Too friendly? This is a friendly forum-no doubt about that. But is it too friendly? I have seen some pictures praised, because the nice folk don't want to offend, when really they were...

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

This is a friendly forum-no doubt about that. But is it too friendly?
I have seen some pictures praised, because the nice folk don't want to offend, when really they were not that good.
It might be better to be honest, in a nice way of course.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

viscountdriver wrote:

This is a friendly forum-no doubt about that. But is it too friendly?
I have seen some pictures praised, because the nice folk don't want to offend, when really they were not that good.
It might be better to be honest, in a nice way of course.

I've brought this up before; and I've been accused of being mean when I was just being honest about a shot.

I think that there is more to it than "nice"..there is also experience level to think about.

But yes, I agree with your basic observation; AWESOME! is thrown around here like it was fertilizer.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

viscountdriver wrote:

This is a friendly forum-no doubt about that. But is it too friendly?
I have seen some pictures praised, because the nice folk don't want to offend, when really they were not that good.
It might be better to be honest, in a nice way of course.

Think about it this way -
You are at a car show; some cars are HOLD THE PHONE cool while others are what someone could afford to do. So what are you going to do - tell the person with the lesser car that they suck and discourage them from doing better? IF...someone asks for your opinion then go full guns if you want, but if they are just showing it off then say Thank You like your mama taught you to say when you see an ugly baby and smile.

billj316 Loc: Bedford, VA

If the person post some pictures and ask for help or judgement, just saying a picture is awesome may be doing the person a disservice. He is asking for the picture to be critiqued along with helpful hints. If they get upset then they are not looking for help, just praise.

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

I just bought my first DSLR and stated taking photography serious abut 5 months ago. When I post a shot I'm looking for honest feedback. Being told what is wrong or how I could improve is the only way I will get better. This site gives me a free education that would cost me big dollars if I were to go to school. So as I learn and post shots in the future please feel free give me feed back good or constructive.

Pappy

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

billj316 wrote:

If the person post some pictures and ask for help or judgement, just saying a picture is awesome may be doing the person a disservice. He is asking for the picture to be critiqued along with helpful hints. If they get upset then they are not looking for help, just praise.

Agree, but you also have to think that everyone has different tastes. There is a photo in Analysis right now that is cracking me up. Some say remove the tress others say it is perfect. I think we are all right in our own way. My deal is this - if you like say it, but if they ask for help and you don't then tell why. Either way we learn!

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

pappy0352 wrote:

I just bought my first DSLR and stated taking photography serious abut 5 months ago. When I post a shot I'm looking for honest feedback. Being told what is wrong or how I could improve is the only way I will get better. This site gives me a free education that would cost me big dollars if I were to go to school. So as I learn and post shots in the future please feel free give me feed back good or constructive.

Pappy

Well Pappy, if you really want to know... Laf!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

viscountdriver wrote:

This is a friendly forum-no doubt about that. But is it too friendly?
I have seen some pictures praised, because the nice folk don't want to offend, when really they were not that good.
It might be better to be honest, in a nice way of course.

Here's the way I see it. We have a Gallery section where people can post pictures. That's all they're doing - just posting. I've done that, and people say something like, "Nice shot." Others offer a suggestion. That's all I want. If someone were to say, "This is garbage! Why would you post junk like this on a photography site?" I'd throw all may cameras into the sea. (Well, maybe not.)

If I want to know why it isn't sharp enough or how to bring out part of the image, I can ask. We also have a section called Photo Analysis, where people can request critical, but not brutal, comments on their images.

I think both the posters and the photographers know that, "Nice photo," doesn't mean it's a candidate for National Geographic. It's just a nice photo.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

St3v3M wrote:

quote=billj316 If the person post some pictures a... (show quote)

Right! "How do you like this?" is a loaded question. "How could I bring out the background," is a technical question that should get a technical answer. Being insulting does no one any good.

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

There are a few members who will always tell you the truth about your images, but they will also tell you why they feel the way they do.

I'd happily wade through a dozen or so "Great shots" to get to a "nice exposure, but you should...."

There have been times that I have commented on a post that I really liked only to have everyone else complain about this or that. In cases like that, it is possible that the photo was flawed, but I was drawn to it because I liked the flaws.

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

if i like a photo, i will say so. doesn't matter if the "so called experts" disagree......if i like it, i like it! that's my opinion.

if i don't like it, i'll either state why or not say anything.

if i say a photo is awesome, who are you to criticize my opinion?

if you don't like the photo...say so...i won't criticize you for your opinion.

i have seen beautiful photos on this site that i would give anything to have been the photographer...and 6 or 7 will come out and rip it up.

yes, this is a friendly site..most of the time.

the biggest problem i see.....and this is just my opinion.....is that when someone new posts a photo and asks for opinions......probably less than half know how to write a friendly, constructive criticism.........most sound like attacks. i have felt sorry for more than one new member.

maybe that should be a new post...how to criticize in a friendly manner without the attack mode engaged?

nothing is better than good criticism and opinions. that's how we learn. we should give our opinions and advice, but in a civil manner.

tk Loc: Iowa

If they do not ask for critique, I don't give critique. I'll say nice scene or something encouraging but if they didn't ask I don't give.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

pappy0352 wrote:

I just bought my first DSLR and stated taking photography serious abut 5 months ago. When I post a shot I'm looking for honest feedback. Being told what is wrong or how I could improve is the only way I will get better. This site gives me a free education that would cost me big dollars if I were to go to school. So as I learn and post shots in the future please feel free give me feedback good or constructive.

If you seek constructive criticism & comment (C&C), post in the Photo Analysis forum.
If you want a pat on the head, post in the Photo Gallery forum.

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

Nikonian72 wrote:

quote=pappy0352 I just bought my first DSLR and s... (show quote)

I have tried that, as I am usually looking for C&C, but they always get moved back to the gallery.

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

viscountdriver wrote:

This is a friendly forum-no doubt about that. But is it too friendly?
I have seen some pictures praised, because the nice folk don't want to offend, when really they were not that good.
It might be better to be honest, in a nice way of course.

My main concern has always been my own response to someone's photo. To be concerned with other people's responses is pointless.