Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Another of MJPerini's comments in this topic, worth repeating:

"This whole thing has been quite instructive, and maybe it is reflective of the polarized world we live in.
Some folks feel that everyone with whom they come in contact NEEDS to know THEIR opinion.
Even in places that state up front "If posters want opinions they will ask for them", we have folks who argue the point. "How dare we deprive those poor souls of their wisdom" Think about that......
All we have done as a community is seek to make it an open and friendly space, where people can seek advice if they choose, or simply post some pictures without the need or fear of judgement.
How do you argue with that ? It is called civility.
The more people who post here the better the place becomes...... unless we allow it to devolve into one of those internet forums that exist for people to "Flame' one another.
The only issue we are talking about is Unsolicited unwanted Criticism, in One small part of the site.
If giving advice on other people's work is so important to you, just look for people who ask.
When someone asks, all reasonable opinions are welcome. This place is at its best when we are helping one another. Look for ways to do that.
Take Pictures, enjoy Life"

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-804332-9.html#14560822

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Those with superior knowledge and experience should consider creating teaching topics. Years ago, we would see a few now and then. I remember one series in main discussion on composition (and critique thereof).

For Your Consideration did quite a few. In 2017, there were five or six of us who collaborated on a 4-part series about light.

Post Processing Forum used to have weekly challenges designed to test your pp skills, with a "judge" who knew a great deal about pp!

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Perhaps you missed my last sentence:
"Admin. philosophy: Doesn't need to conform to yours or mine."
There are a number of Admin. rules that conflict with my philosophy, where did I ever say I won't follow admin. rules?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Better yet.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Agree with all the above. For Your Consideration now has weekly photo editing competition I sometimes participate in. Not much discussion around why people vote for one vs another, so the learning process is limited. Anyhow, I really am too old now to stay focused much on long teaching courses on anything, including photography.

I like it when someone posts a picture and someone makes a couple of comments pro or con about the photo. Often, being weak in the artsy end of photography these brief comments help a lot. I don't think they hurt anyone, even if not specifically solicited. Naturally how your critique is presented may hurt ones feelings, but most people, particularly in the HOG, thats not the case.

Kindness in critiques is important. If ones comments are hurtful rather than helpful, well that's a different issue I think. Even when that happens it's normally not intentional.

I'll state again, I think it's rare when a person posting a photo in the Gallery gets all up tight when a fellow hogger offers free help. If it's meant to be helpful, why would you get your panties in a bunch? Most just don't, a few are just... weird.

DanF Loc: Wichita, KS

As a relatively new member of UHH (and one whose participation is fading fast) I have to agree with your comments but also offer an observation. I joined UHH with the idea that it would be a venue to share photos and engage in constructive criticism about those photos and those of others, as well as have a dialogue about current photographic topics. I've been disappointed on both counts.

First, when I go out to shoot, I may take hundreds of photos, hoping for one or two good ones. Those then go through rigorous post processing over a period of days, contemplating prints and refining, until I have something I'm happy with. That is a photo I would post on a site such as UHH and then hope for constructive criticism from there. But I have come to understand that that is not what UHH really is for.

It is a social site, where people can go out and take a photo or even shoot one through a window and then share with others. And that is totally fine. Like you, I was amazed (shocked?) at the general poor quality of photos that were posted. And these seemed to get the same "Nice photo!", "Two thumbs up!" comments that some truly great photos get. There seems to be no difference between casual snapshots and polished photographs to most of the posters on this site. My observation: this is a social site where people can share photos they've taken and be assured that what they share will be well received, no matter what the technical flaws. All well and good. It is not a site for in-depth aesthetic and technical critique. It is what it is.

As for dialogue about current photo topics, I find that most members don't want to engage in a real conversation about the issues and just usually default to "every body should do what they want to do", which is a dialogue killer (and was never in question in the first place).

I get UHH in my inbox every Monday and sometimes check out the comments for any interesting technical tidbits, but I don't anticipate posting photos anymore. Think you and I may be looking for a different type of website.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Yes, kindness! I think it's worth copying MJPerini's comments from page 1 of this topic:

"Folks, one of the joys of photography is that it can bee enjoyed at many levels. Everyone starts somewhere.
The gallery is meant to be a "riskless" place to see your photo on the internet, and show it to others.
There is a reason it is structured that way, it encourages people to post regardless of their skill level.
These folks are not looking for your criticism, even if it is well intentioned. They just want to post pictures they are proud of.
There are lots of other places where criticism IS allowed , here and other places.
Having one place free from criticism, where people can feel safe is a very good idea.
Also, try to remember the audience....... This is not some high stakes gallery, I is a cordial meeting place for mostly older photographers to share and talk about Photography. All skill levels are welcome, and we do have lots of accomplished photographers as well as those who just do it for enjoyment.
Unsolicited criticism is generally not welcome anywhere, even if it is meant to be helpful
That should be a pretty easy concept to understand.
Be happy, take Pictures"

User ID

Now that youve both made me curious about those five most recent Gallery posts, I hadda venture into the swamp to take a peek. I find no motivation at all to critique or discuss any of them. They simply are what they are, five Gallery posts, properly exposed, and in focus, as should acoarst be expected from a D5200. Really, what else could possibly be said ?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I assume you are speaking to the OP. Always good to make that clear when responding in a topic that is now more than 20 pages long.

You have clearly given thoughtful consideration to the composition of UHH and aren't trying to change "what is." I appreciate that!

I've dabbled on several photo forums/websites; all are different in strengths and weaknesses relative to my interests. I never once considered asking - or demanding - that they change for me.

Regarding comments, until someone becomes comfortable and experienced with offering feedback - even if complimentary - it can be very difficult to thoughtfully express what is felt or to know what might be valuable to those following the thread. Most of us don't want to look foolish, though I passed through that door awhile back

Best on your journey!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

After being active on this site for many years, it has been my experience that posters who give gushing approval to poorly crafted images, are most often not just being nice, but rather don't understand the techniques of photography and composition any better themselves, and their own work is often just as problematic as the images that they are praising.

This site has a very large number of members. Their photographic and composition skills range from the sublime to the mediocre or worse.. Many on this site are not particularly skilled or may lack a good eye for the components that make for a pleasing photograph. However, they may be content with what they're currently producing and may completely ignore flaws that many of us see as obvious and significant. They may also not be interested in reading the negative observations of their images by others.

Keep in mind that all are welcome here regardless of their skill level. If members just want to show off their work and are not interested in a critique, that is their prerogative. It is probably best you just ignore any unbridled praise for images you see as poorly crafted and reserve your own critiques on this site to locations where they are appropriate.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Alas, you've misunderstood the purpose of UHH. As others have noted, this is a social site, loosely organized around photography topics.

Looking at your images, wonderful work! But, you've selected mostly lightly-used / mostly unseen subsections, specifically Landscape and B&W. Using the Photo Gallery will increase your exposure, including more 'thumbs-up' level comments.

Deciding not to share more images would be a sad development. But, if you joined the wrong site for the wrong reason(s), maybe that is the next logical step.

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

I agree 100 per cent. I'm amazed at how bad the photos are at both of these sites and wonder why.