Saying you like something

[paigew]

I am guilty of commenting with "I like it". The main reason would be that I am on my phone, and I hate typing on my phone . Or possibly I just don't have the time to type out a long critique...would it be better not to respond at all to a thread? Other times I feel like the photo doesn't really need critique. The poster posted a good shot and wanted to share. I can appreciate good photography without nit picking it. Who cares if I would have done something different...it isn't my photo/choice. Yes I could just "like" if I can post a comment and bump the thread to the top I will

 

[snerd]

It's your thing, do what you wanna do. Probably way before most of you all's time.

 

[The_Traveler]

Perhaps something for the OP to consider:
How to Start an Online Forum | ProBoards
Welcome to Forums
How to Start a Forum, part A - Vanilla Community

and for Gryphonslair
beginners-forum/76568-how-post-pictures

 

[snerd]

I don't know about anyone else, but I still love ya, Lew!!!!

 

[PixelRabbit]

I'm with Paige, biggest reason is I'm most often on the ipod and typing on that thing is a pain.

I'd say that the OP and a lot of the great replies are very valuable for those starting out, it is a great way to give yourself a structure to start learning and a good way of training yourself to actually SEE the photograph and be able to deconstruct it but there comes a time that we grow beyond that because it is ingrained, there are many stages from beginner to pro represented here on the forum and we all have different "needs".

Sometimes the simple "I like it" or "it doesn't work" posts are exactly what we are looking for because that is where we are at in our progression. Once you get past learning the technical aspects you delve into conscious choices on things like composition and style and enter into the "subjective" area.

Once you are there it's up to you to figure out how to make your choices work effectively for your own work in your own way and those simple answers are a great way to gauge how effective you are being. If I can get an "I like it" from someone who freely admits X is not a style they normally like it is PERFECT feedback, it tells me the image transcends those boundaries and simply works.

I think once we get to this point we have enough under our belt to be able to guide our own learning, we know where we want to improve and where we want to go, if we rely on in depth C&C from a specific group of people that group will forum us into a generic photographer made up of the majority of likes and dislikes of the most verbal members.

 

[MSnowy]

Nice thread. Like all the post.

 

[The_Traveler]

Pixelrabbit,

You're talking from the viewpoint of the person who isn't really wanting C/C.

My point from the very beginning that there are many people here who post and specifically ask for c/c and what they get is a very vague response that doesn't give any guidance or help.
This is a lost opportunity for two people, obviously the person asking for critique needs and wants more and doesn't get it, while the person who is viewing the picture has their own learning opportunity - to look at and try to understand what they see and what they like or dislike and why.

Learning to give critique isn't specifically easy but it is approachable and can be done in stages.
I gave what I thought was a reasonable schematic for approaching critique in the first post.

(What baffles me is what offended people and what caused the uproar. This seemed to me to be rather straightforward encouragement that those who want to get help should be prepared to give it.)

 

[table1349]

Perhaps something for the OP to consider:
How to Start an Online Forum | ProBoards
Welcome to Forums
How to Start a Forum, part A - Vanilla Community

and for Gryphonslair
beginners-forum/76568-how-post-pictures

Why Lew, I don't have an ingrained need to seek your approval or the approval of anyone else for my photography. I just don't have either that narcissistic nature requiring the approval of others nor do I feel that the whole world is obligated to follow in my goose steps. Posting pictures to some forum does not a photographer make. I toss things out to people, and they are free to take them and run with it or leave it as they see fit. No skin off my nose and effects my life not one little bit.

You have a well documented history, as evidenced by an administrator and several moderators, of starting threads of this nature with preconceived notions of the way things ought to be, and then getting all bent out of shape when the whole world doesn't agree with you. All under the guise of a "discussion." Personally, I find this whole pseudo intellectual crap, a little boring after a while.

As for my original post in this thread, frankly Lew I was dead serious, if you aren't happy here with the way this site is run and or operates, you are completely free to start your own forum with your own rules and guidelines. I have no real complaints, because this isn't my site. Who am I to come into their house and ***** about the way it is run. Frankly If you aren't happy here you should start your own forum. That way, when things don't go the way you like them you can take your ball and go home.

 

[pgriz]

Lew, some people watch movies or sports and experience it in the present. Some like to talk about the character development, or the plot sidetracks or the special effects, or the role of the defense in the attacking play. My wife loves movies and can give me an incredible analysis of the playwriting, the significance of the various characters, and the success (or failure) of the director in bringing out the best in the actors. In fact, listening to her describe a movie we just saw together makes me see so many aspects that I missed just watching it. But I can't do it the way she does. So I enjoy the movies my way, and get educated when she gives me her take. Some people just see things differently. I think I understood your OP intent, and I am quite comfortable with your suggestions. Some days, I'm tired and am looking for light entertainment and casual banter. Other days, I'm up for a detailed tear-down and analysis. Both work.

 

[PixelRabbit]

Pixelrabbit,

You're talking from the viewpoint of the person who isn't really wanting C/C.

My point from the very beginning that there are many people here who post and specifically ask for c/c and what they get is a very vague response that doesn't give any guidance or help.
This is a lost opportunity for two people, obviously the person asking for critique needs and wants more and doesn't get it, while the person who is viewing the picture has their own learning opportunity - to look at and try to understand what they see and what they like or dislike and why.

Learning to give critique isn't specifically easy but it is approachable and can be done in stages.
I gave what I thought was a reasonable schematic for approaching critique in the first post.

(What baffles me is what offended people and what caused the uproar. This seemed to me to be rather straightforward encouragement that those who want to get help should be prepared to give it.)

Like I said I agree that your OP and many of the great responses are perfect for the specific group of newer shooters and while it would be ideal for a thread to be started with a specific thought directed at a specific group and stay specific to the thoughts in the OP they don't, they meander around and wider points of view are contributed like what happened here and brought me to write my response.

I replied from my own point of view, which isn't that I don't WANT C&C but rather was directed at the type of response you targeted, the short and sweet I like it or don't (which are the most prevalent comments for those who are at that next stage and right up to our Pro shooters), they DO have a place for the non beginners who are reading the thread so some fodder that is related to them should be welcome imho

 

[SCraig]

There is no rule that only one response in a topic is allowed; if one person posts a simple "I Like It" response then others can still post in the same thread. There really is room for both and there really is no limit to how many people can respond to a topic. If one person posts a simple "I Like It" then all is not lost, someone is still able to post a comprehensive critique if they are so inclined. Feel free to post all the comprehensive, exhaustive critiques that you desire, and others can post their "I Like It" posts. It works quite well that way.

 

[photoguy99]

Lew, people get bent out of shape because you come across as prescriptivist and bossy. Not because you are, but because it's impossible to couch these sorts of things in a sufficient coating of weasel words to make it read any other way.

When one has specific and clear ideas that don't agree with other people's ideas, the other people are going to feel, at best, lectured to. Part of the gig.

You do start these threads a lot. And someone always bitches about the fact that you do. And they're always among the most interesting threads TPF has. Make of that what you will.

 

[The_Traveler]

Thanks.
Clearly, weasel words are not my strength; that comes from a life of having dealt mainly with goal oriented people.

I do find it interesting that people talk so much about being independent and thinking for themselves and having their own opinions but so many of exactly these same people cannot stand anyone else even expressing different opinions.
They mistake discussion for argument and really want to take offense. (I'm still cannot find what I say that was 'demeaning' or what was 'napalm'.)

No one has actually to do anything they don't want.
No one has to actually try to get better or think about critique or work on photography or even post pictures - but they get incredibly incensed if anyone, in this case me, expresses his opinion that the way things are going is not the optimal way.

 

[Warhorse]

I really like this thread! :mrgreen:

 

[Derrel]

Just a minor revisiting of one premise, out of the multiple ones, found in the OP: do we really want to recreate the TPF we had "a year ago", or the "TPF we used to have two years ago?" I mean...why do we want to strive for something we used to have? Is it really necessary to replicate the same,exact type of poster/C&C giver ratio this site used to have? Because, a year ago, and two years ago, and five years ago, I recall a LOT of harsh words, hurt feelings, and bossy, passive-aggressive C&C that was basically...bashing.

I recall that, of the "dozen or so" frequent C&C givers that Lew mentioned that we used to have, there were some people who fairly predictably expressed what I would call "prejudice" toward certain techniques, or certain types of photography, and certain types of photographers, and certain types of image hosting sites; a lot of really, well, passive-aggressive put-downs of "Facebook Photographers" and so on.

My feeling about TPF and the "recruitment" that Lew mentioned in his OP is that photography as a business, as a pasttime, as a passion, is slowing down. Camera sales have reallllly slowed wayyyyyy down. I've seen some of the graphs; camera sales, both P&S, and digital SLR, and mirrorless, have dropped by the tens of millions of units per year, consistently, since about 2009. I think the whole photography craze is slowing down, both for new arrivals to the game, AND also, for long-time people who have...just gotten bored of taking pictures. And I think that might by why TPF is changing.