sends you to the clouds
but when you get some critical feedback,that sends you crashing to the ground.
It can be soul crushing.
For example, I've been told thatmy work is too saturated, it's not
sharp enough, it's too painterly.
(10:01):
And that used to kill me, but then Irealized that they're talking about style.
Because I like saturation, I like softfocus, I like that painterly Dutch look,
that Golden Dutch era look, I like that.
And if someone is critiquing mystyle, then I take that with a
grain of salt because not everyonewill like what I do style wise.
(10:26):
And you know what?
That's okay.
But if they're critiquing my technique,like lighting, composition, maybe the
retouching needs work, things like that.
I view that as objective and I absorbthat and implement that into my work.
But that's just me.
That's me personally.
(10:47):
What you might find as valuablemight be different for you.
And what you will take with a grain ofsalt will also be different for you that
I also think that's a tough personalconversation to have with yourself.
But when I go to portfolio reviews andI get a negative review or I never like
(11:09):
to say the word negative, but like acritical review on my work, I respond
to it positively, meaning instead offeeling bad or giving up or going,
Oh, I'm just questioning everythingabout my, myself and my career.
Instead I ask myself, howcan I learn from this?
(11:31):
How can I turn this negativeinto a positive outcome?
How can I see this as a chanceto improve and grow at what I do.
Cause at the end of the day, it'simportant to remember that there's
no such thing as a perfect photo.
Mistakes will be made.
Mistakes are what makes you human.
(11:54):
Mistakes are part of the journey.
And mistakes are also subjective.
One reviewer might love the waythat you compose a shot, and
another reviewer might go, Eh, thisshould have been a rule of thirds.
That's the thing about photography.
It is so subjective.
(12:14):
So again, that's why I say whatyou decide to take with a grain
of salt versus what is valuable,that's a personal conversation that
you need to have with yourself.
Because again, it's subjective.
To help you, know the difference betweenwhat is constructive versus what isn't?
I thought a nice littlechecklist would help.
So let's break it down.
(12:35):
What is constructive criticism?
According to my research, it's specific.
It points out exact areas for improvement.
It's helpful.
The reviewer offerssolutions or suggestions.
Maybe they'll say that theshadows are a little bit harsh.
(12:58):
Why don't you use a white cardto bounce a little bit light?
Something like that.
It's positive.
Now I'm not saying it's all sunshineand daisies and, a little Munchkinland
song in the background playing.
But what I am saying is thatthe reviewer delivers the
feedback kindly and respectfully.
They do.
Treat you like a humanbeing, in other words.
(13:22):
So they'll say something like, Oh,I really love this composition.
It's very strong, but I feellike it could be better if we
did, if you would have done this.
It's focused on the work.
Not you, the person, meaning thecritiquer addresses the photos
(13:42):
and not the personal attributes.
So example, the framing of thisshot could be improved versus
you're not good at framing.
You see the difference?
And finally, it's actionable.
The reviewer provides you withsteps that can be taken to improve.
Maybe there's books that theylike, or maybe there are other
(14:04):
photographers that they suggestyou study and look at their work.
You walk away with this tangiblechecklist of things that you
can do for your future projects.
Now, what is not constructive criticism?
It's vague.
The person doesn't give you any details.
They just say, and your photos need work.
(14:27):
It's unhelpful.
It's negative.
The critiquer is rude andthey say unhelpful things.
Like someone told me, someone looked atone of my photos and it was this shot of
this, cocktail and I use a slow shutterspeed so that it looked like fire was
(14:47):
coming out of the glass and the reviewerwas like, Yeah, you shot this cocktail
drink of like fire coming out of a glasswhoop dee doo like that's not a big deal.
Everyone's done that.
I was like, what?
Okay, thanks.
What do you say to that?
I don't know what to say to that.
(15:08):
So that was not helpful at all.
It was demeaning, it was rude,it was vague, not very helpful.
But let's talk about receivingfeedback because receiving feedback
can be really hard, especially whenwe're putting our heart on a platter.
We're bearing our chest.
We're showing, our Achilles.
It's hard.
(15:29):
So when you receive feedback, both goodand bad, it's important to count to five.
Especially if it's not positivefeedback, you feel your emotions
rising, maybe you're starting to like,turn red in the face or you could
feel like tears welling in your eyes.
I find that closing your eyes,counting down from five to one
(15:54):
to give yourself a moment to calmdown and to take deep breaths.
Just take a deep breath.
Listen actively.
Focus on what the reviewer issaying without interrupting.
Don't think about what you plan to say.
That's not active listening.
That's actually being defensive.
(16:15):
If there's something you don'tunderstand, ask open ended questions.
Do not do the yes or no.
That is not going to be helpful.
If there's something you don'tunderstand, say, can you give
me an example of what you mean?
I know some of these portfolioreviews, they go by really fast.
If you're lucky, some of themare 30 minutes, but typically
they're 15 minutes long.
(16:36):
So start every question withwhat can I like, what, how, why.
Things like that.
If you can take notes, writedown the comments to reflect
on how the review went.
Thank the reviewer.
A thank you goes a long way.
(16:56):
And remember that the feedback is agift and the person giving the feedback.
Whether it's critical or praiseworthy,they are not doing it to be hurtful.
They don't want to hurt you.
They want to help you.
This person is trying to help me.
They're not trying to hurt me, butjust remember that feedback is a gift.
(17:17):
It's an opportunity to see ourselvesfrom another perspective and grow.
It's important to rememberno one is perfect.
We all have areas where we can improve.
And one thing to remember is that youcan take the feedback or leave it.
Really you can, becauseagain, it's subjective.
(17:37):
You can apply what you found helpfuland take the rest with a grain of salt.
that's like the most important thing.
Personally, I.
I don't go into every reviewhoping for critical feedback.
I want to know how I can get better.
Compliments are great.
It makes me feel good, but there's areason why I go to portfolio reviews
(18:02):
because my friends, my family willalways tell me, Oh, your work is amazing.
It's amazing.
It's amazing.
It's amazing.
And I know that when I go to portfolioreviews, I'm going to get the real nitty
gritty of how to improve and get better.
The next time you find yourselfin a position to give or receive
feedback, just remember to bekind, be specific and be open.
(18:35):
Now that we know what constructivecriticism is, let's talk about who
you should listen to when seekingfeedback because this is crucial y'all.
This is so crucial because notall feedback is created equal.
I think I've said this once or twiceor a thousand times about how much
(18:55):
I dislike Facebook photo groups.
It's one of the reasons whyI'm hesitant to start my own
Facebook group, which I still am.
Savory Shot Insiders coming soon.
A little shameless plug there.
But really I don't likethese photo groups.
They are all the same.
(19:17):
The problem with some of these groupsis that the person giving feedback,
they might not even be qualified.
It's like the new leading the new.
I don't know.
That's just my opinion.
I could, again, subjective.
It's an opinion.
Slapping a photo on a wall andasking for feedback can lead to snap
(19:39):
judgments based on personal tasterather than constructive advice.
And also, you got these keyboardwarriors, they feel safe to say
some horrible shit to you online.
Let's set the scene.
Somewhere out there is a new photographerwho's passionate about photography.
(19:59):
They're always carrying theircamera around, and they're eager to
learn, eager to grow, but they'reso nervous to post something on a
group, and then they finally geta shot that they are so proud of.
They finally muster the courage to sharethat photo in a Facebook group, hoping
(20:21):
to receive some valuable feedback.
But instead of constructive feedback,instead of compliments, their photos are
met with harsh, vague, ugly comments.
And this new photographergets cut and shredded so badly
that they feel discouraged.
(20:43):
They question their talent.
Maybe they never pick up thecamera again, and they never
post in another group again.
And in between the ugly soul crushingcomments, there's feeble attempts of
people offering solutions, but theperson who's giving the solutions
is talking out their ass and they'regiving all kinds of wrong advice,
(21:05):
which, maybe their heart's in theright place, but you got a lot of blind
leading the deaf around in these groups.
I'll tell you what, I had tounlearn a lot of things when
I went to photography school.
A lot of things that Ipicked up in these groups.
So what can you do insteadof these Facebook groups?
Where can one go for tangible,actionable advice that will
(21:28):
actually help you improve?
Especially if you don't have theluxury of being in a classroom setting.
First, be selective.
Let me just put that out there.
Be selective.
You can seek feedback fromphotographers you admire.
I remember reaching out to photographersin other states, asking them to
(21:51):
maybe look at my portfolio and giveme some feedback if they have time
to zoom with me for like 15 minutes.
Some will say yes.
I got a lot of nos, but you know what?
All you need is a few yeses.
You can find a mentor or joinlike legit groups like The Luupe.
So if you're not a part of The Luupe,or APA or some kind of local group
(22:16):
where portfolio reviews are offeredon a regular basis, that's something
that you might want to look into.
I joined The Luupe.
I joined about two years ago and theyprovide portfolio reviews and I've
gotten lots of great help out of them.
I also signed up for mentorship programs.
I did the Apostrophe Repsand that was like invaluable.
I will forever be grateful to all thefolks at Apostrophe Reps for all of
(22:40):
their help and their advice that theygave me then and still give me now.
But if you like online groups, Thereare a few groups that I do like
that I do recommend that are not onFacebook that you might find use with.
So there's the Fstoppers community.
It's an online community that focuses onphotography education and inspiration.
(23:03):
I like to read a lotof the articles posted.
There's Photo.
net.
It's one of the oldest photographycommunities on the Internet.
I found lots of helpfuladvice on the forums.
Then there's the DP Review,Digital Photography Review.
It's a comprehensive site with forums forphotographers to share and get feedback.
(23:25):
And I didn't know about this one.
But it looks interesting.
I might submit some things to getsome feedback on it, but it's the
National Geographic You're Shot.
It is a community of photographers toshare their work and get feedback from
National Geographic's photo editors.
So those are some great ones.
Choose your critics wisely, y'all.
(23:46):
Seek out critics who havethe knowledge and experience
to guide you constructively.
And if you are posting in Facebookgroups, the next time you post something,
think about who you want feedback from.
(24:08):
All right, y'all.
We've covered what constructivecriticism is and who to get it from,
but how do you give and receive itin a way that's helpful and positive?
Let's jump into some practical tips.
(24:29):
So when giving feedback, Ifollow this simple formula.
It works for me.
I think it'll work for you.
First, start off with what you like.
Second, talk about howthe photo makes you feel.
And then third, how it can be improved.
So what you like, what you feel,And how it can be improved.
(24:51):
When giving feedback, the goalisn't to label the photo as good or
bad, but to analyze and study it.
On the other hand, if you're therecipient of a review, think about what
you need to take away from reviews.
I've learned that when it comes tofeedback when it's received with
(25:15):
the right mindset, it can actuallybe a powerful tool for growth.
But the best reviews I've ever hadwere the best reviews because I went
in with a list of goals, things thatI need to take away from this review.
I used to ask for feedback withoutgoals, like I would just walk
(25:36):
into a review and I would just belike, okay, tell me what to think.
And I don't think I learned anythingnew about myself or my work.
I really don't.
But when I go into portfolioreviews, I have a list of
questions, things that I like goals.
Things that I'm strugglingwith as a photographer, ways
(25:58):
that I want to grow, etc.
Of course, I want to hear more fromthe reviewer and I want to hear
their interpretation of my work.
And oftentimes they'll answer thequestions without me having to ask.
But if there are some questionsthat aren't asked, then obviously
I'll throw them out there.
And when I'm giving reviews beforeI like start, I ask the person I'm
(26:23):
talking to, what are you hopingto gain from this conversation?
I was surprised how often we forget toreally dive deep into the purpose and
feelings behind our creative choices,but doing so can make all the difference.
So finding the purpose and feelingbehind your creative choices, it really
(26:46):
helps to talk about your photo, talkabout the inspiration, the goals that
you had, the lighting choices you made.
Get comfortable talking aboutyour work that really comes in
handy in these portfolio reviews.
I think a well rounded critiquehas, the following elements.
(27:08):
The reviewer talks aboutlighting and composition.
They ask about the choicesmade and the effects achieved.
They ask the story and emotion.
They discuss what feelings ormessages the photo conveys.
Technical skills.
They review the technical aspectof the photo, like the focus,
the exposure, the editing.
Creativity and style.
(27:28):
They talk about the uniqueelements and personal style and
suggestions for improvement.
They provide constructive tipson how to enhance the work.
I feel like the five thingsthat I mentioned just now
provide a wonderful review.
(27:52):
Before we wrap up, let's recapwhat I hope you've learned.
Feedback when given and receivedconstructively can be a powerful tool
for growth and helps you see yourwork from a different perspective,
understand your strengths, understandyour weaknesses, pushes you to improve.
(28:15):
Remember to be selective aboutwho you get feedback from.
And if you are on the giving end, givehonest and compassionate critiques.
Always keep growth in mind.
Are you helping this person grow?
Thank you for tuningin to today's episode.
(28:35):
Speaking of feedback,
if you got a minute, would you goon to Apple Podcast and give this
show a five star review and tellme what you think about the show.
Tell me what you think about this episode.
But I hope you found these tips helpful.
Feel more confident ingiving and receiving reviews.
(28:59):
Keep shooting, keep growing.
And y'all remember every greatphotographer started where you are now.
Every great photographerhas gotten reviews.
They've gotten criticalfeedback, positive feedback.
No one is immune to it.
This is meant to help you grow.
So be open to it.
Be open to receiving and be kindenough to pay it forward by giving it.
(29:25):
All right, y'all.
Buh bye!
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.