Observations about displayed pics in Photo Gallery (Page 3): Besides who am I to tell them that I think their works are not good? My works aren't good either. It's best that I don't go...

BebuLamar

User ID wrote:

Thaz exactly it.

Its pretty much written into the Gallery rules.

Besides who am I to tell them that I think their works are not good? My works aren't good either. It's best that I don't go there.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar wrote:

Besides who am I to tell them that I think their works are not good? My works aren't good either. It's best that I don't go there.

Mine aren't perfect and I accept that, but I like them!
And that's what counts.

(My wife likes most of them. That counts a lot also.)

User ID

Longshadow wrote:

Remember, perfection is an asymptote.
But yes, there is always room for improvement.
It just depends on how close to infinity one wants to get.
(Or wants others to get.)

Infinity is always right around the corner.
Okay, so its a quantum corner. Big deal :-)

User ID

BebuLamar wrote:

Besides who am I to tell them that I think their works are not good? My works aren't good either. It's best that I don't go there.

My problem, as the viewer, is that even if they could be technically perfect the Gallery pix just never appeal to me. I only go there to review someones work if theyve posted a "need help" request in General Discussion.

therwol Loc: USA

There are people on UHH who are hung up on the technical side of things, and there are people who post photos to share the joy they experienced in a place or at an event. It's just poison when they cross paths. I remember someone going ballistic when another criticized a photo that they posted without asking for advice, and they left the forum. I think that sometimes those positive responses to snapshots that are posted are just to say that they share the feelings that the photos represent.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

User ID wrote:

Infinity is always right around the corner.
Okay, so its a quantum corner. Big deal :-)

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Well, one man’s junk and all that.

srt101fan

Longshadow wrote:

Remember, perfection is an asymptote.
But yes, there is always room for improvement.
It just depends on how close to infinity one wants to get.
(Or wants others to get.)

Now, you didn't use "Quote Reply" and the post immediately ahead of yours was from you. Are you talking to yourself? 😁

Bill_de Loc: US

Somethings that are so simple draw the most attention.

UHH is simple. Most every section has rules, follow them!

Example from the Photo Gallery starts like this:
Photo Gallery Section

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.

It's easy to understand, but many here like to think they are more important than the rest.

It's good UHH is free. It's bad because there is no incentive to keep control of things.

From Quora:
What is the meaning of the phrase 'love it or leave it' when ...

It means exactly what it says. "If you don't like how things are done here, find somewhere you do, and go there. Don't try to change my lifestyle ...

Just stuff to think about.

---

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

srt101fan wrote:

Now, you didn't use "Quote Reply" and the post immediately ahead of yours was from you. Are you talking to yourself? 😁

Hahaha. Just because my post was "next in line" doesn't mean that I was responding to the post before it.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Bill_de wrote:

Somethings that are so simple draw the most attent... (show quote)

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

Rick from NY wrote:

Folks - I raised this subject a few years back and thought I’d give it an encore. UHH has 2 sections for members to post pics - Photo Gallery and Photo Analysis and posting constructive criticism in the first is frowned upon. I think this rule does a disservice to photographers looking to up their game.

I often look at posts in the Gallery and too often see, sorry for the blunt language, just awful photos. I’m not talking about subjective matters. I’m talking about pics that are out of focus, poorly exposed, with wildly tilted horizons (not done intentionally for artistic purposes), badly post processed or overprocessed, poorly composed with telephone poles growing out of heads, etc. or any number of other technical (NOT subjective) flaws.

And most times, well meaning members post, “Great set”, or “Nicely done” or other “ attaboys” in an attempt to not hurt another member’s feelings. I see this as counterproductive and reinforcing bad technique by poster. I ask how is a member to develop better photography skills if, I again apologize upfront, technically terrible pics are displayed and followed by lots of gushing platitudes?

Last time I mentioned this, I was slapped down by numerous members who argue that unless a poster requests constructive criticism, nothing negative should be said. Ok - I’ll buy the “If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing” idea, but gushing over bad stuff does harm to the poster too. If the pics are bad, say nothing. Stop reinforcing bad work.

Just a suggestion to those posting to the Gallery in the future - think about soliciting criticisms so you can improve your work. Sure you will get many nasty, snarky and often incorrect replies from a certain subsection of members, but you will also get many great suggestions for improvement offered in a polite, constructive manner. I’ve been a photographer for 55 yrs and I welcome all well meaning and civil critiques. We are never too old to learn a new trick.

Anxious to see the replies to this rant.

Folks - I raised this subject a few years back and... (show quote)

If something that simple has bothered you for so long you bust be leading an idyllic life.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

There’s a reason I rarely look in the gallery. While it’s called a gallery most of the people posting there are not looking to advance photography as an art form. To me it’s overwhelmingly just snapshots. That’s why I rarely post there. And of course those people are getting accolades there. They’re the ones returning the favor by giving the others accolades for like work.

Michael1079 Loc: Indiana

Rick, I don't disagree, and I don't consider your observations a rant. Often I don't reply to many of the posts simply because there are quite a lot of them. Even though I'm (semi) retired, I have a 14 year old granddaughter that keeps me busy. Trying to compliment/comment on all the posts in the Photo Gallery is a daunting task.

I do love looking through the images that folks post. I appreciate their willingness to share their work, and have learned a lot.

For anyone wanting to improve, posting in the Photo Analysis is the place to go. I don't post much, because reading some of the comments on other poster's offerings in the Photo Gallery section seems often to be overly harsh and critically. (That's a nice way of saying that some comments I've read are downright bitter and hateful...) I like the motto, "If you like it, say so. If not, move on."

I'm neither an amateur nor a pro. I consider myself a photo enthusiast - which basically means I spend way too much money on photography equipment. With that said, this is a great forum for improving (if you're open to it.) I have posted some photos and received very constructive feedback - one of my granddaughter and her horse comes to mind. Someone suggested I crop it in closer and you know what? They were absolutely correct. Their suggestion was far better than what I posted.

UHH has made me more mindful of the end result!

fantom Loc: Colorado

Rick from NY wrote:

Folks - I raised this subject a few years back and thought I’d give it an encore. UHH has 2 sections for members to post pics - Photo Gallery and Photo Analysis and posting constructive criticism in the first is frowned upon. I think this rule does a disservice to photographers looking to up their game.

I often look at posts in the Gallery and too often see, sorry for the blunt language, just awful photos. I’m not talking about subjective matters. I’m talking about pics that are out of focus, poorly exposed, with wildly tilted horizons (not done intentionally for artistic purposes), badly post processed or overprocessed, poorly composed with telephone poles growing out of heads, etc. or any number of other technical (NOT subjective) flaws.

And most times, well meaning members post, “Great set”, or “Nicely done” or other “ attaboys” in an attempt to not hurt another member’s feelings. I see this as counterproductive and reinforcing bad technique by poster. I ask how is a member to develop better photography skills if, I again apologize upfront, technically terrible pics are displayed and followed by lots of gushing platitudes?

Last time I mentioned this, I was slapped down by numerous members who argue that unless a poster requests constructive criticism, nothing negative should be said. Ok - I’ll buy the “If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing” idea, but gushing over bad stuff does harm to the poster too. If the pics are bad, say nothing. Stop reinforcing bad work.

Just a suggestion to those posting to the Gallery in the future - think about soliciting criticisms so you can improve your work. Sure you will get many nasty, snarky and often incorrect replies from a certain subsection of members, but you will also get many great suggestions for improvement offered in a polite, constructive manner. I’ve been a photographer for 55 yrs and I welcome all well meaning and civil critiques. We are never too old to learn a new trick.

Anxious to see the replies to this rant.

Folks - I raised this subject a few years back and... (show quote)

Well said. I could not have expressed your valid opinion better.