Learning to Think Differently: One of the better discussion of why critiques might be wrong....

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

One of the better discussion of why critiques might be wrong....
https://fstoppers.com/architecture/how-specializing-shows-other-photographers-critiques-can-be-wrong-319953?utm_source=Fstoppers&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Automated_Notice

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

mrjcall wrote:

One of the better discussion of why critiques might be wrong....
https://fstoppers.com/architecture/how-specializing-shows-other-photographers-critiques-can-be-wrong-319953?utm_source=Fstoppers&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Automated_Notice

Critiques are not necessary wrong but opinions. Even a set of skilled pros will offer different ideas. They don't preface with something is wrong but possibly what to do to make it more interesting. They should be suggestions.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Well illustrated article that shows you should always check your premises.

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

pithydoug wrote:

Critiques are not necessary wrong but opinions. Even a set of skilled pros will offer different ideas. They don't preface with something is wrong but possibly what to do to make it more interesting. They should be suggestions.

You didn't read the article first did you.......

halraiser

One comment on the building shown part way down, golden hour and more overhead sun views side by side. The overhead sun gives a better texture of the rocks in the building because sunlight is oblique to the walls and shows shadows between the rocks. Golden hour sun is more perpendicular to the walls so there are no shadows in those grooves. This is a case in which the reason for the golden hour gets reversed. Normally, the golden hour provides more contrast with shadows but with vertical surfaces the opposite is true, overhead light provides more contrast. I actually learned about this in tracking classes for search and rescue. Normally, the best tracking light is the same as the golden hour for photography, early morning or late evening because low light angle allows more contrast in the tracks. However for places like tall grass it can be easier to track mid-day.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Good article...

RV Loc: Chicago

Excellent article!

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

mrjcall wrote:

You didn't read the article first did you.......

I sure did! "other photographers critiques can be wrong" in the title alone. If one is viewing a critque as right vs wrong one has missed the boat or the critique'r was an egomanic. And that premise was throughout the piece. Rather than blame the critique maybe it's the writer that took suggestions to mean they were biblical truths. There is hardly a book on the market that does not offer up front something to the fact that your photograph is your interpretation and then go off to suggest some guidelines which that can be ignored at will for interpretation.

I stand by my original post. The piece were comments on a false/misleading premise.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

So that's why the Campbell's Soup Company keeps rejecting the pictures of rocks and trees and squirrels and stuff I send them! Who'da though they'd want pictures of cans of Campbell's Soup?

Critique is seldom wrong, but it is often uninformed.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I think that the phrase below is my take-away from the article:

"I’ve found that travel clients care far more about the message conveyed by the photograph rather than the image quality. Of course, image quality is important, but it should always be secondary to the message. This is something that is often lost in critique sessions."

Yes indeed!! Those performing critique should care about the message. Isn't the point of still photography to capture an emotion, freeze a moment, to tell a story. So by definition message should be the over-riding criteria for critique. But all too often the message seems to be secondary in the critique.

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

I think the point is that a critique of an image that is used for one purpose might be completely off/incorrect/wrong/inappropriate (you pick) if the image is used for another purpose.... We, as individuals tend to critique for a single point of view/frame of reference when there really are many other points of view......

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Different rules for different end uses....The customer may not always be correct,but they know what they like. For those who 'make'....that it is lesson you learn quickly. Knowing your customer's preferences has to be prime rule in any business.
Even for amateurs, 'what sells' can be a better rule than club critique.

have fun

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

G Brown wrote:

Different rules for different end uses....The customer may not always be correct,but they know what they like. For those who 'make'....that it is lesson you learn quickly. Knowing your customer's preferences has to be prime rule in any business.
Even for amateurs, 'what sells' can be a better rule than club critique.

have fun

🖖

JD750 Loc: SoCal

G Brown wrote:

<snip> Knowing your customer's preferences has to be prime rule in any business. Even for amateurs, 'what sells' can be a better rule than club critique.

have fun