chuckw514 Loc: Newport Coast,CA

I see some of the answers to what makes a WOW photo.
Sometimes you just get a feeling.
This was two of those times for me during a recent trip to South Africa.
Chuck

Leopard drinking


White Rhinos

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

well I can see if you took them yourself . but if I was thumbing through a book and came across them . I would not stop from turning the page . I have seen thousands . like them, lots better some worse

amehta Loc: Boston

Yup, another new member encouraged to stay and learn how to take better pictures. :-(

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

well what am I supposed to do , lie to make him feel better . in points 1-5 what would you give . I'm thinking two . for get that it's aferican anamels . what if it was a horse and cow , a dog and cat . it is just a snap . that is all it is there is nothing redeeming about that picture . I would even say there ugly
there is so much wrong that it can't be saved .

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

BB, sometimes the WAY you say something is more important than WHAT you say.......

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

Most of the discussion barely touches the issue of technical competence. For many 'created' images, technical competence is the difference between 'wow' and a mere snapshot. There's certainly plenty of technical incompetence around; look at how many images aren't sharp and for people photos, look at how many have wildly awful skin tones. I'm also not impressed with the advice to "just shoot a lot." I know people who shoot a lot, make no serious effort to increase their skills, and have made nothing but snapshots ... in some cases literally millions of snapshots.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Yeah... :(

amehta Loc: Boston

In a situation like this, you could also say nothing, waiting until he posts asking for critique to offer your insights.

amehta Loc: Boston

Practice makes perfect. Bad practice makes perfectly bad.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

This wasn't supposed to be a lesson in judging photos, just a forum for helping people and encouraging them. Your comments were unsolicited and sometimes silence is golden. I imagine that you've heard the old adage, "If you don't have something nice to say about someone, don't say anything at all". Chuck's pictures were quite good. I especially like the leopard. The composition is good and the the pink tongue making the ripples in the water add a great deal to the shot. I imagine that Chuck was in a safari vehicle and had to shoot quickly and had no means to move to a possibly better vantage point, and probably not a lot of time to decide how best to set his camera.

Not having seen any of your work, I don't know that you have the knowledge or talent to be critical of someone else, but I do know that most photographers who do have the knowledge and talent don't feel the need to take such a superior attitude toward other photographers. I suggest that you not critique another persons work unless the review was solicited. And even when you have been requested to be critical of another photographer's work, try pointing out the flaws and offering suggestions to correct them - gently. That approach might actually make others think you know what you are talking about.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Brea Boy,

Did you ever think that maybe the best option would have been for you to keep your fingers off the keyboard and not send the message, or are you trying to make yourself feel superior?

If not, some positive criticism might have been helpful.

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

I thought it was the wow factor were supposed to be talking about , well all I'm saying is . it's not a wow for me . if it was he would hear about that loud and clear also .if you can't take the bad , and only the good . I guess I think there able to handle what ever is thrown at them reguarding there pictures . I know I can . I don't live for prase only

Cameoblue Loc: British Columbia Canada

The Leopard photo made me look twice, thanks.

Ignore the rude comments that pop up once in a while. Some people need to try to put others down to get them down to their level.

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

yea rude . like Simon Cowell rude . I'm not trying to prove swatt . just my opinion take it or leave it . why you getting all up tight about a opinion .

amehta Loc: Boston

That's an excellent analogy. Would suggest, however, that chuckw514 didn't sign up for the Canadian Photographer show, with the famously acerbic judge, Bram boy. He simply posted a couple of shots he considered his winners.

I'm getting worked up because I don't want people to leave because we're rude to them as soon as they show up. I don't think "having a thick skin" should be a requirement for participating in the forum. I think the others have something to offer, and it's our loss if we chase them away.