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- Jun 9, 2013
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Be vague with your 'praise' and specific with your critique, and limit yourself to only one point (composition) and just two or three pictures. You can still be direct and truthful without telling every single truth. You don't have to point out every thing that's wrong, because who wants to hear that? He'll shut down. But, as others have said, if you start and end with a positive and sandwich the critique in the middle, then he's more likely to listen.
Opening positive: "I think you've got great colors." or "You've got good exposures" (chances are he's using Auto, no? So exposures will probably be mostly okay )
When you get to the critique: "In the picture about X, was the subject X or Y? Maybe it would be clearer if you..." Ask questions, get him to talk about the photo and suggest changes with some non-challenging openers: "You know what I think would look great? If you tried putting the subject somewhere other than the middle. Have you ever tried that?"
And then to finish up, "I think it's a good start. Keep practicing!"
If he's a douche cap, he'll contradict everything you say and get insulted at the idea that he needs to practice. And then you can get offended right back and call him a douche cap and tell him to lose your number and then you'll be free of him. If he listens, though, then maybe he'll improve and as time goes on, you won't be in the position of telling him he sucks anymore.
Someone mentioned to be careful not to put yourself in a mentoring position. I agree - it can be very draining. But if it happens, the silver lining will be that once you're a mentor, you can probably get away with being more direct and 'brutal' without worrying about it
Opening positive: "I think you've got great colors." or "You've got good exposures" (chances are he's using Auto, no? So exposures will probably be mostly okay )
When you get to the critique: "In the picture about X, was the subject X or Y? Maybe it would be clearer if you..." Ask questions, get him to talk about the photo and suggest changes with some non-challenging openers: "You know what I think would look great? If you tried putting the subject somewhere other than the middle. Have you ever tried that?"
And then to finish up, "I think it's a good start. Keep practicing!"
If he's a douche cap, he'll contradict everything you say and get insulted at the idea that he needs to practice. And then you can get offended right back and call him a douche cap and tell him to lose your number and then you'll be free of him. If he listens, though, then maybe he'll improve and as time goes on, you won't be in the position of telling him he sucks anymore.
Someone mentioned to be careful not to put yourself in a mentoring position. I agree - it can be very draining. But if it happens, the silver lining will be that once you're a mentor, you can probably get away with being more direct and 'brutal' without worrying about it