Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Much is subjective, based on the perception of the viewer.
And vary greatly.

srt101fan

I just used that as an expression; maybe not a good choice...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Sorry, my perception....

srt101fan

No, I'm not confusing pros and hobbyists. I just don't believe folks who claim they don't care what other people think of their creative output.

taffspride Loc: Originally Wales, now the Sunshine State

Your way of critiques, positive first then suggestions for improvement, the best way to learn. There will always be those who learn by looking at the work of others. Unfortunately there are those who think they know and are not open to the views or opinions of others. Nothing can be done about them.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I'll certainly agree with you that there are lots of technical imperfections in images posted on UHH — in many of the various sections. However, I agree with others here who point to the purposes of the different sections.

Sharing images isn't necessarily an invitation to constructive criticism. The photo gallery isn't a competitive space or a learning atmosphere. It's meant for SHARING. People put their images there because they find the subject matter interesting, or moving, or funny, or... for a whole myriad of reasons.

As Linda pointed out, there are other places on UHH where you can get and give advice regarding the nuts and bolts of how to put together a better photograph.

It is fairly safe to say that most images can be improved upon in some way. As the ancient Greek philosopher, Plato, once said (I'm paraphrasing for context), the concept of perfection is just that — a concept. There is no perfect physical realization of a chair… just the idea of it. And for each of us, that concept of perfection is different. Sitting comfort is different for each of us. And that's okay.

Growing up as a teen photographer, I was lucky enough to have a great journalism advisor pluck me out of the hall one day at school, when she saw the Canon around my neck. She smiled and quite literally guided me by the shirt collar into the yearbook/newspaper office.

"You're Bill, right?"

"Yes, Ma'am?" (As if I weren't sure why she was asking).

"You're going to make pictures for the yearbook for us, aren't you?" She gave me an almost devious, "Don't deny me the honor of your help," look. "I'll pay you for your prints. Please say yes."

I let that sink in for about two seconds. "I would really like that! I smiled."

That lady took me under her wing and guided me from a casual snapper to a half-decent photojournalist in a matter of weeks. She was merciless. I would hand her a contact sheet. She would grab her ubiquitous Agfa 8X Loupe magnifier and start looking... and talking. AND criticizing — constructively. By the time I graduated, I'd gone through over 300 rolls of Tri-X.

She picked my work apart and told me how she would make it better. I never took any of it as insulting. She was full of great ideas and commentary on photography, and had a shelf full of books on photojournalism I devoured. She had several All-American Yearbook awards to her credit, and knew great images when she saw them.

That sort of mentorship worked for me. It doesn't work for everyone. Nor are most people receptive to that process. Lots of folks see photography as just a recording process, and not as a visual communications language or an art form. They're just in it for the fun of showing others what they saw. For me, photography is an essential part of life, a duty, an obsession, or more cynically, an addiction. I can't help but try to shape each image I share with a reasonable amount of care and finesse. So I don't share much. It's time consuming.

Most folks aren't like that. So if you want creative expression or value constructive criticism, skip the Gallery. If you want to see what people find interesting enough to share, and can get past their technical potholes, The Photo Gallery can be a pleasant surprise.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Of course people care what others think in some form or another. But most don't get all hyper about it. No I am not claiming you are saying that. Just not agreeing with you 100% but pretty close maybe. We all like positive reinforcement.

Dennis

Horseart Loc: Alabama

We should not care what other people think of our work. It's really none of our business, because they have the right to think whatever they see fit.
If they tell us, then we MIGHT care, might not.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I care Jo depending on HOW they might tell me. If in a positive manner I would love to hear their comments. I may not agree but still nice to know of possibly another way. If in a negative manner I just don't have the time to consider their foolish opinion.

Dennis

BebuLamar

I don't care but by the same token I feel no right to tell them if I think their works are bad. Bad to me but not to them.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Nobody, especially me, is asking you to tell anybody ANYTHING. I never said that did I?

Perhaps you are misunderstanding what I am saying.

Dennis

BebuLamar

I meant to tell you that I don't care what they think or telling me. Good or bad I don't care.
I just added that I won't tell anyone what I think about theirs either.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Getting pretty “deep” at this point in the discussion. I’m not a philosopher, but focused and not in focus or level horizon vs tilted horizon are binary choices. They’re not subjective. 😎

JBuckley

Sorry you feel that way.

The UHH is not a professional organization, nor are any of the photo "hobbiests" that post their photos on-line.

Unless, the viewers start sending in money for anyone's photos, the people participating are just looking to share the photographs of "their lives" in hopes that they might raise a smile, or a better feeling about their surroundings
and the beautiful world, in which they reside in.

As one person commented, "The average age of the supporters of these pages is around 65 years of age.

It's all meant to be a "fun pages" and not a Challenger Pages for critics.

I usually comment to the "poster" when I really love their shots. If I don't, I click down to the next photograph.

Have a little heart for "Us old Geezers" that just want to share our best days.

Peace and Love, as Ringo always says.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

And they don't think or feel the way we do.