lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Many of us try to master basics of composition. Going further, post processing can undeniably make a good picture even better. So, after I am all done, pretty satisfied with the improvements over what I got straight out of the camera, people who view the images spend very little time viewing them critically. It's particularly frustrating if I provide a before and after; and differences are not noticed until I point them out.
Since I photograph and process for my own satisfaction, it makes little difference that careful viewing holds so little interest. One could argue that all that matters is that the image leaves an instantaneous impression of "good" and that nothing else is necessary. But usually there is so much else going on that raises good to "very good" or even "excellent".
Only superficially related: I have always loved listening to music, preferably live or through good quality speakers. Ear buds do not and cannot provide the same experience. For most people they are good enough. The concern is that standards of quality have been cheapened.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

The key is you are please since you photograph and process for my own satisfaction. I am more critical than other observers.

delkeener Loc: SW Rhode Island, USA

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lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Huh? I don't understand the comment.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Everybody has their own idea of what a "good" photograph is. That's what makes photography interesting. The so called pros have their own idea of what a "perfect" photo should look like but in reality, there's no such thing as a perfect photo.

AZNikon Loc: Mesa, AZ

Most people won't notice that you just cleaned your house, but YOU know, and that's all that matters. Keep on shootin'!

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

You are correct that beauty and perfection is in the eye of the beholder; but what frustrates me is that many people don't even notice differences between one photo and another. It's not necessary to like one version more than another, but it would be nice to acknowledge the differences.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Good photos will draw most viewers in even if they're not conscious of why. Don't even bother pointing out the subtle changes to others. Just use your best judgment to create the best images you can and let them stand on their own when others view them. If you have to explain what's good about it, or why one version of your image is better than another, you've already lost your audience. Most people have not developed the critical eye for this sort of thing. And many people couldn't tell a good image from a bad one if their life depended on it, and on top of that they just don't care.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

I think that you have too much time on your hands. I mean who are these people? Non photographers? Or trained artists?

Why don’t you post a before and after photo here? See what we think?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

If needed, I tweak mine to look good (better?) for ME (as I review, but not ALL).
That's it, super simple, works for me.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Les, who are these people that frustrate you and don't appreciate your edits? Friends, relatives, Facebook?

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

I am retired and some would say I do have too much time on my hands. I prefer to think I have just enough time to continue trying to improve all aspects of my life.
The people to whom I refer, and they are plentiful on UglyHedgehog, whose comment on the most banal and poorly exposed of snapshots is “good capture”. And while I am on my rant, the members who feel it necessary or rewarding to post this sort of crap are no better than the neighbors who insist on boring us with thier obviously lousy vacation photos.
I respect professional photographers and artists; but I don’t care about their opinions about an image with which I feel satisfied. I certainly don’t care what those with no expertise believe.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Since retiring, I have been working as a substitute teacher. I have forged good working relationships with a number of math, physics, and other science teachers who let me handle content and not just babysit tgheir students I've taken advantage of these opportunities to discover how kids think, and have learned that it is all (or at the very least mostly) about holding their interest. As long as they are interested, they will be busy, and as long as they are busy, classroom management (discipline) is not an issue.

My point here is that the most valid artistic criteria for whether a photograph is "good" is whether it holds the viewer's interest beyond just a quick half-second glance. This is usually accomplished by displaying an interesting subject in an interesting way. I have entered competitions, and even scored well in them, when the judge's comments indicated that he just didn't "get it," yet it still held his attention long enough to form an opinion and develop some comments about it. I have also seen contests in which very fine images get marked down unfairly just because they (in the judge's own words) didn't appeal to his preferences. One judge opined that he couldn't see how an entry fit the contest theme. (It was obvious to everyone but him.) Think about the times that you have been captivated by a photograph or other artwork that you might not have personally cared for, yet it captured and held your attention.

That's why I focus on whether images hold viewers' attention. An interesting photograph will many times hold your attention even if it is outside your personal preferences. If it solicit comments, that's even better.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

I agree with you on snapshots getting positive feedback on UHH, but your initial post was about your work not being understood or appreciated. So who are those people?

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

[quote=Linda From Maine]Les, who are these people that frustrate you and don't appreciate your edits? Friends, relatives, Facebook? ...

My frustration comes from friends, and family, who often encorage my hobby but have little understanding of what goes into making a good photo. I take good shots of the grandkids but they could be much better if taking them weren’t considered an imposition on their time. And this is after me daughter-in-law requests that I bring the camera.

Snapshots are OK, But there should be some self imposed standards of what is postable. The problem is that many member’s standards are so low as to be non-existent

My expectations cannot get any lower. And as I said in a previous post, I really do not care about other’s opinions, except when asking for help.