I'm irrational, I know. Probably paranoid as well. But...it takes every fiber of my being NOT to run to "that coffee shop" and TEAR my photos off the wall. Here's what I think:

- They're not great photos, they're just pictures that would be in anyone's vacation album
- People are laughing at me behind my back about me putting pictures on the wall...in a PUBLIC place
- I'm an idiotic MORON for thinking they were good enough to be on that wall
- I want to go home and lose myself in some tv show/movie that requires nothing of me but to lay there and watch

I've already pissed off a co-worker talking about it, trying to get her to say what I feel, which is they shouldn't be on the wall.

Who the hell am I to think ANYONE would want to buy my stupid pictures? Seriously, I'm freaking out.

And, dammit, I forgot to listen to Charles this morning!

I'm not going to agree with you. I have been telling you for the last 3.5 years that your pictures are amazing, AMAZING!!! You have an amazing talent. You see beauty in the things that most of us would just walk by, and you are able to capture that on eFilm. :) I know those pictures will do well. You are a gifted photographer. I know it's hard being out there for the whole world to see, I do get that more than you know. But have faith in yourself & your talents. I have complete faith in you!

Okay, Stuart Smalley is done...

But you are wonderful!

If the pictures are anything like the ones below, no one's laughing. They're all going "ohhhh..." and "wow" as they tilt their heads to look at them more ponderously.

Way to insult those of us who have, in fact, bought your pictures. (Speaking of which, I need to find a matching frame for the bonus ones you sent.)

I hate it when talented people start to second guess themselves -- you KNOW you are talented, so stop it already!! :) Since my FIL is a professional photographer, I would say I know a little about good photos (especially since I get the ones he takes in lieu of payment for loans I have given him LOL) -- yours are wonderful -- you have a superb eye -- that is that!!!

You'll be glad to know that you're totally normal. You'll also be glad to know that you most definitely have the most fundamental trait of an artist, self-doubt. You put a piece of you out there to be judged, and you have to just pace the floor until it's over.

Just remember to tell yourself that they wouldn't have hung it if it wasn't good enough. They wouldn't have shown any interest at all.

Did you show pics of your display?

{{hugs}}

Woman! get a grip! You're brilliant ;-)

You come from a long line of paranoid, irrational thinkers! What can I say?
Your pictures are great! You know, not everyone can see the things that you do! That's a GOOD thing! Don't be so hard on yourself for crying out loud! I'll have to come down there and slap some sense in to you, and honestly I'm almost too tired to do it effectively!

omg girl... don't make come over there and smack you. you have a wonderful eye and the ability to capture beauty in places most people don't see.
you are a photographer. and a damn good one, and the people at the coffee place saw that. if the people going in there for their half-caf low-fat latte no whip can't see the wonder of your shots, then let them get their coffee elsewhere.
it's natural to feel doubt, it's human nature to want to protect yourself when you've thrown yourself out there like that. but we all won't lie to you and tell you you're trash when you're not. and we wouldn't have told you you're good if we didn't really think so. don't make me show you my pictures! (actually some are rather good... but you girl, put me and many others to shame!).

I love how you capture specialness of pictures! I'll never forget the green in the wave. That one sticks a lot in my memory. :) I love green.

OH GOD ME TOO. Im not going to do the craft thing, they will laugh at my work and spit on my head.

Ok first of all CALM DOWN before I have to turn the hose on you! Sheesh....

Now, take a deep breath and LISTEN: anyone starting out on a new venture has some "insecurities"......its scary and exciting all in one. When I started painting furniture I thought the same thing! "who would want anything that I did? Im not a professional....I must be nuts thinking I have anything "artsy" that someone would pay money for! I had no confidence in myself....But then it happened! My things started to sell!!! Its an awesome feeling...

You'll see....as soon as things start selling - and then MAYBE you will give yourself a little credit?

Can't say it any better than everyone else did. I'd think it's pretty darn normal to feel the way you do on your first public showing. :) You know what I'd be doing? I'd be sitting on a table real close to them, so I could hear what everybody said. In disguise. LOL!!

I'm refraining from bopping you one, I'm gonna hug you instead. It'll be great! Wait and see.

Need I say more?
The first photo I entered in the fair won Best in Show! I had no idea that it was anything other than just a cute picture of my beloved first born grandson.
The next year I happen to have taken a cute one of my beloved second born grandson and was so afraid it would not win anything and seem a let down to everyone after the first one. Well, I did not get best in show,however I did get a blue ribbon for that one.
Last year I just couldn't enter, I felt so afraid that none of my pictures would do well and I don't do well with letting others down.
I am far more critical of my work no matter what it is than everyone else.
I think you are far better than I am my dear cousin and I can't imagine why you don't know how great you are! Love ya!

I wanna know which one it is. I imagine there is more than one Starbucks in that town. You gonna tell? :)

So I am reading this right after you signed off IM for the night which is probably a good thing becaus YOU ARE BEING NUTS! That woman complimented you as we were hanging the photos. People do not say nice things to strangers if they do not want to. They just do not have to so they don't.

She, like the other 14 commenters and me think your photos are great. Believe in yourself girlly. It is a sexy trait.

We are always ALWAYS our worst critics. I think you are so very brave and I am so jealous that you're at a place in your photography where you can do that! Good for you and I'm going to keep checking back here to see how many you sell. :-)

Okay, so you know what I think, as we had this discussion earlier. You NEED to believe in yourself more and be less critical of yourself. Now say that over and over. I don't want to hear anymore of this nonsense...got it? ;)

I don't know what people are being so cruel as to beat on an artist's soul like this. I don't know what photos you displayed. But I do know that if they're anything like the ones you share here, your work is more than worthy of that wall.

Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.

Feel free to slap yourself at any time! ;)

Your pics are great! I think you should take the leaf one you just posted and try to sell that one as well...its awesome!