Image Critique OK

Hi all,

I just had this thought the other day, and then today someone really brought up this issue at the Birds forum. It is about members posting photos in "Photo Sharing" section want critique and constructive critism but can't because there is a Critique Corner forum which doesn't serve what they are looking for. See here.

Perhaps it's time to add "Image Critique OK" next to "Image Edit OK" under our avatar. What say you?

I am all for it... I want some real critique... not just the "good shot", though those don't suck either.

That is a great idea and I am all for it. I like to critique, but I'm more specific to a few certain "genres" of photography such as birds (of course), nature and landscapes and mostly hang out in these forums...and I'm sure most of the people posting in these forums would also rather have their peers with similar interests and expertise in their particular field critiquing their photos anyhow. So how about it??

Which is why I almost never visit the "Photo Sharing" forums. I want to feel comfortable offering a detailed critique and perhaps edit, if need be. Also, I want people to look at my work and say more than "Cool Pic".

I stay in Critique Corner and the other "Sharing Knowhow" forums.

BUT, just as a matter of history. When I came on board here in June of '03 there were only two forums for posting photos. One was "Critique Corner", where critical review was encouraged. The other was "Share Photos", where it was not. Over time, "Share Photos" got fractionated into the several seperate forums that it is now, but they all trace back to the original "Share", so there is a historical antecedent for withholding critique there.

Rad

Things have evolved over time. Doesn't it make sense to make changes accordingly? Just like when more and more people start talking about gear rumor, POTN created a new forum, with three subforums, just for rumors. Now more and more people who post pictures in "Sharing" forums, want critique and criticism. They certainly won't change their mind and start posting all their photos in Critique Corner, at least i won't. IMHO, it makes sense to add the little phrase next to the avatar. The "Image Critique OK" idea is not that intrusive either.

cfcRebel wrote:
Things have evolved over time. Doesn't it make sense to make changes accordingly? ... The "Image Critique OK" idea is not that intrusive either.

OH, I agree. In fact, I think it is a great idea. I was not saying that one should not critique in the share sections. I was only offering a historical context for why it is the way it is. Sorry for the misconfusion.

Rad

So mod, can we have "Image Critique OK" control setting, please?

It is up to Pekka.

But in my opinion. No I think it works fine as it is. Putting this switch on makes sharing really restricted. Either You want critique or You don't want it. But it can't be expressed that black and white. Sometimes a member just want to share and is not interested in critque but then other times the member wants critique. It won't work switcing the switch on and off all the time because it is a all forum setting.

I think it works just fine as it is with the critique forum and share forums. Those that want the same in share forums as the critique forum can post this in the posts like many already do or simply post in critique.

Somebody said there is not a lot that view critique. I wonder why. Maybe because most actually just want to share. I bet if more members post in critique more will start to view and critique.

Thanks for the reply Tommy.

Then can i argue the same for "Image Edit OK"? Sometimes i don't want people to edit the photo that i posted, but sometimes i actually don't mind. So setting the "Image Edit OK" really doesn't help, if put in the context that you have mentioned.

IMHO, there are all types of photos in one bucket (Critique Corner). Some people might be only interested in car pictures, or people portraits, or birds and animals....etc. So if i only manage to find 2 or 3 posts that are related to what i'm looking for after browsing the first 3 pages, i'll probably stick to the forums specific to my interests. But then again, those are sharing forums. I just take Birds forum as an example. Many excellent bird shooters spend most time at Birds forum, if not exclusively. When i post a bird photo, i hope they see it and are willing to c/c a thing or two, from their experience. If i had to post the photo in Critique Corner in order for these expert to c/c, i think even the chance of them seeing my photo is next to 0. I believe it is the same case in People forum as well as G&N forum. On ther other hand, if i have "Image Critique OK" turned on and post in the Sharing forums, the experts know they can c/c my photo if they want to. And they don't have to worry about accidentally offending anyone who doesn't care for any c/c. That keeps both world happy, don't you think?

cfcRebel wrote:
Thanks for the reply Tommy.
Then can i argue the same for "Image Edit OK"? Sometimes i don't want people to edit the photo that i posted, but sometimes i actually don't mind. So setting the "Image Edit OK" really doesn't help, if put in the context that you have mentioned.

You could say that. But in my opinion this is more a long term decision. Once a member have decided either way it is rare they want the opposite of the switch. Me for example I don't want anybody to repost my photos because I don't want to come back to a thread and see red x'es because the member that did the edit and repost removed the image. So it is rare I ask for edit. I have done so a few times.

But with critique that is more dependant of the individual images than a long term decision. So it makes more sense to make that decision from post to post.

The simplest form to deal with this issue as many have adopted this for quite awhile in the Photo sharing forums, is simply to put into the signature if you want all your images to be critiqued.
For those who don't want every photo critiqued but a certain photo that they do, then simply put this into the posts 'C&C welcomed' or please Critiqued my photo, as I do.

Interesting debate.

Some will know I have a new DSLR and lenses and really am learning how to use them. I have always assumed that if you put a photo up then people should feel free to critique. In the past 4 weeks since I got my 30D I have learned a heck of a lot in the bird forum by posting images and having people like Rob, Fee, Tony, Mitcon, etc criticise the image.

Now I know some will have winced at the use of the word criticise there. And I think that is the problem. To many the word criticise has negative connotations – but that is only one meaning of the word.

Rather than having a C&C welcomed feature – why not have an opt out? So it is assumed you are happy for C&C unless you say otherwise.

Personally the more criticism the better – have you seen my latest posts??

That's a very good suggestion too.
IMHO, when i share my photos in a post, and viewers are given the option to comment (by replying to my post), that means critiques and compliments are welcome. I look at critique and compliment as some form of comment. On the other hand, if i only want to "share" my photos and can care less for any feedback, then i should use a gallery, which there is no option for viewers to comment. POTN's "Photo Sharing" section allows comment/feedback. That means, it allows praises as well as criticism, unless administrator locks the reply option. Then it becomes just gallery style of photo sharing. Just my $0.02.

I agree with that 100%. If the only purpose of posting is to show and not to learn then use a gallery. However, I've never met anyone who couldn't benefit from some advice at some stage!

That will not happen. Because Pekka do not want sharing forums to be used as a gallery thats why we have the limits on number photos posted.