C&Cing photographs...

posiview

posiview

Suspended / Banned
Messages
19,304
Name
Andy
Edit My Images
Yes
I got an entry level DSLR a few weeks ago and am really enjoying the experience.

Now, I've looked a a LOT of photographs on this and other forums/Flickr; I'm quite reluctant to give C&C because I'm so new to photography.

I was going to comment on a photograph, but before I clicked on the submit button, I checked out the guys other pictures and was blown away, so I deleted my post...

Would there be a gasp of "Pfft, what does he know, he's only been taking pictures for a while, and, anyway, have you seen his 'photographs'?"

Thanks.
 
you would only get that reaction if you where nasty in your crit.. otherwise all crits are valid no matter how good your own are..

I cant make beer but i like a good pint :)
 
KIPAX said:
you would only get that reaction if you where nasty in your crit.. otherwise all crits are valid no matter how good your own are..

I cant make beer but i like a good pint :)
Click to expand...

It looks like you've been around here for a while ;), so I'll take your word for it...

I have to say, it's a very refreshing that new members comments are taken at face value...I've been a on a few none photography forums and seem new members get absolutely torn apart for criticising established members.. .

BTW, I like the beer analogy.

Thanks.
 
Be honest and stand by what you like and dislike.Of course you can say what your likes are and are not, we are all different and like different things, so go for it.

For example, there is one member on here who gets loads of comments on their images,and they do take excellent images, I don`t like how they PP them and will say so, much to my detriment..............:D#


Edit......Ignore Kipax, he is a pray and sprayer........;)

Only joking fella.
 
I am also new to this game...

but I am always happy to offer an opinion and never once been told that its not valid.

At my stage its usually:

wow... great pic (just because it looks great to me)

or

Well, from what I have learned so far, this could be improved (which people can take or leave)

What I would never do is slate a pic or make observations that I am not trained to make.

I think that would upset me, so wouldnt do it to someone else. Sometimes its better to say nothing if you simply dont like a pic but cant work out why.

However at the end of the day people (inc myself) post pics for opinions. And that is what they get.

As said previously, not once on here have I found the feedback malicious... in fact the opposite... if I listen it almost always makes my pic better.

Just my tuppence worth.
 
KIPAX said:
Ha... ya read the thread :) Any day of the week that comment will wind me up :)
Click to expand...


I did read it, I did giggle at your answers, in fact I spent 20 mins of my life trying to get you to bite in other threads.You didn`t...........:p
 
Thing is, photography for me is art. What may look like an unassuming, boring picture to one may fulfil the criteria for being a world-class art piece to another. The point I'm making is that you have to consider that C&C is just an opinion. A reviewer has in his minds eye what makes a good picture but that criteria may differ from mine, or at least they may be ordered in a different way. For instance, someone might critique: "they're not sharp enough" but I would say that sharpness is not a key factor in my judgement of a good photograph; other things are.

I would offer critique based on what I believe to be a good photograph and I've come to realise that if you offer your pics for critique, you're simply going to set yourself up for a fall because inevitably you're going to compare your ideas for someone elses, lest you lose the ability to think for your yourself and then you inhibit your freedom to make photographs that you think look good - instead making pictures that others think are good. A good photographer in my eyes achieves general praise for creating good images and staying true to his own form, usually developing a unique style.

Just my tuppence worth.
 
Well the way I see it is that if you take the trouble to C&C an image then it's not to increase your posts but to offer your ideas as to how the image could have been improved. If you think it is a valid point then it shouldn't matter how long you have been taking photo's as I'm sure you will have been looking at them for far longer anyway :)

I have commented on some excellent photo's on this forum with very little experience myself and can not think of any instances where I have had any sort of backlash for my novice C&C. It can be a little worrying I guess but if you think that your point is constructive then say so :shrug: Just avoid 100+ nice shot posts :lol:
 
You don't have to 'take' photographs in order to be able to appreciate them - or know what's wrong with one if you see it...

I can't paint, but I know a good oil or watercolour when I see one...

As long as the crit is valid, then crack on, I say. If you keep it constructive and qualify your statements, you'll be OK...
 
I'd say crack on - because someone takes great photos most of the time isn't a reason not to crit. Be constuctive, honest and as long as you can explain why you like, don't like or think something could be different you're crit will be will appreciated
 
Arkady said:
You don't have to 'take' photographs in order to be able to appreciate them - or know what's wrong with one if you see it...

I can't paint, but I know a good oil or watercolour when I see one...

As long as the crit is valid, then crack on, I say. If you keep it constructive and qualify your statements, you'll be OK...
Click to expand...

exactly my thoughts on this subject.

everyones opinion counts!
 
KIPAX said:
you would only get that reaction if you where nasty in your crit.. otherwise all crits are valid no matter how good your own are..

I cant make beer but i like a good pint :)
Click to expand...


Nice comment. I especially like the words beer and pint.... ;):D


Feel free to crit/comment away because I find I learn from it as someone may point out something different I hadn't noticed.
 
Another thing to consider... If someone takes the time and effort to comment on your work, do them the same courtesy and take a look at theirs too. It doesn't take much and the reciprocity is generally appreciated. :)

I think every member of this forum has the right to critique an image; even if it is only to say 'nice shot'. If you like something, say so and if you don't like it, say what you don't like but keep it polite.

Si
 
You've got the same qualifications as anyone else - eyes to see, and a brain to think. Therefore, what you see and what you think are valid - the rest is pretty much down to how you present your opinion.

And as to considering new members opinions valid or not - how are we to know if you've been a professional for 20 years, done everything and only just found this place? Of course i'd consider a newcomers opinion valid - I was one only last year...
 
Hi. My view is we are all on the pathway, some are farther along than others. I find I learn a lot from looking critically at others work and analysing what works and what doesnt and then trying to apply it to my own work. Photography, like other art forms, is subjective. What one person adores, someone else will dislike. Technical abilities aside, its the creative 'take' on a subject or incident that makes good shots. Always try to say why you like or dislike a photo rather than 'its good'.
 
Well, if you crit mine negatively I'll be round with the dogs...oh, hang on, I don't have any dogs.

Damn, you might as well just say what you like. :D
 
TinaC said:
I'm a newbie also and my images are yet to be called photographs (still snaps) but i find writing a crit on others makes me think and I think I'm learning as much from that as in actually taking photos
Click to expand...
+1 to that.

I find doing crit on other pics is a great leaning experience. I try always to be constructive and positive.

99% of people here seem to be open to a variety of views.

It's not helpful to just say "No, don't like it" . But, if you can give an explanation and say what might make it better, and say what you do like then most people appreciate you taking the time to comment.
 
Spiritflier said:
Another thing to consider... If someone takes the time and effort to comment on your work, do them the same courtesy and take a look at theirs too. It doesn't take much and the reciprocity is generally appreciated. :)
Click to expand...

"you comment on mine and i'll comment on yours" devalues critique in opinion...
 
Shooboo said:
"you comment on mine and i'll comment on yours" devalues critique in opinion...
Click to expand...

Ok, that missed the point!

I wasn't suggesting a bit of mutual back-scratching... I simply suggested that it's nice to return the compliment if someone takes the time to comment on your work. Where's the problem with that?

And either way, how would it devalue the critique? Regardless of any other consideration, the feedback would still be valid wouldn't it? :thinking:

Si
 
Spiritflier said:
Ok, that missed the point!

I wasn't suggesting a bit of mutual back-scratching... I simply suggested that it's nice to return the compliment if someone takes the time to comment on your work. Where's the problem with that?

And either way, how would it devalue the critique? Regardless of any other consideration, the feedback would still be valid wouldn't it? :thinking:

Si
Click to expand...

I think it would devalue the critique because you're compelled to offer your thoughts and opinions because of your obligation to, and this means that you might 'overpraise' an image in order to compel the recipient to say nice things about your images. Then you move away from the real point of critique, which is to provoke discussion about what makes an image a good one.

What does everyone else think?
 
Shooboo said:
I think it would devalue the critique because you're compelled to offer your thoughts and opinions because of your obligation to, and this means that you might 'overpraise' an image in order to compel the recipient to say nice things about your images. Then you move away from the real point of critique, which is to provoke discussion about what makes an image a good one.

What does everyone else think?
Click to expand...

Hi Mark,

That's a fair (if slightly misguided) opinion... I can see how that would happen if there was a 'rule' that for every comment you received, you had to reciprocate. Since we're discussing a 'nicety' rather than a directive, I don't think that's something we need to worry about. :)

I would be honest (but pleasant) regardless of what someone said about an image of mine. If you invite critique then you should accept that even if you've said something positive, it won't necessarily be the same in return.

Si
 
Further to the above, personally I think that if you post a pic for crit you should at leastmake an effort to give a crit to someone else. Reciprocity.
 
Shooboo said:
I think it would devalue the critique because you're compelled to offer your thoughts and opinions because of your obligation to, and this means that you might 'overpraise' an image in order to compel the recipient to say nice things about your images. Then you move away from the real point of critique, which is to provoke discussion about what makes an image a good one.

What does everyone else think?
Click to expand...

I'd look at from a slightly less cynical point of view..... If someone had given me C&C that had helped me, I'd aim to be equally helpful. Not necessarily equally praising, but just helpful, whether that means saying good things or bad things.

I don't really care who gives me critique, it's always nice to hear someone else's opinion, regardless of their experience. And I'd much rather have a brand new member suggesting how it could be improved than someone who's been into photography for years just writing 'nice shot'!
 
Say what you like and be as brutal as you want to be, I can't stand peeps who post images then go crying cause somebody has written something 'they' didn't like or want to read.

As has been already said, photography is art and it is extremely subjective.

I never stop learning and like to read how others view my shots.

I think there should be a disclaimer sticky 'Post at your own risk of being upset'

Nobody likes to feel down after they have submitted what they think is a corker of a shot but it is a fact of life that somebody else will have an objective view, you only have to look at some of the photo comps (famous ones too) to see how judges pick sometimes what we may see as an ordinary shot as the winning entry.

Fire away at my shots, I actually quite like feedback and it helps me for next time.
 
I am reluctant to give crit as some on here really are experts at it. Finest of details noticed and PP advice that goes over my head at about 3000ft.
Having read this I will start to do so. I will also post some up myself for C&C, as up to now I have felt them to be not that good and easily, if kindly, ripped to bits. I can take harsh crit quite well, but not sure how much!
Thanks to the starter and contributors of this thread.
 
I actually think that the comments made by new members can be th emost inciteful. Because you are not looking at the picture in the same critical way as people who have given and received more crit.

For example, before I started reading and asking for crit, missing hands, tops of heads never bothered me. Now I get annoyed if I take so much as a snapshot with the top of the head chopped of. But a newbie will just take it at face value and acknowledge what the like about th eshot.

And the more crit you give, and receive the more you can improve your own photography.

Post as much crit as you want, every opinion is valid.

I would rather have 3 post saying I like/don't like the picture because of......
than 80 odd views and no comments, that gets on my nerves.

So just stick your neck out and comment!
 
Some great comments.

At the end of the day we should learn from both criticism and praise.

I've posted a few C&C since starting this thread and I have to say I don't just glance at photos then C&C, I've noticed I really look at the pictures and see the techniques used, thereby aiding my learning.

One thing I will say, since I got my DSLR, I've developed a greater emotional attachment to my pictures...

Thanks again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top