Too friendly? (Page 4): Think about it this way - You are at a car show; some cars are HOLD THE PHONE cool while others are what someone could afford to do. So what are you going to do...

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Jul 14, 2012 10:03:05 #

Santa Fe Rose

St3v3M wrote:

quote=viscountdriver This is a friendly forum-no ... (show quote)

I believe you have a good point St3v3M. Some of the best photos I've seen here on UHH come from Steve LaPoint who shoots hundreds of shots each month in his job as a sports photographer for the University of Colorado. When he posted comments, everyone seemed pleased at his knowledge and ability to convey complex ideas in an easy to understand way. I think his photos are "awesome," even though I am not a sports fan.

If it takes 10 years of experience (per experienced folks on UHH) to become a photographer, then a lot of us are posting "getting experience" photos. My camera is on automatic. I am learning about aperture, ISO, etc. Because of UHH and recommended books, my understanding is improving.

This is the beginning of my first year. And if those of you who want to support us newbies could point out what is good as well as what needs improvement, it would be a good learning experience.

Thanks to you all who take the time to support.

Jul 14, 2012 10:04:56 #

GPappy Loc: Finally decided to plop down, Clover, S.C.

Boy there sure is a lot of comments about what is actually "just a personal opinion". We all have them, it is just one part of what I call "it makes the world go round". This would be a very boring place if we all had the same thoughts and ideas.

Jul 14, 2012 10:09:20 #

Rhodge Loc: Connecticut

Victoria1233 wrote:

I think the whole issue is learning how to write on the internet (as opposed to talking face to face in the real world). I can type a comment with a warm friendly smile on my face, but the receiver of my comment can't see my face.

if someone wants a critique give them one, but start your opening paragraph without something nice like "Interesting image" or "Nice image, but may I suggest that you..............".

I've found on another forum I belong to, that it's your last sentence in your comment that the viewer remembers and gains an idea of what type of person you are, so be nice. I keep forgetting........ but..... there are smilies or
emoticoms to soften your words too. Use a 'smilie' or the words 'big grin' to
let viewer know your are joking or have a smile on your face.

Well said!! :-)

There are ways of phrasing your sentences on the internet to get the point made without being abrupt, rude or negative. You can write negative comments in a Positive way.

One needs to keep in mind that you don't know the personal circumstances of the 'newcomer'. For example......you don't know that I have constant pain, fatigue, serious health problems, am very short-sighted & have had back surgery which makes me stiff, so I can't often 'get down low' to shoot a subject. Some days my heart condition mean I'm exhausted and huffing & puffing so much I can't hold the camera still. I have a short term memory problem, so can't remember instructions or 'how to' do certain things.

Always be mindful that in being honest, make that honesty constructive (not DEstructive).

And please don't say a photo is fantastic, amazing, stunning, if it clearly is not. That is not helpful.

Just say something ordinary if you want to encourage a new photographer. Find something in the photo to encourage the new photography hobbyist. If a person posts 3 photos and 2 are lousy, just say you think 'the third photo is lovely, but the other 2 photos are a bit too dark - perhaps you could improve them by ........'

Yep, it's all in the way your write.

I think the whole issue is learning how to write o... (show quote)

Jul 14, 2012 10:12:13 #

RWCRNC Loc: Pennsylvania

I am very inexperienced, and I look at some of the shots that are praised and wonder what I am missing. I think constructive criticism is not mean and should be accompanied by suggestions for improvement. Since I can't offer those suggestions, I always remember what my mother always said, " if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all "

Jul 14, 2012 10:13:10 #

Santa Fe Rose

Victoria1233 wrote:

I think the whole issue is learning how to write on the internet (as opposed to talking face to face in the real world). I can type a comment with a warm friendly smile on my face, but the receiver of my comment can't see my face.

if someone wants a critique give them one, but start your opening paragraph without something nice like "Interesting image" or "Nice image, but may I suggest that you..............".

I've found on another forum I belong to, that it's your last sentence in your comment that the viewer remembers and gains an idea of what type of person you are, so be nice. I keep forgetting........ but..... there are smilies or emoticoms to soften your words too. Use a 'smilie' or the words 'big grin' to let viewer know your are joking or have a smile on your face.

There are ways of phrasing your sentences on the internet to get the point made without being abrupt, rude or negative. You can write negative comments in a Positive way.

One needs to keep in mind that you don't know the personal circumstances of the 'newcomer'. For example......you don't know that I have constant pain, fatigue, serious health problems, am very short-sighted & have had back surgery which makes me stiff, so I can't often 'get down low' to shoot a subject. Some days my heart condition mean I'm exhausted and huffing & puffing so much I can't hold the camera still. I have a short term memory problem, so can't remember instructions or 'how to' do certain things.

Always be mindful that in being honest, make that honesty constructive (not DEstructive).

And please don't say a photo is fantastic, amazing, stunning, if it clearly is not. That is not helpful.

Just say something ordinary if you want to encourage a new photographer. Find something in the photo to encourage the new photography hobbyist. If a person posts 3 photos and 2 are lousy, just say you think 'the third photo is lovely, but the other 2 photos are a bit too dark - perhaps you could improve them by ........'

Yep, it's all in the way your write.

I think the whole issue is learning how to write o... (show quote)

Very well said. I just wrote a reply before reading all of the others, and needn't have done so had I read yours. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Jul 14, 2012 10:13:19 #

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

I think Victoria 1233 hit the nail dead on with one sentence in her post. This is what she said.
"Always be mindful that in being honest, make that honesty constructive (not DEstructive)." She is one intelligent lady.

Jul 14, 2012 10:13:20 #

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Kimbee wrote:

I don't know enough to provide guidance or critique to others, so I don't comment on shots that I think fall short. However, if somebody's shot really speaks to me or I find it beautiful, I will say so. I've only posted a couple of my own shots so far and I want to post more so that I can learn - criticism is welcome, but it would be nice if it's constructive and kind!

You know what you like and therefore what you don't. That is all it really is, expressing what you would have done instead.

Jul 14, 2012 10:14:14 #

jsenear Loc: Hopkins, MN.

viscountdriver wrote:

This is a friendly forum-no doubt about that. But is it too friendly?
I have seen some pictures praised, because the nice folk don't want to offend, when really they were not that good.
It might be better to be honest, in a nice way of course.

Take a look at your friends in general. Are all of them honest in passing out criticism? It's the same way in life as it is on this board. I think we do quite well for a photography site.

Jul 14, 2012 10:17:07 #

Santa Fe Rose

GPappy wrote:

I believe what you say is true; but I want to learn how to "become" a photographer, have a long way to go and need all the help I can get from the experienced photographers on UHH. I appreciate all personal, constructive opinions as they are valid for the person giving them.

Jul 14, 2012 10:17:27 #

Drigby1 Loc: American Fork, UT

Tact is useful, but it requires skill, as much as taking photographs. The mention of photo analysis was right on. Be gentle, reply to the request. As a former 3 decades teacher I can be tough, but working with people's children helped me get it just right. You are dealing with people. Sometimes the eye inside the realm (experts) is the best, sometimes the eye outside the realm is best (beginners). For teachers that was had, but necessary. May your helps be perfect.

Jul 14, 2012 10:18:10 #

Drigby1 Loc: American Fork, UT

Had should be hard.

Jul 14, 2012 10:21:09 #

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

Okay, time to be honest: You're feet stink and you don't believe in Santa Claus!

Jul 14, 2012 10:24:27 #

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

photoman022 wrote:

Okay, time to be honest: You're feet stink and you don't believe in Santa Claus!

I'm sure my feet stink, but I will always believe in Santa!

Jul 14, 2012 10:26:58 #

Santa Fe Rose

photoman022 wrote:

Okay, time to be honest: You're feet stink and you don't believe in Santa Claus!

You made me burst out laughing. Thanks, photoman022!

Jul 14, 2012 10:35:08 #

Drigby1 Loc: American Fork, UT

Good reply, great in between the lines philosophy too.

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