February 26, 2026
Creating Honest Work
I have many photographic philosophies that I live by, but if I had to choose just one that best summarizes my approach to photography, it would be “Creating Honest Work.”
Here’s how I define it:
• It is work that I have created from my Vision
• The idea was mine, not borrowed or stolen.
• It is work that I created for myself with no thought of pleasing others.
• It is work that I love regardless of how others feel about it.
“Honest work” has become my most important standard. It is a test I apply to myself and my work to ensure I am staying true to my Vision.
When I create work where the ideas and Vision are mine, then I have confidence in my creations. But when I am imitating, creating to win awards and likes… then the satisfaction is hollow and fleeting. Each “like” must be followed by another and another for me to remain convinced that my work is good.
Creating honest work is the only way that I choose to work because it assures internal satisfaction. Others may not like my work; it may not win awards, and it may not sell… but when I create an image that I love, that is enough.
Cole
Bravo! It is the only way to go! You must be true to yourself! Mikki
Me thinks so too!
Well said. You always give me a lot to think about while on my journey.
There is a middle path. What if you create honest work, enter it into competitions, and you don’t win awards or get likes? You still don’t care? You may enter an image because you feel it is your best work. That it speaks. I don’t care who you are, if you love your work, and others don’t. It stings.
Yes, it does!
How do you avoid that?
It’s just their opinion. Why would You care about other people’s opinion?
Even if some will write that they like it – it’s the same – just an opinion of some persons.
Ask yourself – why it stings me?
What do I feel when they like it?
Why do I care?
[ask „the why” question 5-7 Times to get to the core]
Cole, I agree with your photographic philosophy of “Creating Honest Work.” I believe Ansel Adams, Alfred Stieglitz, and many other past and present photographers would agee also. With AI it is to easy to duplicate other famous images.
Gary
How do you think AI figures into the discussion about creating honest work?
very well said!
Yes! It is hard to avoid the trap of creating images that were inspired by someone else’s work, but worth the effort!
How do you avoid that trap?
You’re right on with your feelings. Honestly is the only way to present yourself.
I love how eloquently and succinctly you made the case for creating honest work. I ‘d like to think that the “internal satisfaction” you mention is comparable to the “Ah Ha” moments I wish I experienced more often.
John, please tell me about your “ah ha” moments. Do they occur as you are creating the image or when you complete it, or at some other time?
Thanks for your insight, and for sharing with us. I have learned more from these than any class I have ever taken. I also share with my Cousin in Dana Point, who is a painter (artist), and has applied Vision to her work as well.
What a nice compliment, Larry! Thank you.
Dana Point… I know it very well!
I do belong to a camera club that holds monthly competitions, and I do enter them. But I balk at thinking about what a judge would like and endeavor to create work that speaks to me – makes my heart sing.
Art is subjective. Something a judge pans may make it into the next juried show. Or be your next bestseller. You have to keep on being you. There’s only one you.
Thank you, Cole
Insightful as always
Taking “the road less travelled” requires courage
– the courage of one’s convictions
– the courage to risk being unpopular
– the courage to be different
– the courage to take criticism and to continue with one’s own choices
Peter, please talk about courage a bit. Why did this come to your mind?
Cole,
In today’s world it takes courage to deliberately stand out from the herd and to say what you believe.
To consider the downside of one’s beliefs, to overcome the fear of the consequences. and to act in accordance with those beliefs, anyway, takes courage.
I’m always drawn to Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If” for inspiration – it may be Victorian and of a different era but the values are eternal.
Take care,
Peter
Your work has deeply resonated with me, both intellectually and personally. The disciplined simplicity of your photography — and the clarity of thought in your newsletter — have influenced the way I reflect on responsibility, citizenship, and the role of individual conscience.
You are not only a master of visual language, but a voice of moral awareness. In a time when public discourse is often reduced to noise, polarization, and constructed antagonisms, your work restores depth, dignity, and thoughtful engagement to the public sphere.
What strikes me most is your quiet insistence that integrity matters. Societies do not deteriorate suddenly; they erode when indifference becomes normal and moral compromise is rationalized. Your work reminds us that independent judgment and ethical courage remain essential.
I am grateful for the example you set — that art can be both aesthetically powerful and socially responsible.
“If you want peace, work for justice.” — Pope John Paul II
Hi Ermira, my Albanian friend! I don’t know to respond to such a compliment, other than to say thank you, but I’m not worthy.
I’ve been a member of my local camera club for many years and entered the league compititions. I would look up the judge and enter images I thought he would like and I did well winning the cup many times . For the last couple of years I’ve entered images that I like. I’m now well down the league table. But I think my photography has now improved by creating honest images just for me.
Good for you Chris!
I fully agree with your terms of Honest Work and they are similar to my personal philosophy. A conflict seems to arise from the desire to publicly display images – why do we do it?
People would often ask me: if you’re creating for yourself, why do you share your work?
In the past, I had always assumed that the reason why I created, was the same reason why I shared.
But now I believe those can be two different reasons.
Why does Allan create?
Why does Allan share?
My urge to create started over 50 years ago with b&w film. I am not aware of the reason or motivation but it continues even stronger now. My urge to share is also a mystery to me – I am not motivated by likes or dislikes. I do enjoy the interaction with my audience but not for motivation.
It is hard to understand our inner self! I’m not good with putting emotions into words, but I think that I share for two reasons: First, I am proud of my work and want others to see it. Second, I hope that it will connect me to people of like minds, people who relate to how I see and can empathize.
Likes can be so shallow, but when you connect with someone who sees how you see, and feels how you feel, that’s worth a 1000 “polite likes.”
Your reasoning resonates with me. The interaction with individuals of my audience is a significant factor that I enjoy.
Hi Cole,
How long does it typically take you to truly love your photograph (after you’ve done your 1st or 2nd pass in post processing)? Does it fade in some and increase with others over time? At what point are you ready to share it?
Hi Mo, my friend!
In general, I have a feeling that I’ll love my image when I’m in the field, as I stand before the scene. And after a first pass in post, I’ll know if I can actually execute the Vision.
I’ll then let the image sit for a few days, and then come back for another pass. I’ll keep repeating this cycle until I finally make no more changes. Then the image is done.
The problem is that I’m always tempted to share the image prematurely, and I always regret it! I’ll always find something that isn’t just right because I didn’t complete the process.
Do I love an image more or less with time? I can’t say that I’ve ever noticed that.
I love your inspiration and values, Cole. I must admit, however, I am addicted to photo webinars and really enjoy seeing other photographer’s work and post-processing methods. I think the key, however, is to use it as inspiration for my own vision. I do compete at my photo club, primarily because I enjoy sharing my images and it motivates me. But I enter what speaks to me, not what I think a judge would like. To thine own self be true!
To thine own self be true. That says it all Linda!