Dismissive of "Pretty Pictures"

My brother-in-law is a long time professional photographer. He recently visited from out of state. I have a wall in our home where I've hung a number of my photographs - ones that I'm quite proud of. In fact, I've had several people comment that they thought they were good enough to be postcards.

My brother-in-law looked at the wall for about 10 minutes. He was very dismissive, saying "they're just pretty pictures."

What's wrong with pretty pictures? I was so hurt I didn't ask him to explain his thinking.

Sorry to say it but some people can be jerks at times. He must have felt good putting you down only to make himself feel superior.
He sure needs a lesson in common courtesy.

Stab him in the nuts then piss in his camera bag.
Instead of being a penis, he should have offered help, if he genuinely thought they were so bad.

And there's nothing wrong with 'pretty pictures' - people do not generally mount images of war and conflict to hang on the living-room walls...

Sometimes, those who are photographers, (who come across family who also take pictures) will simply say they are "nice, pretty pictures", when in fact they may not like the pictures. Or they may like the picture as in the concept but everything else is wrong with the shot.

He may have not want to tell you the honest truth, as he may think you couldn't handle it and then there would be this awkardness between the two of you.

If you want to know what he thinks of your photos...ask him. Ask for his honest opinion. Whatever he says, don't be angry with him. Accept it and learn from it.

arkady001 wrote: Stab him in the nuts then piss in his camera bag.
Instead of being a penis, he should have offered help, if he genuinely thought they were so bad.

And there's nothing wrong with 'pretty pictures' - people do not generally mount images of war and conflict to hang on the living-room walls...

100%.

Don't ever show the dork snob any of your work again. Post it here instead......

Just another form of "bullying". This one psychological.

queen wrote:
My brother-in-law looked at the wall for about 10 minutes. He was very dismissive, saying "they're just pretty pictures."

What's wrong with pretty pictures? I was so hurt I didn't ask him to explain his thinking.

Maybe they are just pretty pictures. What did you expect him to say?

ko98 wrote:

queen wrote:
My brother-in-law looked at the wall for about 10 minutes. He was very dismissive, saying "they're just pretty pictures."

What's wrong with pretty pictures? I was so hurt I didn't ask him to explain his thinking.

Maybe they are just pretty pictures. What did you expect him to say?

If he was a REAL professional and not being a jerk, he would have offered constructive criticism to help his sister-in-law "grow" in the art. You can be honest and polite and helpful at the same time.

Upload a few in a album and ask for constructive criticism. The folks here will be honest with you and not try to put you down. We want to help you grow as a photographer.

Tell him he's not allowed in your place until he shows you something he shot of the same category that's even better than yours, because after all, he's the discerning Pro, and you need to learn how to take great photographs like he does. And be a stickler about it.

When he shows you, instantly dismiss it as inferior

Yasko wrote: Tell him he's not allowed in your place until he shows you something he shot of the same category that's even better than yours, because after all, he's the discerning Pro, and you need to learn how to take great photographs like he does. And be a stickler about it.

When he shows you, instantly dismiss it as inferior

As a guest in someones home, common courtesy is required. We can't control who our siblings marry (believe me) but we can demand respect in our own homes.

I'm kidding, ofcourse. I like my inlaws, and even if I didn't, I wouldn't ban them from visiting just cause they were overly critical. So yeah, don't take all that literally

arkady001 wrote: Stab him in the nuts then piss in his camera bag.
Instead of being a penis, he should have offered help, if he genuinely thought they were so bad.

And there's nothing wrong with 'pretty pictures' - people do not generally mount images of war and conflict to hang on the living-room walls...

I agree, you're becoming my favorite poster.

LOL I agree with Arkady. I love "pretty pictures" even though my favorites are sports. My wife only allows sports pix in the basement or in the computer room. "pretty" pix are for the living room and family pix go in the hallway

Another recent comment from Dewitt Jones:
"I’ve watched countless photographers waste countless hours trying to prove themselves to others rather than spending those same hours improving their technique and sharpening their eye... You get better a lot faster by focusing on improving rather than proving. You learn far more by sharing than by hoarding."

AMEN 100%