Critiqing Skills - In person vs Online

[connersz]

Yesterday I attended a workshop at the RPS called 'Composition and critiqing skills'.

The day was split into two halves, the second half was basically a lesson on how to critique work and that's what I wish to talk about.

I have never had the chance to do this kind of thing before and I have never had my work critiqued by professionals who were all in the same room. The only critique I have had in the past is from friends, photographers I know and on this forum.

I couldnt help but think a lot during the session about the difference in value and quality of critique being given in the room and on this forum and it has made me think about lot about how I could give better feeback, and how best do deal with some of it received on here.

The difference between the two environments were a stark contrast. I can only suggest that it is down to the fact that online everyone is basically anonymous and perhaps don't come on looking to spend ages critiqing work.

If someone in the room liked the photo, they would'nt simple stop at 'nice pic' they would delve into the emotion and layout of the photo.

If they did'nt like it you could feel some unease in their voices as I think they were perhaps trying to hold it back. I felt like this was them trying to hold back their 'online voice' to a certain extent and I couldnt help but wonder if some of them were people from this or similar forums. The result was still better however because they were forced to take a more constructive look at the photo and because of that the advice and critism was much more valuable.


During the time I have been on here I have seen a mixed bag ranging from good advice to down-right rude remarks being dished out. I wonder how many people who make such remarks on here would be prepared to say the same in real life?

 

[simonblue]

critique is just somebody opinion of your work

The thing with fourm is the pack sometimes if somebody doesn't like your work and has a lot of post or come on often,then critique your photos saying they don't like them the pack will often follow its just human nature,we want to be liked part of the pack.

Plus i am my own worse critic

 

[KIPAX]

in just about every subject..real life will always be better than text on your screen... I am amazed you only just discovered this

 

[connersz]

I have never had a group of people in real life from a varied experience level critique mine and other works. The point I am making is just how different it is to seemingly the same people on here.

You know what I mean because posts have been deleted before because they were that innapropriate that it wasnt suitable. Now if they say this sort of stuff in real life I expect they won't have many friends.

 

[KIPAX]

I have never had a group of people in real life from a varied experience level critique mine and other works. The point I am making is just how different it is to seemingly the same people on here.
.

its different and its better.. more in depth... always will be.. everyhting in real life is better ...IMHO

 

[connersz]

its different and its better.. more in depth... always will be.. everyhting in real life is better ...IMHO

It did make me think about it a lot about it and whether I should start going to more sessions like it and submitting less work on here.

 

[Lindsay D]

Critiques supplied by experienced assessors will always be best. It's impartial, there are no hidden agendas, and they will want you to improve and meet your goals. Forums like this are a mixed bag, often adding confusion or resorting to insults.

 

[Ivan S]

I have never had a group of people in real life from a varied experience level critique mine and other works. The point I am making is just how different it is to seemingly the same people on here.

You know what I mean because posts have been deleted before because they were that innapropriate that it wasnt suitable. Now if they say this sort of stuff in real life I expect they won't have many friends.

But you basically said they were lying to your face in real life, how can that be better?

Unless you like to hear only praise, but you could see they didn't mean it.

 

[Lindsay D]

Good critique should be constructive. I always start by pointing out the positive aspects of the picture, and most pictures do have positives. One's own likes and dislikes should never be part of an objective critique, instead the conversation should focus on areas where there could be clear improvement be that technical or creative. Critique should never be delivered as, or viewed as, criticism. Instead it's feedback discussing how something could be made better. Unfortunately many people forget that and often slate an image based on their personal preferences and this can all too often knock the confidence of the photographer.

 

[connersz]

Good critique should be constructive. I always start by pointing out the positive aspects of the picture, and most pictures do have positives. One's own likes and dislikes should never be part of an objective critique, instead the conversation should focus on areas where there could be clear improvement be that technical or creative. Critique should never be delivered as, or viewed as, criticism. Instead it's feedback discussing how something could be made better. Unfortunately many people forget that and often slate an image based on their personal preferences and this can all too often knock the confidence of the photographer.

Exactly, photography is subjective anyway so it's important to remember that whereas you may not put it on your wall, it is still worth delving a bit deeper and try to see it from a different perspective.

One of the images in particular had mixed feedback, some (including me) did'nt like it but others did. I was however able to look at it from a more constructive point of view and in fact I started to see parts of it I did like. This enabled me to give more balanced critique rather than "sorry, just doesnt work for me".

 

[Lindsay D]

Indeed, and it can be even harder for a photographer to detach themselves from their own work. I sometimes critique panels prior to submission and all too often the response from the photographer is "well, I like the shot, and so do my friends". It can be hard to explain that for a qualification panel to succeed the photographer must demonstrate sound technique and technical understanding. These days it's getting ever harder to give critique without getting a defensive or dismissive response!

Qualifications aside, many many images can be abundantly appealing without being technically ideal - narrative and impact can be equally important if we're considering saleability or the preferences of some of our clients.

 

[Lindsay D]

I should add that the first question I ask is "why would you like a critique?" This is important, because the nature of the critique is likely to differ according to whether the photographer is a complete novice who is simply hoping to get to grips with his or her camera, or a progressive photographer hoping to submit a qualification panel, or an aspiring professional hoping to create marketable photographs.

Generally speaking photographers heading towards a qualification will expect a very frank critique which often goes into quite a lot of detail and is aimed at giving them a very good idea of what the judges will be looking for, and how the image might be scored. An aspiring professional may need help in developing their own personal style for example, or simply polishing up a few areas of weakness.

Where new photographers are concerned, or hobbyists, I think it's important to give them confidence so that they'll carry on enjoying their hobby without being made to feel that they have to be good at everything.

The one thing that really winds me up is when I get somebody presenting poor or mediocre images who utterly refuses to take on board any advice given, and who refutes all of the points which have been made. There are quite a few delusional people out there and I can only think that they offered their work for critique in the expectation that they would receive an enormous ego boost! It is true to say that some people cannot accept anything which they perceive to be a criticism and with that in mind not everybody is cut out for critique. I've seen this happen a few times here on the forum - good advice has been offered but the photographer has reacted badly to it.