unpopular
Been spending a lot of time on here!
This is going to be a little bit of a rant, so be warned.
I often run into one-line comments like "It's Boring" or "I don't get it". I'd encourage everyone to avoid these kinds of critiques. First of all, they're not really critiques. There is no critical thought in announcing your first impressions. A critique should be removed from your personal biases, it should focus on only technique and artistic merit - not your own limitations in appreciation.
Positive one-liners are also annoying, but at least they offer some level of support. "Nice colors" and "Great Job!" type pats on the back don't really convey what a photographer is doing right, or speak of the image entirely, but at the same time I don't think this is really a bad thing, but it'd be much more helpful if we could go into a little more detail about what works and what doesn't.
But negative one liners are just selfish and arrogant. When someone takes a photo, they obviously saw something in the subject that she or he felt was worthwhile and interesting. It's not up to us as the audience to question the validity of the photographers ability to determine a worthwhile subject, rather, it is up to us to appreciate the photographer's world view.
Naturally this isn't always conveyed adequately. But if this is the case, then how specifically should be discussed, rather than spouting off worthless one liners expressing a rather limited opinion.
Now I know that not everyone here has the technical and/or artistic background to relate these things. And that's fine. But maybe such people should spend some time reading other's posts or professional art critics responses in art journals and magazines before posting critiques - or in the very least think "will this comment help me understand the photo/will it help the photographer improve their skills as an artist and craftsperson" before posting.
I don't mean to come across as "anti-newbie".
I often run into one-line comments like "It's Boring" or "I don't get it". I'd encourage everyone to avoid these kinds of critiques. First of all, they're not really critiques. There is no critical thought in announcing your first impressions. A critique should be removed from your personal biases, it should focus on only technique and artistic merit - not your own limitations in appreciation.
Positive one-liners are also annoying, but at least they offer some level of support. "Nice colors" and "Great Job!" type pats on the back don't really convey what a photographer is doing right, or speak of the image entirely, but at the same time I don't think this is really a bad thing, but it'd be much more helpful if we could go into a little more detail about what works and what doesn't.
But negative one liners are just selfish and arrogant. When someone takes a photo, they obviously saw something in the subject that she or he felt was worthwhile and interesting. It's not up to us as the audience to question the validity of the photographers ability to determine a worthwhile subject, rather, it is up to us to appreciate the photographer's world view.
Naturally this isn't always conveyed adequately. But if this is the case, then how specifically should be discussed, rather than spouting off worthless one liners expressing a rather limited opinion.
Now I know that not everyone here has the technical and/or artistic background to relate these things. And that's fine. But maybe such people should spend some time reading other's posts or professional art critics responses in art journals and magazines before posting critiques - or in the very least think "will this comment help me understand the photo/will it help the photographer improve their skills as an artist and craftsperson" before posting.
I don't mean to come across as "anti-newbie".