Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

I have a book that is a collection of photos of trains on the Grand Trunk Western railroad from the days of steam. I have never thought about the quality of the photos. Instead, I might think "wow, look at that! The 6403 pulling the Maple Leaf at speed near Lansing!" You get the idea. The photographer was out there at the right time, got the shot, and we can see something that is now long gone. That is of value aside form the quality of the photograph. Any photograph of that subject is of interest to some of us.

On the other hand, I have a book of photos by O. Winston Link. He also photographed steam powered trains, and his photos are spectacularly well done as photographs, without respect to the subject.

I think there is a place for both.

Mike

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Unfortunately text cannot convey facial expressions or inflection.

I’m actually in agreement with everything you said... I was making a gentle joke. My mistake... it didn’t come across as meant.

buckwheat Loc: Clarkdale, AZ and Belen NM

My favorite response is when I post a photo for critique, and I explain the circumstances around the photo shoot, and then I'm told to take the model and reshoot the image doing thus and so.... Or with scenics or travel photos I get a similar response even after stating that the photo was taken years ago and 12,000 miles away.
So many people want to add a "critique" without having read the dialogue, but want only to hear (see) themselves talking.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

There definitely is...

That’s why I use an iPhone and a MILC. Casual and serious... Sometimes a snapshot is all that can be had, or all that’s needed. Other times, I put some thought into it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Success is most often achieved by those who don't admire their failures.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Paul, you got that right.

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

An illustration of a problem with the web. Anonymity and therefore freedom to act like a jerk without consequence. Civility and honesty is a better course.

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

Last time I looked, the description for the Gallery also included critiques. It is what it is and maybe I should look for another group that is more inclined to discuss the images. Simply stating "nice shot" is pretty boring and mostly not something I care to read.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

This is from the Photo Gallery Section rules:

"This section is for posting pictures you took. If you want to ask others to comment on your choice of subjects, composition, settings, show off your pictures to others, or ask for general critique, then please do so in the Photo Gallery section."

The key word there is "ask."

Mike

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

This has changed since I first signed up. Just don't think this is going to work for me. If this is so, and I believe from your post it is, might I suggest to the moderators/powers that be that you make a separate heading for critiques, so there is no misunderstanding?

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Since you practiced photography professionally for over four decades, you already know the value of constructive critiquing as a teaching, learning and self-improvement tool for achieving your goals in producing high-quality imagery. In photojournalism as well as any other field of professional photography there are print exhibitions, conventions educational events, seminars, and workshops that initial judging and critiquing sessions that are extremely instructive and educational, especially if you can participate, sit-in on or observe an open judging. In formal classes, constructive critiquing is commonplace, frequent and probably a required part of the curriculum. On the jobs as a photojournalist, commercial photographers or portrait studio operator, we are constantly being critiqued and guided by our editors, art directors and clients. It's healthy and keeps us on our game! Even camera clubs that cater to advanced enthusiasts have serious critiquing programs. So...theses are all activities for professional and advanced amateur photographers, especially if they are always vying for improvement.

On this and many other online photo-forums, there's a mixture of professionals, former professionals, advanced amateurs, and casual hobbyists- experienced and rookies!. For some, achieving professionalism is not their motivation in participating in forums. There is nothing wrong with this integration of all kinds of folks that enjoy, practice or work at photography. Some are talented serious artists, some are more technically orientated, many just love to amass, collect and tinker with expensive equipment and some actually know exactly how to use it- some do not as yet and some will never know. Everyone has the right to join in and hopefully the majority are friendly and accommodating. Being a professional does not automatically make anyone as a great photographer but some are and some are not but they manage to make a living at it.

As a professional, like myself, you can't inflect, superimpose, or foist your standards on everyone else because the structure and administration has no such goals or rules.

Critique in an online form is a tricky business. That is simply because everyone here is a human being with their own personality. There are folks who request and welcome constructive criticism, and others who can live without it or even resent it. There are folks who can offer a comprehensive, informative, learned, accurate, helpful and highly constructive critique, offer suggestion and remedies and provide encouragement and some who can not! Unfortunately, there are a FEW that find satisfaction in supplying a nasty, unnecessarily harsh or scathing critique even including a few low-blows and personal attacks. Sometimes the entire critiquing concept like playing with gasoline and matches and the whole process becomes incendiary! Fact is, many folks just don't take well to unsolicited advice so, as others have mentioned, only offer the advice to that ask for it or post a question or an image in a section that automatically assumes that critiques and advice are part and parcel of that section.

If you take exception to all what I call the "attaboy or attagirl" responses to a posted image, I know exactly what you mean. A flattering review of a poorly crafted image is just as much of a disservice, to someone who wants an honest assessment of their work, as an unnecessarily harsh critique. The operational phrase here is "wants to have an honest assessment..." but the fact is not everyone wants or expects that approach. Realistically, the have a perfect right to not participate in critiques in most of the sections. Many members just want to share and display their images for any number of reasons- bragging rights, showing off their cute kids or grandchildren a vacation spot the enjoyed, or the family pet. Some ACT like their young adolescent grandchildren- collecting 'likes' on Facebook and getting angry or disappointed if they don't get the numbers. Some even treat the forum like the own personal gallery and get extremely territorial about their threads. a few make up their own rules about "hijacking" and piracy if anyone wants to share an image on THEIR threads! All of this comes with the territory. The anonymity of the Internet sometimes exacerbates some of the less than congenial behaviors. The Internet is a public place and most forums are not an exclusive club or professional organization. Some of the information and advice dispensed here is highly or somewhat inaccurate although much of it is given in with good intentions. By the way- menu of the images that receive accolades, compliments, and ataboy/atagirl comments ARE, IN FACT,EXCELLENT and deserve positive comments and encouragement the folks responding just don't care to elaborate.

The good news is that there are lots of fine, helpful, compassionate, sympathetic, knowledgeable and friendly folks here as well and they do rise to the top. If you are disgruntled with the minority of bad actors, silly folks, or just nice folks who simply like to be polite and complimentary on their selected form of social media and still want to enjoy the benefits of this forum, you just gotta put up with some of the silliness, ignore the rough stuff, do your thigs and network with the constructive members.

I hope this helps.

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

I suppose much of this is spot-on. I tend to expect people to say "This is right, this is wrong or why did you do this the way you did?". Just not sure this is a good place for me. I am big into jumping in and mentoring, which I tried to do there and does not seem to be wanted or appreciated. I like to discuss images and feel like I learn from other seasoned professionals and love talking to amateur and hobbyist because they often have a differing and fresh perspective that I often like and appreciate. And WHY would you do a thing like photography, post your work in a forum and not want to make any improvement(s) to your work? Makes no sense to me.

Thanks once and all for the responses, I appreciate each of them.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Very well said.



Mike

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Just because they may not want your critiques?
Do you have to critique?
If so, there are other forum sections that are for critiquing as others have stated.

I enjoy looking at the images and usually don't feel the need to critique.
But that's me.