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:: another question for photographers::
i am a pro photog in the tampa area..some people like my work, some say it sucks..so i figure im about average..i tell prospective clients to look at my work and decide if they think my style will help thier portfolios or not..i dont ever suggest that my images are any better then anyone elses or that they are anything they are not... in wandering around the online world i notice a lot of photographer's profiles that tell prospective clients, models, how good thier work is, what great images they'll give you..they self proclaim to be the best in the world..they use all sorts of adjectives telling everyone how good thier work is and what great images they'll provide... this not directed at anyone, just a curious question.. ***the question is here fo those that skip around reading.. in your profiles online..do you have to tell people how good your work is, or do you let your images do the talking? Jun 03 05 06:04 pm Link Doug let your images do the talking....and ofcourse try and be as professional as possible is the key to this business. Jun 03 05 06:13 pm Link What Is said! Jun 03 05 06:15 pm Link Doug let your images do the talking....and ofcourse try and be as professional as possible is the key to this business. What Is said well thanks for the advice, but i already suggested i let my images do the talking.. Jun 03 05 06:17 pm Link I think in my profile it says "Proofs in the Picture" I may brag how Radd my studio is or how Radd i am as a person (:-- But i built it myself and i am proud!! On my port i hope the Tags And Comments speak for me (:-- In real life i show them my Book!! Jun 03 05 06:18 pm Link Yes, Doug, I do. A person's style is not for everybody and perfect for somebodies. I've found that the somebodies find me... Jun 03 05 06:20 pm Link ...let the images represent themselves, that is... Jun 03 05 06:21 pm Link I state what I'm about. Maybe my beliefs in how they relate to photography. But I ultimately let the pictures do the talking. Jun 03 05 06:21 pm Link I state that my photos do not have retouching. I use humor for the credits section, I thought it meant what credit cards I have. Basically that is it for me. (wait let me go check.) I also say that I am a artist for work usually not shown. Jun 03 05 06:23 pm Link Where is Joey...lol Jun 03 05 06:25 pm Link Posted by Hugh Jorgen ©: geeze now i have to go look before he has a chance to change anything... Jun 03 05 06:27 pm Link Posted by Hugh Jorgen ©: Most likely at the beach where we all should be. Jun 03 05 06:27 pm Link Posted by marksora: Posted by Hugh Jorgen ©: Most likely at the beach where we all should be. Couple hundred miles from beach..but been tannin on the trampoline and hangin around our pond with our animal friends (:-- Jun 03 05 06:34 pm Link I think you shouldn't bragg about your pictures. However, if someone important made a comment about your work... you may use that on your site... I have received a great comment from a 2 times Academy Award and 8 times Golden Globe winner just a few weeks ago. When times come and she gives me permission... I will use the quote with her name on it. Jun 03 05 06:34 pm Link Posted by Udo R Photography: Yes i like them comments-make me smile!! Jun 03 05 06:36 pm Link Posted by Hugh Jorgen ©: Jumping up and down, trying to catch sunrays? :-) Jun 03 05 06:36 pm Link Posted by Hugh Jorgen ©: Mr. Visual definitely, doesn't follow Doug's words! At the same time he isn't the only one here, just check the jackasses the post announcements every 20 minutes! Jun 03 05 06:40 pm Link i don`t say shit.i`m not good with words.if people like what id o then cool.if not,i don`t really care.i shoot what i shoot how i want...ok i might say that... Jun 03 05 09:43 pm Link I know I just uploaded some full sized unphotoshopped pics to my profile, just to see peoples reaction. Jun 03 05 09:56 pm Link Interesting question! Let's put it this way ... I would still be shooting pictures regardless of what everyone thought of my work. Of course it would be discouraging to be constantly told my work sucks, but it is also encouraging when people like it. I DID NOT pick up a camera to seek other peoples approval, therefore I do not need to brag to seek approval either. You either like me or you don't! As artists, I think that we are normally tougher on ourselves than anyone else! Jun 03 05 10:06 pm Link I may have made a statement or two regarding the quality of my work here or there, but it's not an attempt to appear conceited, it is to hype my product. It is true the pictures will always speak for themselves, but look around at marketing. "Gilette, The best a man can get" does this mean Gilette is insecure in their place in mens shaving market? are they trying to pass off a unworthy product? I don't think so, it's just making a claim and letting the comsumer ultimately decide. Fedex is "The World On Time", not "Send a packeage and you'll see!" Some hype is understandable, even expected in marketing. I don't claim to produce the best pictures the world has ever seen, but If I won't believe in my product and stand before the world and declare "It is Good", what am I saying about how I feel about my images? Be sure next week to tune in next week when a dozen models are chosen at random off of the internet to shoot with me and "Photographer X" LOL. Jun 03 05 11:51 pm Link i'm a very modest person so i'd let the work do the talking. of course, i dont have a solid portfolio yet...but i'm working on it. Jun 04 05 05:05 am Link My profile says "this is who I am and this is what I'm interested in doing." My sample images say "this is how well I do it." I know that my work is better than that being produced by a lot of photographers, but that there's still a lot of room for improvement and increased knowledge. I also know that some people wouldn't know a good photograph if they slept with one. LOL Jun 04 05 07:07 am Link RFAphoto is right. Making yourself and your business sound prestigious is just marketing in any type of business. You want to make the person curious to take the extra time to open your door and see what's inside (your work can't speak for itself if they pass you by because you haven't caught their interest). Whatever the wording it must get that possible future client to notice you and look. If you say nothing or just sound plain jane mediocre you will lose alot of people who happen to come across your site, page, whatever. Put yourself in the other persons place. Say you're driving thru a small town and you're looking for a place to eat. You find two fried chicken joints, one is called "OK Chicken" with no claims. The one a few blocks away is "Golden Fried Chicken", "The Crispiest Tastiest Fried Chicken This Side Of The Border". You've never been to either one, they both look clean from the outside. I already know where most would go first. I learned advertising and promotion ages ago and it has nothing to do with egos or personal bragging. It's done to get the customer to come to you first and not your competition. Who here hasn't heard probably the biggest and oldest one of all and it's still used heavily today because it still works. "You've Tried the Rest, Now Try the Best" Youve Tried the Rest, Now Try the Best has been on pizza boxes for about forty or fifty years. The saying is over 100 years old. Jun 04 05 07:12 am Link I believe that if you believe in your pictures there is nothing wrong in stating that. American sensibilites teach us to be humble, to never take credit for what we do, to let other people tell you how good you are. Well American sensibilities can go to hell! I believe I do great work, I am told so by the models and actors who use me and I proclaim that yes, I am quite good. I see nothing wrong in owning my photography, in having pride in what I do and and so I state that why yes sir I am quite good at it! Jun 04 05 08:23 am Link I am not a photographer, but on my other port site I advertise that my breasts are REAL...does that count, or should I just let the photos speak for themselves. (lol) Jun 04 05 08:29 am Link I let my images speak, my bio is very short. Jun 04 05 12:20 pm Link Luv em' or hate em'...I'll let my images speak for themselves. Jun 04 05 12:26 pm Link Maybe we need a separate thread for this question, But for models. Why do some models feel the need to write long notes on their pages? Jun 04 05 12:32 pm Link Posted by Doug Swinskey: I let the images do the talking. Oh and all the people who left comments, tags, etc etc. They do all the talking too. Jun 04 05 02:36 pm Link Posted by Hugh Jorgen ©: Sorry, I was too busy watching porn. Jun 04 05 02:38 pm Link I agree about not making your site a verbal puff piece - yikes, why do you need tons o words if you're a photographer? But it certainly wouldn't hurt at all to be clear about what is unique about your working style and strengths - sometimes that's not easy for someone to grok when looking at pictures on your site trying to decide to work with you. Jun 04 05 02:55 pm Link When someone goes on and on about their skills and/or accomplishments but doesn't show the work to back it, it makes them look even worse than if they'd shown the same mediocre work and said nothing. I see far too many "resumes" that are inflated beyond belief. No one's buying it. Jun 04 05 04:56 pm Link Posted by theda: dont assume anything..theres some posts in the buzz boards that are way beyond belief, but that doesn't stop some of the models from responding...so somebodys buying that crap... Jun 04 05 07:36 pm Link "Hate it or love it" is the artist creed....if they hate um they will talk about it equalling free advertising, AND if they LOVE they will talk about it equaling free advertising...the worst thing peeps can say about my photos is that they are AIGHT, basically meaning Forgetable. Jun 04 05 09:37 pm Link Posted by Doug Swinskey: Let the images speak. However, no one ever listens. So the system works well. Jun 04 05 10:00 pm Link this question is great... what is "pro". To me the idea is that you make a living at photography. To me that DOESN'T = weddings. It doesn't equal TFP, and bad nudes of chicks... What does it mean...a style that is your own. And if you need to tell people you are X, Y, or Z...then you aren't pro... and words are always second best to the images...so yeah you are right...let the photos say who you are... its better that way Jun 04 05 11:12 pm Link Posted by Ouch My Eye: That makes absolutely no sense. What people? In that case I might as well drop all my advertising next year and rename my site "photos are here" and nothing more. Then I'll just let "those people" try and find me. Jun 05 05 12:33 am Link Posted by marksora: Maybe once this dies I will make another thread. Jun 05 05 12:35 am Link Posted by ( ANT ) Mgaphoto: Posted by Hugh Jorgen ©: Mr. Visual definitely, doesn't follow Doug's words! At the same time he isn't the only one here, just check the jackasses the post announcements every 20 minutes! How about the jackasses who need to brag about shooting for the "biggest" companies and magazines and put down other photographers who spend hours in photoshop because "their work sucks" to pump themselves up... Jun 05 05 12:46 am Link |
