We all know that person (if you don't, it's you) who thinks they are amazing and are completely useless at photography. Chances are that we have all also been that person, but why?
Although photography is subjective, I am going to put it out there that some photographers are simply bad. Be that due to technical abilities, poor execution of concept, or just bad taste, they suck. And I was certainly one of them. I was useless at photography for the longest time imaginable. I nearly gave it up because I was so bad. However, during that bad patch, there was a period where I thought that my work was amazing. Looking back at it now triggers some sort of anxiety mixed with shame. I was utterly delusional.
However, you mustn't be disheartened. It turns out this is really common and actually completely normal. In this video, I look at why this is, as well as offering some test that you can take to work out where you really sit in the grand scheme of things. I also look at ways in which you can help people who are currently stuck in this rut.
This phenomenon is not only related to photography. It is no mistake that more than 50% of drivers think that they are better than average. Have you fallen victim to the Dunning-Kruger effect in the same way that I did when starting out?
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I am at that sweet spot right now, where I know enough to not fall for the Dunning-Kruger effect and make an ass of myself (anymore), but still am ignorant enough to not get all depressed because of the imposter-syndrome.
None of a person's friends or family wants to be honest with them about their photos, or they don't know better. They get offended at any critique, so they go to forums where people will ooh and aah their photos. It's not hard to figure out.