**YOU’RE NOT AS GOOD AS YOU THINK YOU ARE**
Let that sink in.
It’s a bitch of a thing to come to terms with, but that moment when you do, is the moment that you will grow and become a better photographer.
If you wish to develop as a creative then you will have to accept this difficult premise.
If you think your work is great and you don’t need to improve then you’ve lost the battle. You haven’t lost the war though, I might add……you’re just gonna have to wake up and smell the coffee.
This mindset is known as the Dunning-Kruger effect, a real scientific phenomenon.
The Dunning-Kruger effect is a type of cognitive bias in which people believe that they are more capable than they really are. Essentially, low ability people do not possess the skills needed to recognize their own incompetence
‘Stupid people don’t know they‘re stupid‘
Ouch.
Poor self awareness and low cognitive ability leads them to overestimate their own capabilities.
As Charles Darwin wrote in his book The Descent of Man, “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.”
I’ve been guilty of this…….thinking my work is the dog’s danglers!
I put a photograph out there that I’m delighted with, for all to see……thinking it’s the best thing since sliced bread. Fortunately for me though, I’ve had my epiphany, as it were and when I look back at my work I have a rather deflating tendency to think it’s crap and that I can improve it. This is what I try to do with every single day…….improve, and learn something new. Every new photoshoot, every new edit, every new blog post!
I’m trying.
People say that I’m very trying!
I’m putting that attribute down to the curse of the creative mind and I’m standing by that!
People will blow smoke up your arse all day long if they want to use your services for free/for exposure…..family and friends encourage you (they’re your biggest fan club) but the false sense of security that this can bestow upon you can ultimately become detrimental to your development within the photography industry.
‘Don’t get high on your own supply’ (as the cool kids say.)
If you don’t believe me, ask for a portfolio review from an artist you respect and prepare to face the music. Don’t be disheartened by the critique. Instead take from it, learn from it and act on it.
Don’t get stuck in that rut of being able to do something and then being satisfied with just repeating it time and time again, never to move forward. Develop your skill set. Add new lighting or editing techniques to your repertoire. Perfect the ones that you already know, Your clients deserve it………….and so do you.
So hopefully you found this philosophical post motivational and that it inspires you to move forward.
Now excuse me whilst I go cry into my cornflakes and endeavour to become better at my craft.
Stay safe.
Andy.
www.andrewkatsaitisphotography.com
Buy me a coffee at my ko-fi page.
Andrew Katsaitis Photography 