Who Judges Of Your Success?

In this case, of your success in photography. Many people, it would appear, and sometimes even those who we do not license to the task:

a. The judges.

They may be the contest judges of your local camera club, the state agricultural show, or the most prestigious photographic society in the country. In most cases they will have some expertise in the business of photography, and likely some experience in the sorting and comparing that a contest requires. You won't pay them, but someone will...if only in praise. It is unlikely you will be able to influence them past the work that you present.

Or, in plain terms, most judges are honest. They will play the game properly for the honour of the art.

b. The critics.

Unlike judges who are appointed by an authority, critics are chosen by themselves. They can be as fair as the proper judge, but need not be so when the mood takes them. Their reputations are not as well established, you see, and some are keen to make a name. It may be your name or their own but if there is a choice, bet on the latter rather than the former.

They can still do you good if their criticism is valid and presented fairly. You must learn to see it clearly to benefit. If it is constructive, use the insights it gives to improve. If it is just carping nastiness, feel free to ignore it. You'll soon learn to distinguish the two types.

c. The clients.

Paying customers may not be good judges of your work, but they are generally red-hot on getting what they want. If you want to get paid, find out what that is and give it to them. Stop away from anything illegal or immoral, but you can indulge in stuff that's fattening.

d. The historians.

They might seem like mere critics operating at a considerable distance, but remember that by the time you are getting your centennial retrospective a lot of people have looked at your stuff. If they are still looking at it that far down the track you must have done something right.

e. The collectors.

These people judge the value of your work largely on the figure for which it can be bought or sold. That's not dishonourable. If you do it right and people are prepared to spend large amounts of drinking money on your pictures, there is fame indeed. In some cases they are selling and buying you like tinned gefilte fish, but that's the nature of collections.

f. The social media audience.

No, they're not. They've been flooded and overwhelmed with images and unless you have something unrepeatably different when you press the " post " button, it will get three likes and slide into the sea.