Photo feedback verses advice on kit. Which do you give.

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nomorem6

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Chris
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This is just an observation and it (I) might be wrong in thinking this but......

Is it just me or does it seem to be the case that a post asking questions about kit etc. will get a host of replies while a post asking for feedback on a photo will get loads of view but very few comments.

I have 170 something posts which in comparison to some members of TP is nothing at all but I've posted enough to see a bit of a pattern (or so it seems).

Someone will post an image of something or other and the number of views may be very high but it will only get one to two comments. Someone will ask about the merits of lets say a 17-40L lens (a Q that has been asked a hundred times) and a much higher percentage of people who view the post will actually comment, because they like 'kit'

So..... is TP more about talking about the kit than the images produced by the kit. IF that is the case then shouldn't we think about what we're commenting on. What I mean is that if someone asks a question, say, about the 17-40 L lens, it takes them between 30 seconds and a few minutes to post that question. However, someone posts an image for feedback or just general sharing and they would have had to go out and take the image, processes it, resize it and post it. That takes hours. Don't we owe it to the image posters to give a little of our time and give some feedback instead of just looking at it, contributing nothing (for better or worse) and just moving on.

Of course there are those members of TP who comment on hundreds of images and contribute a huge amount in feedback and advice and I have total respect for them but it does seem that many people want to take the advice on kit and contribute nothing to photo C&C. :thinking:

Correct me if I'm wrong, its just an opinion. (And its not supposed to get anyone's backs up please, so sorry if it does). Of course TP is for all things photography - both photos and kit. It shouldn't be either/or but perhaps it should be more equal.

What do you think?
:popcorn:
 
There's never enough criticism given - it's always been that way and probably always will. It's a lot easier to discuss the merits of a particular lens than crit someone's work innit?

I try to crit a fair proportion of images, and I know others do too, but the fact is there just aren't enough people making the effort, and there's nothing worse especially for a newcomer who's probably nervous as hell anyway, than getting no response to his image posts.

Let's be honest, it can be difficult sometimes to say much positive about some images at all, without sounding completely negative, which is why I suspect they don't get a response, but it should be possible to hit the right note of encouragement while gently nudging the poster in the right direction. :)
 
cason said:
I comment on both if I can, photos I just answer the ones I like Im not good enough to give crit! I certainly cant say to someone i dont like a photo, maybe when im more confident I will do so.
As far as kit goes I can only comment on my own and if I personally like it.
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+1

I spend time answering threads like this tooo.....
 
CT said:
There's never enough criticism given - it's always been that way and probably always will. It's a lot easier to discuss the merits of a particular lens than crit someone's work innit?

I try to crit a fair proportion of images, and I know others do too, but the fact is there just aren't enough people making the effort, and there's nothing worse especially for a newcomer who's probably nervous as hell anyway, than getting no response to his image posts.

Let's be honest, it can be difficult sometimes to say much positive about some images at all, without sounding completely negative, which is why I suspect they don't get a response, but it should be possible to hit the right note of encouragement while gently nudging the poster in the right direction. :)
Click to expand...

I really DO NOT mind people saying my photos are crap, as long as they say why they are crap, or not sharp enough............:lol:
 
Tell me who said that - I'll get 'em! :D
 
I try to answer as much as I can why I either like or dislike an image. I'm not going to I think it's rubbish though as I'm not in a position to judge. Equally with my own, I'd rather be told that they are bad and why so I can make efforts to improve them.

I do like it when someone tells me they're good though :D
 
For me, I've only really been taking photography for a few months. I can see if I do or don't like an image, but most often can't always put my finger on why. In those cases i feel it's pointless giving critisism as i don't yet really know how to put it in words.

However, if someone asks an opinion on a peice of equipment that i use and hold everyday. I can give a response easily because it's tangible and something i'm very familiar with.

S
 
I think people should do what they like. If they like one more than another it's no skin off my nose.
 
SteveJB said:
For me, I've only really been taking photography for a few months. I can see if I do or don't like an image, but most often can't always put my finger on why. In those cases i feel it's pointless giving critisism as i don't yet really know how to put it in words.

However, if someone asks an opinion on a peice of equipment that i use and hold everyday. I can give a response easily because it's tangible and something i'm very familiar with.

S
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I don't think you have to be a photographer to be able to offer C&C. Chance are that you're on the TP site because you are a photographer but you don't have to be. The great thing about sites like this is that everyone is entitled to an opinion. And how many posts you have under your belt is neither here nor there IMP. If someone has an opinion lets here it. It could be argued (and I sometimes feel like this) that if a photo is posted and 60 people look at it but no one comments, that's as good as saying that 60 people didn't think it was worth commenting on. ie. its c%&p.

As for experiance, or knowing why you like something or not......... C&C is a two way street. On one hand the photographer gets to know what you think, even if its limited to "I like this but I don't know why". On the other hand, I also think that by REALLY looking at someone eleses work and trying to work out what you do or don't like helps you to look at your own work and evaluate it.

I know some people just like looking around and that's fine but I don't think anyone should feel that their opinion doesn't count or that they aren't worthy of contributing something. Confidence has a part to play, I know...... but nevertheless. :)
 
In the short time I have been here (not a year yet), the forum has expanded HUGELY. I really only comment on "unanswered posts", otherwise my post count would get even more crazy. I do wish I could "track friends photos" easier, as I hate not commenting on them, but I find it very hard to keep an eye on them all.

So for any of the regulars, sorry if I dont comment on yours, not intentional!
 
Hi, nomorem6,
Like many other snappers I'm happy to comment on gear until the cows come home. When someone asks for comments on pics I find that:
a) there's only so much that can be said, and
b) any comments/suggestions I might like to make have already been made, so I tend not to add repetitive comments.
Andy
 
I probably fall into this trap, but that is because if I'm commenting on an image/set of images I like to give a proper critique on all the images in the post, rather than just leaving a comment saying I like #3 etc. So replying to a post with images takes considerably longer.
 
nomorem6 said:
I don't think you have to be a photographer to be able to offer C&C. Chance are that you're on the TP site because you are a photographer but you don't have to be. The great thing about sites like this is that everyone is entitled to an opinion. And how many posts you have under your belt is neither here nor there IMP. If someone has an opinion lets here it. It could be argued (and I sometimes feel like this) that if a photo is posted and 60 people look at it but no one comments, that's as good as saying that 60 people didn't think it was worth commenting on. ie. its c%&p.

As for experiance, or knowing why you like something or not......... C&C is a two way street. On one hand the photographer gets to know what you think, even if its limited to "I like this but I don't know why". On the other hand, I also think that by REALLY looking at someone eleses work and trying to work out what you do or don't like helps you to look at your own work and evaluate it.

I know some people just like looking around and that's fine but I don't think anyone should feel that their opinion doesn't count or that they aren't worthy of contributing something. Confidence has a part to play, I know...... but nevertheless. :)
Click to expand...


Good points made, and you're right it's the confidence and not wanting to look stupid on here when there are some togs on here with talent that i aspire to achieve. It's a touch intimidating.

S
 
there's an awful lot of posts on here and there are not enough hours in the day to comment on them all, therefore I understand why a post can have 200 views and 10 comments. I like macro and landscapes so tend to stick to what i can understand, i know naff all about motors or nudes etc. I always read anything kit related as i am still learning the ropes and there are some good writers here worth listening too. Confidence is the key i suppose to doing C & C.
 
I don't often look in the picture sharing area unless a thread title catches my eye as I scroll down, plus the sort of thing I like is often the opposite of what is considered good by people who know about photos which really shows when I look at what I vote for in the monthly comp compared to the overall positions :lol: Most of my time is spent reading the talk photography and talk equipment areas, then I look in some of the others to see if anything interests me (such as WTD! ).
I sometimes comment on equipment if I have a vague idea of the answer, perhaps when I can produce better pics myself I may look at other peoples more, but until then I am happily bumbling along without looking at or commenting on pics that are far better than the ones I produce.
 
I post new topics in both sections and i agree with the OP. as much as i would like more feedback - iknow my photos are not to everyones tastes and styles. I know there are too many for everyone to comment on.

I for one are guilty of posting more in hardware than critique. Unless something really catches my eye wether fro the good or the bad then i dont comment.
 
I post in critique more than anywhere else, as I'm more interested in looking at and leaning from others photos, and offering praise and hopefully helpful C+C.

Ime asking a question of should I get lens A, B, C or D usually results in I use X and it it's great, rather than I've used all of the above and chosen X. This last comment is not of course just true of this forum, but others I frequent too.
 
i will happily give my opinion on any equipment i've used if it will help someone else.
i tend to give opinions on photographs that appeal to me personaly.
i dont presume to be of a standard where it is fair for me to get overly critical on the standard of someone elses work.generaly either i like em , or i dont.
if i do give opinion on technique or whatever, i try to be as objective as possible. advice on possible solutions rather than an ego deflating slagging off.
 
Having only been taking photos a short while; I've only posted comments on a few of other peoples photos. The really simple reason behind it;
If I don't know how I'd improve it, I keep my mouth shut, and mostly I don't know what would improve it :p

Anything that I really like would generally get a thumbs up, anything I don't may just not be to my taste rather than actually wrong.

I guess it all comes back to 'If you cant say owt nice, say nowt!'
 
nomorem6 said:
This is just an observation and it (I) might be wrong in thinking this but......

Is it just me or does it seem to be the case that a post asking questions about kit etc. will get a host of replies while a post asking for feedback on a photo will get loads of view but very few comments.

I have 170 something posts which in comparison to some members of TP is nothing at all but I've posted enough to see a bit of a pattern (or so it seems).

Someone will post an image of something or other and the number of views may be very high but it will only get one to two comments. Someone will ask about the merits of lets say a 17-40L lens (a Q that has been asked a hundred times) and a much higher percentage of people who view the post will actually comment, because they like 'kit'

So..... is TP more about talking about the kit than the images produced by the kit. IF that is the case then shouldn't we think about what we're commenting on. What I mean is that if someone asks a question, say, about the 17-40 L lens, it takes them between 30 seconds and a few minutes to post that question. However, someone posts an image for feedback or just general sharing and they would have had to go out and take the image, processes it, resize it and post it. That takes hours. Don't we owe it to the image posters to give a little of our time and give some feedback instead of just looking at it, contributing nothing (for better or worse) and just moving on.

Of course there are those members of TP who comment on hundreds of images and contribute a huge amount in feedback and advice and I have total respect for them but it does seem that many people want to take the advice on kit and contribute nothing to photo C&C. :thinking:

Correct me if I'm wrong, its just an opinion. (And its not supposed to get anyone's backs up please, so sorry if it does). Of course TP is for all things photography - both photos and kit. It shouldn't be either/or but perhaps it should be more equal.

What do you think?
:popcorn:
Click to expand...

Completely agree.
 
Thanks for all the replies.

I didn't think I was alone in my thinking. I'm beginning to think this post says more about human nature than photography. :thinking:

Thanks again
Chris
 
I will only post on kit if I've actually got experience of it, which as I own Samsung/Pentax isn't that often on here (as well as me only ever using one body and a couple of lenses!).

I'm no expert on photos or art either, but at least that's less definitive than kit stuff so I don't normally mind giving my 2p worth.
 
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