Its inevitable that as new members sign up, most of them being new enthusiasts too, the ratio of experienced posters, although constantly growing, will continue to be out numbered by the amount of new inexperienced members.
So it’s the usual problem of not enough thoughts for too many images posted.
Some new members, most of them not all, obviously feel inadequately armed with critique knowledge, this tends to halt members from posting on other photographers images, we know this to be the case right.
The fear of saying something daft or unhelpful and in doing so possibly damage their own reputation! All before they've even started getting there own advice! Which is, after all why they're here.
Regular and experienced members are in a catch 22 situation in many ways, they’re always interested in helping new members, but sometimes you new guys can be very demanding and if those regulars don’t see you ever trying to be useful too, well, they’ll start feeling a bit used and abused, or if not that then just plain tired and frustrated at the one way flow, and who can blame them!
I could also argue that some people are just plain selfish and seemed to have few thoughts of all the help and effort afforded them. They seldom speak of appreciating the advice and never responding to all thoughts…let alone post thoughts on others as that seems to be the responsibility of others ffs.
I used to be like that too
…when I was ten.
My thoughts are ….. if you don't feel you can criticize adequately then just say something uplifting if you can. That’s easy enough I think, I know I'm quite happy to get a few 'nice shot', rather than just my usual buds backing me up as I do them. The trouble starts if you don't like an image I reckon, to counter that I find myself looking for some aspect I do like, even if the image is terrible there's always something I can relate to if I try..
And that’s what we all need to do too, put the effort in and as our Gloria would say. ‘Lead by example’
PS. Not directed at anyone: You can’t blame us old school lot for knowing each others works and progressions over the years, that’s what this place will do for you too, please don’t hold it against us for keeping up with each others stuff.
