Joe Blow

There is a discussion going on elsewhere about editing other's photos. The person who edited the photo did it to point out a suggested edit that would work; turning the photo to B&W. The problem is the original photographer did not like it. To me, the B&W corrected two problems and lessened a third problem that anyone with a good photographic eye would have picked up on. Those photos were (in my opinion) mediocre and lacked critical appeal. It would have taken so little to take them to great shots.

So that leads me to these questions.

1) Are people posting their photos so that others can just pat each other on the back and say "good job"? I'm not talking about images I find uninteresting (most bird shots, pets - especially cats, macro-flowers, painted flowers, and PaintShop twirling), but images that have no redeeming interest and honestly just suck.

2) How many are uninterested in improvement and are satisfied with their current level of mediocrity?

3) Does anyone care if their highlights are blown?

mrpentaxk5ii

Unless some one asks to have their photo retouched, i would not do it and post it in the original post, if it's something you feel can help the photo, send it in a PM in that way it stays between your self and the person that posted the photo.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Apparently your opinions are very important to you.

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

AGREED. I have looked at some of the photos of people who think it is alright to mess with other people's stuff without asking, and I would be reluctant to take advise from them and I sure don't want them messing with my stuff. There are others that were in the conversation that have never even posted a photo to this forum that I can find. Maybe they just work on other people's and are critics.

Bottom line is, it is against the rules of this forum, so why are we still talking about it??

Bill

Joe Blow

I put these questions up for discussion. Anyone responding is, by definition, posting their opinion.

And yes, my opinions are important to me. I would hope you feel the same about your own opinions.

Joe Blow

Good answer. I could live with that.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

If you would take a few minutes to read the Photo Gallery rules you would find this:

- Please do not edit and re-upload other people's pictures without their explicit permission. In other words, you may not open someone's topic, download an image, edit it (that includes adjusting settings, cropping, adding/removing visual elements, etc.), re-post it, and say "here is a version of your photo that I like better" unless they specifically ask for it.

That's not my opinion, it's a fact.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I agree, in general, with your post. I don't pat anyone on the back for a photo that has no merit. However; I might say nice composition or nice subject matter and not "nice image". Gentle critique is encouraging. Too, I would never edit someone's photo without permission or even post an image to their thread without an invitation.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Here are my corresponding opinions

(1) I happen to like pictures of birds, squirrels, cats, flowers, etc. Make sure you don't look at anything I post because you may be bored.

(2) I liked the original picture posted much better than the B&W one which led to the discussion.

(3) When I downloaded the image in question to my computer, gimp showed nothing above 253 in brightness - nothing 'blown'; there was some glare off the metal roof, which I might have caused me to pick a slightly different angle when photographing it myself, but nothing I found to be unnatural.

added:
I looked at your pictures of your daughter playing softball. I understand why you are proud of her, but the number of pixels at 255 {i.e. 'blown'} was much above zero, so even you seem willing to accept 'blown' highlights in a good cause.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

What?
You actually expect people to READ THE RULES??? LOL, not gonna happen here.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

If you edit without permission, it will likely lead to problems. If allowed then suck it up and appreciate that someone was offering anther view. Pats on the back are typical FB without regard to quality. it about friendship not quality photography. Want a real opinion put on one's big boy/girl pants and have it critiqued.


1. Who the hell knows why some on posts a photo. Your trash may be their pleasure.

2. Who knows? if they bitch when someone suggest a change, you know the answer.

3. Blow highlights can work in spotty conditions. For the most part they take away and show poor settings/editing.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Silly me.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

As a refresher from the Photo Gallery rules at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-426-1.html

- Please do not edit and re-upload other people's pictures without their explicit permission. In other words, you may not open someone's topic, download an image, edit it (that includes adjusting settings, cropping, adding/removing visual elements, etc.), re-post it, and say "here is a version of your photo that I like better" unless they specifically ask for it.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

1) With regard to your first point, there are very many members here whose knowledge of photography basics and understanding of light and composition is very limited. Understandably, for them, capturing images that exceed the quality of their earlier efforts may make them feel proud enough to share them with others. For the most part I don't believe they are looking for constructive criticism.

2) Your second point is probably impossible to judge and assumes those you refer to even know their images are mediocre by your standards in the first place. From what I've seen and read here a lot of very poor images are posted by people who have little understanding of the components that might make one image great and another one poor.

3) For the group of people you are referring to, it's unlikely they would know what a blown highlight was.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

It is always better to be kind - or silent. 'A good photographic eye' depends entirely on the beholder. I make suggestions where 'perhaps' a simple crop would encourage a different composition - (In addition to the original) I certainly would not supply one. I question (silently) why someone posts an image with no obvious subject or of such a bland scene....but I understand that some of us don't get out....but want to join in! No harm in that!

There are forums where critique is invited, and some where it is not.....the choice is for the OP to make....not all and sundry (I don't know the original post that has been questioned so please do not take offence if critique had been asked for, but not liked) And that is the problem with altering someone elses work.....Taste varies widely.

'That one has not posted images' is a personal choice - to suggest that they are a 'lesser' photographer or of 'no consequence' shows rank stupidity.....yes I can also be unkind! Choice rules......ok! People are in this forum for a variety of reasons....there is no game to be played.....every voice (because we have never met) should be given some respect. What is 'right' for one is invariably 'wrong' for some others.

For the majority of people 'Photography' is fun....