I've had a couple of portfolio reviews by professional photographers. I didn't find either of them particularly enlightening. It's not that their comments were 'wrong' or 'meaningless', it's more that they knew nothing about me, and the why and what of my photography. In both cases I was also one of many people whose work they were reviewing so I was just the next in line. My photographs, of course, exist independently of me and most people who see them know nothing about me, so I don't believe I can control or explain or determine the 'meaning', assuming there is one - which I don't - of my pictures. But I'm going to take more seriously a critique from someone who has a deeper knowledge of me and my overall approach to photography. I would rather have a critique from a fellow amateur whose work I respect and who knows me, than from the most celebrated of professionals who doesn't.
I've had a couple of portfolio reviews by professional photographers. I didn't find either of them particularly enlightening. It's not that their comments were 'wrong' or 'meaningless', it's more that they knew nothing about me, and the why and what of my photography. In both cases I was also one of many people whose work they were reviewing so I was just the next in line. My photographs, of course, exist independently of me and most people who see them know nothing about me, so I don't believe I can control or explain or determine the 'meaning', assuming there is one - which I don't - of my pictures. But I'm going to take more seriously a critique from someone who has a deeper knowledge of me and my overall approach to photography. I would rather have a critique from a fellow amateur whose work I respect and who knows me, than from the most celebrated of professionals who doesn't.
Thanks Olli. I completely agree with you. Thank for expressing what I also feel so well.