Why No Critique?

[cbarnard7]

Given the amount of trash I've read on here lately, I was just wondering-

Do any pictures get critiqued anymore? Is there anymore feedback on photography?

I've seen so many threads about nothing getting hundreds of replies, while people legitimately trying to learn and better themselves get zero (or a very limited) response. The supposed "experienced professionals" (the people who amateurs can learn the most from) are usually the ones causing drama over nothing, and when there finally is a response, it's a harsh, egotistical remark, usually unrelated to the original topic.

I love banter just as much as the rest of you, but come on now.

 

[SCraig]

Well, I'm no experienced professional or any other kind of professional, but personally I'm keeping my mouth shut for the time being.

 

[hopdaddy]

I too have slowed my cc ,

 

[The_Traveler]

TBH, I think the number of interesting or challenging pictures has slowed to almost nothing.

 

[wyogirl]

TBH, I think the number of interesting or challenging pictures has slowed to almost nothing.

if that is the case, then there is room for improvement. So tell them how.

 

[Overread]

Different segments of the community do different things. Also don't look at page count for measuring a threads worth -yeah some threads are many pages long - most of it idle chatter and sillyness.

Getting critique on ANY photography forum tends to be a nightmare and outside of paying for it you won't ever guarantee that you'll get any. Have a read of the link in my signature though as it will give you some tips on how to maximise your chances of getting critique whilst also improving what you can get out of a photo on your own before others weigh in

 

[ratssass]

i don't feel i have enough expertise to give cc.there was a thread once that gave instructions on how to provide the proper cc."I like it" was deemed useless,but thats the best i can do.

 

[cbarnard7]

Different segments of the community do different things. Also don't look at page count for measuring a threads worth -yeah some threads are many pages long - most of it idle chatter and sillyness.

Getting critique on ANY photography forum tends to be a nightmare and outside of paying for it you won't ever guarantee that you'll get any. Have a read of the link in my signature though as it will give you some tips on how to maximise your chances of getting critique whilst also improving what you can get out of a photo on your own before others weigh in

Alex- thank you for the link, it's very helpful for sure!

I guess I wasn't commenting so much on my photos (since I post maybe once every week or two) but just really in general. There's a lot of negativity and pompousness that is unwarranted and I think that when a beginner (who doesn't have as thick of skin yet) asks for advice (especially someone new to the site), they either get no response or hardly anything of value. Then, if you wait a couple days or a week with no input, you're very irritated to see where everyone seems to be spending their thread-reading time.

 

[hopdaddy]

i don't feel i have enough expertise to give cc.there was a thread once that gave instructions on how to provide the proper cc."I like it" was deemed useless,but thats the best i can do.

If you will just add why you like it you have a good critique . Actually ,I learned more from giving CC than receiving .

 

[kathyt]

I am too busy posting skimpy pictures of myself. Shame on me. I will go start giving critique right now. Thanks for getting me back on track.

 

[cbarnard7]

i don't feel i have enough expertise to give cc.there was a thread once that gave instructions on how to provide the proper cc."I like it" was deemed useless,but thats the best i can do.

I don't think that's true at all!

In fact, I think you learn more by trying to give critique and insight even if you don't know how. For example, when I started, I kept saying, "the sky is really white" and it took me a while before I caught on to terms like "overexposed/blown-out...etc." Sometimes it's harder to express why you like a picture rather than dislike it.

 

[cbarnard7]

I am too busy posting skimpy pictures of myself. Shame on me. I will go start giving critique right now. Thanks for getting me back on track.

There's room for both skimpy pictures AND critique, Kathy!

 

[cbarnard7]

Being a professional in the field of science/research, I've found that at times it can be frustrating and tedious to "dumb down" things I say to those who just can't grasp it-

But, I find I learn even more when I am constantly questioned on very basic things (it helps me track back and revisit things I have lost some insight on).

Maybe some of the seasoned photographers can challenge themselves by trying to help others in a way they would normally not?

I think that sometimes, as weird as this may sound, this forum is passive-aggressive. It's like mixing business and family. Since many of you are professional and do it for a living, it's like you want to give advice, but not enough to create a possible competitor (even if they're not in your geographic location).

 

[ratssass]

i don't feel i have enough expertise to give cc.there was a thread once that gave instructions on how to provide the proper cc."I like it" was deemed useless,but thats the best i can do.

If you will just add why you like it you have a good critique . Actually ,I learned more from giving CC than receiving .

...honestly,quite often i don't know,myself,why a certain image grabs me.whether its an emotion portrayed,the colors or whatever it is that drew me in.I can say technical aspects are at the bottom of my list.So....where do you go from there?Like that shot Pascal (?) shared of "1/39"....what do i like about it??I don't know,but it intrigued me enough to look at it several times.Is it "technically" correct??...beats me,and it doesn't matter.I like it.On the other hand,I couldn't tell you why an image doesn't grab me.Doesn't mean it doesn't serve the purpose they set out to do,and it might be presumptuous on my part to say otherwise.In the wrong hands (like mine) CC can be a dangerous tool.I certainly wouldn't want to discourage anyone because my vision isn't theirs.I do believe CC is a good tool in the hands of someone that uses it effectively.

 

[cbarnard7]

i don't feel i have enough expertise to give cc.there was a thread once that gave instructions on how to provide the proper cc."I like it" was deemed useless,but thats the best i can do.

If you will just add why you like it you have a good critique . Actually ,I learned more from giving CC than receiving .

...honestly,quite often i don't know,myself,why a certain image grabs me.whether its an emotion portrayed,the colors or whatever it is that drew me in.I can say technical aspects are at the bottom of my list.So....where do you go from there?Like that shot Pascal (?) shared of "1/39"....what do i like about it??I don't know,but it intrigued me enough to look at it several times.Is it "technically" correct??...beats me,and it doesn't matter.I like it.On the other hand,I couldn't tell you why an image doesn't grab me.Doesn't mean it doesn't serve the purpose they set out to do,and it might be presumptuous on my part to say otherwise.In the wrong hands (like mine) CC can be a dangerous tool.I certainly wouldn't want to discourage anyone because my vision isn't theirs.I do believe CC is a good tool in the hands of someone that uses it effectively.

All fair points. I challenge you to try to think deeper about why you don't like something, even if it's just your opinion. It's all subjective anyway and if you say, "I really don't like B&W images, sorry...I would have like to have seen it in color and blurred." Maybe the OP will have their mind blown and start doing completely different things! Plus, it'll help you put a finger on what you really love/hate to shape your own photography!