Professional Critique forum

"The professional critique forum allows you to have your best work critiqued by our panel of working professional photographers. We're here to help you get your photographs from good to great and from great to outstanding."

After reading a recent post Im concerned that maybe I dont understand the above statement that is located at the top of thread of the same name.

I understand it to mean that if I put up some work that I would like to learn how to improve from a technical and professional view, then kind professionals will take 5 mins to give me that feedback.
And not to mean that I need to be a professional inorder to post my work here.
Am I reading that the way its meant?Huh?
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Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.

Oscar Wilde

Actually, if you read in the Guidelines it says that the Critique forum is open to anyone, REGARDLESS OF THEIR LEVEL OF SKILL. Smiley

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This forum is open to any of our members to post their work for critique.

I believe that benji is in error when he said:

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When I was asked to be one of the professionals to critique images here on PhotoArtsForum.com I was under the impression that the submissions would be from professionals and would be professional type images.  This is obviously a snapshot, so I will critique it! :-)
« Last Edit: January 18, 2008, 12:38:11 PM by wildmaven »
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Comments and Harsh Critiques gladly accepted. My photos are ok to edit.

My photos and art: http://wildmaven.org

You are correct in assuming that anyone is welcome to post, regardless of whether they're pro or amateur.  The intent is to have you (or whoever) post their best work with the goal for the panel members' critiques to help get you to the next level.  If your best work is a snapshot and you want to do better next time, then that's what the pro critique board is for.  If you're billing $10,000 for a wedding and want to take your work to the $15,000 level, that's what the pro critique board is for.  Now, that's not to say that every image will be commented on by every panel member.  Each has a background and a specialty that makes for a pretty good mix of comments. 

As far as the the comment I would assume that it has to do with his comfort level commenting on images.  Personally I don't feel qualified to comment on many of the images posted to that board, so I don't.  If I see something that I think would make a big difference on an image I'll comment. 

I suppose at the end of this rambling mess what I'm trying to say is that "Pro Critique" refers to the working professional photographers that are part of the panel, not any type of restriction on who can post. 
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Thanks Ryan, thats what I thought.
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Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.

Oscar Wilde

The PRO forum guarentees your photo will be commented on by people who have professional experience and not just somebody who's mom thinks they take really good photos.
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-----------------------------------
"I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one heck of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult. "- EB White

Chattanooga Photographer www.BobEdens.com

I do believe that Benji may have been in error in his statement based on what the Critique forum is all about.  However, in his defense I think we need to realize that at a certain level, many of these very high end professionals have been formally trained in critique for print competitions and take it very seriously.  Not to mention that their standards are much higher than many of us can (or will ever) produce.  That being said, in print competition, a print that would not score 65 or better will not even be judged or displayed.  It will just be passed on in order to allow the judges to do a better job of judging the prints deserving of discussion and award.  There is a certain point where they feel their time can be better justified on other things.  Ed, Ben, and anyone else for that matter, please feel free to jump in here and tell me I'm an idiot if you want.

OK, so don't take it personally if you can, and try to be understanding (I know it's difficult sometimes).  Most of the time, I feel honored if I can get one of these guys to comment on an image at all.  Even if they tear it apart, I know they wouldn't have commented on it at all if it was too sub-standard as a professional image.

Just another possible point  of view.  I don't mean to say that anyone is necessarily right or wrong in their feelings about the issue.

Travis
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I think the attitude of critique has gone beyond of what it is meant.
This site is not a PPOC NAPA and all the other abbreviations one can think of. It's a site where pros hang out and some amateurs. They post images asking for favors to help them improve for next time.

In my opinion it is veering on the snob side of things. Deflate the heads and relax folks this is not a competition to win a million bucks.

Yes, I agree about posting quality work etc. If you guys would like me to inflate my head, I will.
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Ryan did a great job about explaining what the critique forum is.  It is a chance to improve whatever level you are at now.  It is a great opportunity and if you are going to post there realize you will need to have tough skin.  I believe every critique I have ever seen here has been given with the honest intent to help the photographer improve. 
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I think the attitude of critique has gone beyond of what it is meant.
This site is not a PPOC NAPA and all the other abbreviations one can think of. It's a site where pros hang out and some amateurs. They post images asking for favors to help them improve for next time.

In my opinion it is veering on the snob side of things. Deflate the heads and relax folks this is not a competition to win a million bucks.

Yes, I agree about posting quality work etc. If you guys would like me to inflate my head, I will.

Wow, I've never viewed it that way at all.  I think that all the crits have been really kind and helpful.  Especially helpful for me, anyway.  I've never seen it as snobby at all.
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Proud Member of: WPJA, WPPI, TPPA, PPA, and NAPP

"I want to warn you, my photos will always be a bit more fantasy than reality."

I'm not saying all, there are a couple who come across that way, in MY opinion.
I have no complaints on how MY images are critiqued, it's great when I can read what I can improve on or when I'm given advise on lighting or whatever else.
« Last Edit: January 19, 2008, 09:36:58 AM by Mike Hodgson »
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