Are people just too darn polite ?? (Page 3): Attn; wrote -"Right on, notnoBuddha. It's difficult to honestly critique someone else's work when you don't know them personally and don't...

notnoBuddha

Attn; wrote -"Right on, notnoBuddha. It's difficult to honestly critique someone else's work when you don't know them personally and don't know how they will respond to a negative comment. It is also difficult when you don't have the technical or artistic knowledge yourself to offer the photographer on how to improve their photos.

But, art is subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say. I have entered, in my opinion, some of my best images in a couple photo contests, and nothing. The few photos I have posted here have received almost no reaction. So, my only conclusion is that there is really nothing to say."

Well -I am not so sure. I disagree with at least some of what you write. I find it just as easy to think and write what I like or do not regardless if if I know a person or not - either way it is not personal. It is my personal subjective opinion only. As to having "the knowledge" to ctitique ones own or the work of others - one without any "technical or artistic knowledge". Regardless of any former schooling or background we all have an inate emotion as to what we find pleasing to the eye and the soul. I venture to say that when you look at anything there is a often a reaction of "this I like", or " this does not seem right. And yes one may feel little or neutral. As to the posting of photos or entering of contests that get little reaction I would hope you not give up. There are many reasons why things do and do not happen and I have found that for me in most cases either way it was not anything personal. Please do continue to share your photos, perspectives, and comments.
I have added a picture that I have been told" lacks sharp focus, the subject should not be centered, is the swan asleep, and the colors look washed out" amoung other not so rave reviews. I have noted all comments - taken them for there worth, will rememer the ones I think noteworthy and still kinda of like the picture. To me even though swans can be almost vicious and very territorial they are also a fine of example of grace and a quiet beauty. Hey - have a good day.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

wmralls wrote:

notnoBuddha wrote:

What is the general feeling - are people just to darn nice on telling us what they do not like about a picture? Do you sometimes feel a picture that is not commented on is most noticable because of what is not being said. I am found more honesty and candor on this site in this regard then many but do some wish more - and yes there is a not so fine line between brutal honesty and just being brutal. Just curious - in more ways then one; says the wife.

There is polite, but there is also fear. My money is on fear as the real reason people do not post or do post but only with the "polite" review. I see that people are fearful mostly that posting an honest review will be seen as rude and generate flaming attacks aimed at them or generate true reviews of their work (some do not really want truth, just want acceptance).

Could also be simply that we have been schooled over the years to idolize the graphic, moving or still, good or bad.

If you want open, honest reviews of your pics, then stop acting like your pics are your kids. Nobody wants to tell an adoring parent that their kids are really little monsters (your pics arn't).

Now, the "you asked for it" column.

Overall, your pics are way above the "snap-n-go" variety. You evidently take time to consider the subject matter, the framing, light, and texture, as well as pattern. I have noticed you have an amazing variety of subject matter. I also notice your subject's faces are a bit dark sometimes, especially around the eyes. Your composition tends to center rather than offset the key point in the photo and many times there is not a central key point in the photo, that is not a big deal, just a minor observation as the pics are still very good.

All that said, as we disconnected a bit over one post, I would caution you to watch the rebuttal-type replies as there is a million ways a person could have meant what they posted. When in doubt, clarify rather than accuse.

Mike (tellin' it like it is and waiting for the salvos :)

quote=notnoBuddha What is the general feeling - a... (show quote)

I agree with your statements 1000% and said something very similar on a post over on photography corner. You see alot of really awesome photographs even those that had no post production processing and you compare it to your work and it is like being thrown in the total perspective vortex. Hitchikers guide to the galaxy fans will understand that reference. But having discussed this with big guns on different sites they want critique, every opinion is valid, and just because you are a newbie doesnt meen you dont have a point. Also a point to consider is there are several people here who do not give them selves enough credit (low self esteem?) for the quality of their work. They hem and haw or put themselves down then post some absolutely astonishing work equal to the best Ive seen by the big guns on site. It is frustrating cause all I can do is keep encouraging them. Heck alot of their stuff is better than mine. You guys know who you are. some of my semi recently taken shots 8-)

usmc1063 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA Area

Photograpy more than any other art is to capture a split second in time and to preseve it into the ages. A Photographer once told me you may take a thousand shots to find the perfect one or just one shot to achieve that goal. Since I'm just starting in this art I lack the true knowledge but I do enjoy seeing anothers work. It gives me the eye that I need to bring my photographs alive.

trishrose Loc: Kountze,TX

CCC wrote:

Dear Are People Just too Darn Polite?

Yes we are polite. It is the way to allow a person even if we don't agree with them. I like to make constructive comments.

Sincerely,

CCC

CCC, you ask for honest opinions, but i do find some people dont want that, but i do tell what i see through my eyes. Of course, i say i'm i see things differently than most, kinda cockeyed i say. But i will give my opinions on the war photos .

usmc1063 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA Area

usmc1063 wrote:

Photograpy more than any other art is to capture a split second in time and to preseve it into the ages. A Photographer once told me you may take a thousand shots to find the perfect one or just one shot to achieve that goal. Since I'm just starting in this art I lack the true knowledge but I do enjoy seeing anothers work. It gives me the eye that I need to bring my photographs alive.

This picture won't appeal to many. But somehow I feel I captured a special picture one that many would just pass by.

trishrose Loc: Kountze,TX

henrycrafter wrote:

I really dont care what somebody says because they are reacting to something that I have created.
If they like it fine. If they dont like it fine. At least I can get reaction!

henrycrafter, i feel its not that a photo is judged by like or dislike, its just what one set of eyes see, is totally different than what antoher set of eyes sees. When i first started taking phots which wasn't too long ago, i thought wow that's perfect, but asked for critique and got it. Studied and took in what people said, tried thier suggestions, and got a whole lot better photo-then looked at the origional and yes it did need improvement. I consider anothers judgement as free schooling. :-D

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

Ignore the heathen techno wennies that shot of the swan is perfect the way it is :mrgreen: As I advised a newbie on another thread if you aren't doing this for money the only opinion about your photography that matters is yours. If you respond to your photo in any sort of emotional response good or bad, then the photo is perfect. I really believe that the real struggle in photography isn't digital vs film but photography as an art or as a science. There a people who thrive in the technical aspects of photography and get into the numbers gear and software side of it. These are the science geeks,I am not one of them. If the picture violates the rule of thirds its a bad picture. The other side focuses more on subject matter, feelings evoked by the photo, alternative ways to express that feeling. We may be technique driven but its the end result we are nlooking at not the tecqnique itself. I actually am 80% art 15% science and 5% lucky. To use a cooking metaphor there are those who cook strickly by receipe and wont deviate in fear of Emril hitting them on the head with a laddle versus those who cook with a little of this, a dash of that and voila. :!: I guess I woke up today on a soapbox, 2 lenghty pots.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

Hey usmc that picture appeals to me. I have a whole folder of pictures of notholes, bark, mols=d on trees etc. It is a great way to shoot texture, geometric shape, lines and form. :thumbup:

notnoBuddha

Attn; sinatraman - wrote - "Ignore the heathen techno wennies that shot of the swan is perfect the way it is :mrgreen: As I advised a newbie on another thread if you aren't doing this for money the only opinion about your photography that matters is yours............................... If you respond to your photo in any sort of emotional response good or bad, ................ I guess I woke up today on a soapbox, 2 lenghty pots."

Go get'em. I for one love it whenever anyone posts with more then the minimum required. To me that is when you can get a truer reading on what others are thinking.

Thanks to all for adding to the mix

Another London pic

trishrose Loc: Kountze,TX

USMC, Dont take my comments as negative, were asking what others see in our photos, so here goes. 1st, I LOVE your subject matter, tells great stories and I want to keep studing the photos to see what i find out about these men!Photo 1-by my eyes, he's too centered , wondering what he's looking at, little more light on face #2-love to see subject full frame close up from head to knee, little light on face or what if you shot photo of him from the side he was facing, interesting-#3 love the tables but not the pole down the center-would like to see shot from either side or the items on the tables would have been a great shot zoomed in on#4 like the photo, would like to see what kinds of expressions these men had on thier faces#5 is there a reflection in the top of the picture? #6 WOWWW! LOVE IT!!!What a moment! #7 Great picure but what if you were more to the right and maybe crouched on the ground with an upward view with less tent on the right? I"M NO PRO , so don't take these comments negatively please, I love your storytelling!

trishrose Loc: Kountze,TX

The headstone photo--BEAUTIFUL!! Art gallery!!!

notnoBuddha

[quote=trishrose]

henrycrafter wrote:

I really dont care what somebody says because they are reacting to something that I have created.
If they like it fine. If they dont like it fine. At least I can get reaction!

henrycrafter, i feel its not that a photo is judged by like or dislike, its just what one set of eyes see, is totally different than what antoher set of eyes sees. When i first started taking phots which wasn't too long ago, i thought wow that's perfect, but asked for critique and got it. Studied and took in what people said, tried thier suggestions, and got a whole lot better photo-then looked at the origional and yes it did need improvement. I consider anothers judgement as free schooling."

There you go - a difference but no one is wrong. To me it comes down to degrees; how importent is anything, anyone says to me? Do I live and breath based on everything anyone thinks or disregard all imput in all my life? Can't define when I do what but for sure but I'm always doing one or the other. I think my left side just ran into my right on that one. Sorry, and if that is not enough - I am sorry about everything.

trishrose Loc: Kountze,TX

[quote=notnoBuddha]

trishrose wrote:

quote=henrycrafter I really dont care what somebo... (show quote)

Notno- well said sorta, then you made my right side get tangled up with my left side on that last part. Love the cathedral window photo, makes me keep looking, that's what i like about photos. My eyes were drawn to the stonework on botom left all the way throughout the rest of the photo. :thumbup:

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

Ymmm. left side there is not. right side there is not only the force is there and the dark side... :P

usmc1063 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA Area

Thanks for the comments this is how I will learn I look at things a bit differently than most people including my wife. She is one that see's anything other than family foto's a waste of time. But that is her. Me I am looking how to better my shots as you say to tell a story. Thanks for your help as well as all the others in this forum.
Here are a few from a local cemetery.