 Dan C. |
Fear Factor - Better Photo style I have been a member of this community only a short while. As such, I am not familiar with the ins-and-outs, politics, and levels of political correctness expected. However, I have noticed one thing that seems consistent. Often, when a photo is posted to the Constructive Critique forum that is really not that good (I'm intentionally staying away from "bad"), it receives no reply. One one hand, I'm wondering if just going ahead and taking the plunge and giving an accurate opinion of the picture would be beneficial to the photographer - even tho it may be slanted to the negative. On the other hand, the members who seem to be regular "commenters" in the forum who have been on Better Photo for quite some time never seem to comment on these pictures. I'm wondering if this is because they know there is a history of people periodically getting their heads taken off when making negative comments. Is my perception correct that those 'not so good' photos just don't get commented on? And come to think of it, wouldn't the lack of comment in itself reveal something negative to the photographer? Just seeking advice and views. -Dan
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Samuel Smith |
hey dan, i have only been there a few times and didn't make too many comments for those same reasons. i;ve said a photo is kinda junk and someone else says it's wonderful. i've said a photo is really good with great composition and someone else says it's horrible. most I know won't comment for the same reasons,they don't want to hurt peoples feelings.or like you said p somebody off. i think it is one of those areas where there is neither right or wrong ways or to know what a persons reaction will be to constructive criticism. sam
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Kerry L. Walker |
Don't really see a problem with giving negative feedback as long as it is done tactfully. After all, that is what constructive criticism is all about. As one of those "regular comentators" on this part of the forum I have to admit that I don't frequent the other areas that often. I do make comments on this part of the forum when asked (sometimes anyway) but I guess I'm just too lazy to get to the critique section of the forum. There is also the fact that my tastes are often quite different than a lot of folks. I like pictures that break the rules and do it well. If you feel so inclined to offer a critique, by all means do it. We all learn more from what we have done wrong than what we have done right anyway and I imagine most folks would appreciate it.
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Samuel Smith |
i made a comment on a photo in a thread a while back.pole or no pole.i looked at it different.and I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes and couldn't hardly type.now any time I get near a body of water I just bust out laughing,espically if there are no boats. sam
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- Bob Cournoyer Contact Bob Cournoyer Bob Cournoyer's Gallery  |
"Is my perception correct that those 'not so good' photos just don't get commented on?" That would be my guess. "We all learn more from what we have done wrong than what we have done right anyway and I imagine most folks would appreciate it. " Absolutely, but the ego is a very fragile thing...:-) Bob
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Brendan Knell |
I also agree that there is too much "great photo! awesome pic!" and I, for one, would welcome brutal cc on my pics any day of the week over "ooo and aah". I think that if a person asks for CC, and you give it to them and they bite your head off for it, then I would simply say, "you asked for CC, and I gave it to you" and that's all I'd say. I also think that if a photo is in the contest, then they want the judges to judge it, so I see no problem with giving a little CC. I also, when commenting on a pic, try to start and end with a complement and in the middle give the CC. I find that by doing this, most people don't take any offense from it.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
this topic is the couch potato who keeps saying he'll start working out tomorrow.
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Dan C. |
i've said a photo is really good with great composition and someone else says it's horrible. That's the essence of it all. I can hardly think about anything more subjective than art. I guess the best thing to do is what is stated in this thread. If a person asks for a comment, offer it to them. If somebody else opposes the comment, the photographer will just have to sort it out.
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Christopher A. Vedros |
I think you're right, Dan. In general, comments on this site tend to be "great job" or "no comment". While there are quite a few of us who will express our opinions strongly in the Q&A section, we don't seem to find the time to spend in the photo critique section. I think I understand what Gregory said (imagine that ;-) and I fit that description - I keep planning to spend more time offering critiques, but don't get around to it. (Haven't been in the gym in a while, either!) I think it is at least partly motivated by not wanting to damage egos. From what I've seen, most people that ask for CC on their pictures are open to receiving it. Some people on this site definitely are not. One person that comes to mind has a very high opinion of his work, and anyone that offers negative opinions or constructive criticism will likely get a vicious attack in reply. I bet many of you know to whom I'm referring. It's important to remember what Dan said, "I can hardly think about anything more subjective than art." Comments on pictures are just opinions. There are very few absolutes in this. Chris
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