mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Chosing to ignore commenting on technically and aesthetically poor images does not mean that I have not gotten your point. I have been troubled for years by the praise heaped upon them by some members here. However, I only provide a critical evaluatuon of an image if it appears from the accompanying text that the poster is seeking feedback. I will also occasionally provide positive feedback, even if not requested, if I find a particular image extremely compelling and meaningful to me.

Often the images you alude to are so poorly executed it's hard to provide useful constructive criticism anyway. They are just so bad the only way to improve upon them is to delete them.

As I've stated many times, the gushing positive responses to some of these terrible images from members is usually because those members are not any more skilled than the person who took the photograph. It's a case of the blind leading the blind. That is the result of a very large and inclusive membership ranging from first time point & shoot users all the way to highly skilled professionals. Most people here are not seasoned photographers. Many are not looking for technical or artistic growth and just want to share images they are proud of.

Over time I've learned to ignore the posting of terrible images and the gushing of those who praise them. Instead I just concentrate on those things here that I find interesting.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Probably a wise idea

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

And to the guy that gave you the thumbs up. For more than 20 pages, the replies to this thread have been respectful and civil and interesting. Combined, you two have had 80,000 posts with which to hone your snarky replies. Most of us abandoned “Nah nah nah nah nah” on the playground when we left grade school.

Classy!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

To the guy who has seven (7) total new posts, and two are the same complaining topic separated by two years ... Why do you think the coin will fall to the side of unsolicited critiques? Or, do you think all attaboys are empty too?

My point is: participate. Why sit back and throw mud at those who do participate, both those posting and those commenting? If you can't / won't share images and / or details on the 'how-to' of accomplishing such images, at least demonstrate good feedback. At the moment, you're doing neither.

And that message goes to the larger community, stop clucking around in the UHH hen house instead of actively participating...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

I expect and welcome honest critiques. I have received some. "Too soft, should have cropped by so and so, exposure is too light, too dark" and many others. Some seemed mean-spirited but most are honest inputs aimed at helping-me in this case. I post mostly in "Photo Gallery" and enjoy what I see there and learn from the posts.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

It's not about the OP and his photos, so why are you and others here, going on about him posting photos. His post is all about a poor photo being showered with all sorts of praise and great catch etc. from other members here, that will not help the photographer that posts poor images, to be able to get better.

You will never get on in life, whether trying to learn a sport or to drive or to fly or to paint, if all those around you keep telling you that you are doing a fantastic job, when what you are actually doing, is very poor. I don't understand why so many here can't understand the message behind the OP writing what he did.

Let's leave the OPs photos and/or abilities, out of the discussion. He raised a very valid point, which the majority responding here, have agreed with but, I'm sure, were afraid to raise the issue themselves.

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

I agree

Bill_de Loc: US

You are right, this is not about the OPs photos or abilities. Nor is it about the OP's ability, or lack of ability, to provide a worthwhile critique. The OP is more concerned with what other people are doing. Many of us have fun here whether our photos are great or total failures. The OP's sour grapes attitude is like the kid who didn't get picked for the team, maybe because he would not be an asset, and spends his time speaking poorly of those who did get picked.

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druthven

There is one frequent contributor who posts photos that are consistently out of focus. The last is so grossly out of focus that I am led to believe it's being done on purpose for some unknown reason. I'm sure you all will recognize who that person is.

texasdigital Loc: Conroe, Texas

And here I just thought I just needed to update my eyeglasses prescription.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

No, I don't, and please don't enlighten me.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, does it even matter? This illustrates the other side of the point perfectly. The person you are referring to is obviously happy with capturing his /her images to the point where they would like to share them with us. Have you concidered that maybe that's the very best they can do with the (perhaps), limited equipment they have. Maybe that person lacks the knowledge of photography that most of us aspire to, but, (again perhaps), could be at an age where they are just enjoying their hobby and have no interest in further learning. I'm sure there are some people on this site that that are disabled in some way, maybe they don't have full control of their limbs, or suffer with uncontrolled shaking. Maybe this person actually does have failing eyesight, and enjoys sharing their shots with us hoping that they are "good enough". I'll say again, as I've mentioned before, these posts are in the "gallery" section, where anyone can hang anything they like, (within reason), and who are we to criticize, without knowing the facts and circumstances that produced those images? There are sections here specifically for "critique" and for "Photo Analysis", where people can and do, show their images and expect them to be commented on critically (both the good and the bad), it's encouraged and wanted, and a great way to "learn from the mistakes made", and to aquire knowledge from those here who have a lifetime of experience and are generous enough to pass it on and share. Pictures in the regular gallery are put there to share a moment with us. An occasion, an event, a fleeting moment, an unusual sight, something special to the person sharing. Many times I've seen things of interest and instantly wanted to get a shot of it. By the time I grabbed the camera, put the right lens on, checked the settings, if needed put it on the tripod, the moment was gone, there was no longer a shot to the taken. Sometimes there might be a rare bird in a tree for instance. You know it could fly off at any moment, so what do you do? I'd grab my camera, put it on auto, zoom in if possible, (hand held), hold my breath, cross my fingers, hope for the best and fire off a few shots! There's no way those pictures will ever be as sharp as they'd be if I had time to set everything up in advance. Maybe a little blurry, focus not perfect, not well framed, BUT, I'd have captured the image of the rare bird, (or vintage car, or WWII plane flying by, or child doing something funny and spontaneous). You get the point. If I was really happy to have captured something like that, (maybe strange or unusual), perhaps I'd put it in the gallery to share, I might even be a little proud of it. Sometimes a "well done, attaboy" is deserved and appreciated even if technically the image is not up to par. Posting an image that you're happy with and maybe proud of, and to then get the remarks, "it's not focused well, the colors off, you didn't crop it properly, should've had more/less bokah, the horizon is not straight" , wow I could go on and on, but don't you think it would make you feel a little inadequate, and less likely to post in the future? Give me a good camera and lens, on a tripod, with plenty of time and a great subject, and enough knowledge to use the equipment, and I'd happily post my pics, some in the gallery just to share and look at, and some in the critique and analysis sections for pictures that I'm not so happy with, and hopefully get advice on how I went wrong, and how to improve.
This post is getting way too long and some won't even bother to read it, but my point is, everything in its place. And don't presume that everyone "can" improve, some people really are already doing the best they can.
Ray.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

It was a long post but I read it, twice.