why does no one have anything good to say?

[Solarflare]

I'm just a newbie and I'm not planning to ever get professional, so what good would a praise from me do ?

If I point something out, its probably obvious, and I might be wrong on top.

 

[gsgary]

It's a bit like going into the army, they go in all cocky but the army knock them down and build them back up much stronger

 

[shefjr]

I appreciate the criticism from members here. Don't look at it as "bad", look at it as people taking the time to look at your work and give you help on how to improve your technique. It's all about perspective.

 

[Patriot]

The only thing I dont like about forums is when a picture is posted it will get 70-100 lookthroughs without one comment. If you lokked at the pictures at least leave some form of comment.

I try to leave something if I took the time to look at it. Im not good enough to judge photo so I try to comment on something simple.

 

[The_Traveler]

I think that c/c stands for comment and critique rather than criticism.
critique is generally used when referring to an analysis of a single or small group of subjects while criticism is more generally used for an overview of an artist's work in general terms that relate it to the rest of the field.

Since it seems that you are referring to the responses you particularly are getting, I went back and looked at your last few postings.
You are still in the stage where you snap away at something, the camera takes the pictures and you seem to think that is all there is to it.
When you have gotten negative remarks, there doesn't seem to be any attempt to use that critique to go back and improve the picture so you actually use and embed the ideas in your head.

There is more to photography then just pressing a button, there has to be some effort and work on the part of the photographer to create something interesting, unusual or beautiful that other people would be interested in seeing.

Read a book on composition, look carefully at other decent pictures here and see the c/c they get and then try to emulate them.

 

[bratkinson]

Although I've never posted anything here, I thoroughly enjoy looking at others' work and consider each of the usually negative comments such as underexposed, out of focus, whatever. Even though it's not my pictures, it's giving me a wealth of info on what I need to look for to improve my own work.

After 30+ years doing mostly outdoor 35mm photography (trains, mostly), I've moved indoors and am continually surprised by the myriad of details that I tend to overlook before I press the button, only to be disappointed when I get a good look at it on my computer screen. Only by actually seeing my own mistakes as well as those of others am I starting to recognize a 'tricky' situation and make an attempt to handle it better than I did previously. So, yes, the criticisms flying around here are a great help. And certainly, the OPs looking for C&C on a picture or two have/should/will need thick skin. But more importantly, hopefully, they will "grow" as well, rather than go away and sulk somewhere...

As for why haven't I posted a few for C&C???...perhaps at a later date, when I have more time.

 

[HughGuessWho]

C&C can include what is wrong with a picture as well as what's RIGHT with picture. I think what the OPs point is that many only point out the "bad". Everyone needs to hear both. But, that's how life is. People focus on the bad. If someone has a bad experience in a restaurant they will often complain. However if everything is good, the seldom say a thing.
OP, I understand your point, but expect the comments to be 90% negative because that's just how it is. However, that doesn't mean that your is bad. Take the negative comments and try to improve upon them.
Keep shootin'

 

[rdubb1031]

I'm glad someone else feels this way. I read a post the other day where the critic called the photo "bad". Now don't get me wrong, the photo needed work but I must have missed where that person wrote the rules on photography and could call it that. My point being that giving your feedback both good and bad but remember that photography is subjective, as is all art. Help the person don't just bash them. I've about come to the point where I hate reading this commentary as its going to discourage people from improving rather than encourage. I personally feel that many people on these types of forums are not professionals but the every day joe looking to improve so we can make lasting memories. So help me do that don't just kick me while I'm down to make yourself feel superior.

Thanks OPfor posting this.

 

[KenC]

It's certainly true that some people on here make rude comments, often without offering anything constructive, but posting on the internet is sort of like going down the street and asking everyone you meet. Some of them are going to be unpleasant people you don't want to deal with. The only way to handle this, other than just not posting on here at all, is to ignore the unhelpful comments and get what you can from the constructive ones.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

I'm glad someone else feels this way. I read a post the other day where the critic called the photo "bad". Now don't get me wrong, the photo needed work but I must have missed where that person wrote the rules on photography and could call it that. My point being that giving your feedback both good and bad but remember that photography is subjective, as is all art. Help the person don't just bash them. I've about come to the point where I hate reading this commentary as its going to discourage people from improving rather than encourage. I personally feel that many people on these types of forums are not professionals but the every day joe looking to improve so we can make lasting memories. So help me do that don't just kick me while I'm down to make yourself feel superior.

Thanks OPfor posting this.

The funny thing is, we have this discussion about once a month and nothing changes.

It's a board of mixed knowledge.

Along with all the seemingly negative comments, there are a LOT of positive comments from people who don't really know what they are talking about.
I could point to several recent threads where an image got all glowing reviews, yet the images were boring, mundane, and "common". And in that case some of us just shake our head rather than reply. Now, how is THAT helpful?

How does a member seperate the reply from the inexperienced person who says "great composition!" to yet another top down centered flower? That comment will reinforce the boring, everyday perspective, that is common with those who know nothing about composition. But hey, at least it was positive, right?

What if somebody is just "bad" and is never going to "get it"? Why is that never a possibility in this world?
What about people who will take ten years to achieve what someone else picked up in one year? We are not all equals at everything.

The Traveler put it best with his comment "Art is Hard".
It is.
And some, to quote EnVogue, "Ain't never gonna get it."
That's a fact.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

It's certainly true that some people on here make rude comments, often without offering anything constructive, but posting on the internet is sort of like going down the street and asking everyone you meet. Some of them are going to be unpleasant people you don't want to deal with. The only way to handle this, other than just not posting on here at all, is to ignore the unhelpful comments and get what you can from the constructive ones.

But negative comments are most often constructive, and on the flip side positive comments can also be destructive, empty, and meaningless.

 

[480sparky]

I'd say it's because what is wrong with an image is what grabs the viewer's attention the most.

An image can have perfect white balance, exposure, timing, saturation, composition and sharpness.... but if it's out-of-focus, that's gonna smack the viewer in the face.

So if you were to post that 'perfect-except-for-focus' shot, and you get a string of "OOF", "Yeah, what she said", "THAT ^^^", +1", "Yep.....", then it's safe to assume all else is good.

 

[shefjr]

How does a member seperate the reply from the inexperienced person who says "great composition!" to yet another top down centered flower?

When I joined I sat back for the first several months and read the c&c of others photos to see who gave solid c&c. From doing that I have my own list (in my mind not literal) of photogs on TPF who I have a higher level of respect for. I'm constantly doing this and reevaluating people here. It has helped me to critically look at my own work which still has a long way to go. Sometimes I feel I'm the "never gonna get it" type. Lol :sighs loudly:

 

[mishele]

Is it time for another coddling thread? lol

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Why is failure not an option?

I mean we all can't be masters of everything, can we?

Be proud of honest effort and move on to something else.
If you enjoy taking pictures, then simply continue to enjoy taking pictures!
If you are looking sell your work and be praised for your awesome skills, well, then, be prepared to be judged.


Its one thing to take pictures for eight years. It's another to study art for 8 years.
Which is gonna make the better photographer?