Critique My Images ?

I

Ian-Barber

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I appreciate that not all members want to have other members critique their images so I have added a required field where you can opt in or opt out to allow that and the information will be displayed under your user profile on all posts.

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If you haven't already opted in or out then you will be asked to do so. Scroll down the page and check one of the two radio option buttons and then press Save at the very bottom.


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Thanks. I opted in, very much on the grounds that I want to know what people think, and, to be honest, negative feedback is much more useful to me because it means I have to seriously consider its validity. A simple "like it" doesn't help me. I can always reject comments if, after consideration I'm sure I'm right - and even that strengthens me, I think.

I attended a workshop a few years ago, and the most positive thing I gained was probably a comment about my print contrast being too low. I'd never noticed it before, but a small tweak made an appreciable improvement. I remember (and value) that more than the fact that another attendee wanted to buy one of my prints.
 
An excellent idea Ian, although it had me baffled when I tried to log in just now. It seems to solve a difficulty that has risen occasionally.

May I ask if opting for the no-critique option implies making no comments on other members' work, too?

FYI, I opted for Yes. Discussion seems to me to be the essence of a forum and I've always found the comments kindly and well-informed.
 
On reflection, given that there is one main section for photos, could the opt in/opt out also trigger a post allowed/post disallowed setting for this section?
 
David M said:
May I ask if opting for the no-critique option implies making no comments on other members' work, too?
Click to expand...

I guess this all depends on whether the other person has opted in / out.
If someone has opted out but would like critique then I think they should mention that in the post so other are aware that they are seeking critique
 
If you add an image then logically you should expect comments, in general people often don't like having their images Critiqued, however sometimes helpful criticism is useful. It may sometimes be more useful to do it privately in a Conversation.

I remember doing a 4 day workshop with Peter Cattrell in the mid 1980's I'd shown my work the first night and on a field trip the next day Peter said privately that one or two prints weren't as sharp as he thought they could be. I said I'd realised that despite using my Mamiya 1000S on a tripod I was getting sharper images hand-held until I started using the mirror lock. He said he'd had the same issue with a Bronica.

Ian
 
I always find the input of others helpful - even if I disagree with them. After all, art is the intersection of the artefact and the human interaction with that artefact. Commentary helps the artist understand that human interaction.

Unless something is a personal assault or otherwise in poor taste, commenting on the content, technique, or artistic merits of a any artefact seems to me to be useful input ...
 
All the definitions of the word “forum” that I have found include the idea of discussion and an exchange of ideas. I’ve never come across the idea of segregated no-critique sections on any other forum, although they may exist. Does anyone have an example? I have seen “criticism, please” sections, but not the converse.
Most seem to have some provision for deleting posts that are considered unacceptable by the organisers. Unrestrained criticism of the organisers might be a reason.
A few moments browsing of this site would have shown that comments are freely offered and welcomed by everyone.
I am still baffled by what was offensive in throbnulax’s comment but I may have missed something. Can someone explain?
 
TalkPhotography has a section (under the general title of "Photo Genres - Sharing and Critique") headed "Photos: for pleasure" with the section heading "This is a forum for sharing those photos for which you require no critique at all. Photos you have taken just for fun, or silly snapshots. Please do not offer any critique in this forum." . That's the only example I can think of.

Like you, I didn't see anything offensive in the comments unless it was that they were not positive, and had the temerity to suggest that something could have possibly been improved.
 
Although it‘s not always comfortable, adverse criticism can be very helpful. Often, the critic has seen something that we have missed. I recall a workshop leader commenting on my choice of gloss finish and its implications and associations. (All my prints were glossy at that time.) He mentioned seaside postcards, which I didn’t like much. But ever since, I’ve paid much more attention to the surface of my prints.
Not something available on screen, of course. Other members may have harrowing tales of shadow detail, mid-tone contrast, print colour, depth of field, or whatever.
 
A forum that is segregated by this option is bound to fail big time, it needs to be changed ASAP, Critique is not a bad thing, we all learn from it, Admin has the responsibility to monitor such comments and react accordingly
 
Stephen,
The comments were not negative either. They seemed to me to be offered in the spirit of “work in progress” between fellow workers in the same field. I had some comments on the work too, which I did I not offer. I still don’t see anything offensive.
Thank you for the example. I’d not come across it.
 
I took the same view of the comments. I was actually dumbfounded at the reaction, and to be honest found the complaint to be far more offensive than what was complained about.

Martin - the "photos for pleasure" was added because, although a thread flag "Critique" existed to flag posts where critique was requested, there was no "don't critique" flag, and some people posted without the critique flag who did not want comments and weren't happy. Hence the new section.

As I said above, I'm happy for comments, and the negative ones can be far more helpful. A "you're wonderful" won't make me think about what I'm doing half as much as "this would be a lot better if...". I might disagree after thinking about it, but the main point is that I would have had to think.
 
I felt that another issue was raised, the ability to be able to "Critique" ones own images, self analysis at both the technical and compositional levels.

Ian
 
The forum software was updated a few days ago and the question to allow critique or not is part of the registration process so it made sense that people who had already joined had the same choices as people who are just registering for the first time.

I'm guessing that the majority are going to choose Yes to the option.
 
In the Film and Darkroom User forum, on which I am a Moderator, they have a number of galleries depending on what sort of help you are looking for or perhaps no help at all.

“Standard Gallery - Posts here are for viewing only
Discussion Gallery - Load your photograph here on which you would like others to give their opinion, or advice, on its composition and/or aesthetics.
Help Gallery - Load your photograph here on which you would like others to offer help with, or comment on, technical aspects or problems you are experiencing with films or prints”

It does seem to work.

Bill
 
Blimey!
I go to a real-life photographers group (mixed, not LF) and we sit within punching distance of each other (US readers: shooting range). Discussions are candid and far-ranging. So far we’ve managed very well without a Noli Me Tangeri section of the table, or even a Please be Nice to Me chair. Perhaps a No Tantrums section….
 
David M said:
All the definitions of the word “forum” that I have found include the idea of discussion and an exchange of ideas. I’ve never come across the idea of segregated no-critique sections on any other forum, although they may exist. Does anyone have an example? I have seen “criticism, please” sections, but not the converse.
Most seem to have some provision for deleting posts that are considered unacceptable by the organisers. Unrestrained criticism of the organisers might be a reason.
A few moments browsing of this site would have shown that comments are freely offered and welcomed by everyone.
I am still baffled by what was offensive in throbnulax’s comment but I may have missed something. Can someone explain?
Click to expand...

I just realized I was the putative offender here - which caught me by surprise. I have no idea what on earth what I could have said that could remotely be construed as a personal assault. I don't exactly recall the comment, so if someone could kindly point me to my horrific commentary I shall promptly make appropriate amends.
 
You made a comment on the mid-tones and development. Something like "round and round" As it's now gone, someone else may have a better memory. The image in question, a panorama with a waterfall in the centre, was mostly very dark on all my screens.
Can't see how you can be blamed in any way. Nobody else has been able to identify the offending phrase.
 
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