Feedback and Criticism?

[PeterMartin]

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I was going to e-mail a few of you privately with this question, but thought I would make it public to create some dialogue…perhaps.

As a new member, is there an unwritten rule/law of conduct regarding criticism or suggestion when viewing someone’s work?

As someone who has conducted workshops, I feel strongly about giving positive feedback and encouragement, but also being honest about my opinions (and remember…it’s only one persons opinion).

It seems almost all the feedback I see here for published work is positive. So does that mean if you like it say so…if you don’t…just don’t say anything??

Personally, I’d like to hear and see all and any feedback regarding my work, be it good/neutral or bad. It’s up to me what I accept and don’t.

Comments???????

 

______________________________

 

http://www.petermartinphotographer.com

[jaapv]

I would like to see some more constructive negatives. I try to do so from time to time.As you notice most posters are either positive or move on in silence. What I find a bit strange are gushing critiques on images that are really not up to standard - I always feel too embarrassed to say what I think in those cases.

[stunsworth]

It seems almost all the feedback I see here for published work is positive. So does that mean if you like it say so…if you don’t…just don’t say anything??

 

That's the way it seems to work, and I'm as guilty as the next person of looking at something I don't think is very good and saying nothing. People don't always take criticism very well and it's the easy option.

 

My biggest gripe is where I can't see what the subject is meant to be, it's a snapshot that may mean something to the photographer, but it means bugger all to me.

 

Of course the classic retort is "That's just your opinion", to which I'd answer, yes it is, and I'm expressing it. But usually I don't bother, I look at the praise being given to some shots, shake my head, and walk away.

[dcoombs]

I must admit that I look at a lot of pictures which don't really move me, yet I am reluctant to say so. Partly it may be because I don't feel I know how to critique a picture. Do you describe the technical or compositional faults? Do you try to react only on an emotional level? Or both?

 

I wonder if it wouldn't be useful for members to have a few example shots dissected by some of the more experienced reviewers of pictures. I for one would certainly benefit from their perspective.

 

Doug

[andybarton]

Perhaps we could set up a specific sub-section in the Photo section, purely for "critique" (this has been discussed before). I'd support such an addition.

 

Anyone posting an image for critique, needs to understand that it may not all be good...

 

Originally, many forums ago, before anyone was posting very much digitally even, people were encourage to post ONLY their best shots. Only those that they were really pleased with. Now, whether this is still the case, I don't know, but it's certainly what I try to do.

 

Hence the reason why I don't post very often.

[jaapv]

I've said it before: I would really like a critique forum where images can be dissected.

Meanwhile, I always put "comments welcome" over my images. Still it seems most viewers don't care to express their opinion.

[andybarton]

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People are too worried about upsetting others (at least in the Photo section, if not elsewhere... )

 

All criticism should be positive and supportive

[PeterMartin]

I think it's important to listen to your instincts and inner voice. That's how you develop self confidence in what you have to say. If you look at a photo and feel nothing...then walk away from it. If you feel very strongly for it...then mention it.

And...importantly...if you don't like it and think you know why...then nothing wrong with saying so, and like Andy said...using respect, courtesy and constructive comments.

...and DON'T APOLOGIZE!! for your comments if they're not all positive.

______________________________

http://www.petermartinphotographer.com

[dcoombs]

People are too worried about upsetting others (at least in the Photo section, if not elsewhere... )

 

Interesting observation. Certainly I've noticed no shyness in people's comments in other threads. Some get quite personal and nasty, in fact. Funny that they are willing to criticize people's opinions but not their pictures. Then again, maybe rude people don't look at pictures...

 

Doug

[Guest jm68]

I was going to e-mail a few of you privately with this question, but thought I would make it public to create some dialogue…perhaps.

As a new member, is there an unwritten rule/law of conduct regarding criticism or suggestion when viewing someone’s work?

As someone who has conducted workshops, I feel strongly about giving positive feedback and encouragement, but also being honest about my opinions (and remember…it’s only one persons opinion).

It seems almost all the feedback I see here for published work is positive. So does that mean if you like it say so…if you don’t…just don’t say anything??

Personally, I’d like to hear and see all and any feedback regarding my work, be it good/neutral or bad. It’s up to me what I accept and don’t.

Comments???????

 

______________________________

 

http://www.petermartinphotographer.com

 

 

 

this is the international leica forum. there is only a short list of possible comments. if a picture is made with a leica, it has to be great. if you see a crappy picture, you'd better say "lovely colors/composition/boukeh!!!!!" or: "is that shot with the brandnew summibluff???" remember: this is not the real world. don't dare to say what you really think!

[Guest jm68]

All criticism should be positive and supportive

 

yea, right.

 

(and there should be sunshine every day!)

[delander †]

There are not many pictures in the photo forum that I actually dislike and there are a few which I think are great shots. By the time I get to the great shots I find that I am number 12 in the line so it has all been said.

 

I often put my prints into our local photo society competitions and have to sit through in silence comments by a judge. Discourse would be useful.

 

I often get the impression here that if the photograph is not a) B&W in the extreme more graininess the better mostly OOF c) street photography in the manner of HCB d) taken in near darkness, they get little comment. Everyone is trying to be a 'Leica' photographer.

 

Jeff

[andybarton]

yea, right.

 

(and there should be sunshine every day!)

 

 

You can have negative "positive criticism".

 

"I don't like that, because..." and then add something positive.

[Saloti]

I think there are many reasons why people post their photos.

No doubt, most of the comments are rather positive than true

criticism. However, everybody is free to interpret the feedback

on postages. I am posting from time to time, no reaction at all

probably rather means "nothing special", or "bad shot", at

least something similar. On some postages I had very qualified

feedback, including further discussion, e.g. on post-processing.

This helps. So, everybody should feel free to criticise

in a constructive way.

[PeterMartin]

Thank you Gentlemen (and Ladies...if you're out there...which I hope you are!!)...

You've answered my question. There are no specific rules of conduct regarding feedback, other than using common courtesy and decency. Fair enough.

This thread was started because I saw someone who had posted a large number of shots and he suffered the same affliction that 99% of all photographers I know (myself included) suffer....he was in desperate need of 'editing'.

He had mixed up some weak photos with some very strong images, there-by diluting the whole portfolio. I was going to say something to him...and thought I'd better check first.

I think I'll take a chance and mention it to him...

thanks

______________________________

http://www.petermartinphotographer.com

[jaapv]

What I DO appreciate is comments on images in the Gallery, and with that in the random images. When somebody comments there you can be sure that the image somehow caught their eye.

[robert_parker]

I think that it's basic in posting an image, you do so for it to be seen and thereby invite critcism, both positive and negative.

 

I wouldn't support the idea of a 'Critique' forum as isolating comment in that style is ultimately to dilute what the forum can be (and administratively inconvenient because along with many others I'd just post everything I shot in the Critique forum)

 

Better to encourage comment and dialogue and if you don't want comments but just to exhibit, say so when you post your image.

[offshore]

Criticism, critique, feedback, whatever you want to call it, both positive and negative is worth what you pay for it on any forum-nothing. If you want feedback, in any form, that may have some qualification to it then submit your photo's to the Popfoto or photonet forum so the "experts" can tell you what is good and what you need to improve on. Take it from there. I once submitted a photo for competition in a camera club and the expert claimed if I'd of moved back five feet the photo would have been perfect. What he didn't know, and didn't ask, is where I was when it was taken because five feet back would have put me and my gear in fifteen feet of water.

[Michael Hiles]

I think it is no bad thing that we are careful with criticism. I have received occasional helpful comments, and often very positive comments. I do not comment unless the picture really engages me, and I try to do better than "Wow". I appreciate that no one ever says of my pictures "worst crock of fertilizer since your last post", and I am not going to do it to anyone else. About 1% of the time I make a suggestion as to how the poster might improve the picture, and no one has ever threatened to come after me with a blunt M5.

 

And like Andy Barton, I try only to post pictures I think are above my average. So a little of my ego is invested.

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[woody]

I would second (or third?) the concept of a critique forum, but I'm not sure if it would just become like the other forums. Maybe it would have to limit each user to one photo per day or something.

 

I don't post much, but I can see myself posting an image because it is one that I myself liked, one that had a nice story to it, one that exhibited a certain technical quality that I wanted to point out (like with a particular lens), one that I wanted help with, or just one that I wanted to share. The intent of the poster may dictate what kind of feedback is received.

 

I like getting constructive criticism, especially with digital post-processing which I'm relatively new at, or with color which is my weakness. I also like it when people just say they like a photo. I don't like to see negative comments without any substance or suggestions for the photographer.