Is Photo Kaizen
worth it?
Ultimately people will value learning opportunities differently. The table below gives you an idea of how what we do compares to other options.
Comparison
You might be surprised to know that at Photo Kaizen we actually recommend both Competitions and Mentoring as pathways of learning. In fact what we provide are many of the advantages of Competitions and Mentoring at a much more affordable price. It's a great way to prepare for competitions, folio submissions, or to get additional feedback to discuss with a mentor.
We understand that many photographers look to Social Media as an option for feedback. However, with a few exceptions, social media is just not a good place to discuss your photography constructively, respectfully or privately. In fact, the comments offered on social media can sometimes even be detrimental to your growth as a photographer.
Photo Kaizen
- Image submissions receive approximately 200-300 words of expert advice on each of your images, and optionally a score.
- Projects (10-20 images) receive feedback on technique, narrative, presentation and more.
- Website critiques receive feedback on functionality, presentation, content, and how it might connect with the intended audience.
- Critiques are received within one week.
- You only compete with yourself, no one else, and you can keep your involvement completely confidential or shout it from the rooftops.
- Scored submissions are eligible for awards, certificates, and even trophies for long-term success!
- Your submissions are only shared if you want us to.
- You retain all rights to your images.
- A substantial amount of your fee goes directly to the expert providing your feedback to value their time and expertise and support their practice.
Competitions
- Often only a score is provided. Sometimes 1-4 written sentences are available for an additional fee, this is sometimes canned (generic, standardised) feedback.
- Print competitions may result in educational discussion, if you are there in person or can watch online. Many entries only receive a single short comment.
- No opportunity for feedback on websites, and usually not on projects such as exhibitions, bodies of work or books.
- The time from submission deadline to judging may take months.
- Your images are competing against images from other photographers for the top recognition.
- Submissions often receive digital badges, certificates, and sometimes trophies and prizes. However the competition can be fierce.
- Competition entrants agree that their images can be used to promote the competition.
- While there are many legitimate competitions, some exist to harvest images for commercial use.
- Your fee goes towards substantial operating costs. Judges receive very minor compensation (as much as they love doing it!).
Mentoring
- One on one conversation about your images. This can be very productive with the right mentor. We aim to provide this top level of feedback.
- Mentors can give great advice but you may need multiple mentors who have expertise in books, exhibitions, websites or your genre of photography.
- The waiting time for critique relies on setting a mutually accessible meeting time.
- As you are not in competition (even with yourself) your progress isn't recorded.
- There is no scoring, so there is no opportunity to gain recognition through a mentoring process.
- Mentoring is often a very private process unless you are in a mentoring group.
- Mentoring is a major income source for high-level photographers. It directly supports their business.
TESTIMONIALS
What they said...
I couldn't be happier with how my images were critiqued. It enabled me to develop my skills quickly etc.
Name
I couldn't be happier with how my images were critiqued. It enabled me to develop my skills quickly etc.
Name
I couldn't be happier with how my images were critiqued. It enabled me to develop my skills quickly etc.
Name