If photography is art, why is there so much hate?

[DJYoshi]

Though I'm not new to taking pictures, I'm new in my journey to becoming a photographer.  Over the last few months, I've joined reddit groups, searched the internet for tips and techniques to make my workflow more efficient.  I've even had the opportunity to build relationships with some of the most prominent photographers... The prominent folks tell me: just keep shooting.  Don't be worried about what others say if the photo and scene speak to you (as long as the camera settings are in line with the shot).

Then there's the "internet professionals" who do nothing but criticize your work, edits and even your eye.  They make it almost impossible to discern who has credible knowledge for you to succeed as opposed to the hate.

I've even had someone tell me: "well you're proof that spending 10k on gear doesn't mean that you're good enough to use that gear."

So if photography is supposed to be an art, something that speaks to you as the artist, why is there so much hatred and dislike to new photographers?

How did you start to determine which shots you took were "worthy" of the internet?

As someone whose primary focus in life is music and production, trust me when I say that the skin is thick...

[alpha-stormy · Accepted solution]

In every niche, there are people who are quick to judge and be overcritical. Try to avoid letting the negativity get to you and focus on finding the community for you.  This forum is great for sharing your work and asking for advice without the "internet professional" tearing you down. We have the Sony Artisan of Imagery and members of the Alpha Imaging Collective that can give advice and guidance along we other creators who are in your shoes. From there, you'll be able to decide what to share elsewhere. 

Keep creating your art, and don't let negativity stop you from learning and growing.

[alpha-stormy · Accepted solution]

In every niche, there are people who are quick to judge and be overcritical. Try to avoid letting the negativity get to you and focus on finding the community for you.  This forum is great for sharing your work and asking for advice without the "internet professional" tearing you down. We have the Sony Artisan of Imagery and members of the Alpha Imaging Collective that can give advice and guidance along we other creators who are in your shoes. From there, you'll be able to decide what to share elsewhere. 

Keep creating your art, and don't let negativity stop you from learning and growing.

[DJYoshi]

Thank you so much.  The Artisan and Imaging collective members who can critique instead of poke fun at is going to be a huge help!

[monicasigmon · Accepted solution]

This is such a great question. In my experience, the advice you have received from some of your prominent photographer friends is totally on point. Look at the greats - they didn't worry about what other artist were saying about them. They forged their own paths. Frankly, I stopped worrying about the "internet experts" a long time ago. What qualifications do they have? Why should I give any weight to their opinion? I truly think that the haters out there are behaving the only way they know how when they feel threatened or envious. They feel like lifting up someone else will be detrimental to their own success. But, there's plenty to go around! Surround yourself with people who are willing to be honest with you, celebrate your success with you, and support you when you fail. Good luck!

[DJYoshi]

"What qualifications do they have" is so true.

Like everything in psychology, giving space to those who tear down instead of help build you up is a hard thing to work on