An eye opening discussion Tom. Not too many of we Hogs ever expected to be an editor for a major magazine but the site gives that scenario. By what criteria should an "honest critique" be based? Have you ever seen a really "horrible" photo that was so tack-sharp it seemed alive? How do you (or anyone else) decide? For too many times the reviewer's emotions run away with their judgement. Someone sees the forrest but not the tree. Some will see a photo and wonder why that part of the entire scene appealed to the photographer. By what standards do you critique? And then you cloud the issue with "honest." A question you have posed may be difficult to answer.

That is a great question and I wish I had a great answer. I mean no negativity here but it irks me some when I see photos that are out of focus, way too much HDR, no central point of interest, in general things that make a photo look not so good. I am of the impression we are supposed to help each other in our photo journeys. But then I see comments such as great capture, you nailed it, that one belongs on a wall and so on for a photo that really is not that good of a photo to begin with. Would it not be more helpful to someone submitting a photo to be honest with that person and NICELY, make a comment, Gee Dennis, that is a great photo but you missed the focus on the bird's face or there is no central point of interest, what is the photo OF.

I hope everyone gets my meaning here. I am one who, I think, sometimes submits great photos. But sometimes I do not and for a moment, think I did. Just today while going through my photo library I saw some photos I had submitted that I thought were pretty good. Well to be honest they were pretty good but not really good enough. I deleted them from my library. I suspect we all are our own worst critics if we are honest.

I realize UHH has a Photo Critique section but many do not submit photos there. Truly that is the place where we should be honest with other photographers and yes, many are. But I question the harm if someone posts a photo in General Photography and a member points out that the photo is not in focus or another negative. That just happened in fact. I won't say more but I mentioned that the focus should have been elsewhere. Others did as well. Some members though made excuses saying the OP really wanted to take the photo that way. Can't we be honest if we are going to help someone?

Dennis

I agree.
If someone posts a photo and asks for a critique, I may provide one, but I always try to be critical in a nice way. I try to provide constructive criticism, pointing out good and bad, not just the bad. Some folks are just too blunt and hurtful in their comments - that detracts from any meaningful critique and does not help the person become a better photographer.
I do think most of the people on UHH are quite nice and helpful, but there are a few people who really need help in their communication skills.

Hi sport Hog's. Need your opinion. I just posted in photo gallery a question about honest critique of posted photos. Should we be honest about photos posted on here. I see some that are (Not in focus, lots of noise, bad composition etc.). When I post my photos in the sport topic I want you guy's and gal's to be totally honest with me. I think most of us would rather you be honest about our photos so we can learn to be better at what we lOVE! I know I ask for critique so I can get better. Please let me know what you think. Thanks BE SAFE!!

Tom

Tom - Dennis,

Both of you guys raise great points, enough is enough with the safe space right! I have posted on this uhh sports section for a few months now, I keep it limited and only show some of my more difficult situations (like the high ISO basketball game I posted in an earlier thread), the content may not be what everyone likes but I wanted to point out that ISO 12800 produced some keepers (many of you reading this are probably thinking this is a no-brainer dealing with high iso). I'm guilty of cropped limbs, a player not centered unless you're following the 'golden ratio' which I sometimes do to throw the purists off track. Yes I like to come close to the stellar moments captured by the likes of Jules/Starphotog and many others work, because its so good! Anyways, Tom your photos suck

just kidding Tom, I like your work (I'm ready for your next picture post, I'm calibrating my monitor right after I post this). Let the Rick flaming begin

Be safe,
Rick

Tom:

In response to your question I would imagine if someone says comments welcome then we can give an honest answer. If they don't say anything the posted pics. are just that posted pictures. Some people don't take our craft as serious as we do.
Many people just like taking pictures period while others want to get better. The thing that bothers me is that when someone ask for help and your give them an honest tactful answer they just keep on doing the same thing. That doesn't make sense to me, but anyway that's why you have 31 flavors.
Great question.
Jules

Thanks Tom for bailing me out on this one! I know myself, you, Jules, Stephen, tom kf4wol, and few others want feedback when we post, good or bad. Of course we would like to feel like we captured the right moment with the correct settings for proper exposure, but sometimes we need a 3rd party to point out some things we gloss over (hopefully in a constructive way). Keep posting Tom, I'll give you my 2-cents, from my perspective & limited-experience, I think that's the honesty you want in your original post.

Rick

I try to take photos for several reasons:

I love the Hobby, I enjoy learning, I like the feelings when I capture what I think is a good photo.

I take photos for My Family, and friends to enjoy. I take photos to record memories.

I am not a Professional, I don't shoot for Max Prep's, etc. I admire those that do, and have honed their skills to that level of Photography.

Every photo I post on the Hog is for fun, and is open for critique....I would never learn nor have learned what little I know without those on the Hog caring enough to view them, and make comments.

My feelings will never get hurt from someone comments good/bad or indifference of a photo I post.

It is a wonderful Hobby to me...

"An Image taken today will be 10,000 memories to someone in the future"

Merry Christmas, and Blessed Holidays to everyone.

Be well, Be Blessed, Be Safe.

Tom

Tom - Dennis,

Both of you guys raise great points, enough is enough with the safe space right! I have posted on this uhh sports section for a few months now, I keep it limited and only show some of my more difficult situations (like the high ISO basketball game I posted in an earlier thread), the content may not be what everyone likes but I wanted to point out that ISO 12800 produced some keepers (many of you reading this are probably thinking this is a no-brainer dealing with high iso). I'm guilty of cropped limbs, a player not centered unless you're following the 'golden ratio' which I sometimes do to throw the purists off track. Yes I like to come close to the stellar moments captured by the likes of Jules/Starphotog and many others work, because its so good! Anyways, Tom your photos suck

just kidding Tom, I like your work (I'm ready for your next picture post, I'm calibrating my monitor right after I post this). Let the Rick flaming begin

Be safe,
Rick