DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I believe when an image is posted here or the gallery the op is looking for an "attaboy". That's okay and it should be given an attaboy or silence. When an image is posted in the Critique Section it should be critiqued by photographers pre-qualified to critique based on the accepted standards by IPC. The poster should put forth their best effort and remain quiet. Critiques made by qualified photographers are, by my experience, usually spot on and impersonal. The poster has the benefit of experienced, technically qualified, and artistic talented photographers giving the poster excellent evaluations that can help them go forward. The UHH Critique Forum is a travesty because it has been allowed to sink into an attaboy arena.

kmohr3 Loc: Rockford, IL

I had a friend who was a good photographer, and an even better post-processor. Occasionally he would gently critique my images (by private msg). At first I would be mildly offended, but he would offer suggestions and even tutor me as how to fix these issues. It has made me a better photographer, and has
helped put me on track to being a serious competitor in some of the area contests and gallery shows.

Bill_de Loc: US

I visited the Critique Section a couple of times and found what you just mentioned.

I also agree that the poster should remain quiet. Sometimes you think judges get it wrong, so just disregard rather than argue. And don't make excuses, even if valid. The viewer doesn't benefit by knowing you couldn't get closer to the subject because there was an electrified fence in the way. If it's not in the picture it just doesn't matter.

I was sitting next to a friend at a competition who got upset because three judges missed the point she was trying to make.

She said, "If they let us use captions ... "

I responded that if it needed a caption, in this setting, the image didn't work.

After giving me a very annoyed look she laughed and said maybe she should become a writer.

We had fun and we both learned from the judges' comments.

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Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

I've had a fair amount of experience with critiques of my works. When I was first taking classes on photography formal critiques were an integral part of the classes. (side comment: The instructor would also critique our critiques!). I have belonged to local camera clubs where monthly competitions and critiques took place, usually with outside professional judges. I have volunteered to have some of my images critiqued in front of an audience of a few hundred at photography symposiums. In all cases the critiques proved enlightening and helpful. The common thread between all of these situations, and the reason they proved valuable, was that I was expecting the critique and was therefore open to both compliments and criticisms that were offered. Additionally, those doing the critiquing did so with knowledge that I was inviting their comments which implied that they could give honest evaluations.

The difficulty with online forum critiques is that it is not always clear that the photographer posting an image is expecting, and is therefore open to or desirous of, critiques of their image. In cases where the person is open to comments, both positive and negative, offering unsolicited critique may be no big deal. However, in cases where the individual simply wants to share an image, and is not expecting it to be evaluated in any way, unsolicited comments can, at the least, be an annoyance, and at the worst, be deflating, embarrassing, and even hurtful. Face it, who wants to have to endure pages of forum comments picking apart the photo we wanted to share of the hummingbird that unexpectedly visited our backyard that afternoon?

UHH attempts to deal with this by having areas where critiques are not only welcome, but solicited, and areas where sharing is the primary goal, and critiques are unwelcome unless specifically invited by the photographer posting the image. In my mind, this makes the question of whether to critique or not fairly easy. If the image is posted in an area where critiques are expected, or where a critique is asked for, have at it; provide whatever comments one feels are appropriate and helpful. If the image is posted in and area where the forum rules that critiques are unwelcome except when specifically solicited, then hold back comments that would be perceived as being criticisms (constructive or not), and limit comments to "Thanks for sharing", or nothing at all. Contrary to what some would like to believe, it is not our job, nor our right, to provide instruction in photography to everyone WE decide might need it.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

In competition with PPA - IPC judges the audience is not permitted to speak, clap, or disrupt. The judges don't always agree and can pose challenges and rebuttals. I will only say, for the most part, judges try to be exact and clear. It doesn't mean they don't have genre leanings. That's just natural. I have only had two images this year merit. The others were above average 77,78,79. I don't always agree with the judges but I would never consider saying anything. I pay for critiques and I find them very helpful and usually spot on.