Be Your Own Harshest Critic

eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-11-stress-anxiety-hand-glass
Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject

Dear friend, don’t worry about the voices of the critics out there— rather, listen to the voice of your own inner-critic.

I know, I know — a lot of modern psychology says to ignore your inner-critic. A lot of modern psychology tells us to not censor ourselves. To be open, free.

I think this advice depends on your personality. If you are creatively blocked in your photography and life, I do recommend killing your inner-critic. After all, the point of being an artist is to create. If the voice of your inner-critic is so strong that you end up making nothing, publishing nothing — kill that inner-critic.

However if you’re pretty productive in your photography and art, give more credence to your own inner-critic. In-fact, ignore other critics out there, and only listen to your own inner-critic.

Assert yourself

Why listen to your own inner-critic?

Well, you know your own tastes. You know what you want to create. You have a unique perspective and view.

You ultimately want to make art that pleases you (not others). The more you try to please yourself, the more (eventually) you will please others. Because you’re staying authentic to yourself, and your own inner-voice.

Follow your own taste

If you were a chef, and you tasted some of your food, and it was below your standard, would you serve it to your guests? No.

Steve Jobs made the inside of his computers beautiful, just like how good carpenters don’t use cheap wood on the back of their furniture. Even though you might not see the inside, it was a moral and ethical concern for Steve Jobs, and carpenters everywhere.

Taste your own photos

Do you eat your own cooking?

Do you like your own photos?

Only share what is good enough (in your eyes)

Only serve your best photos to your guests. Listen to your inner-critic, and don’t serve them anything less than (what you consider) as “good enough”.

Always,
Eric

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