When did you feel "qualified" to critique others work?

[JustJazzie]

Due to recent threads, I have been trying to be more active in the critique department. However, I feel under-qualified to be critiquing anything that's not my own. So I would love to hear when you felt qualified to start discussing c&c.....

I would like to be an active forum member and not just "take" from the veteran members on here, but I also worry I will be WAY off base with my opinions.....

 

[Light Guru]

There is not qualification really photography is vary subjective.

The big it's thing you need when you give a critique is an explanation for why you feel that way. Comments like "beautiful" "amazing" or "it does nothing for me" are empty and the photographer can learn nothing from them. Comments that explain WHY are a lot more useful.

 

[table1349]

http://fstoppers.com/wp-content/upl...que-fstoppers-hoffer-photography-710x1160.jpg

 

[JustJazzie]

http://fstoppers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Photo-Critique-fstoppers-hoffer-photography-710x1160.jpg

:giggle: I like this.

 

[bribrius]

critique is a strange thing. you could put some real historic photographs on here that might get nailed in critique. But then others that people say they love and all the good about them and they turn out not to be worth damn thing.
Doesn't always have so much to do with experience either but b.s. meter.

A real experienced person can be/do get swayed by years of b.s. they think a perfectly executed photo is great. When it is really trash no matter how well executed it was.

New woman, just picked up a camera yesterday, can look at the same photo and think "wow, that is a p.o.s." knowing nothing of composition. And the sad fact is, she can be totally correct. And the photo disappears into photo heaven like a billion others forgotten...


That's the ninety percent though. There is that small percentage (real small) where knowledge does matter as they aren't meant to cater to the wider audience or public at large.

jmo


where do you think all these photos end up that get good reviews on here from the more knowledgeable or experienced? Most end up no where. They aren't worth nothn a snapshot of your dog might have more purpose. :mrgreen: You could also get a crappy critique on here and sell a print of the work three days later.. Get a good critique and you cant give the photo away never mind sell it.

 

[Overread]

What's VSCO?



As for when to give you give it when you can as detailed as you can whenever you can.

Honestly there is no exam, test, minimum height, age etc.... You give give your honest opinion and if you want to help more explain your opinion in as detailed a manner as you can. Remain respectful to the photographer and the subject of the photos and that's really about it.

Note critical evaluation of others work is a very key part in most school setups for learning new creative arts. As such by all means beginners go ahead! You'll start leaning things all the more as you learn to critique.

 

[Derrel]

After about 25 years of being involved in photography, I felt qualified to offer C&C. So, the year 2002 I guess. But early on, in the early 1980's in my college photo classes, we were forced to participate in weekly critique sessions where the entire class's work was displayed and critiqued, so I got to be involved with C&C sessions that were run by an established, experienced professor who was head of the fine arts department, so I got to see the "traditional" type of C&C in action.

 

[manaheim]

I don't think photography is that subjective.

Photography is really only subjective when it gets outside of some of the more commonly accepted norms, rules, etc. In other words... many may think the picture sucks for a variety of reasons, but some people may still love it.

Given that, I think you're "qualified" to give critique once you can understand and identify the rules and norms enough to understand not only when they are used well, but when they are bent or twisted in a way that- despite being unusual- still work.

All that said, there's nothing wrong with a less experienced insight. I have people who read the books I've been working on and many can say "this bit here... it's not working for me". They can't always tell me why, but the fact that something about it bothers them is enough to know it's something I need to have a look at and possibly fix.

I've been giving critique on images loooooooooooong before I knew what the hell I was doing. I suppose much of that critique was completely off-base, but I genuinely tried to be helpful, so I hope that was enough to keep people from being annoyed.

 

[JustJazzie]

was enough to keep people from being annoyed.

You've hit the nail on the head here, as to why I feel apprehensive about offering c&c. I've had some people offer me c&c that leaves me scratching my head. I try to ignore it, but part of me wants to be like...."do you have ANY idea what you're talking about ?!" And I don't want to be "that poster"......

 

[wayler]

I also think critique can help the learning process, even though I also feel under qualified at times to do so. For me, I try and phrase things in terms of "what I like" as opposed to what others "should have done".

 

[Vince.1551]

Deleted

 

[rexbobcat]

I felt qualified when I first found photography and realized "Hey, I have an opinion about stuff and things."

Honestly this whole "Who is qualified" business seems juvenile.

I know when I like a photo and now that I do some some experience I know why (in most cases). Whether that aligns with others' views of qualified critique - I really just don't care .

 

[Vince.1551]

Deleted

 

[Designer]

You "feel qualified" when you see something that you know.

 

[rexbobcat]

To add to the above. Much of these are also grounded based on how the human eye and brain perceive something as 'nice'. There are scientific studies ..., js

But then you have to discern whether the intent of the photo is to look nice.