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Ok, several points, as has already been said, its not what you say its how you say it, and we have removed very valid critique when it has basically been phrased as critism bordering on the rude. Its not difficult to offer negative feedback politely and in a constructive manner.
By the same token, its not difficult to accept genuine negative critique, even if you don't agree with it - if you don't want it, don't post pictures asking for it, it really is that simple.
As for the Pro argument - you can have no idea of how many posts we remove and even members that occasionally get banned when they have waltzed in and posted in such a manner that says 'I am only here because you do very well in google searches so this is doing wonders for my SEO' - thats blatant abuse and it gets stamped on.
However, when pro members that DO contribute to the forum by offering as much as they take, post regular professional shots it serves a far more important purpose than boosting their own SEO [and frankly, if that is a small side-effect of such posts, then good luck to them] - looking at great photographs is inspirational for everyone that is trying to follow that same path and that cannot be bad. Whether thats wedding photographers, sports photographers, event photographers or succesful stock photographers.
Secondly those pro's are not averse to critique on their images anymore than anyone else. They may be better able to explain why a certain aspect of a shot is as it is than a beginner, but that doesn't make your own opinion of it any less valid. Remember, opinions from other 'advanced' photographers is always useful both artistically and technically - opinions from anyone else is invaluable as a pro, because they represent your 'market' and it doesn't matter if the shots are technically brilliant and so arty they should be hung in the National Gallery, if 'normal' people don't like them, then they are worthless....well, unless you happen to have a good contact at the gallery with loads of spare cash hanging around, you know, the sort of person that buys an unmade bed because its 'art'
I am not sure I have phrased this as well as I would like, but I think you get my gist - get involved and be part of the forum whatever your level of knowledge or understanding is, but don't just post 'nice shot' every time [a few 'nice shots' are not bad btw, but take time to extend that and say why you think that'] because its helping no one, least of all yourself.
By the same token, its not difficult to accept genuine negative critique, even if you don't agree with it - if you don't want it, don't post pictures asking for it, it really is that simple.
As for the Pro argument - you can have no idea of how many posts we remove and even members that occasionally get banned when they have waltzed in and posted in such a manner that says 'I am only here because you do very well in google searches so this is doing wonders for my SEO' - thats blatant abuse and it gets stamped on.
However, when pro members that DO contribute to the forum by offering as much as they take, post regular professional shots it serves a far more important purpose than boosting their own SEO [and frankly, if that is a small side-effect of such posts, then good luck to them] - looking at great photographs is inspirational for everyone that is trying to follow that same path and that cannot be bad. Whether thats wedding photographers, sports photographers, event photographers or succesful stock photographers.
Secondly those pro's are not averse to critique on their images anymore than anyone else. They may be better able to explain why a certain aspect of a shot is as it is than a beginner, but that doesn't make your own opinion of it any less valid. Remember, opinions from other 'advanced' photographers is always useful both artistically and technically - opinions from anyone else is invaluable as a pro, because they represent your 'market' and it doesn't matter if the shots are technically brilliant and so arty they should be hung in the National Gallery, if 'normal' people don't like them, then they are worthless....well, unless you happen to have a good contact at the gallery with loads of spare cash hanging around, you know, the sort of person that buys an unmade bed because its 'art'
I am not sure I have phrased this as well as I would like, but I think you get my gist - get involved and be part of the forum whatever your level of knowledge or understanding is, but don't just post 'nice shot' every time [a few 'nice shots' are not bad btw, but take time to extend that and say why you think that'] because its helping no one, least of all yourself.
