Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
p.1 #1Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
Hi y’all..
I’ve been a photographer for over 25 years and I’m young. I’ve been shooting since the age of 11.
I take my photography very seriously and can be judgmental of people whose work seems to have no real significance.
But does my work itself matter? I certainly feel it does .. but maybe it doesn’t.
I have long considered my photos to be Documentary and Fine Art .. and I have a gritty, over saturated, pulp fiction style of editing.
Could a few photographers who think of the themselves as experts and producing great work tell me what you think of my work.
…url=ordinaryamericanbeauty.com/fremont-art-sale
My work is definitely artistic in nature so the review should be from that perspective. But the very idea of pop art and pulp fiction is that it’s not that important .. A pulp fiction novel is not supposed to sit on the same level as literature.. but what do you guys think?!?!
Thank you so much! I so look forward to hearing from you guys! Does anyone else take a similar aesthetic approach to their documentary photography?! I’m also looking for a friend and a fan to share new images with maybe via text!
Lmk!
Edited on Jul 06, 2026 at 02:06 PM · View previous versions
I’ve been a photographer for over 25 years and I’m young. I’ve been shooting since the age of 11.
I take my photography very seriously and can be judgmental of people whose work seems to have no real significance.
But does my work itself matter? I certainly feel it does .. but maybe it doesn’t.
I have long considered my photos to be Documentary and Fine Art .. and I have a gritty, over saturated, pulp fiction style of editing.
Could a few photographers who think of the themselves as experts and producing great work tell me what you think of my work.
…url=ordinaryamericanbeauty.com/fremont-art-sale
My work is definitely artistic in nature so the review should be from that perspective. But the very idea of pop art and pulp fiction is that it’s not that important .. A pulp fiction novel is not supposed to sit on the same level as literature.. but what do you guys think?!?!
Thank you so much! I so look forward to hearing from you guys! Does anyone else take a similar aesthetic approach to their documentary photography?! I’m also looking for a friend and a fan to share new images with maybe via text!
Lmk!
Edited on Jul 06, 2026 at 02:06 PM · View previous versions
Jul 06, 2026 at 11:02 AM
p.1 #2Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
Fredmiranda.com prepends HTML code that prevents your link from navigating to the site.
All we see is "Error: this link is invalid!" and a 'Back' Button.
Strip off everything from "www..." to "...url="
[hover over the URL you posted to see what I'm trying to say]
Art for art's sake, not art for anyone else but oneself. There's shooting to drive business and shooting to please yourself. Pleasing yourself allows you to ignore any negativity. Pleasing others means having to adapt to the likes and needs of others. My opinion from 65+ years of experience.
You have an eclectic taste, good eye for composition, and a wide ranges of styles -- snapshots, street photography, urbex/abandoned buildings; many would look great is a photo magazine or gallery, but none pop out as something I would buy. I don't see Fine Art, unless that is a synonym for unclassified. Real significance is in the eye of the beholder.
All we see is "Error: this link is invalid!" and a 'Back' Button.
Strip off everything from "www..." to "...url="
[hover over the URL you posted to see what I'm trying to say]
Art for art's sake, not art for anyone else but oneself. There's shooting to drive business and shooting to please yourself. Pleasing yourself allows you to ignore any negativity. Pleasing others means having to adapt to the likes and needs of others. My opinion from 65+ years of experience.
You have an eclectic taste, good eye for composition, and a wide ranges of styles -- snapshots, street photography, urbex/abandoned buildings; many would look great is a photo magazine or gallery, but none pop out as something I would buy. I don't see Fine Art, unless that is a synonym for unclassified. Real significance is in the eye of the beholder.
Jul 06, 2026 at 11:55 AM
p.1 #3Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
You have some really nice images in there! I really like some of the street scenes you captured and other random images. I would say your style is gritty and eclectic which I like. "Significance" is a very subjective term, so that will be up to the viewer to decide ultimately. Keep doing what you're doing while continually learning and refining your craft.
I like the clean look of your website, do you mind if I ask, how you created it? Did you use Squarespace or some similar type service?
I like the clean look of your website, do you mind if I ask, how you created it? Did you use Squarespace or some similar type service?
Jul 06, 2026 at 12:41 PM
p.1 #4Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
adventure_photo wrote:
I like the clean look of your website, do you mind if I ask, how you created it? Did you use Squarespace or some similar type service?
Thank you. I used Adobe Portfolio it was free with my Lightroom subscription.
Jul 06, 2026 at 02:03 PM
p.1 #5Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
GoodEgg wrote:
Fredmiranda.com prepends HTML code that prevents your link from navigating to the site.
All we see is "Error: this link is invalid!" and a 'Back' Button.
Strip off everything from "www..." to "...url="
[hover over the URL you posted to see what I'm trying to say]
I tried this but it didn’t make the URL a clickable link. Are you sure that’s what I was supposed to do?
Jul 06, 2026 at 02:07 PM
p.1 #6Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
Over all I like your photography, you definitely have an eye for finding interesting scenes; certainly a very gritty and raw, documentary style, which I always appreciate.
What I don't particularly care for is the oversaturated editing, I personally tend to find it unrealistic for documentary style. For example your photo of the reflection of the Queensboro Bridge in the glass windows is a unique scene, but the colors are a bit too cooked for my taste. In comparison, your photo of Doyers Street, I think is perfect, both in regard to the scene and the more subtle true to life editing.
What I don't particularly care for is the oversaturated editing, I personally tend to find it unrealistic for documentary style. For example your photo of the reflection of the Queensboro Bridge in the glass windows is a unique scene, but the colors are a bit too cooked for my taste. In comparison, your photo of Doyers Street, I think is perfect, both in regard to the scene and the more subtle true to life editing.
Jul 06, 2026 at 05:06 PM
p.1 #7Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
What's meaningful to me is likely different than what's meaningful to you. The best measure for me is whether or not an image is meaningful to whoever is in front of the camera. You have some great photography, so technically speaking, you are on point, but meaningful? That's up to you.
Jul 06, 2026 at 08:36 PM
p.1 #8Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
jgurbisz wrote:
Over all I like your photography, you definitely have an eye for finding interesting scenes; certainly a very gritty and raw, documentary style, which I always appreciate.
What I don't particularly care for is the oversaturated editing, I personally tend to find it unrealistic for documentary style. For example your photo of the reflection of the Queensboro Bridge in the glass windows is a unique scene, but the colors are a bit too cooked for my taste. In comparison, your photo of Doyers Street, I think is perfect, both in regard to the scene and the more subtle true to life...Show more →
I agree about my style being overcooked or over done and while I’m unashamed about it, I agree with you and the general sentiment that it’s probably too much. I could bring it down some I wouldn’t under do it either .. I could dial it back just a little to make it a little more realistic and less overdone. With age you get a little more subtle. I find that I’m dialing up my settings less while editing these days than then.
Thanks for your commentary!
Jul 06, 2026 at 08:40 PM
p.1 #9Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
This is a question all of us ask at some point, esp. if we spend an inordinate amount of money in pursuit of perfection, or try to sell our work. Luckily for me I'm retired and don't have to worry about that, so shoot for myself, and am very happy when I get close to my goals/vision and don't worry too much about "meaning" to to others.
I would suggest posting your work in some of the presentation forums (this one in particular) to get more feedback on your work. I'm not a street guy, so not qualified to comment how meaningful your work is.
I would suggest posting your work in some of the presentation forums (this one in particular) to get more feedback on your work. I'm not a street guy, so not qualified to comment how meaningful your work is.
Jul 07, 2026 at 05:17 AM
p.1 #10Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
If you are selling your photography and making a living at it I would assume your work is meaningful at least in a monetarily way. With that being said though, I believe all photographers work is meaningful. Whether you are a pro or amateur, the product that they produce is meaningful to them in their own way. Documentary photography will always have a strong message or significance if it is documenting something historically altering. Photography, to me, has always been fun and relaxing. I love this particular forum (Fred Miranda) because I love seeing how others see the same scene through the focus of their own lens. Everyone who posts here or elsewhere has a different style and vision. If you shoot for a job you are generally pigeon holed in what you shoot. As Jim says, I shoot for myself and when I am able to get close to my vision I am happy and don't care about what others say. I do however take critique and guidance to improve my photography to apply into my own style. I would say if your photography makes you happy, it has significance. If it doesn't, well then it's not. The question if it has significance to others.....Well, you will never truly know. I have sold prints of all kinds and I'm sure that the specific print holds some significance to them for whatever reason. If you want to be famous or admired you have to be consistent and continue to put out there what you're passionate about. The masses will determine if you are worthy at that point. As far as your photography, I particularly liked the Las Vegas gallery on your site (because I live there). It gives a look into a different side of Vegas that most don't get to see. You have an eye for getting interesting frames. I definitely enjoy seeing your vision.
Joel
Joel
Jul 07, 2026 at 08:38 AM
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p.1 #11Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
J. Pow wrote:
As far as your photography, I particularly liked the Las Vegas gallery on your site (because I live there). It gives a look into a different side of Vegas that most don't get to see. You have an eye for getting interesting frames. I definitely enjoy seeing your vision.
Joel
It’s so cool to run across someone else who lives in Vegas. What style or photography do you shoot? How long have you been here?
As far as your photography, I particularly liked the Las Vegas gallery on your site (because I live there). It gives a look into a different side of Vegas that most don't get to see. You have an eye for getting interesting frames. I definitely enjoy seeing your vision.
Joel
It’s so cool to run across someone else who lives in Vegas. What style or photography do you shoot? How long have you been here?
Jul 07, 2026 at 10:00 AM
p.1 #12Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
Jim Dockery wrote:
This is a question all of us ask at some point, esp. if we spend an inordinate amount of money in pursuit of perfection, or try to sell our work. Luckily for me I'm retired and don't have to worry about that, so shoot for myself, and am very happy when I get close to my goals/vision and don't worry too much about "meaning" to to others.
I would suggest posting your work in some of the presentation forums (this one in particular) to get more feedback on your work. I'm not a street guy, so not qualified to...Show more →
I can do that.. I can post here! What genre do you shoot and what are you doing in this forum if Documentary is not your genre? Hehe.
This is a question all of us ask at some point, esp. if we spend an inordinate amount of money in pursuit of perfection, or try to sell our work. Luckily for me I'm retired and don't have to worry about that, so shoot for myself, and am very happy when I get close to my goals/vision and don't worry too much about "meaning" to to others.
I would suggest posting your work in some of the presentation forums (this one in particular) to get more feedback on your work. I'm not a street guy, so not qualified to...Show more →
I can do that.. I can post here! What genre do you shoot and what are you doing in this forum if Documentary is not your genre? Hehe.
Jul 07, 2026 at 10:02 AM
p.1 #13Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
Erik, I shoot mountain sports, landscape, and birds, along with what ever else catches my eye. I found your post in the "Presentation Image Boards - latest posts" section of the home page on FM, which is my starting point. Looking there helps me expand my horizons a bit and see some work outside my norms. The title of your post caught my eye because I too wonder about the general "meaning" of my work. At my age it's more of an existential question - why do I keep doing it and saving all these pictures, and what if anything, will happen to them when I'm gone? For now I just enjoy the "high" I get when out in the mountains or desert losing myself in the zen of looking/shooting, then reliving the experience at home when processing.
I look foreward to seeing some of your work posted here.
I look foreward to seeing some of your work posted here.
Jul 07, 2026 at 10:28 AM
p.1 #14Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
erikstoufferphotography wrote:
JoelIt’s so cool to run across someone else who lives in Vegas. What style or photography do you shoot? How long have you been here?
I have been in Vegas for about 45 years. I started in photography inspired by sports. For a short time I shot for the RJ and was a part of their sports shooting team. These days I shoot everything. I really like unique subjects. I usually don't have an agenda when I shoot unless it's for a weekly or monthly challenge here. If I'm on vacation I'm shooting everything. I think my favorite these days are landscapes and cityscapes. I have shot it all for the most part. I am a professional motorcycle racer now and I bring my camera everywhere. I always end up shooting something along the way on my trips across the nation.
Joel
J. Pow wrote
As far as your photography, I particularly liked the Las Vegas gallery on your site (because I live there). It gives a look into a different side of Vegas that most don't get to see. You have an eye for getting interesting frames. I definitely enjoy seeing your vision.Joel
I have been in Vegas for about 45 years. I started in photography inspired by sports. For a short time I shot for the RJ and was a part of their sports shooting team. These days I shoot everything. I really like unique subjects. I usually don't have an agenda when I shoot unless it's for a weekly or monthly challenge here. If I'm on vacation I'm shooting everything. I think my favorite these days are landscapes and cityscapes. I have shot it all for the most part. I am a professional motorcycle racer now and I bring my camera everywhere. I always end up shooting something along the way on my trips across the nation.
Joel
Jul 07, 2026 at 12:47 PM
p.1 #15Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
J. Pow wrote:
erikstoufferphotography wrote
J. Pow wrote
As far as your photography, I particularly liked the Las Vegas gallery on your site (because I live there). It gives a look into a different side of Vegas that most don't get to see. You have an eye for getting interesting frames. I definitely enjoy seeing your vision.Joel
Cool!! Any chance you need another shooter with you?? Hehe! Let’s try to talk beyond this forum thread! Want to? I’d love to see your work if you can share some of it here! Do you shoot Canon by any chance?
Jul 07, 2026 at 01:33 PM
p.1 #16Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
What makes a series of photographs significant? Did you reveal some important societal issue, or right some wrong? Maybe you are asking if your photographs evoked emotion, or deeper thought. I liked many of your images, but then again I love over-saturation. In addition, I enjoyed some of your other images, so it’s not just the saturation. I really don’t think that you over did the color. I do get a bit of an emotional high when I page through one of Saul Leiter’s books, or Life Magazines’s 75 years. I’m not an expert in most fields and I can certainly include photography, so I wasn’t the one you are asking. I can understand looking for some feedback in that many artists aren’t appreciated until towards the end of their career. The most important thing here is that you appreciate your work, because if you do, others will also appreciate what you present. If it is meaningful to you, it is well worth doing. All the best with your future. I can say for sure that you are more talented than myself.
Jul 07, 2026 at 05:16 PM
p.1 #17Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
bwcolor wrote:
What makes a series of photographs significant? Did you reveal some important societal issue, or right some wrong? Maybe you are asking if your photographs evoked emotion, or deeper thought. I liked many of your images, but then again I love over-saturation. In addition, I enjoyed some of your other images, so it’s not just the saturation. I really don’t think that you over did the color. I do get a bit of an emotional high when I page through one of Saul Leiter’s books, or Life Magazines’s 75 years. I’m not an expert in most fields and I can...Show more →
Thank you. I’m glad you like my work a lot! It means the world to me!
I get that the question is kind of .. not necessary but I’m glad that you also get that it’s one a lot of us have. My work means a lot to me. The idea I have is that I want my work to inspire others to take to their city to explore it themselves.. and while I can’t say if it does that I know it’s good and you all are confirming that you like it so that answers my question. I love how much music albums shaped me as a teen and I want to sell a 6 x 9 inch photo book of my work for cheap in record shops and skate shops and comic book shops where teenagers can find it and pick up a copy in the hopes that it will inspire them to go explore their city. I so appreciate that I started photography at 11 years old because exploring my city with a camera was what I did as a teenager. It was the thing I invested my time into and I want that for other kids!
Thanks for writing me!
What makes a series of photographs significant? Did you reveal some important societal issue, or right some wrong? Maybe you are asking if your photographs evoked emotion, or deeper thought. I liked many of your images, but then again I love over-saturation. In addition, I enjoyed some of your other images, so it’s not just the saturation. I really don’t think that you over did the color. I do get a bit of an emotional high when I page through one of Saul Leiter’s books, or Life Magazines’s 75 years. I’m not an expert in most fields and I can...Show more →
Thank you. I’m glad you like my work a lot! It means the world to me!
I get that the question is kind of .. not necessary but I’m glad that you also get that it’s one a lot of us have. My work means a lot to me. The idea I have is that I want my work to inspire others to take to their city to explore it themselves.. and while I can’t say if it does that I know it’s good and you all are confirming that you like it so that answers my question. I love how much music albums shaped me as a teen and I want to sell a 6 x 9 inch photo book of my work for cheap in record shops and skate shops and comic book shops where teenagers can find it and pick up a copy in the hopes that it will inspire them to go explore their city. I so appreciate that I started photography at 11 years old because exploring my city with a camera was what I did as a teenager. It was the thing I invested my time into and I want that for other kids!
Thanks for writing me!
Jul 07, 2026 at 05:49 PM
p.1 #18Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
There's a fairly strong consensus among art theorists and epistemologists that "meaning" comes from the viewer of art, not the creator.
Without knowing your background, if this is a subject that is important to you consider reading some of the more important texts on art/photography and meaning. Perhaps Susan Sontag's "On Photography" would be a good place to start.
As an example of the importance of the viewer in ascribing meaning, I lived in Las Vegas for 21 years as an architect and professor of architecture at UNLV. To me, your Las Vegas portfolio is the least interesting of your work. Not that the work isn't good, it just doesn't resonate to me the way it might for others.
-Kk
Without knowing your background, if this is a subject that is important to you consider reading some of the more important texts on art/photography and meaning. Perhaps Susan Sontag's "On Photography" would be a good place to start.
As an example of the importance of the viewer in ascribing meaning, I lived in Las Vegas for 21 years as an architect and professor of architecture at UNLV. To me, your Las Vegas portfolio is the least interesting of your work. Not that the work isn't good, it just doesn't resonate to me the way it might for others.
-Kk
Jul 08, 2026 at 09:01 AM
p.1 #19Is My Work Meaningful? What Do You Think?
I try to make my enjoyment of photography first as "self serving". If I enjoy it, I hope others will also. If they don't, no problem. I DO value input, technique, style.......
I have read much on all categories of photography, went to photography school, developed my own photos for many early years.....found photography to be very subjective in a good and bad way.....
Humans are highly social creatures. Photography is a universal language used to communicate our perspectives, share milestones, and maintain relationships with friends, fellow photographers and family.
Do it FIRST for yourself!
Dan
I have read much on all categories of photography, went to photography school, developed my own photos for many early years.....found photography to be very subjective in a good and bad way.....
Humans are highly social creatures. Photography is a universal language used to communicate our perspectives, share milestones, and maintain relationships with friends, fellow photographers and family.
Do it FIRST for yourself!
Dan
Jul 12, 2026 at 09:36 AM