turning feedback into fuel: a guide to growth
Receiving criticism can feel like a punch to the gut, especially when you’ve poured your heart into your work - trust me I know, and was stubborn against it for far too long. As photographers, we become attached to our images, often struggling to separate personal identity from creative output. But every time I’ve embraced constructive feedback, I’ve improved my craft—and my chat with Glyn Dewis reminded me just how powerful that growth can be.
“Beauty is subjective, but there are technical standards to consider. Supportive critique is what helps us grow.”
His words struck a chord—how often do we miss out on progress because our ego gets in the way?
In a social media-driven world, the quest for validation through “likes” can replace meaningful critique. This creates the dangerous illusion that success equals approval, and any suggestion for improvement becomes a personal attack. As a result, photographers might fear sharing work openly or get stuck in unproductive comparisons, which limit creative growth. Furthermore, outside of social media, photographers might fear getting a portfolio review or photo critique from other professionals or peers. I've been there, done that, and got the t-shirt....
Glyn’s advice, combined with my own experiences (failures), offers practical ways to harness the power of feedback:
Shift Your Mindset from Criticism to Coaching: Treat feedback as a valuable tool to refine your work, not as a judgment of your ability.
Separate Ego from Craft: Your value as an artist is not determined by individual images. Approach feedback with humility and curiosity.
Ask the Right People for Feedback: Seek input from people you trust or respect in the field—those who understand your goals and vision. If you offer me the same privilege I can give you a FREE consult if you would like, to my newsletter subscribers only (read to the bottom for the link to book).
Request Specific Criticism: Ask targeted questions about elements like composition or lighting to get more focused insights.
Know When to Accept and When to Ignore Feedback: Not every piece of advice will align with your style or intentions. Learn to filter what helps from what hinders.
On my own journey, every critique has nudged me towards refining my work. Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned have come from challenging but well-intentioned feedback. If you fancy chatting to me about this and getting some (constructive) feedback from me, please feel free to book a FREE 15 minute consult with me, no strings attached!
But tell me, what’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever received? Hit reply and share it with me, I'd genuinely love to know!
Don’t forget to watch/listen to the full episode with Glyn for more insights on balancing criticism and progress.
Happy Shooting,
