Thoughts on critiques

Although I strongly advocate the entire concept of critiquing photographs as one of the most important elements of teaching and learning photography, I am beginning to think that it has no place on forums- sounds crazy eh?  Well it is just a matter of time that someone’s feathers become refueled, a harmless comment is misconstrued as a mean shot and a well meaning critique deteriorate into a war of bad words and nasty comments. 

I don’t want to brag but I do consider myself a good and clear communicator and I always try to make critiques which are well explained, helpful, encouraging, instructive, constructive and encouraging.   Yet I have been subjected to attacks by people who resent any negative remarks about their photography.

I once had a woman report me to the owner of the forum I was posting on, complained bitterly about me, challenged my credentials and cursed me nearly to death.  Is that all worth it- I think not.  My “policy” today is to only make critiques when they are specifically requested or placed in a thread or department strictly set aside for critiquing purposes only.  If I suspect that the photographer, as per his or her past performance, is in love with his or her own images- to a fault, I refrain from critiquing his or her images.  It just ain’t worth the aggravation. 

I did not read the aforementioned disagreements so these are just general comments and are not directed and anyone in particular.  I have written a number of articles on various forms as to how to derive the maximum benefit from giving and taking critiques, I might as well have written about the mating habits of house flies for all the good theses have done.   

I do agree with Rob- he doesn’t need to defend his work- it is great and unique stuff.  That's all I have to say on this one. If all theses altercations continue, the photographers in the know will quit offering critiques and tha is bad for the forum.  Ed

im not sure i'm ready for the critique - hence why i have not posted any images as of yet.

I loved all of Roberts pictures - I thought the one with the arm around the neck was a little awkward but still a nice image. nothing technically wrong with it.
the only other thing is i disliked (very much) was the girls boots - but another thing that has nothing to do with roberts great style of shooting.

We could leave it as  -  if we post something we should mention  - "comments welcome."
and if something like that isn't written  ... then keep our opinions to ourselves
BUT on the same note:  if we just wanted to see each others work ---- you can see it on our websites.... so whats the point of reposting it here?

(other than they may be the newest of new images and not on your website yet . . ) 

are we not supposed to learn from each other on this forum - learn from others photographers shoots so that in general we can all improve and if ever in the same type of situation we know what not to do?

If there is a criticism that we don't like - why don't you rebuttal (nicely) the reasons why you chose to do that - or why you really enjoy that image?


 

Ed Shapiro

Constructive Criticism is an oxymoron

Here's the meaning to Criticism/Critique, Webster's Dictionary

crit·i·cize
Pronunciation:
\ˈkri-tə-ˌsīz\
Function:
verb
Inflected Form(s):
crit·i·cized; crit·i·ciz·ing
Date:
1643
intransitive verb
: to act as a critic
transitive verb
1 : to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly : evaluate
2 : to find fault with : point out the faults of
— crit·i·ciz·able  \-ˌsī-zə-bəl\ adjective
— crit·i·ciz·er noun
synonyms criticize , reprehend , censure , reprobate , condemn , denounce mean to find fault with openly. criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions <criticized the police for using violence>. reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking <reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students>. censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding <a Senator formally censured by his peers>. reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction <reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle>. condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment <condemned the government's racial policies>. denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration <a pastoral letter denouncing abortion>.

Here's the meaning to Constructive

Constructive
One entry found.

con·struc·tive
Pronunciation:
\kən-ˈstrək-tiv\
Function:
adjective
Date:
circa 1680
1 : declared such by judicial construction or interpretation <constructive fraud>
2 : of or relating to construction or creation
3 : promoting improvement or development <constructive criticism>
— con·struc·tive·ly adverb
— con·struc·tive·ness noun

Question, how can one promote building up, improvement in a negative context.?

Robert Watcher

On another note, just wondering why one cannot say something as simple as nice work or the like? It is showing gratitude and respect, someone may not have the words to express themselves, they like what they see and enjoyed viewing the mini story posted.

Again, just wondering.

Mike   

 

Admin hat on

Alright gang, I went ahead and split out the discussion about critiques away from what used to be a series of great images.  Honestly, I think the discussion of how to give and receive critiques and criticism is a good thing and something that we can all benefit from; as long as it stays civil. No one here has ever taken a perfect photograph and no matter how close they get, and we have members here that have gotten way closer to a perfect shot than I have even dreamed of, there is still something that can be improved. 

Now, on to my take on commenting and critiques...

I believe one of the strong points of this forum is that everyone is so open and willing to share, and that most certainly includes their opinions of others images.  What I would hate to see happen is for images to be posted and nothing to be said.  We are here to learn from each other, and if an image is simply left to itself on a forum nothing is really learned.  Maybe it's used for inspiration for the next person that comes along, but I feel the discussion that follows and image post is often as important for learning as the image itself.  And I truly believe that little is gained from a series of "great shot" type follow ups with nothing else. 

That said, we don't have a "non-critique" section, and I doubt we ever will. Every member here from the one who has been photographing professionally for decades to the one who picked up their first camera last week has the right to an opinion about images posted here, and no one should feel that they don't have the right to voice that opinion. 

I personally would prefer to have one person follow up an image posting of mine with something I did wrong and could use to get better than have 100 people say "great shot."  Sure, the "great shot" posts feel good, and I'm not saying that they're not appreciated.  It's just that I am, as I assume most people here are, here to learn to be a better photographer. 

Admin hat off. Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

The pollen on the FLY'S face?

I used a Canon 20D with a 30mm extention tube and a 70-200mm f/2.8 mounted on a tripod, focused auto, then, an ever so slight manual tweak.

Hey, Teqy left out the 4 Canadians.   

 
 

ITS TRUE.... where are we . . . .

Don't you mean "ITS TRUE.... where are we . . . . eh?"

And, you know I am teasing.  Hey if the DOW falls any further I am selling what little stocks I have and moving North to Canada.