This site is inclusive of all photographers at all levels. As a result, a significant portion of the members lack experience and have relatively undeveloped photography skills. That includes how to get the best from their camera, the elements of good composition, an understanding of exposure, and how to use light. For some people, more experience will not result in significantly better photographs. They simply lack the eye for it.

The fact that some people post images they are proud of that may be subpar according to the standards of more experienced photographers is not an issue for me. Many people with good equipment believe that is all that is needed to take good photographs. They will either learn from experience over time or they will not. I don't view it as my job to criticize their work and force my views or opinions upon them unless they ask for it.

Mediocre images often get praise from equally inexperienced photographers . That is a side effect of the inclusiveness of this site. I try to provide helpful criticism when it is requested and ignore what I perceive as poorly crafted images when it is not.

It is my understanding that replies to posts in this section are expected to be not critical of an image and that criticisms of photos are restricted to the “Critique” section where posters solicit negative as well as positive comments. I understand the thinking that such a forum is designed to be a place to display work one is proud of and looking for ego stroking, but it troubles me that 3 pages of “great shots”, “ 👍s” and “well dones” in response to clearly inferior photos may do the poster more harm than good. I’m not talking about subjective analysis of a particular image. Rather I am referring to photos that are unintentionally out of focus, over sharpened to the point where the halos become the subject, unintentional skewed horizons, unintentional color shifts and other technical issues like a tree growing out of the subject’s head” that are NOT subjective. If a member posts a photo he/she is proud of looking for affirmation and experienced photographers clearly see that the image lacks sharpness, commenting “nice set” will not allow the poster to learn how to improve.

Again - I understand the desire to be supportive of such posters and the reluctance to say something “not nice” as my mother warned me not to do, but reinforcing demonstrably poor technique prevents a shooter from improving. I really don’t have a great solution for this problem, other than to say nothing in response to a post. Anyone else see this as a problem preventing growth in photography skills?