I'm a "Critique Freak"
Sep 16, 2017 21:05:54 #
[I love critiques- I love to get them, I love to give them. I love to watch them but I ain't gonna do much of this here on the HOG- well- at least in this section. I mean, this place is a MINEFIELD of hateful arguments, cussing, name calling and verbal combat over things impersonal things like a skylight filter, different styles of photography, a flash unit or a lens.]
I shortened the original post because it did get long, although I read it all. I was a science teacher for 28 years, and taught in the education program of a university. If you are going to be effective, you cannot browbeat the student. Once they turn off, they hear nothing, they learn nothing. To paraphrase a movie, "If you can't say anything constructive, don't say anything at all".
I am neither professional (although I did several years on weddings) nor an amateur. I have been shooting for 50 years. Sold my first photo 45 years ago. I can learn from people better than me, and also from people with less experience. Sometimes they ask why there are certain rules, and I just assumed that those rules should not be ignored. When teaching prospective teachers, the only acceptable critique is " I think you might want to try.......(whatever)" If they don't listen to you and internalize it, and make it their own thought, they will not use it. I have to give ideas that they think might be useful or they will be ignored. Those who flame a poster are not remembered next time the photographer is in the field (studio) If you want to be helpful, your critique must be useful. You must listen to what they are really asking. If they are asking about composition, comments on exposure are not useful. Critiques are supposed to teach. You cannot teach a closed mind. People post because they want to learn: so teach ideas, offer something to try. It is an art. Your way might not work for them, but if you try to be helpful, maybe they can use part of what you suggest to achieve their goal. Beginners and experts post questions & photos looking for ideas. When you post a reply, before you hit "send", ask yourself if you were the recipient, does the reply seem helpful? If not, don't send it.
I shortened the original post because it did get long, although I read it all. I was a science teacher for 28 years, and taught in the education program of a university. If you are going to be effective, you cannot browbeat the student. Once they turn off, they hear nothing, they learn nothing. To paraphrase a movie, "If you can't say anything constructive, don't say anything at all".
I am neither professional (although I did several years on weddings) nor an amateur. I have been shooting for 50 years. Sold my first photo 45 years ago. I can learn from people better than me, and also from people with less experience. Sometimes they ask why there are certain rules, and I just assumed that those rules should not be ignored. When teaching prospective teachers, the only acceptable critique is " I think you might want to try.......(whatever)" If they don't listen to you and internalize it, and make it their own thought, they will not use it. I have to give ideas that they think might be useful or they will be ignored. Those who flame a poster are not remembered next time the photographer is in the field (studio) If you want to be helpful, your critique must be useful. You must listen to what they are really asking. If they are asking about composition, comments on exposure are not useful. Critiques are supposed to teach. You cannot teach a closed mind. People post because they want to learn: so teach ideas, offer something to try. It is an art. Your way might not work for them, but if you try to be helpful, maybe they can use part of what you suggest to achieve their goal. Beginners and experts post questions & photos looking for ideas. When you post a reply, before you hit "send", ask yourself if you were the recipient, does the reply seem helpful? If not, don't send it.
Sep 16, 2017 23:54:58 #
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