photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

This is intended to open the eyes of a few *so called* individuals who think because they have a few more years experience than most that their way is the only way. Well I have news for you folks.....Even you didn't start out knowing *all there is to know about photography*. It's quite obvious You still have a lot to learn manners.


News article by Ross Bonander

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How To: Give Constructive Criticism

I recently had lunch with one of the world’s most well-known critics, so I took the opportunity to ask her what she thought of the three judges on American Idol. “Truly, constructive criticism conveys that indispensable degree of honesty through a combination of credibility and skilled diplomacy,” she said. “For example, Simon Cowell is too cold, while Paula Abdul is often way too warm. But Randy Jackson strikes the proper balance between the two.” I pressed Goldilocks to elaborate, and she said, “He’s just right.”

Someone submitting themselves to you for approval makes giving constructive criticism fraught with pitfalls. Here are some tips to find that critical golden mean so that your comments neither sound inutile nor cause too much offense, while still getting the person to respond and improve accordingly.

Omit character traits

If you want your criticism to get the best out of someone, suppress the urge to attach one of his personality deficits to your critique. If you do start to bring up personality deficits, it’s likely he will interpret your comment as an ad hominem attack, causing your point to fall on deaf, insulted ears. It isn’t possible to entirely separate a person from their work, but your criticism should make that effort.

Frame your criticism in appropriate language

The very words you speak can make all the difference. Using terminology germane to the issue keeps constructive criticism on a professional level, beyond reproach. Furthermore, you can thaw out even the most severe criticism by tenderizing your language. Opening with “It seems to me…,” or “I could be wrong, but…” makes it less likely that your point is compromised by arrogance or rudeness.

Get your facts straight

The efficacy of constructive criticism is in direct proportion to the credibility of its source. Conversely, few things can torpedo your authority more quickly than unknowingly basing your comments on factual errors. Facts in the form of criticisms that are impossible to dispute act as an arsenal of stealth weaponry. They can deliver your harsher critiques with surgical precision while never letting the person know that you’re launching them.

Show a little empathy when giving constructive criticism…

Keep emotions in mind and in check

Offering effective constructive criticism requires you to neutralize any unreliable elements of emotion in order to blunt their influence. To a certain degree, you must take his feelings into account; it may not be possible to spare him some measure of embarrassment, but overt humiliation is mean-spirited and counterproductive. On the same token, your own feelings need to be kept in check; they are susceptible to bias and can be used to discredit you.

Focus on what can be done, not what’s been done

Refer to specific opportunities for improvement and avoid singling out inadequacies. Keeping your criticisms positive is both tactful and essential. It’s less disparaging for the person to hear that he has overlooked an opportunity than it is to be told that his current ideas are incompetent or defective.

Empathize

One of the more potent steps you can take before delivering constructive criticism is also among the simpler and more compassionate ones: Stop for a moment and remind yourself what it’s like to be in those shoes. You feel vulnerable, under direct attack and it’s human nature to become defensive in the extreme.

Utilize reason, not personal preference

Criticism of any kind bears an innate bias, but you can overcome that by remembering that comments grounded on reason are less open to counter-arguments, both valid and otherwise. It’s difficult for anyone to defend nonsense against the stability of logic, but it’s easy to dismiss criticisms dangled on the capriciousness of ”like” and “dislike.” Your credentials fade the very moment your comments begin to drift from authoritative conclusions into whimsical preferences.

Allow time for a response

It’s to your psychological advantage to pause between criticisms and allow the person a chance to explain himself. The act of offering an explanation, however weak it may be, is intellectually satisfying: It helps keep his ego somewhat intact while preventing him from becoming overwhelmed. Furthermore, you’ll come across as both fair and open-minded, increasing your credibility while decreasing the chance that any of your constructive criticism gets overlooked or forgotten.

TELL IT LIKE IT IS

Giving good constructive criticism will probably not win you too many immediate friends, but neither should it create a host of enemies. When delivered with a consistently proper balance of tact and authority, it will earn you something better: an enduring respect and a greater degree of productivity from the people around you.

rocco_7155 Loc: Connecticut/Louisiana

Great article.
This should be Bookmarked by EVERYONE here....the ones GIVING critique (even if you think you do it well) AND the ones ASKING for it.
That way the folks asking can be armed if someone treats them inappropriately. Bullying doesnt just happen on the playground.
Thanks for posting this.
Rocco

Elaine H Loc: fairfax, va

I totally agree with you...some things I see on this site make me furious. Some people are so hateful and have no tact at all..Like the ones who post= It sucks etc. I believe these folks are just true haters so they try to make others miserable with their hate..honestly they either need to grow up or seek medical help for their misery...life is too short for hate.

Falcon Loc: Abilene, Texas

If someone offers you advice or criticism, listen and evaluate that info. If they seem correct, then make whatever adjustments seem appropriate. If they seem in error, file the comments away in your mind and review later--they may actually be correct upon further reflection. However, keep in mind that there are many people who are "often in error, but never in doubt." Even those people, though, may actually have something worthwhile for you from time to time.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I am fairly new to the group. But have seen a lot of folks on here that shouldn't be. I think their mouths get a head of their brain(if they even have one). I thought photography was a hobby, at lest for me. And has been for many many many years. If you are a pro why are you on a forum and not wanting to help? Everyone and I don't care who it is can always learn.
I am on a few other forums that you have to pay a yearly amount. They are great folks on both sites. It would be to bad to make all forums pay-to-play just to get away from the jerks!
I will give this site a few more weeks, to see if it grows, but if not , life is to short and I will move on. I hope who ever is running this see your post and mine and steps in to control some of the folks here. Life is to short to not have friends and enjoy a hobby together. Now I will shut up :)
Erv

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

I don't recall ever being on a discussion site where there were perfect manners in every post. Asking an administrator (or 10 of them) to filter and proofread every post is an impossibility because of the time involved and, people are people, they all have their own definitions of manners, good or bad.
If you're a contributor there's always an "oops" thingy that crops up from time to time, usually something you weren't aware of when you posted. Embarassing...yes, and provided the critic writes like a man or lady I will apologize. If the criticism is written egotistically or hateful I don't answer them.
So far as some people wanting UHH to clean up its act to pacify their agenda I say don't let the door hit you in the tail, there's plenty of stuffy pay sites out there for you to peruse.
UHH is an open air site mixed with humor and some things that make your teeth grit (I don't have any so I gum it).
Even the occasional flame wars get funny sometimes.
Bottom line: if you don't like the post scroll down, if you don't like the topic go to a different one, if you can't post a reply politely, don't.
That's my opinion.......I wish a very Happy New Year to all the UHHers.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

That's what I am talking about. All the negative posting. Why would you say folks on pay sites are stuffy? Why would you want to go to a different post just because there is an idiot on it? And why tell me to, not let the door hit me in the ___?
Why can't the folks that run this site help get them off the forums? I am not a push over, I stand for what I believe in, and have fought for this country. There is nothing wrong with doing the right thing. Just look at this country and the shape it is in!!
Life is to short. This is suppose to be a fun hobby for all of us.
Sorry everyone got carried away, but it is true!!,
Erv
Now should I push the button or not??

Tomphoenix Loc: Phoenix,MD

What my experience has taught me, The more i learn the less i Know.

phcaan Loc: Willow Springs, MO

Thanks Rocco, great post.
I'm sure that most forums have their share of inappropriate posters, but on the whole I find this site very polite and informative.
If there is one that offends me, I just move on.
By the way--- I have tons of experience, most of it not so good.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Yes it does get confusing. But the ride is worth it in the end :)
My saying is : So much to do, so little time.
Erv

notnoBuddha

I am somewhat confused as to the reason for the sharing of such articals - seems to me that those are not the rude ones, hence have no need of the advice - already agree. And the ones that most need it would never acknowlege that is it so and will feel sure this is addressed to others, and surely not to them as they believe that at the very least their approach is the way to be. I suppose it is possible there may be one person some where in this old world is open to accepting the advice of others. Good luck.

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

Here is the exact reason I posted this article:

Boiring as hell. They are just snapshots and not photographs. Sorry. Have been a fine art photographer for over 25 years. You need to join a local camera club and enter competitions and get first hand crticism and instructions from fellow camera buffs.
Shut up you old bag. They are boring like you.


This is a direct quote that someone left.....not directed at me but nonetheless rude .... just ticked me off ... was totally unnecessary to stoop to that... if that is really the response they feel they need to leave then best to just pass.

notnoBuddha

I agree with everything you and I have said, and not all with the examples or the way they were expressed.

RiverNan Loc: Eastern Pa

well, i am indeed sorry someone felt the need to write like that. I was just about to ask "wha happen" when you explained it.

I write a lot and I gotta tell you....I write alot more and delete more than half of what you see. Lots of peeps hit that send button way to fast.

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

Backspace is my friend too :) There have been a lot of times I really wanted to say something ... but the effort of getting upset just wasn't worth my time .. so I moved on.
That comment was in the very first post I read this morning.... Had to vent by posting this article lol not that it will make any difference but I felt better.