gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I believe that when a photo is posted here it becomes subject to critique, whether the OP asks for it or not. Since criticism is adverse in nature, it’s not necessary to point out that a criticism is rude. Offer praise when it’s merited but don’t avoid criticism when it’s not. It would also help if OP's would ask for input if that’s their goal for posting.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

No need for negative comments on anything posted in the Photo Gallery. We have Photo Analysis for that. The Gallery is where people can post random shots, not present their finest works of art. Posting negative comments will result in fewer people posting. You may have noticed that many people posting for the first time said they were nervous about posting because they thought there would be harsh comments.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

I agree. There's already too much negative stuff from time to time.

cdayton

You can, of course, post and invite criticism.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Any critique can and should be worded nicely, not derogatorily or inflammatorily.
Choose your words wisely. You'll get a better reputation.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I agree. The Gallery is where you "Show off your pics and/or ask for general critique." Note the word "or." So, if they do not ask for your opinion, do not give it.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

I would think someone posting would like to see all opinions, good and bad, to be able to take even better shots. "Flattery will get you everywhere" may be true for some. For others, I'm betting, not so much.

I hope many chime in on this.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

To a degree, it depends upon the kind of critique. A suggestion of how to improve the shot, may be appropriate, as long as it's done in a helpful way. But as you said most critiques belong in the analysis section

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Amen to that. It's being dishonest to say "Nice job!" on a photo that's out of focus and poorly exposed, and it's not helping the photographer to improve.

That said, despite our current infatuation with "direct talk" and "authenticity", it's almost always possible to find something nice to say about a photograph. I like to sandwich a suggestion for improvement in between two positive statements. "Nice subject! It would be better if you had more depth of field because the backround's kind of interesting but not clear enough to see. I love the way you put the sky at the top and the ground at the bottom...."

Manners maketh the man (and woman). There are lots of good examples to emulate here if you pay attention.

Andy

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

I agree that anyone posting should not be so sensitive as to not want well-intended criticism, as well as praise.
I further believe that it is a disservice to the poster to offer undeserved praise for crappy images. To have the courage to post, should not trigger praise—-when the image is clearly a less than remarkable snapshot.

Brokenland

This is one reason when I post an image I don't ask for critiques as the picture should say it all and there's nothing left to be said. In the case of others, if they ask for a critiques, then all bets are off. This is totally up to the Oper. Either you want some input or you don't I prefer not having any input.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I have been puzzled for years around the conflict between photographers' seeming continual struggle to have their work accepted as art and their ongoing willingness to publicly and many times brutally criticize each other's work.

I'm not in any way saying that it is not helpful to provide good commentary, but that when hurtful comments are communicated in a public forum, they are much more a discouragement than an encouragement, especially to newer members of the discipline. It may be said that, "it has always been thus," but that does not make it right. And the anonymity of any forum such as this makes the effect worse, because there can be no face to face communication to work through thorny discussions. Further, there is not a way here to really even know whether someone has the knowledge and experience to offer valid commentary.

I am a member of a local photography club and am slowly learning whose opinion I might value and whose doesn't matter. There are maybe three people on this site whose thoughts about one of my photographs might matter to me. There may eventually be a few more, but not right now. So I rarely post here.

In my mind, the "right" to provide meaningful commentary can come only from a position of trust. It can be quite difficult many times to have a lot of trust here.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Well said, I agree.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Dbl. amen