A Word About Politeness...

[sleist]

There are people who post many photos and they inspire us through example. We see them post wonderful, meaningful, inspired works. Even when they fail, we know they are working at the craft
When they see fit to comment on our own works, we listen because they have shown by example that they know what it means to be a photographer.

It would be interesting, but quite impossible within the bounds of decency alas, to compare one another's lists of who these paragons are.

I see the purpose of this thread to be call to forum members to reflect on ones behavior and consider how it may impact others.
My post is nothing more than addendum to that call.

It would be interesting, but quite impossible

From my perspective, it seems neither interesting nor impossible.

 

[amolitor]

I see the purpose of this thread to be call to forum members to reflect on ones behavior and consider how it may impact others.

This I agree with entirely!

 

[The_Traveler]

you can go back to padding your egos with the dashed hopes and crushed dreams of others, but they're off limits for 20 posts.

I like this sentence a tremendous amount.
Hurrah for Aaron. :hail:

I was actually looking for a large 'applause' smiley but one shot at acting subservient will do.

 

[bogeyguy]

Well stated Aaron.

 

[Tee]

Damn, I really haven't been around much. An administrator on TPF who posts? Am I dreaming? Unless you're a reincarnation of another long time member, if you think things are impolite now, your head would've exploded 3 years ago. This place is sunshine and kittens now days. Maybe I'm missing those kinds of threads but I haven't seen too many "don't quit your day job threads". What I have seen is one post and run threads by noobs asking business questions, noob receiving business advice, and never returning.

 

[manaheim]

GO FFARL!

Because it has come to my attention very recently that some folks don't even know when they're doing it. :mrgreen:

*snicker*

 

[mishele]

Ffarl, did you have a rough day yesterday? Lol

 

[PixelRabbit]

We are sorry Aaron, do you still love us?

 

[mmaria]

:hail:

Once someone has had a moment to come to terms with the types of personalities that inhabit this place....

Then there are others that talk.

And talk.
And talk.
And talk.

They pretend they know how to shoot and use long winded diatribes to convince others of their prowess behind the camera.
Yet, when they finally put their own work on the line (rarely), it makes one wonder if they even bother to listen to themselves.

I'm fairly new here and it's a big problem for me to recognize to whom I should/shouldn't listen, because of the reasons sleist mentioned. I just can't understand the huge difference when they are critiquing and when they posting for critique.

I guess time will tell... or someone brave enough to say some names :idea:

There are relationships here I don't understand yet and discussions that repeat themselves in almost every thread there, and there are people here I wish they comment but they don't...
All in all this is an interesting place to be in...

I have seen is one post and run threads by noobs asking business questions, noob receiving business advice, and never returning.

yeah... noticed that too

 

[Designer]

Because it has come to my attention very recently that some folks don't even know when they're doing it. :mrgreen:

So if we don't know when we're doing it, how will we know to knock it off?

 

[pixmedic]

Because it has come to my attention very recently that some folks don't even know when they're doing it. :mrgreen:

So if we don't know when we're doing it, how will we know to knock it off?

don't worry, infractions come with a note attached to let you know what you did wrong. :mrgreen:

 

[Tee]

Can you add a Charlie (CGipson) clause? Because, honestly, when he gets going on the Best Buy salesperson selling a Canon Rebel to an instant pro with a Facebook page...it's pure comedic gold.

 

[Overread16 4]

I'm fairly new here and it's a big problem for me to recognize to whom I should/shouldn't listen, because of the reasons sleist mentioned. I just can't understand the huge difference when they are critiquing and when they posting for critique.

Learning who to and who not to listen to is something we all have to learn.
It doesn't matter who they are - people on forums - books - lecturers- professionals - amateurs. Sometimes some people are good to listen to for one subject and not others. Sometimes those in the know can't communicate well enough that even when listening you can't understand etc...

Generally I'd say that when you're learning who to listen to ask questions; lots of questions. Don't just listen to the answer, ask for the explanation behind it. Sometimes it will show where someone is just parroting something - other times it might show someone who really does understand the reasoning behind something and that in turn will greatly help you.

As for theory VS practical its my experience in photography that there are many people who have skill that outstrips their understanding of the theory of that skill and vis versa. Yes sometimes you will find people who can critique better than they can shoot (actually considering that compositional theories can be easier to learn than to put into practice its not unusual). Sometimes that might mean that they don't know as much, but listen to their arguments for their viewpoints and base your choice of that

 

[The_Traveler]

Learning who to and who not to listen to is something we all have to learn.
It doesn't matter who they are - people on forums - books - lecturers- professionals - amateurs. Sometimes some people are good to listen to for one subject and not others. Sometimes those in the know can't communicate well enough that even when listening you can't understand etc...

Generally I'd say that when you're learning who to listen to ask questions; lots of questions. Don't just listen to the answer, ask for the explanation behind it. Sometimes it will show where someone is just parroting something - other times it might show someone who really does understand the reasoning behind something and that in turn will greatly help you.

As for theory VS practical its my experience in photography that there are many people who have skill that outstrips their understanding of the theory of that skill and vis versa. Yes sometimes you will find people who can critique better than they can shoot (actually considering that compositional theories can be easier to learn than to put into practice its not unusual). Sometimes that might mean that they don't know as much, but listen to their arguments for their viewpoints and base your choice of that

All of this ^^^ is right on the button.

Remember in addition, none of us is the Moses of photography, leading you out of the land of ignorance with received wisdom.
Everything is someone's opinion and, if what is said doesn't make sense on its face, it probably doesn't make sense at all.

Critique is, or shouldn't be, a competition to be the most incisive or brutal.

 

[IByte]

We are sorry Aaron, do you still love us?

...who doesn't like fuzzy bunnies