BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

People frequently post pictures in the MPD section of the forum. I am NOT trying to start another rant or multi-page fight over whether such pictures should be posted here or in the gallery. Now I know these people are proud of their photos, although, even by my standards, a few of such pictures are really bad. And before anyone starts to berate me for not posting my own photos, I will remind you that I am a lousy photographer who has taken less than a dozen acceptable pictures in my life (but I keep trying), and also because there was an incident on this forum in which a member copied another member's avatar (her pre-teen daughter), did some editing and put it on an entirely inappropriate website;. I don't post!

My concern is that, no matter how bad the pictures are, they are invariably followed by numerous posts exclaiming how beautiful the pictures are, how beautiful the colors are, how well they're composed, etc. Now many of the pictures are good to outstanding, and, setting the argument of section placement aside, deserve such praise. But what should I, as a single member, do? Yes, I know I could ignore the thread and move on. But some of these pictures are SO BAD, I really feel obliged to comment. I am not thinking about making stupid, cruel and inappropriate slaps at the pictures; I want to make remarks about the specific aspects of the picture, worded as positively as possible. Yet I am afraid of being bombarded by those who are themselves encouraging the photographer to not learn and to go out and continue to make bad photographs. I would appreciate any comments on this matter, positive or negative. Here is your chance, maybe, to encourage a positive approach to this issue. And, yes, I know it is also a chance to flame me. But, before you flame me, remember that we want to help, not hurt, the other members of this forum. Thank you.

Dedo Loc: NY, Uruguay

I get weary of people that think the never ending posts of banal pictures of
birds, flowers and cats are works of art. Art is a little bit deeper than that.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

You say that you, yourself are a lousy photographer. Don't you think that you should direct your thoughts and ideas on how to improve a photograph toward yourself and improve your own photography before you start making suggestions to others? If you are a lousy photographer how can you judge the quality of someone else's photography?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

So what do you do, if anything, about this? Ignore it, flame it, give in to (and agree with) the hoards of people who think pictures of the local dump are beautiful, or perhaps offer polite constructive feedback? Thank you.

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

LET IT GO! It's not worth the aggravation. It's a website. That's all it is.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

And there are reasons other than 'art' to take and post photographs.

Rick Fox

I thought it was only me, or perhaps, there was something wrong with my computer. But, now that I know I'm not a lone voice in the wilderness, the next time I see a photo that makes me bilious, I shall offer constructive criticism, if I can... and snarks be damned. If I can't be constructive, I'll just swallow the bile and quietly move on.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

So what do you think people should be photographing?
Different people like and dislike different things. That's called real life, nobody's going to adjust to your likes and dislikes.
You haven't even posted a picture here, it seems you prefer the never ending banality of the Attic and General Chit-Chat.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

My .02 It's perfectly appropriate to post a photo in this section if it is relevant to the topic under discussion. If it isn't, it isn't. Simple as that.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Another who has never posted a picture heard from. It seems that the only people whining and complaining about the pictures posted by others are people who don't post pictures themselves.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I suspect that most gallery-type topics found in main discussion forum are there accidentally and were intended to be posted to Photo Gallery.

By now (you've been a member for six years) you should have noted that the average age of members on UHH is probably 60 - 70 years old. The majority of folks are hobbyists, many have physical challenges and many are limited in their social and familial interactions.

UHH's Photo Gallery is primarily used just for social sharing, so it's best to not assume that every photographer posting has a goal of becoming more skilled. However, you will often find OP's asking for feedback, so why not hold your well intended observations for those who actually request it, and for the sections on UHH specifically organized for critique and detailed opinions?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Have you posted a single "here's how it could/should be done" teaching topic, or followed the intro forum and offered to mentor a newbie who is asking for help?

Within UHH there are specialty forums designed for teaching, learning, critique, constructive feedback (see "all sections" at the bottom of this page), so there is no reason to feel alone in your desire to share your vast experience and talent.

UHH's Photo Gallery is primarily used just for social sharing and most members are casual hobbyists. You'll swallow far less bile if you accept that. If you are a pro or advanced amateur and feel UHH can't appreciate what you have to offer, check out fredmiranda.com

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

BHC - Many of us who are encouraging members are doing exactly that - giving encouragement - to a member who may be starting out in the hobby of photography and just beginning to learn. If giving a positive mixed review makes you uncomfortable, you have the option of sending a polite, positive (or not so positive) PM. I’m well known for getting on the case of new and old members who are too bloody lazy to read the manual that came with their gear, purchase a good third-party guide, watch YouTube or look anything up for themselves. I make no excuses for my impatience, but I am trying with recent success to curb that impulse. But, for pete’s sake, give photo posters a break. /Ralph

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

With regard to the first part of your post, I have never posted in the gallery for the simple reason that I do not have the need or desire to say 'look at what I've done', and I certainly would never ask for a critical opinion here since there are relatively few here with the knowledge and skills to make such judgements as you've already discovered. I do post photos occasionally in the main form when it is germane to the topic being discussed.

Like you I find it frustrating to see countless poor images being lauded by people that don't know any more about photography then those who took the mediocre images in the first place. The best you can do is dispassionately, and without insult, suggest ways that the photograph could be improved. If you are not confident enough in your own skills to make suggestions, then, it's probably best for you to ignore those threads. Unlike some more specialized photography forums geared more towards highly-skilled photographers, UHH has a very large membership with widely varying skills. And do not assume that a high post count is an indication of skill. There are people here with well over 10,000 posts who still barely know which end of the camera to point at their subjects and have little understanding of lighting or composition.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Honestly I don't think it's about encouragement. Telling someone who's posted a horrible picture that the picture is wonderful is not encouragement and doesn't do anybody any good. The majority of those people that give those glowing reviews of very poor images seem to do so because they do not know what makes a good photograph themselves. Unfortunately on this site, too often its the blind leading the blind. One can always give positively reinforcing constructive criticism, without nastiness or insult. But before you can do that you actually have to understand what characteristics make a good photograph. Just telling someone their photograph looks great because they're new on the forum or a new photographer does not help them grow in any way.