Criticism can sting, especially when you’re proud of a photo and someone shoots it down without a second thought. But in a world full of self-proclaimed experts, knowing how to filter out harmful comments and stay true to your own vision is key. Harsh feedback often comes from a place of insecurity or a narrow mindset, not from a desire to help you grow.
Coming to you from Alex Kilbee with The Photographic Eye, this thought-provoking video addresses how to handle the toxic comments and gatekeepers you encounter in your photography journey. Kilbee shares his experience of dealing with critics who believe there is a “right” and “wrong” way to create images. He explains that these types of comments often come from people who want to impose their own standards and feel validated by keeping others confined to a narrow set of rules. The advice here? Focus on creating work that satisfies you, not the critics.
Kilbee also highlights the importance of finding a supportive community. His own experience of joining a forum full of rigid ideas made him second-guess his style and change elements that felt natural to him. It wasn’t until he realized that he was altering his work to please others that he started to reclaim his creative freedom. Seeking out communities that encourage exploration and experimentation can foster growth, while avoiding ones that suppress your instincts will keep your creativity alive. You should look for people who inspire and uplift rather than those who are quick to judge.
Another key takeaway is how to identify noise for what it is: empty, unproductive comments. When someone critiques your work, ask yourself if they’re trying to help or just tearing you down. Kilbee emphasizes that most of the negative feedback you encounter is just that—noise. It’s not constructive and shouldn’t hold you back from taking risks. Once you start recognizing these comments for what they are, it becomes easier to ignore them and keep experimenting with your work. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Kilbee.
One of my biggest pet peeves is unsolicited feedback. More people need to learn how to just scroll on. If I didn't specifically ask for feedback what makes you think I want your thoughts on why you don't like it? Reddit is the worst for this.
Another thing I've noticed is how many conflicting opinions I get when I do ask for feedback. I've been doing architectural photography full time for about a year now. I know I have a lot to learn still. I recently posted a photo I like in Mike Kelley's facebook group. Mike actually commented on my post saying he loved the way the house looked but to darken the foreground. I thought it was awesome to get some helpful advice from the man himself. Then another comment saying how the house was way too flat and was this and that. And all I could think to myself was if Mike thought it looks good, then it's fine.