Critiques: There was a recent post that garnered a number of responses. The post was in regard to posting critical comments in the Photo Gallery section of this site. You can find that...

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

There was a recent post that garnered a number of responses. The post was in regard to posting critical comments in the Photo Gallery section of this site. You can find that article here: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-726989-1.html

First off, there is an art to offering critiques. One can simply do a website search for ' how to critique art '. There are many articles explaining this skill. I'm reminded of a story a friend of mine told me regarding critiques. It's a great lesson.

A friend of mine's father worked for Ansel Adams. As such, both my friend and his father attended a number of Ansel Adams receptions. On one such occasion, my friend was there and accompanied Ansel Adams as he walked down the hallway to the reception room. He was, of course, in a group of people who worked for the museum and were in charge of organizing the exhibit and reception.

As they walked down the hallway, this gentleman, carrying a portfolio, approached AA and, after greeting him, asked him if he'd mind looking at some photographs. Ansel stopped, looked around, and saw an empty bench nearby. He took the portfolio from the gentleman and indicated that they should sit on that bench together. Of course, this was to the dismay of the accompanying group. They both walked to the bench and sat down.

At this point, AA opened the portfolio and looked at each of the photographs in a rather studious manner. He then asked the gentleman if he just wanted him to appreciate them or critique them. The gentleman indicated that he's like him to tell him what was wrong with them. AA looked at the gentleman and stated, "Why don't we see what's right with them and where they could be improved."

While the assembled museum personnel kept tapping their watches indicating they needed to hurry, AA took time discussing the merits of each photograph and then where minor things could be done to improve each of them. He also included why each of those minor things would improve the photograph.

That's the kind of critique that gives one incentive to improve. It's a far better approach than expressing something along the lines of 'you wasted good photons and materials to produce that?' or 'I would have done it this way or that way.'

Anyway, it was quite interesting to see how an artist of some stature provided a critique.
--Bob

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

rmalarz wrote:

There was a recent post that garnered a number of responses. The post was in regard to posting critical comments in the Photo Gallery section of this site. You can find that article here: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-726989-1.html

First off, there is an art to offering critiques. One can simply do a website search for ' how to critique art '. There are many articles explaining this skill. I'm reminded of a story a friend of mine told me regarding critiques. It's a great lesson.

A friend of mine's father worked for Ansel Adams. As such, both my friend and his father attended a number of Ansel Adams receptions. On one such occasion, my friend was there and accompanied Ansel Adams as he walked down the hallway to the reception room. He was, of course, in a group of people who worked for the museum and were in charge of organizing the exhibit and reception.

As they walked down the hallway, this gentleman, carrying a portfolio, approached AA and, after greeting him, asked him if he'd mind looking at some photographs. Ansel stopped, looked around, and saw an empty bench nearby. He took the portfolio from the gentleman and indicated that they should sit on that bench together. Of course, this was to the dismay of the accompanying group. They both walked to the bench and sat down.

At this point, AA opened the portfolio and looked at each of the photographs in a rather studious manner. He then asked the gentleman if he just wanted him to appreciate them or critique them. The gentleman indicated that he's like him to tell him what was wrong with them. AA looked at the gentleman and stated, "Why don't we see what's right with them and where they could be improved."

While the assembled museum personnel kept tapping their watches indicating they needed to hurry, AA took time discussing the merits of each photograph and then where minor things could be done to improve each of them. He also included why each of those minor things would improve the photograph.

That's the kind of critique that gives one incentive to improve. It's a far better approach than expressing something along the lines of 'you wasted good photons and materials to produce that?' or 'I would have done it this way or that way.'

Anyway, it was quite interesting to see how an artist of some stature provided a critique.
--Bob

There was a recent post that garnered a number of ... (show quote)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

chuckrem Loc: Katy, Tx

arperry Loc: Miami/Florida

Excellent, I am so glad you shared this story. I lesson we should apply not only to comments in the Photo Gallery section.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Agree!

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Great story. The thinking behind it is very similar to the thinking behind THIS THREAD which was compiled by several members of the "For Your Consideration" section.

Here's a quick extract which sums up the idea presented in the above story:-

"One possibility is to comment on an image's strengths and then, if it's deemed necessary, offer suggestions for improvements. That way, negatives can be addressed without them being mentioned as negatives".

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

rmalarz wrote:

There was a recent post that garnered a number of responses. The post was in regard to posting critical comments in the Photo Gallery section of this site. You can find that article here: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-726989-1.html

First off, there is an art to offering critiques. One can simply do a website search for ' how to critique art '. There are many articles explaining this skill. I'm reminded of a story a friend of mine told me regarding critiques. It's a great lesson.

A friend of mine's father worked for Ansel Adams. As such, both my friend and his father attended a number of Ansel Adams receptions. On one such occasion, my friend was there and accompanied Ansel Adams as he walked down the hallway to the reception room. He was, of course, in a group of people who worked for the museum and were in charge of organizing the exhibit and reception.

As they walked down the hallway, this gentleman, carrying a portfolio, approached AA and, after greeting him, asked him if he'd mind looking at some photographs. Ansel stopped, looked around, and saw an empty bench nearby. He took the portfolio from the gentleman and indicated that they should sit on that bench together. Of course, this was to the dismay of the accompanying group. They both walked to the bench and sat down.

At this point, AA opened the portfolio and looked at each of the photographs in a rather studious manner. He then asked the gentleman if he just wanted him to appreciate them or critique them. The gentleman indicated that he's like him to tell him what was wrong with them. AA looked at the gentleman and stated, "Why don't we see what's right with them and where they could be improved."

While the assembled museum personnel kept tapping their watches indicating they needed to hurry, AA took time discussing the merits of each photograph and then where minor things could be done to improve each of them. He also included why each of those minor things would improve the photograph.

That's the kind of critique that gives one incentive to improve. It's a far better approach than expressing something along the lines of 'you wasted good photons and materials to produce that?' or 'I would have done it this way or that way.'

Anyway, it was quite interesting to see how an artist of some stature provided a critique.
--Bob

There was a recent post that garnered a number of ... (show quote)

Nice and a classic story about Ansel.

There is one important issue about providing good criticism in the arts, it is actually at the heart of good criticism. Never, ever under any circumstance should one ever foul a critique with the statement and even the notion of "I like, or I don't like" as a valued form of criticism. This appears odd on the surface yet it goes to the heart of the issue. By eliminating personal opinion you are showing service to the person and their body of work.

Many years ago I was asked by a close friend to give his work a real going over a true critique of his efforts. He was prolific and that made it quite easy. His area of interest was what he like to call 'figure in the landscape'. I knew what he wanted, he did not get any of that, what he got surprised him no end.

What I delivered to him was vary truthful and an accurate assessment of his body of work. The nude women in the images were of no real consequence, actual of little importance. He was a landscape photographer, pure and simple. That is what I told him. It was no surprise, as he was a relator as his chose work professions.

Real criticism helps one to understand what it is that we are doing with our life. A great critic is like a truly gifted diagnostician in medicine, they are able to get past symptoms and go straight to what is occurring so one can accomplish one back to good health. A good critic will help you see what it is that you are doing, where your love and your desires lay so you can focus more on what the world means to you. A good critique steps above the work, ferrets out and distils the essence of what the heart already knows, and helps the mind understand what that heart is seeing.

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

rmalarz wrote:

There was a recent post that garnered a number of responses. The post was in regard to posting critical comments in the Photo Gallery section of this site. You can find that article here: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-726989-1.html

First off, there is an art to offering critiques. One can simply do a website search for ' how to critique art '. There are many articles explaining this skill. I'm reminded of a story a friend of mine told me regarding critiques. It's a great lesson.

A friend of mine's father worked for Ansel Adams. As such, both my friend and his father attended a number of Ansel Adams receptions. On one such occasion, my friend was there and accompanied Ansel Adams as he walked down the hallway to the reception room. He was, of course, in a group of people who worked for the museum and were in charge of organizing the exhibit and reception.

As they walked down the hallway, this gentleman, carrying a portfolio, approached AA and, after greeting him, asked him if he'd mind looking at some photographs. Ansel stopped, looked around, and saw an empty bench nearby. He took the portfolio from the gentleman and indicated that they should sit on that bench together. Of course, this was to the dismay of the accompanying group. They both walked to the bench and sat down.

At this point, AA opened the portfolio and looked at each of the photographs in a rather studious manner. He then asked the gentleman if he just wanted him to appreciate them or critique them. The gentleman indicated that he's like him to tell him what was wrong with them. AA looked at the gentleman and stated, "Why don't we see what's right with them and where they could be improved."

While the assembled museum personnel kept tapping their watches indicating they needed to hurry, AA took time discussing the merits of each photograph and then where minor things could be done to improve each of them. He also included why each of those minor things would improve the photograph.

That's the kind of critique that gives one incentive to improve. It's a far better approach than expressing something along the lines of 'you wasted good photons and materials to produce that?' or 'I would have done it this way or that way.'

Anyway, it was quite interesting to see how an artist of some stature provided a critique.
--Bob

There was a recent post that garnered a number of ... (show quote)

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

In the beginning there is also a story about how Ansel critiqued his student's work and it was not the same as the story you told. He was initially quite brutal in his critiques and it took him some time to understand the impact he was having on his students and then he changed the way he gave critiques; it's a learning process.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

That may be so. If so, it's great that he revised his methods of critiquing. I can only comment on that which was told directly to me.
--Bob

via the lens wrote:

In the beginning there is also a story about how Ansel critiqued his student's work and it was not the same as the story you told. He was initially quite brutal in his critiques and it took him some time to understand the impact he was having on his students and then he changed the way he gave critiques; it's a learning process.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

rmalarz wrote:

That may be so. If so, it's great that he revised his methods of critiquing. I can only comment on that which was told directly to me.
--Bob

I'll see if I can locate the passage. It seemed he felt quite bad about what he had done to some students. Life is filled with learning!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'm not doubting the information you posted. It would be interesting to read, should you find it.
--Bob

via the lens wrote:

I'll see if I can locate the passage. It seemed he felt quite bad about what he had done to some students. Life is filled with learning!

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

rmalarz wrote:

I'm not doubting the information you posted. It would be interesting to read, should you find it.
--Bob

I did not think you were doubting the information but I did think you might be someone who would be interested in it. I have so many Ansel books it's hard to remember where things come from but I'll try to find it and I'll post it if I do.