‘“oh they’re onto something, these shots have soul and a smart concept
that’s coming across to me”. Doesn’t matter if you shoot food,
editorial, or fashion’

“why you weren’t selected, here were the frequent reasons:… You shoot fashion”

Also what’s wrong with HDR? Sure it can be done bad but that’s not the HDR’s fault. It’s like saying sorry but people who shoot with Fuji Velvia aren’t allowed.

At first it seems like he wants someone with their own voice, on the other it seems like he wants them to follow a specific mold.

I’ve gotta apologize for the anonymous post. To be honest, I was drinking, and felt too lazy to explain myself.
But, at least I wasn’t drunk-ebaying again…

I tried to register with Jake’s website (toomuchchocolate.org) because I’d like to hear from other young photographers who are trying, as I am, to pursue editorial work.
The main page at too much chocolate was encouraging:

“The forums are open to all young-ish emerging photographers. Please only consider joining if you are in the earlier stages of your photographic career, are serious and committed to making a life as a photograher, have found your voice, and are looking for a place to talk about getting to where you want to go (amongst other things).
If you are already well established (i.e. have a rep, have shot countless large ad/editorial jobs), are really into HDR, ’strobist explainations’, family/beverage shots, or recently got a point and shoot for your birthday- I’m sorry, but this forum is not the right fit. ”

Great. That sounds like me, and sounds like something I’d be interested in being a part of. Especially because I’ve been playing with a more natural, “editorial” style lately. One that hasn’t made it’s way to my website yet, & I’d like to communicate with others who may also be headed in the same direction, before changing the look of things in my book.

Then the rejection letter.
Which, honestly I didn’t even think was a possible end to this.

I think what frustrated me about it was this: Jake made a subjective judgment, on whether to include me, based on my website.(emacklin.com)
I don’t mean this to sound catty, or childish, but when I looked over Jake’s own photography website, before applying to toomuchchocolate, I wasn’t impressed.
Not to be a jerk.
I just personally, subjectively am not interested by his imagery.
But I assumed he, and others who shoot in a similar vein, may be just as interested & passionate about shooting great editorial images as I am.
I consciously looked past what I considered to be shortcomings in his work, so that I could hear and share theories, ideas & concepts, while building a community with like minded people.
When I got the letter back, I felt it was a needless, unjustified, unquantified, elitist view of my work, from a man behind a curtain, saying don’t bother coming back until you’re good enough.

So I got whiny, & posted his rejection here.

But, to make this comment even longer:

I also understand.

If only because I had participated in a couple other forums in the past, which had degenerated quickly once extremely amateur “photographers” or guys who just wanted naked girls to hang out with them, or high school kids with P&S cameras started showing up more & more often.

Then again, maybe that’s why I was interested in being a part of Jake’s forum.

I just didn’t realize I was part of that other crowd.

First, thanks so much for your interest in the site, I was overwhelmed
by the number of photographers from around the world who asked to be
part of the discussion. To be be honest, I was not expecting the site
to spread to so many corners of the photographic community, and I
regret not making a more specific definition of photographer profile.

That profile, if I had to more accurately define it now, would be a
committed photographer who has certainly found their consistent
aesthetic/voice, has devoted him/herself to at least one photographic
project or solid body of work, who has a good eye, a unique vision on
the world, and who shows some dedication to being a thinking mans/
woman’s photographer. Above all, I was looking for people who put
thought into their work and brought their vision of the world to life
through their photographs. People who make images that made me think,
“oh they’re onto something, these shots have soul and a smart concept
that’s coming across to me”. Doesn’t matter if you shoot food,
editorial, or fashion- this last point was my bottom line in admittance.

By now, you have probably understood that you have not been chosen, at
this time, to the discussion area. Before you get bummed out (and I’ve
been there many times), please understand my last wish is to
discourage you. If you didn’t get in, this doesn’t mean you are not a
good photographer, it’s most likely because your style of shooting
isn’t the right fit for this site.

I spent a good amount of time looking at each applicant’s website, and
while I can’t offer you a specific reason as do why you weren’t
selected, here were the frequent reasons:

- Not a big enough portfolio of quality images
- Not a focused field of work, too all over the place, I didn’t see
who you were as a photographer
- Too established to be in the forum area
- You’re really into HDR and this is not the place for that (please
visit the multitude of other online sites dedicated to it)
- You let photoshop or your lighting setup do too much of the work for
you
- What you showed me were only travel snapshots or your family
- Some nice work, but it’s hidden among a massive, not well edited
portfolio
- You make your site about straight up “selling” portraits, no
artistry involved
- You shoot fashion, which is great, but if you took the models away
(and replaced them with normal-looking people), there’d be nothing to
look at

If you would still like to join, and you have read thoroughly through
all my comments, I welcome you to re-apply no sooner than 6 months
from now. As I said, I hope to encourage, not discourage you from
thinking intensively about your work and what you want to get out of
photography. Nothing would make me happier than seeing select
applicants get in touch with me, 6 months later, with an amazing body
of work and a clearer understanding of who they are as a photographer.

No hate mail, please. I’m being as considerate as possible, and I
really don’t want to see it.

All the best,
Jake

jonathan

jonathanbeller.com
new images up

Written truly from the soul, it provides an insightful perspective of Doug’s journey to long-term success in photography and a must-read for those newly venturing into this profession.

It sort of rounds things out and gives a more complete picture to the meat of his point. Perhaps a counterbalance to the harshest aspect of the quote.

“…As a professional photographer if the first year doesn’t break ya, the next five will keep trying. The only thing that gets you thru those trials and tribulations is your pinpoint focus on what the goal is for you personally. Goals like amazing travel, meeting interesting people, shooting a subject like no one before you, are at your inner ego and help you reach that goal. Being a photographer like many arts is a selfish undertaking. Be ready for those bumps in the road with relationships if you truly are committed to being the best. If those thoughts haven’t scared you off, then maybe photography is right for you.”

Photography is definitely a cruel lover but “in the long run” it CAN make you happy. Maybe not rich but happy.

Professional Photographer 10 years and still fighting… and shooting!
John Davis
Baltimore