Are POTN members too nice?

bent toe wrote in post #15421531
Don't get me wrong, i love this place because of all the good and valid input you get when posting... but one thing i've noticed when it comes to images, i rarely (and i mean RARELY) do i see any critisism... i want critisism, i can never achieve perfection, but you need critisism in order to evolve and become better.

I have noticed that too a few years ago. it's hard to learn and esp when your friends and family have no idea what a good photo is, it can be hard to learn from what your posting. I have noticed that most people will rather say nothing than something that might be taken the wrong way. I guess most people around here have good parents

bent toe wrote in post #15421531
High iso on purpose, slow shutter, unfocused... but it captures a moment, a rugged moment of life.. ordinary life. I just love this photo, to most of you it would probably be a crap photo.. but then i need to hear it (i propably wont listen since i love it) but some of the input might make me improve on the next similiar photo.

I get what your trying to do, however the biggest problem is not having anything to focus on. Your eye just looks around the place and with no place to settle so it looks else where. The best thing I could say is think if it printing and hanging on a wall. What would make someone stop and look at it?

Woolburr wrote in post #15426173
I'm always amazed by the sheer number of people that submit photos for critique....accompanie​d by a variety of disclaimers. "This is the most awesome photo I've ever taken", "I showed this to my friends and family and they absolutely love it", "I'm new so please be gentle"....I think you get the drift. Then we have the ones that jump right out with the "Rip this one to shreds, I want to learn" mantra....immediately followed by an extraordinarily defensive post the second someone makes even a simple suggestion on ways to improve the image.

I am on the view that if you want to share your photo then you have to take the good with the bad. in fact the only way to learn is by listening to the bad parts and ignoring the good parts. The good makes us feel all warm and fuzzy and the only thing you learn is that your current mistakes are worth making again. If you want to be a good photographer then you have to learn from the negative responses and not take them that personally.

joeblack2022 wrote in post #15427615
How many on POTN are "qualified" to critique? I for the most part only chime in with stuff I am familiar with, I enjoy the images in the other sub-forums and the most I can really do without sounding like a tool in those scenarios is compliment the images.

Have you tried the "rate the photo above you" thread? Critique seems to be flowing there!

anyone that's knows what they like can ofter critique. It's like what makes a pro photographer or just a hobbiest. There is no line that one has to cross it's just someone who can offer a reason why something isn't working rather than saying the photo is just crap.

I have looked at that thread and to be honest I seem some repsond not so kindly because their photo wasn't that well received. And I have seen some good photos low scores because someone doesn't get it.

Woolburr wrote in post #15428864
Another way to improve your chances of getting an effective critique is to spend a moment to explain the particulars of your shot. Were you trying to capture a mood? Were you trying to accomplish something specific with the image? Was it just a snap or was this a planned and crafted shoot? Does the image look anything like you wanted it to?

A surefire recipe for getting no input is to post an image this way:

Critique?

You see I don't believe in that. Your photo should be able to stand on it's own with no words.

Hence a photo can say a 1000 words.

theflyingkiwi wrote in post #15460096
You see I don't believe in that. Your photo should be able to stand on it's own with no words.

Hence a photo can say a 1000 words.

But it can lead to a brazillion interpretations.

I'm not entirely against a little explanation because as I said above, I, as the viewer, no nothing about the intent of the poster.

Personal interpretations are all well and good in a gallery setting, but POTN is, by and large, an educational thing so why not help educate with a little backstory?

Personally, I've been spurred to try several different genres of photography thanks to hanging out here and it's often because I read something about the image(s) that hipped me to why it was fun to try.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #15460104
But it can lead to a brazillion interpretations.

I'm not entirely against a little explanation because as I said above, I, as the viewer, no nothing about the intent of the poster.

Personal interpretations are all well and good in a gallery setting, but POTN is, by and large, an educational thing so why not help educate with a little backstory?

Personally, I've been spurred to try several different genres of photography thanks to hanging out here and it's often because I read something about the image(s) that hipped me to why it was fun to try.

but it's only educational if people are willing to learn, not take it so personally and open to it.

But I can understand where your coming from but your still wrong

gibbit1 wrote in post #15428472
Bring back Korrector!!!! He was brutal.

this is because he is Russian - after living in Ukraine for a couple years I came to an understanding that there is the truth and then there is the Russian Truth

Basically the things every US/UK/Aus/NZ person is thinking but would never say! Hahaha definitely a cultural difference.

I miss Korrector too, as I generally agreed with his views but would never voice such strong opinions.

theflyingkiwi wrote in post #15460120
but it's only educational if people are willing to learn, not take it so personally and open to it.

But I can understand where your coming from but your still wrong

You're...

theflyingkiwi wrote in post #15460094
it's hard to learn and esp when your friends and family have no idea what a good photo is

theflyingkiwi wrote in post #15460094
anyone that's knows what they like can ofter critique.

Your family and friends aren't qualified to give critique as they have no idea what a good photo is.
Yet, other people are qualified to give critique as they only have to know what they like?

I wouldn't count on fair and objective critique from family and friends....after all, they have to live with you or deal with you on a regular basis. They are more likely to just say, "Nice picture" and not risk making waves or causing a rift in their current dynamic.

Woolburr wrote in post #15460173
I wouldn't count on fair and objective critique from family and friends....after all, they have to live with you or deal with you on a regular basis. They are more likely to just say, "Nice picture" and not risk making waves or causing a rift in their current dynamic.

Very true.

Woolburr wrote in post #15460173
I wouldn't count on fair and objective critique from family and friends....after all, they have to live with you or deal with you on a regular basis. They are more likely to just say, "Nice picture" and not risk making waves or causing a rift in their current dynamic.

Nice Post! You should consider going pro!

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #15460233
Nice Post! You should consider going pro!

Why, thank you, kind sir! Perhaps you should make the same consideration.

tonylong wrote in post #15459935
Ah, well, and there you encounter the problem we all encounter -- how do you really "constructively criticize"? Hey, we are all in the same boat, jump in and enjoy without tearing folks a "new one"!!

bent toe wrote in post #15460030
So giving constructive critisism/feedback is the same as tearing someone a new a-hole?
You must be very sensitive to feedback/critisism.

Hmm...

tonylong wrote in post #15460561
Hmm...

Here is my first wedding job, what do you think?
Not aligned? The guy has shadows in the face, too bright? Wrong distance?
Come on Tony.. hit me with it!

After all, this is a job i got paid for.. i was nervous as hell.. if you ask me, it came out nicely, far from perfect but above avarage. But thats me.. no idea what you think.

20droger wrote in post #15440582
They're all graduates of the Ashton Kutcher School of Photography.

Okaaaay - so basically...

Friends and family critiques = boost ego
POTN critiques = can be good, can be bad
Flickr critiques = can be good, can be bad
English critiques = boost ego
Russian critiques = quit photography

Did I get this right?

bent toe wrote in post #15460592
Here is my first wedding job, what do you think?
Not aligned? The guy has shadows in the face, too bright? Wrong distance?
Come on Tony.. hit me with it!

After all, this is a job i got paid for.. i was nervous as hell.. if you ask me, it came out nicely, far from perfect but above avarage. But thats me.. no idea what you think.

ok where do I start

just kidding, the most obvious thing that is that you have a tree sticking out of the womens head and you have managed to align the edge of the tree with the edge of the hair and veil.

I would also have a tighter shot, not so much space at the top/bottom and the words of Zack Arias ringing in my brain saying head in a clean spot.

But that's me.