Success = winning (first place); Failure = not winning

[Sherlock77]

This might seem too black and white, I even know it is, but my head keeps spinning around this concept, particularly with my photographic hobby which is what much of my spare time (outside of my fulltime work hours) is spent pursuing... I've been at fairly hard core for over 10 years now...

However I've seen very little success, certainly as defined by the winning and losing, I've lost far more then I have won, I know photographers and creative people whose CV is full of great success, my CV is rather short, not much on it... And I do let that get to my head...

I've had friends tell me that it doesn't really matter, and have read things that say success is simply the setting of goals, and that few goals we set have the concept of winning/finishing first in them, that goals are simply milestones in life, I try to tell myself that, and I'm sure many of you will... But then my head keeps going back to winning and losing, and gets lost there...

A few years ago I pondered that most pro/working artists don't have high profile public recognition, but certainly most have respect within the artistic community, I often feel like I don't even have that respect, at least not much of it, I feel mostly ignored...

I think one reason why I post my photos so much, maybe too much, is because I'm pressing too much, pushing myself too hard, read above...

Yet when I go out to take photos, it relaxes me, makes me feel happy, gives me a real reason to leave the house, it shouldn't matter how much attention I get for it, even if I never share the photos... But then my head keeps going back to winning and losing, and gets lost there... But I still go out to take photos, not sure if I'll ever stop, it's part of what keeps me going...

It seems like a constant battle in my head, maybe many other artists also go through this struggle, maybe my battle seems more pronounced because of being Aspie... I've had some friends tell me that I'm gifted in photography, even if that's true I've seen very little success from it...

To prove or disprove my point, one photo from last weekend, a guy I met, chatted with for awhile, took a street portrait of him... Haven't posted this one anywhere, you're the first ones to see this one...

 

[Judge]

You have a clear talent for frequently capturing the mood of both humans and the environment they are in at a specific point in time. To me having a consistent understanding of composition is a "win-win" scenario.

It doesn't require a scorecard, my friend.

Me? A landscape or animal...but on a painfully infrequent basis.

 

[OlLiE]

i guess it's all about how you define winning,
is an internal benchmark enough for you or do you need outside affirmation

i enjoy photography too,
i do itr for myself,
winning is finding a simple, detail focused, well composed technically good picture
i couldn't care less what anyone else thinks about it
to the point i used to take my pictures early in the morning to avoid having people in them


your picture looks great,
but do you really need me to tell you so? ;-)

 

[Bolletje]

I love that photo!
On to how you feel: I think you are your own worst enemy in this aspect. I can relate, I try to compare myself to others, and feel my achievements pale in comparison to theirs. And I feel like a failure. Yet I don't stop to think about the things I have that they don't.
I think you need to set realistic goals for yourself as to what you want to achieve, and what you're willing to sacrifice to get it.

 

[Sherlock77]

All agreed... Just a battle I have in my head... Heading out for the day now...

 

[Judge]

I hate to admit it, but that's one dynamic I struggle with. Enjoying hobbies, but at the same time being such a perfectionist with OCD that it drags down my ability to enjoy and appreciate things at times.

Indeed, pushing and pressing just too hard. To the point where I am no longer creative, nor even want to be as such. Yeah, I'm my own worst enemy in this respect.

 

[Tom]

I have come to see winning and losing as more subjective then black and white. Part of that is having more then one goal going on at the same time. You mention at least 2, official recognition and peer recognition. I'll add there must also be personal satisfaction when you know you have taken a good shot. They all do not actually work in sync. Failing at one may help you in another.

As an artist I think the last most important. Work on that mainly and if the others develop then thats extra. But I do reccomend ratcheting back the ammount of material you share. Over-exposure is almost always bad. Nice shot btw. An interesting face and natural.

 

[Sherlock77]

I have come to see winning and losing as more subjective then black and white. Part of that is having more then one goal going on at the same time. You mention at least 2, official recognition and peer recognition. I'll add there must also be personal satisfaction when you know you have taken a good shot. They all do not actually work in sync. Failing at one may help you in another.

As an artist I think the last most important. Work on that mainly and if the others develop then thats extra. But I do recommend ratcheting back the amount of material you share. Over-exposure is almost always bad. Nice shot btw. An interesting face and natural.

@Tom Thanks for the advice, one of my struggles is the photos that will never be viewed, if I never post them... Even some of the really good ones... But then you do have a point about over-saturation, I have heard that before...

The reality of photography vs. other creative arts is how fast it is to take a photo compared to how long it takes to create a painting, so there is definitely more output...

 

[OkRad]

I embrace losing. The battle is over. I will never win, anyway. Bad attitude in one way, but it another, it sets you free to look at each day like a gift. Besides, it dawned on me that i am a loser, yes to people, but I looked at the birds and had a chat.....like St Francis and it dawned on me that animals love me, my cats love me, so many species either like me or have no opinion of me at all. In fact, there are MILLIONS of species who just see me as benign. I like that. Why waste time on the opinions of ONE DUMB SPECIES that goes around destroying its own and blowing stuff up? Dumb species.......

 

[onlything]

I was the same concerning creative writing, my greatest passion between ages 6-17. I would post what I write everywhere, take part in competitions. Do it all the time and everywhere. Not winning, not getting recognition and the highest mark was like loosing everything altogether. It must have been perfect.

It never was, though. Later due to some unfortunate reasons I stopped writing as much. I dwelled for a short while in poetry but it didn't work as well. Trying to write something, anything, became a constant battle.

That was when my depression kicked in and I lost the rest of my drive. I haven't written for years and it's frustrating and, in a way, kind of painful. Like loosing a part of me.

I hope photography will stay with you for a long, long time. You're already really good, try not to cut your own wings, hmm?

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

I embrace losing. The battle is over. I will never win, anyway. Bad attitude in one way, but it another, it sets you free to look at each day like a gift. Besides, it dawned on me that i am a loser, yes to people, but I looked at the birds and had a chat.....like St Francis and it dawned on me that animals love me, my cats love me, so many species either like me or have no opinion of me at all. In fact, there are MILLIONS of species who just see me as benign. I like that. Why waste time on the opinions of ONE DUMB SPECIES that goes around destroying its own and blowing stuff up? Dumb species.......

And the birds were saying....

1st bird 'Is that greek?'
2nd ' how would I know, I'm a bird, jesus'

 

[OkRad]

And the birds were saying....

1st bird 'Is that greek?'
2nd ' how would I know, I'm a bird, jesus'

yes, they say "khoi, khoi, khoi, and twoi, twoi, twoi" instead of Cheep cheep cheep and tweet tweet tweet! I am not kidding!