Criticism: I also subscribe to another forum. When I post a picture here I usually get told it's good, it's liked or words to that effect, When I post the same picture to the other...

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

I also subscribe to another forum. When I post a picture here I usually get told it's good, it's liked or words to that effect,
When I post the same picture to the other forum it often gets savaged.
Now the point is, are the Hoggers doing me a favour by being kind and nice as most of them are or are the other forum contributors picking holes for their own sense of self importance?

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

viscountdriver wrote:

I also subscribe to another forum. When I post a picture here I usually get told it's good, it's liked or words to that effect,
When I post the same picture to the other forum it often gets savaged.
Now the point is, are the Hoggers doing me a favour by being kind and nice as most of them are or are the other forum contributors picking holes for their own sense of self importance?

My experience has been that the Hoggers are usually honest in their critiques, sometimes brutally so but even that can be constructive.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

This forum contains quite a mixture of professionals and amateurs. We try to encourage beginners by building their confidence so sometimes we let them off a little easy. If someone actually asks for criticism for their work then they get it.

GWR100 Loc: England

The forum you are talking about is brutally honest and very constructive with comments, which is a really good thing if you want to improve and don't mind the truth as others see your work, and I agree it is different from the Hogg.
But I also feel it is good to be encouraging of the work of people who are not that experienced, plus there is a section on the Hog if you want hard opinions on your work.

Geoff

viscountdriver wrote:

I also subscribe to another forum. When I post a picture here I usually get told it's good, it's liked or words to that effect,
When I post the same picture to the other forum it often gets savaged.
Now the point is, are the Hoggers doing me a favour by being kind and nice as most of them are or are the other forum contributors picking holes for their own sense of self importance?

ncshutterbug

I think we have a large group of mostly kind, caring people who don't set themselves up as experts as well as a few who do, rightfully so, plus a very few know-it-alls who like to sound like they know more than anybody else and don't care if they hurt you in the process. It's just like one big happy family. A little bit of everything. Most of us are here to help each other out, not tear each other apart.
It's a fine line between criticism and flat out rudeness, and some don't know how to do one without the other. I hope the other forum is providing friendship as well as knowledge, as I feel I get here.

mellaken3 Loc: Burnsville, NC

ncshutterbug wrote:

I think we have a large group of mostly kind, cari... (show quote)

As a newbie, I appreciate your comments here. I am reluctant to post because of the "critiques" I've seen here and other forums.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

I will gladly offer you an honest critique if you ask for one. I have been a photographer for fifty one years.
Remember though, opinions are subjective, what one persons opinions and views are on, say a painting, others will differ.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

There are people whose critique I value on UHH such as MTShooter, however some people who critique are themselves new or not that knowledgably. I take all remarks with a grain of salt, as everyone's opinion varies and unless you have broken some rule of photography in your photo then the critique is only an individual opinion.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Pictures posted on the Hog are posted not necessarily for their technical quality but for the image itself - the expression on the dog's/cat's/child's face, the wondrous amount of chrome in the car engine, the fantastic colours on the underside of the wings of the lesser spotted sparrow hawk etc. Sometimes these photos are of an extremely high standard and sometime not, but in either case will be highly praised and rightly so. These images record something worth looking at and sharing even if not up to competition standard. An extreme case is the current active topic of "An essay in Ice" - amazing photos - some could be criticized technically - but every one's a winner.

Post an image to the Analysis section, ask what's wrong with it and one hopes to get constructive criticism from more experienced photographers even if it does qualify for Oohs and Aahs in the Gallery.

I don't think that other forum members are being egoistical - rotten apples aside - most photo critics say it how they see it.

bersharbp Loc: Texas

Well said.

fawlty128 Loc: LI, NY now in Allentown, PA

I think it depends on why photo was posted in the first place. Just looking to share some recent vacation photos, or pics of the grandchildren, etc. Then comments like, 'Beautiful scene', or 'adorable kids', should be anticipated and welcome. If however you are trying to improve a particular technique or photographic skills in general, then comments (good or bad) that have sound reasoning behind them, are extremely helpful. Just be wary of comments based strictly on personal preferences, whether of the subject matter or technique.
There are many members here with vast experience and knowledge of photography, their willingness to offer advice(free of charge)is quite admirable, especially in this day and age.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Very well written!!!
I make a point to be as kind as I can. And if I see someone that needs a little help, I PM them and help them off line so to speak. Some times to many jump in, and that is very confusing to the person.:) I would like think we are family here and in it to learn AND have fun! Just my 1cent worth.:):)
Erv

ncshutterbug wrote:

I think we have a large group of mostly kind, cari... (show quote)

PAB20 Loc: From Louisiana, but now live in Florida

I have found this forum to be helpful while doing so in a kind manner. Would you care to indicate the other forum you belong to?

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

Posting pictures in the Photo Gallery Forum here is like showing them to your grandmother.
{old lady voice} 'That's very nice dear.'
You are not going to hear a bad word about your photos.

Practically everything posted gets "Great set" "Amazing shots" "Beautiful" "Wonderful series" etc. And this is on photos that in many cases are soft focus, poorly composed, and badly exposed.

I'm firmly convinced you could post photos of dirty laundry on the floor and somebody would reply "Great color and detail" or "Fantastic shots"

All these phony (in my view) gushing compliments only serve to dilute the value of those same comments when they are applied to photos that truly deserve such praise.

Plus I don't feel it helps a bit for those that really are trying to improve to always only get glowing reviews of everything and anything they post regardless of image quality.

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

Swamp Gator wrote:

Posting pictures in the Photo Gallery Forum here i... (show quote)

Thanks Swamp Gator. I think perhaps you've said what I was feeling though I do respect all the other opinions posted here