I'm a little confused...

3Js · Mar 30, 2014

by this place.

I was told about TPF by a friend who said it was quite an honest place as far as critiques given were concerned. I've checked a couple threads since registering and I just don't get it. Bad or boring pictures but nothing but compliments...

How is anyone supposed to learn anything here?

Is there a rule about being friendly no matter what?

Rick58 · Mar 30, 2014

Welcome...I think. Those bad or boring photo's? They're probably mine :biglaugh:

sm4him · Mar 30, 2014

Quite the introduction thread, right there.

A sample of two or three, or six, threads isn't exactly representative of what TPF is like over a prolonged period. I assure you, if you're seeing bad pictures and nothing but compliments on them, you've gotten a VERY bad sampling of typical TPF fare.

For the most part, we try to simply be honest, and HELPFUL, but not brutal. To be sure, some miss that mark by a lot, on both sides of the extreme. But for the most part, I can say I have gotten mostly extremely HELPFUL critiques here.

My suggestion: Hang around. Post a few pictures of your own for C&C. Give a few months and see if you haven't learned to take better pictures.

3Js · Mar 30, 2014

sm4him: 3 to be exact. But quite amazing ones. I thought maybe I had the wrong place.

Now, of course, you are right, that is not a very large sample but it threw me off. I wondered if what I wanted to say would be seen as "brutal", as you say it, and I decided to shut up... although those posters need help and they didn't seem to be getting it.

Rick: No worry, I didn't see your work yet

3Js · Mar 30, 2014

Maybe I should have added that I have 25 years + of professional published experience so I do have an idea what is a bad or boring picture.

Rick58 · Mar 30, 2014

3Js said:
Maybe I should have added that I have 25 years + of professional published experience so I do have an idea what is a bad or boring picture.

"Rick: No worry, I didn't see your work yet

"

If I can't cope, I'll seek professional help. :roll:

TreeofLifeStairs · Mar 30, 2014

My experience is that boring pictures get little or no attention at all. It also seems to be the case that newer members that haven't posted much are treated more gently so as not to scare them off (not 100% true). Also people usually get what they ask for. If the OP asks to be treated gently then that's usually what happens.

SCraig · Mar 30, 2014

3Js said:
by this place.

I was told about TPF by a friend who said it was quite an honest place as far as critiques given were concerned. I've checked a couple threads since registering and I just don't get it. Bad or boring pictures but nothing but compliments...

How is anyone supposed to learn anything here?

Is there a rule about being friendly no matter what?

I agree with your assessment. And yes there is a dictum to be nice to new members no matter what.

This forum used to honest but in my opinion has gotten overly PC the past 6 months or so. Mediocre photographs do get rave reviews, and many members just keep their keyboards quiet these days.

3Js · Mar 30, 2014

Thanks Treeof. How do you go about finding out how members want to be treated?

3Js · Mar 30, 2014

SCraig: Why? Aren't we here to learn?

SCraig · Mar 30, 2014

3Js said:
SCraig: Why? Aren't we here to learn?

I don't make the rules, only try to live within them.

Derrel · Mar 30, 2014

3Js said:
sm4him: 3 to be exact. But quite amazing ones. I thought maybe I had the wrong place.

Now, of course, you are right, that is not a very large sample but it threw me off. I wondered if what I wanted to say would be seen as "brutal", as you say it, and I decided to shut up... although those posters need help and they didn't seem to be getting it.

Rick: No worry, I didn't see your work yet

I think the infrequent and first-time/occasional posters often receive C&C that's encouraging and not "brutal". Also, sometimes when weaker material is posted, people who happen to like at least something about it tend to post generally positive or encouraging comments.

For example, when somebody says, "I just got my new 50mm lens, took some pics of my child," the typical responses are mostly encouraging, supportive, and gentle. There's no need to brutally C&C work made by an excited new lens owner, and so on. I myself try and tailor C&C to the context of the images (why were they made? Payed gig? Just trying out a new lens/flash/method?) themselves, and to the poster's skill level.

bribrius · Mar 30, 2014

There are some really amazing photographers here. Problem is most of them don't get heavily involved in being helpful with cc. They kind of lurk beneath the surface. ive been a month sorting out who is who. some do get involved. A lot don't. i think after looking at the bazillionth photo they just kind of got tired of going through people photos.
A lot of the cc is from people that think they know more than they do, or people that just don't know enough but are trying to help.
i imagine it is difficult too, being a forum member and having newbies show up EVERYDAY with the same issues, questions for years on end. They probably just get sick of it.
There is also a certain "cockiness" with some members, who will jump on something very possibly being totally wrong, but because others of the follower mentality kind of follow suit. or they like the original poster. This is where you might get a bad photo made to seem good, or a good photo made to seem bad.
sort though the b.s., take it with a grain of salt. collect what seems valuable.
There are a few people here that have REALLY helped me. i encourage you to give the forum a chance.

TamiAz · Mar 30, 2014

I've been here for a over two years and it's become less brutal here.. When I first started posting pictures here you would get some tough, but constructive criticism. Now, not so much. I'm on here 3-4 times a week, but I lurk more than I post. I'm a little hesitant to post any criticism..

Overread · Mar 30, 2014

Me views:

1) Critique is welcome in any of the galleries barring the "just for fun" gallery; but it is not a demanded nor expected component to comments. As a result it generally helps to ask - and in asking to format ones post to try and present things in the most detailed light so that critique can be as accurate and relevant as possible.

2) Harsh/Brutal/Bluntly honest are words oft used to disguise insult or hostile language. The latter is something we do not want on the site and have taken steps to ensure that its not a part of daily life. We expect members to be able to critique photos impartially and honestly, but without abusing or insulting language.

3) Not all users use the site for the same thing; sometimes you will see a wave of comments all nice because that user group is at that time more active.

4) Sometimes you give a few encouraging and less detailed critiques as one eases a person new to photography/the subject into the field of interest

5) It's my experience that sometimes you have to be a "known name" before the more experienced are prepared to drop more lengthly critique - ergo they want to see you're a part of hte site before spending large amounts of time.