Susieb721 Loc: Mid Michigan

I do, too, Mary! I've edited a couple on here and I hope I've not offended anyone. If so, I'm so very sorry.

Susieb721 Loc: Mid Michigan

That was my thought. Or even simply, "do not edit".

Susieb721 Loc: Mid Michigan

I stopped by another forum little while back, and stayed maybe 2 or 3 days. I posted some pictures, and said cc is welcome. I got my nose a little bent out of shape by the way I was criticized, I think I must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed and created a bit of a stir amongst myself and another evidently well liked member. Her reply to my post...

"First off, welcome...just keep posting and really listen to the info you get...I mean humbly listen.

Second, turn your flash off. You are washing out the poor little one. It looks like it was sunny, and the pinhole lights in the eyes say you had the flash all geared up. Onboard flash will do nothing good for your photos. I also think the crop is way too tight (we all do it sometimes), Her skin also looks really smooth..too smooth, leaving no dimension...looking very flat."

I personally, have been taught to shoot with an sb600 speed light for portraiture, by my boss and mentor at her photography studio. This is the way SHE shoots and would like me to follow her lead in most of my shoots. I do have creative freedom to shoot differently, but her studio is known for this "look". She also uses portraiture. I mentioned in another post that that this other little girl is very pale skinned and being just a year old it was sometimes difficult to hold her attention.

I received criticism for trying to make excuses for poor lighting skills, not having my subject looking directly at me, poor editing, and bad crop.

I private messaged the first person and she retorted publicly warning others to not critique my work, that I can't take it. I was very humiliated and chose to leave the site.

So I guess the reason for this reply is...Had these couple of people used a little different tone with me, such as, "You might create a better portrait if...." or "I would have liked to have seen..." or even "I don't care for this picture because...." and perhaps I could have gleaned a little more knowledge and perspective on being better at what I love to do. With that said, I would hope we all are careful as to how we approach our critique. I'm not saying to tell everyone that their picture is gorgeous, beautiful, perfect. But kindness goes a lot further in critiquing. Am I off base here?

And for anyone curious, (Yes, I know there are flaws in these pictures) I will post the two I was heavily criticized for. Feel free to tell me your thoughts, and re-edit if you'd like. =)

AUminer Loc: Brandon, Ms

This is the reason I joined this forum. I want critiques and to be shown different views of what I shot. I may incorporate those views or not but the all go to a broader vision and understanding.

forbescat

My goodness! I guess you must feel like you have been put thru the wringer!

I played with the first picture a bit but I'm no portrait expert. We do have some on board and hopefully they'll stop by. Tell you what - I'll send a couple of PM's out and see what comes of that - probably in the morning. Hang in there - we'll get you some help.

hobbycam Loc: Now in "Hollister, Ca."

Dont stop doing what you do PM57 :-)
I feel that if you post a photo to a forum that is geared to Critiqueing, than you will obviously get a lot of suggestions. But, words alone cannot do what a little editing along with your critique can do.

SB721, I have been to a forum which i left because the people there do not critique. They run you into the ground.
A critique in my opinion is some sort of constructive critism, not trashing, If you see a problem, dont critique without some sort of solution <Right or wrong>. I dont think bieng thick skinned is required when someone critiques your image, but, it does help sometime <G>
That is how we all learn. I have been photographing since I was 15 and is still learning. I do not believe that I am a professional at this game, I just love it.
So in the future , if you see my posts with photo, please feel free to be honest and critique away and edit . I need that so that i may see what you mean.

My 2 cents :-)

May God Bless :-)

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

I'm new to this site, but I have been on sites in the past that do both........knock down everything so their image will appear better, and those that tell you nothing except what a good image you have. For myself, I don't mind anyone telling me or showing me how they think one of my images could be improved. I find that very helpful. However, I'm not emotionally involved with my pictures to the point of being defensive, and there are those who are. There are kind ways to express your ideas for changes for others' images, and there are unkind ways. It sounds as if Susieb721 had the second experience.

Susieb721, I like the second image quite well and see nothing to improve. Your first image is lovely also, but I find the background distracting. I might have a tendency to select only the background and change it to black and white, and perhaps lighten it a tad. This might help bring out the flesh tones in the face. Some people like the lightened skin look, and it is popular at the moment. There are all kinds of websites out there, and we have to pick and choose one that will provide learning in such a way we are comfortable with.

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

What a subject! I'm too new at this to understand what the accepted parameters are for a good picture. When I come across a posted photo I believe is good I post a reply saying so without further recommendations. If I see a photo I don't like I don't say anything because it would be just one man's opinion.
If I had a good image manipulation program I might experiment with the posted image for my own curiosity, but I wouldn't repost it...too new at this game.
I think the "edit/do not edit" is a good idea, but "do not edit" eliminates the way other people would like to see them.
As far as humiliation goes, I've yet to see a forum that doesn't hurt somebodys feelings, intentional or not.

Dria Loc: Ohio

What is life without drama, challenge and thinking outside the box?
I totally enjoy seeing the photos people take and seeing what others see when they edit them.
I posted a bride pic in Sept that I loved except... and I received terrific advice and some wonderful edits.
One of the edits which I will post in another thread- went into the wedding scrapbook- (with credit given to the editor) --
People read what I commented on each "re-edit" and built on it till perfection was reached :)--Let me tell you-- my niece (the bride) was thrilled!

architect Loc: Chattanooga

Great attitude! Unfortunately some people post their photos for "critiques" expecting praise instead of a critique, or an edit demonstrating how to improve, and they get their feelings hurt. On the other hand, there are people giving "critiques" who get a kick out of trashing someone's work in the most insensitive way, and without also giving suggestions on how to improve the work.

Sometimes critiques do hurt a bit, especially if the subject of the image is personal, such as a child. But if the critique is constructive, you can learn from it. Sometimes the critique is simply one person's preference in style, and is not of much use, and sometimes the critique is simply wrong. Learning to tell the difference, unfortunately, take experience and knowledge.

There are two aspects to critiques, aesthetic and technical. Aesthetic critiques are a matter of opinion and personal preference, while technical critiques can be more factual. The technical critiques can be much more accurate if the camera settings are provided, or if the EXIF data can be accessed, as it can on other sites that offer critiques.

Susieb721 Loc: Mid Michigan

Very good point!

arphot Loc: Massachusetts

That sums it all up.

Susieb721 Loc: Mid Michigan

Thank you, Wanda. That is EXACTLY how I personally would have liked to have gotten critiquing, and I might have stayed. I forgot to mention I chose the lightened skin/color tone on purpose. That IS something our studio offers as well, that we call deep editing. I will post the original if anyone wants to play with it, and also post our first step in editing that we do to every portrait before we start any deep editing.

And last but not least on this particular portion of the post, I will share a funny picture that I totally messed up being out of focus and wish I had been a little better prepared. The wind kicked up and her hair went straight in the air. No need to tell me its OOF, trust me, I was so bummed to get home, out of the bright sun, and realize that. Darn it!

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

amazing how the same photo can look so different ....love that face with the hair lol

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

I love these babies