The Danger of Critiques

I’ve known Doug Beasley for a long time. I’ve taken his workshops. I’ve stayed at his cabin. I’ve walked many laps around Como Lake with him and we’ve shared many meals together. He’s an amazing photographer, educator, and thoughtful soul. This blog post of his stands out in my mind. So with his permission, I’ve reprinted it here.

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There is a danger in critiquing work-in-progress at classes and workshops—it can emphasize success over risk taking. We may be more worried more about impressing others than about our own artistic growth. But risking failure is how we grow and evolve as artists.

Put yourself wholeheartedly into each exercise and assignment, even if you are not sure or even suspect as to what the benefit will be. Trust the process. Honor the time, money and energy you have invested in taking time off to be at a photo workshop. We are all very lucky we have the privilege to do be able to this, including me. Honor that with full participation.

You have much more to gain by staying open to new possibilities than in succeeding with what you already know works for you. Try not to mimic the instructor’s style just so they notice you or like your work. It is ok to mimic the style of others to gain perspective or learn from them. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, and take visual and emotional risks. This is your opportunity to expand and grow visually and personally. Think beyond the workshop’s end!

During critiques pay attention when others present their work and respect them with your full attention. They deserve that and you can’t expect it from others when it’s your turn if you don’t also give it. Speak up when you have something to say. Be present. Participate fully. Offer constructive criticism that is about the work not the person. Say what it is you do like or what is working for you.

When it’s your turn do not make any excuses for why your work isn’t better, why you only have the pictures you have or why your best pictures are at home or on your other hard drive. Just deal with what you do have not with what you don’t have. Our photos reflect where we’ve been not where we are, but are also markers for where we are going. The photos we make today are often ahead of our ability to understand them or put them in context. They have things to tell you that may not be apparent to others. Do not take criticism personally. Listen and consider comments objectively before you respond from a wounded place. The fact that others don’t like them doesn’t make them bad and the fact that others love them doesn’t make them good. It’s all just opinion. With every critique it gets easier to relax, respond and grow from the experience.

It’s not how many great pictures you make during your class or workshop that’s important, but how the experience changes you and helps you grow. Move forward from the challenges, positive and negative. Remember why you signed up in the first place— not to impress others with the skill you already have but to continue to become evolve forward.

Originally posted on his blog April 1, 2014. For more insightful blog posts visit www.douglasbeasley.com or to find out more about his workshops visit http://douglasbeasley.com/vision-quest-photo-workshops/

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Be well….be creative,