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

[mishele]

It took me a while to dive into the C&C part when I started. Believe it or not, I was a little shy back then. I started by giving C&C on things that I was working on. Let's take the ROT's for example. I would always look through the posts and see if they used it, or if the shot would of been better off if they didn't. I would comment about it when appropriate. Eventually, I had a long list of things that I looked for in a shot and was able to comment about them. That worked for me and doesn't have to work for anyone else. =)

I think everyone will be different. Never feel you shouldn't jump in and contribute!

 

[runnah]

Here? Anytime someone asks for c&c. This is an open community where everyone has the right to voice their opinion. It's up to the person asking for critique to wade through the comments to find what is helpful and what isn't.

Could I judge a contest or curate a museum? No probably not.

 

[table1349]

This is the kind of thread that makes me a bit crazy with this place.
The OP asks a question, some people respond honestly and others feel it is their right to really attempt to divert the thread and get attention.
The OP might go along to be a good sport but the end result is that not only doesn't she get answers but those who try and divert the thread seem to believe its ok because it goes on.

This is disrespectful to the OP and to those who have answered seriously.

I know what you mean Lew, I hate those preachy posts that have nothing to do with the topic.



Jazzy, Life itself is subjective and all perceptions, likes and dislikes in that life are subjective as well. As others have said there is not right or wrong time to feel "qualified." You are qualified when you have an opinion. Whether someone else likes, dislikes, accepts or rejects that opinion is for them to decide. It however does not diminish you own thoughts or opinion.

 

[snerd]

....... I know what you mean Lew, I hate those preachy posts that have nothing to do with the topic...........

Hee hee. And to clarify my "high" statement, I was just kidding. I haven't touched the old proverbial herb since, wow, either 1989 or 1990!!

 

[table1349]

....... I know what you mean Lew, I hate those preachy posts that have nothing to do with the topic...........

Hee hee. And to clarify my "high" statement, I was just kidding. I haven't touched the old proverbial herb since, wow, either 1989 or 1990!!

Dude, like I know what you mean man.......like I can't remember $#!& either man. Where are the twinkies???

 

[snerd]

Don't bother me, dude, I'm smoking a fatty...................

 

[sm4him]

It took me a while to dive into the C&C part when I started. Believe it or not, I was a little shy back then. I started by giving C&C on things that I was working on. Let's take the ROT's for example. I would always look through the posts and see if they used it, or if the shot would of been better off if they didn't. I would comment about it when appropriate. Eventually, I had a long list of things that I looked for in a shot and was able to comment about them. That worked for me and doesn't have to work for anyone else. =)

I think everyone will be different. Never feel you shouldn't jump in and contribute!

^+1 to this, except the part about mish ever being shy...

I still wouldn't say I always FEEL qualified; it just depends on the photo. If it's street photography, I'd be extremely hesitant to give any real critique, because I know little about what makes good street photography. If it's a bird in flight, though, I'd feel much more confident lending my thoughts.

To my way of thinking, giving C&C is much like learning photography, in that you have to start DOING it at some point if you really want to LEARN it. You can read about photography, ask questions, look at photos, etc--but if you want to become proficient, you have to practice actuating that shutter. The same is true of giving critique--you have to practice actually doing it.

When I first joined TPF, and for probably at least the first year, I almost never gave any C&C for the same reasons you've mentioned--basically, I wasn't confident that I really could give any decent critique, my C&C would get ripped apart, and then I'd have to cry myself to sleep. :lmao:
What I did to get over my fear of giving C&C? I would look at ONLY the original post and then I'd "write" a C&C response, in my head, trying to be as specific as possible. THEN, I'd just keep an eye on the thread, and note the responses given by particular people whose opinions I really respected. Discovering how often those people would make comments very similar to what I'd thought helped give me the confidence to start actually adding my C&C to a thread.
I also did this with some threads where all I could think was that I liked the photo or didn't like it, but couldn't express why. Reading the critique from others often helped me pinpoint the reasons I felt the way I did about a photo, and eventually I got better at *seeing* those things for myself. It's a learning process, and even if you're off the mark once in a while, it's not gonna kill anybody!

 

[shefjr]

I don't feel qualified to give critique. I generally proffer my opinion on an image with whatever emotions that the image may evoke. I will on occasion discuss technical issues that may detract from the image (under/overexposed, WB, etc).

 

[pgriz]

Ah, giving a critique is not that hard. Say what you liked, what annoyed you, and perhaps what you would have done differently if you were in that situation. The main requirement is to be able to express your feelings about an image. In the end, the image can cause you any number of reactions, ranging from "Wow!" through indifference, through "Yuck!". If you can verbalize why you get that reaction, then you can critique. And don't forget it's YOUR opinion. There is no one "right" answer. Some images really work for some people, and are considered moist heaps of digested food by others.

 

[Steve5D]

I think it's incumbent upon the person requesting the critique to understand that not all critiques will be "educated" (for lack of a better word) ones...

 

[photoguy99]

The thing to keep in mind with critique is that it is all ex post facto. You needn't have much education to explain why a picture works or does not, for you. You need only eyes and a little self awareness. Theories of composition and color and tone and so on are plentiful. There's usually one someplace that will explain why any photo is good - even a bad one.

But none of it will do anything more than explain the photo in hand. Translating that into a new photo in such a way as it works, that's tricky.

Any fool can design a strategy that beats the stock market last year. It's designing one that beats it next year that's hard.

 

[minicoop1985]

In terms of an educated understanding, I still am not quite qualified to comment on certain photos. That being said, all photos have the ability to evoke an emotional response or tell a story. I've felt qualified to mention what it is a photo makes me feel/the story as I see it for a while now. Then again, it may be fairly obvious that my understanding of what a great photo is can be rather... limited.

 

[petrochemist]

I feel qualified when I see something about a photo that I particuarly like/dislike. No more is needed, but I try to ensure any coments I make are balanced & inoffensive.

Those more experienced in giving Critique can manage without having any particular feelings one way or the other. I certainly wouldn't unless I knew the photographer, in which case I may try to help them find the imperfections.

 

[astroNikon]

I think critiqueing is good for the requestor and the person giving the critique.
Both can learn. I certainly learn giving critique .. assuming I see what I think my critique is. Sometimes I see a photo and I can't quite figure out what i like/dislike about it until someone else mentions it. Then my concept comes together.
Sometimes I'm way off the mark. But it's always a good learning process to see what other people critique.
Some people have certain styles that clash with your style, and they critique based on their style.

It's all for learning and improving yourself.


It's kinda like musicians. I've been a judge at woodwind, piano and string competitions. I always ask the competition ppl "how" they want me to judge. Sometimes it's for increasing the morale of the players .. make them feel good to make them work harder. Sometimes it's "bash them as much as possible" as they are national caliber players needing it before nationals. So for some people you need to base the level of critique based on what the purpose is and level of the poster. But if it was Derrel and he cut off someone's hand .. let him have it even though he knows better lol

 

[keyseddie]

Here? Anytime someone asks for c&c. This is an open community where everyone has the right to voice their opinion. It's up to the person asking for critique to wade through the comments to find what is helpful and what isn't.

I think it's incumbent upon the person requesting the critique to understand that not all critiques will be "educated" (for lack of a better word) ones...

What dem guys said.