I have been here for more than one year and I can not write negative critique because I don;t know if that person will accept my observation.
I acquire the knowledge of critique when I enrolled in photography (because it was part of the module); however Im wondering if some of the members here have knowledge of some of the composition or elements of photography.
Are you bored when U see critique or evaluation like: cute, good, beautiful. I would like to see a sentence why it is beautiful or cute?
Or you have many followers or following a lot that you don't have time to say something about the daily submission?
Lately I have one gentleman who is very very good in giving his critique; he follows me and I follow his magnificent submissions.
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i can take criticism especially from people who know the craft. but you can't just say "i don't like it" or "it's crappola" without telling me what makes it so and offering no suggestion to have made it better. i am a writer and have received numerous rejections so i'm quite thick skinned when it comes to criticism, but in each and every case there would be an explanation for the rejection and some suggestions as to how i can improve.
i know i've improved a little bit (just a scintilla) by looking at other's photos and know i can do more if told how. like @northy i feel cuddled and i'm afraid i might get used to it (the false sense of security).
by the same token i once made a feedback on someone's photo (nicely, very nicely because i did love the photo and i said it on the basis of if i would hang it on my wall) and i got rap for it and then the person unfollowed me :-)
but once in a while i would like to be told what i did right, what i did wrong and how i may have improved a shot.
a suggestion: if we want a particular photo critiqued, maybe it should be designated as such by title or by tag.
@summerfield i am always open to constructive critique and some know that and routinely provide... if there is a specific photo i want input on, i will say so, and usually get some helpful suggestions... i don't think i've ever been given negative feedback that was mean or pointless...
asking for feedback on what did i do wrong / right thing is a bit tricky... like i said above, i am leery about providing this type of input because i don't feel qualified to say...
i can tell you what i like about a photo... i can tell you what jars "my" eye (which does not speak to what others may see), and i can tell you what i might have tried to do differently - but of course, what i might have tried might not have worked... :D
I think this is a worthwhile thread, I wonder if the community could be shaken up as a whole to be more critical. But then many would leave, they want this only for a comfy warm place to put their pics. Go to the critique thread under discussions, or search critique-me. On the whole its very good luck if someone gives you a good crit, I love it, but then sometimes when its short and abrupt I wonder if it helps.
I came here to learn and when Lorrain @lorraineb made some suggestions it made it much easier to take the next few shots and I always try to remember what she said each time when I'm out. Sometimes it slips my mind when I'm in a rush or a shot is going to be gone but I try to remember Lorraine :)
If you dont get constructive comments then how can you learn? I think I have learned from looking at other images that I like or that catch my eye and see what they have done but it would be easier if there were a few suggestions on how to improve on the next shot like that. I would kind of like the last half of my year re-taking to improve on images as I continue to try new things and really try to get the water drops and crowns to turn out. Thanks everyone for the encouragement and the support. Sometimes the fluffy stuff encourages us but the critique is what improves us :) Hugs to you all!!!
@titam@38mm Have to agree with Jase, unless I ask for your critique just say you like my shot, if you don't like it don't comment. Some people do say "its a little dark for my liking but I love the composition" or things to that nature fair enough.
But a if it was "oh why didn't you cropped the top that looks crap" I would probably just delete their comment :P.
It all about time management for me and a lot of others so I try to pick a rule they may of followed or particular processing technique on comment on that in brief. If someone Favs your image don't really think much more needs to be said you have made the connection on a personal level...job done! @lorraineb I agree Lorrain if someone has commented at all thats all is needed.
After 16 months on here I had two "negative?" or constructive comments and I am reminded of those words often. One was about the level horizon and one about focusing on the eyes. I am thankful for the comments I can learn from. I think if you are being helpful and not just saying you dont like the photo then by all means go for it.
Quite funny that my input is going to come after @chewyteeth 's comment as he is part of this example of how some words/critiques/suggestions make a difference. I had already planned on going back to do more shots of the rusty bolts after I posted my first photo below. Did so before I saw @chewyteeths's comments, but his comments definitely made me play around in editing the second photo. Something I wouldn't have done without his comment. I do find that if a photo has a lot of comments I am not inclined to add another "great job" rah rah, not because the photo isn't good but because their message box is being flooded. I do like the encouraging atmosphere on here. As a novice too much technical critique would probably put me off posting ( if I was even able to understand what was being said), but I have to say David's comment was much appreciated and obviously used.
@titam There are those of us who don't feel qualified to give a critique because 1. we have never taken a single course or class on photography and 2. we have not even "graduated" to using a dSLR.
When I comment, I say what I like about the photo. It's not critique, but I do consider it feedback. It's always positive, because I feel it's easier for me to say what I like about it than what I don't like, since I don't feel I am qualified to say what's wrong with the picture.
Even if I am able to point out what's wrong with the picture, I don't feel I should say so because I cannot offer advice on how to improve it, as I have never taken a class in photography and I don't even use a dSLR.
I think, those who are qualified to critique should do so, for those who wish to improve and who ask for advice.
The rest of us are grateful for any kind of "boring" comment, because positive comments are a source of encouragement and motivation. As long as we feel encouraged to continue picking up the camera and taking photographs, we may someday feel it is time to upgrade to a dSLR or take a photography class. And wouldn't that be a wonderful thing? 8)
EXACTLY what you said. while I appreciate comments, I am bored of people say that my photos are pretty, cute, beautiful, etc. I'd MUCH rather have them say WHY they like my picture. not that I can be too picky -I don't give people the comments they deserve either, especially recently.
but if you ask for critique, you should get it. people have been very nice and given me some!!
@myautofocuslife - I honestly agree with you. On the other hand, there are many superb submission that are really, really magnificent that I can not even say a word, because I knew they PUT lot of hours to make them excel.
Similarly, I did not expect these many responses. Im so delighted that there are many out there so involved in their photography.
I learned how to see "differently" by reading and observing; by reading editor's choices from national newspapers; from Photography internet posting.
Like they said, observing, critiquing and judging has its learning curve - U have to have a critical eye to see the "superb" one.
Im humbled to belong to a very polite and kind community.
@titam I like to have my snaps noticed and I like to receive suggestions and feedback.
I have no technical training and my comments on the folk I follow are just that - comments. It is very rare that I can see a flaw and know what needs to be done to correct it.
I most appreciate possive comments from photographers whose work I admire and have received some hints from some talented people.
I browse the new faces from time to time and look for a style of photographer that does something within the limits of my equipment. The many, many excellent images have certainly developed my eye for a good capture.
I am nearly 3 months into my project and only 1 person has offered me feedback. They were really good about it, which is nice because I can be sensitive at times.
I'm with @godders on this one. Not every pic posted is meant to be fine art. I lot of people use 365 as a sort of journal. I have pictures in my 365 which are purely reminders of the day for when I look back through at the end.
If people genuinely want critique (and I mean 'cut you to the bone' honest), I'd suggest some of the DeviantArt groups. I don't think 365 is the place for that - or at least not for me. I'd like the security of knowing I'm on a journey through the year with people, where it's ok to have days you can post a sub-par pic when you need to, just to keep going.
I'm also happy with brief comments. 365 takes up a lot of time, and if some one's reaction to a shot is, "That's cool!" etc that's fair enough and I appreciate them taking the time to make a comment at all.
@humphreyhippo Humphrey, you have nailed an ongoing debate that I have been having with myself over my project. I'm halfway through my second year and I had to take a month long break because of work/family obligations. I just didn't have time to comment. But since I came back a few days ago, I'm struggling with what to post.
When I started year two, everyone said, "Now you can break all the rules." I'm still on the fence between creating a photo journal of my life (which is what I have been doing) or posting a better photo that I took on a different day because some days the weather or time or just creativity aren't as good as others. I'm just not sure. For myself, I prefer the journal of my journey, but I always wonder if followers would rather see the better photo.
@titam I have always spent alot of time really looking at each photo large and making a thoughtful comment, but it takes a ton of time, especially after you've been on this site for a while and get alot of followers. There were nights when I was spending two or three hours commenting. It is the reason I considered quitting my project. So I do believe some of it is just time.
@lauriehiggins At the end of the day, the only 'rule' of this site really is, "it's your project, your rules" which is why I wouldn't want it to morph into a photography critiquing site. There are other sites out there that already fill that niche. I have some shots in my project that are pure photography - and others that I wouldn't put within a country mile of Flickr, but in a year, or five years time, will remind of a certain day, good or bad.
@nod Thanks. I have no problem with giving or receiving opinions (after all, I have lots of opinions!) but I think it should be restricted to those who ask for them, rather than the 'default' of the site.
I like the idea of a 'critique-me' tag for those that would like that. There is also the 'Critique' section of the discussion boards which maybe people could make more use of.
I fear there is a large, & largely silent, user base of this site who are just doing their own thing & don't particularly want some one to come & tell them the picture of their kids/cat doesn't obey the rule of thirds. ;)
This site is a lot of things to a lot of people, and personally, I'd like it to stay that way.
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i know i've improved a little bit (just a scintilla) by looking at other's photos and know i can do more if told how. like @northy i feel cuddled and i'm afraid i might get used to it (the false sense of security).
by the same token i once made a feedback on someone's photo (nicely, very nicely because i did love the photo and i said it on the basis of if i would hang it on my wall) and i got rap for it and then the person unfollowed me :-)
but once in a while i would like to be told what i did right, what i did wrong and how i may have improved a shot.
a suggestion: if we want a particular photo critiqued, maybe it should be designated as such by title or by tag.
my ten cents (inflation factored in).
asking for feedback on what did i do wrong / right thing is a bit tricky... like i said above, i am leery about providing this type of input because i don't feel qualified to say...
i can tell you what i like about a photo... i can tell you what jars "my" eye (which does not speak to what others may see), and i can tell you what i might have tried to do differently - but of course, what i might have tried might not have worked... :D
If you dont get constructive comments then how can you learn? I think I have learned from looking at other images that I like or that catch my eye and see what they have done but it would be easier if there were a few suggestions on how to improve on the next shot like that. I would kind of like the last half of my year re-taking to improve on images as I continue to try new things and really try to get the water drops and crowns to turn out. Thanks everyone for the encouragement and the support. Sometimes the fluffy stuff encourages us but the critique is what improves us :) Hugs to you all!!!
But a if it was "oh why didn't you cropped the top that looks crap" I would probably just delete their comment :P.
It all about time management for me and a lot of others so I try to pick a rule they may of followed or particular processing technique on comment on that in brief. If someone Favs your image don't really think much more needs to be said you have made the connection on a personal level...job done!
@lorraineb I agree Lorrain if someone has commented at all thats all is needed.
When I comment, I say what I like about the photo. It's not critique, but I do consider it feedback. It's always positive, because I feel it's easier for me to say what I like about it than what I don't like, since I don't feel I am qualified to say what's wrong with the picture.
Even if I am able to point out what's wrong with the picture, I don't feel I should say so because I cannot offer advice on how to improve it, as I have never taken a class in photography and I don't even use a dSLR.
I think, those who are qualified to critique should do so, for those who wish to improve and who ask for advice.
The rest of us are grateful for any kind of "boring" comment, because positive comments are a source of encouragement and motivation. As long as we feel encouraged to continue picking up the camera and taking photographs, we may someday feel it is time to upgrade to a dSLR or take a photography class. And wouldn't that be a wonderful thing? 8)
but if you ask for critique, you should get it. people have been very nice and given me some!!
Similarly, I did not expect these many responses. Im so delighted that there are many out there so involved in their photography.
I learned how to see "differently" by reading and observing; by reading editor's choices from national newspapers; from Photography internet posting.
Like they said, observing, critiquing and judging has its learning curve - U have to have a critical eye to see the "superb" one.
Im humbled to belong to a very polite and kind community.
@k1w1 Thank you : )
I have no technical training and my comments on the folk I follow are just that - comments. It is very rare that I can see a flaw and know what needs to be done to correct it.
I most appreciate possive comments from photographers whose work I admire and have received some hints from some talented people.
I browse the new faces from time to time and look for a style of photographer that does something within the limits of my equipment. The many, many excellent images have certainly developed my eye for a good capture.
If people genuinely want critique (and I mean 'cut you to the bone' honest), I'd suggest some of the DeviantArt groups. I don't think 365 is the place for that - or at least not for me. I'd like the security of knowing I'm on a journey through the year with people, where it's ok to have days you can post a sub-par pic when you need to, just to keep going.
I'm also happy with brief comments. 365 takes up a lot of time, and if some one's reaction to a shot is, "That's cool!" etc that's fair enough and I appreciate them taking the time to make a comment at all.
When I started year two, everyone said, "Now you can break all the rules." I'm still on the fence between creating a photo journal of my life (which is what I have been doing) or posting a better photo that I took on a different day because some days the weather or time or just creativity aren't as good as others. I'm just not sure. For myself, I prefer the journal of my journey, but I always wonder if followers would rather see the better photo.
@titam I have always spent alot of time really looking at each photo large and making a thoughtful comment, but it takes a ton of time, especially after you've been on this site for a while and get alot of followers. There were nights when I was spending two or three hours commenting. It is the reason I considered quitting my project. So I do believe some of it is just time.
@nod Thanks. I have no problem with giving or receiving opinions (after all, I have lots of opinions!) but I think it should be restricted to those who ask for them, rather than the 'default' of the site.
I like the idea of a 'critique-me' tag for those that would like that. There is also the 'Critique' section of the discussion boards which maybe people could make more use of.
I fear there is a large, & largely silent, user base of this site who are just doing their own thing & don't particularly want some one to come & tell them the picture of their kids/cat doesn't obey the rule of thirds. ;)
This site is a lot of things to a lot of people, and personally, I'd like it to stay that way.