User ID

Another perspective is that welcoming critique is
the default for posted images ... but those virgins
asking for a gentle touch should get consideration
as they've requested.

All the routine polite positive remarks are ALSO a
reason for NOT posting. There is no USEFUL value
in all of the "great capture", "I love it", "beautiful"
etc etc posts. Polite, yes. Real ? Doesn't matter if
real or not, cuz no USEFUL critique is provided so
why even post the image at all.

As hypothetical example scenario:
After-dark is my world. So, noise is evident. I'm
often in control of HOW MUCH noise, but "next
to none" is unthinkable, and unnecessary. I'd
rather hear "either-or" [1] "I can't get into this
image with all that nasty noise" or [2] "Pix like
this, obvious noise included, really tell the tale".

Whether the content is "worth the noise" is an
important concern, like walking a tightrope.

Point is, critique should address SOMETHING
relevant to the image, not just friendly chit-
chatty "Nice one" remarks. Doesn't hafta be
lengthy academic discussion of aesthetics,
but it should be about something that is "of,
or in, that image". "Nice one" can mean "I've
barely looked cuz it doesn't speak to me, but
I can thank you for participating". A friendly,
polite [maybe empty?] remark is not critique.


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larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Understood. And I realize that as an actor, you are accustomed to having your work reviewed, whether you would invite it or not. But my wife and I have learned never to pay attention to reviews when deciding to see a movie or stage production. Their views and opinions match ours significantly less than 10% of the time.

I specifically remember the time that we saw "Stomp" in Seattle close to 25 years ago. The reviews had been pretty lukewarm, and we knew enough to realize that it was quite different from anything we had seen before, so we were not sure exactly what we were getting into. For some reason, though, we got downtown very early and happened to pass in front of the theater just as the matinee crowd was leaving. What struck us then, and what I can still picture, is that every single person in the very diverse group coming out of the theater was smiling. From that moment, it did not matter what any critic might have said. And we no longer had any concerns about the money we had spent on our tickets or the time we invested to attend. And we had a blast. (Yes...we saw "Blast" a few years later also. Loved it, too.)

So no, I do not believe that any critic is in any real way a valid curator of "art." I do not intentionally read their reviews, and I do not base decisions of what to see or hear based on what they write. Lately, in particular, they tend to like a lot of trash and drivel. Don't need their opinion or input.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

If you cannot find a reviewer you agree with, look for one you always disagree with. That reviewer is a 100% accurate guide to finding things you like. If they hate it, go see it.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Yes...that can be a very effective strategy.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Agreed. Perhaps folks should simply read the forum rules before having another long, overblown discussion on this. Just my two cents.

User ID

That almost always works for me !

Always heard that "a compass always
points north". Doesn't that mean it's
exactly equally useful for find south ?

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TBerwick Loc: Houston, Texas

There are certain genres and styles of photography that I simply don't care for. When those appear, I just move on to the next post. There's no need for me to express an opinion. We have all types of photographers on the site with widely varying degrees of skill so please remember that before issuing unsolicited opinions

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

There is critique and then there is personal opinion. Not necessarily the same thing.
For Photo's in the gallery ; critique and opinion are not always wanted, so wait for the OP to ask!

If you critique a well balanced analysis would talk equally about the good points as well as the less good aspects. If you cannot find enough good points - move on.... the OP needs more than a light touch to improve...

Critique often starts with "in my opinion"......opinions are not valid critique.

There is valid evidence that "The rule of thirds,as in Artwork, improves most images" is not an opinion...it is a well documented and accepted way of giving background to your statement.

It is not about what you say - it is all about "Should you" and "How do I put it"?.

have fun

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Why do some folks think they have to make up rules for others? If you or I post a photo, we should expect opinions stupid and great, critiques informed and not, and who knows what else. I, for one, will not only expect such comments, but will give opinions or critiques as the photograph moves me. I do not recall UHH requiring me to give up my humanity.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You call that giving up your humanity? Your definition seems to evoke thoughts of the proverbial "Peanut Gallery." If you are advocating for just mouthing off "stupid and great . . . informed and not, and who knows what else" comments then you are making the critique about the critic and not the person receiving the comments. This is exactly the type of critique that does nothing but insult and demean and discourage. Providing good advice and guidance along with a compassionate, insightful, well articulated delivery is not forcing you to give up anything - but maybe that mean sadistic side of you that can only establish dominance by using condescension. If anything, your suggested approach makes you a little less "human."

(an unsolicited critique/expressed opinion along your very own guidelines).

Bill_de Loc: US

Read the guidelines/rules for the Photo Gallery. I think the folks who own/run the site have the right to set down rules. It's up to you to read them and decide whether or not this is a site you should be part of.

In case you had trouble finding them ... the first post in each section:

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-426-1.html

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Because as humans, we need rules. Society needs rules, otherwise you wind up with a state of anarchy.
Imagine life with no rules... Like driving....
Or being able to beat the snot out of someone because you don't like them...
Or take something because you want it. (Oh, wait, people do that.)

People who create a forum, blog, and the like can make the rules that they want. IT'S THEIR THING, they own it.
Disney has a rule, no mustaches. Don't agree with it? Don't take the job.

The problem is, too many people think the rules don't apply to them.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

<smirk>

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The overwhelming majority of Photo Gallery posts are simply to share and to enjoy social interaction. Those who don't understand that have not spent enough time there and/or are far too in love with their own sense of self-importance. Read Gene51's comments on page 2 of this topic.

Besides critique forum and For Your Consideration, the Landscape Section guidelines encourage constructive feedback, and I rewrote PP Forum's in a similar vein when I took over as moderator in January. If those sections (and others on UHH that encourage feedback) are not enough to satisfy your egos, there are many other sites. Two that come to mind:

Lightstalking's Shark Tank: https://www.lightstalking.com/forums/forum/the-shark-tank/

Fred Miranda's critique section: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/4

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AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Yes to this.

Andy