mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

Ya know, sometimes it's just not worth the effort of trying to offer some folks suggestions to improve their photographic efforts. I have a fair amount of studio lighting experience with products and when I noticed a UHHer making an effort to photograph watches in a studio setting, I attempted to offer some suggestions and examples of how he might improve his efforts via PM. Should've known better (with this particular individual) as I was shut down because his ego just couldn't accept what I was offering. I am now on his ignore list and it's a dam shame.....just saying.

I do 99% of my communicating via PMs and most often it's an open and honest discussion involving exchanges of ideas. Most UHHers have an open mind about learning new things. Thank goodness only a very few don't and I should have known better in this circumstance.... However, the effort continues....

CO

I also got put on someone's ignore list for offering suggestions. It was nothing harsh at all. This individual just wants feel good remarks. I've had people offer advice on how to improve my photos and once they even edited one of my photos. I thought that was OK and I don't put anyone on an ignore list.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

There are different sections, Photo Gallery, Photo Analysis, Photo Critique Section...maybe they should be sub-titled Feel Good, Tech Check, and Hang On For Opinions.

Or are they all open to critique because that's what we feel like doing?

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Not familiar with your circumstance, but if your advice was unsolicited, it stands a good chance of being rejected.

BebuLamar

Actually if you communicate with the member via PM then it's OK with me for that member to ignore you regardless of what you said. The person just not interested in what you have to say and I think that is fine with me. I don't like the ignore list in a thread because if the OP wants to ignore what I have to say that's fine but that fact blocking me from expressing myself to others who view the thread who might be interested in what I have to say.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

But why do you do it via PM?
If you have something to impart, why not let EVERYONE benefit from learning instead of just one individual?
I can understand if that person said to PM some info.
Otherwise it takes away from why we have public forums in the first place!
SS

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I was put on the 'Ignore' list of a prolific Gallery poster after I asked him why he took PP step that goes contrary to his stated goal. I'm on one other 'Ignore' list, and I have no idea why. Oh well.

Joe Blow

I was put on an ignore list simply because the dude didn't understand geometry. His loss. I understand I am am only one of many this poster has started an argument with.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Thank you! This was the same response I was going to make. There are a lot of lurkers that never respond to a thread but are there watching. If someone replies to the OP in a PM instead of the thread with a genuinely helpful response, those lurkers cannot benefit from the advise.

Walt

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I also agree that the ignore list is not a helpful feature. In some ways it encourages people to behave badly. A little while ago I decided to remove the small number of people I had put on my ignore list. I've had a very small number of people insult me or attack me by PM, and then place me on their ignore list to prevent a response, but I worked out a simple way to deal with that. So I don't need to hide behind a wall. If people object, then they can say what they have to say in public so we all can see.

We should be able to express opinions and also dissenting opinions without resorting to name calling or insults, but if needed I don't mind responding in public.

repleo Loc: Boston

I think some people feel that an uninvited PM is just an invasion of their privacy or anonymity, especially if it is about something that could have been posted to the public forum. You have PM'd me a couple of times. Your messages were clearly intended to be helpful, which I appreciated, but they could easily have been posted so others could benefit from them. I don't see the harm in reaching out to someone as long as you are prepared to accept that they may find it a bit creepy or may not want to get involved in a private conversation.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Similar thing happened to me... in my case, I politely suggested a slight crop to improve the composition and effectiveness of an image posted in the Photo Gallery. I was promptly put on the poster's Ignore List. But I've decided not to contact that member to beg to be removed from his Ignore List. If someone is so thin-skinned and cannot handle a helpful, friendly suggestion every now and then, then I don't really want to deal with that person.

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

My thought too.

duane klipping Loc: Bristow iowa

If one asks for pointers or suggestions then by all means do so. However some who think they are being helpful are in fact presenting themselves as know-it-alls when offering help where it was not asked for. I don't know if this was your situation but best to not offer advice, even if well meaning.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Jim, I happened to see a public reference to the private exchange. That user is well known for insulting and attacking others and for his inability to graciously respond to any well meaning comments - a particularly interesting behavior as he posts mostly in critique forum or FYC. You suggested you were aware of that and "should have known better," so I am wondering why you pm'd him to begin with?

Similar to repleo's experience, you sent me a pm last April about a topic I posted to FYC for discussion and feedback:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-457213-1.html

Your first pm was mostly just a crop of the photo I posted, but in a follow-up you provided well reasoned, well written feedback as to the why of your opinion. As a few have suggested in this thread, your comments could have added to everyone's learning had you shared them publicly.

In your opening, you said "it's just not worth the effort of trying to offer some folks suggestions to improve their photographic efforts." UHH is a minefield of trolls, bullies and meanies - with the sprinkling of eager-to-learn/eager-to-teach (via constructive feedback) becoming harder and harder to find. Why not just reach out to new folks with an offer to mentor privately, or post your suggestions publicly when an OP asks? I agree with duane klipping: unsolicited advice should only be given with the understanding that it may not be gratefully received