Bathing robin

those are more than two years old now that i think about it. but thanks

Personally, I think if a picture is sharp, well exposed, with good contrast as well as artistic and creative, then it gets my vote. Why not aim for both? I can admire a picture that is one or the other, but it needs to be very strong in either respect to make an impression on me. Think about it this way - how many times have you looked at a picture that is sharp and clear, but predictable and unemotional? How boring is that? Would you bother to comment on its technical side?

I'm not much of an art guy, so that's why I'm more on the technical side and I prefer a technically good picture to a so-called art picture.

Your picture of the robin is IMO not good.
Even if you tried to make something out of it using PS.
Your picture looks like a too-far-away subject through some leaves digitally zoomed. Besides that the subject (the robin) raises no interest in this picture because he's shot from behind in the moment of leaving.
So for me it's definitely not a keeper.

As for the second, I like it overall, subject is nice, except for the leaves which have no texture. You said they were blown out, ok, bad luck. but you did work on the rest you picture, why not on the leaves, why not have added some texture on them?

Anyway how do you know how to critique correctly?
Did we not critique correctly because the majority of us did not like what you did?
Art is very subjective

Welllllllll. I asked for it. And I sure got it. LOL.

I'll concede the point to Jemmind. I'm so insecure in what I post here that I get a little frustrated sometimes. I like to post my pictures. I like to
read people's impressions. The fact that some people think the pictures
have merit, while other think they suck is enlightening. If I have to stir
the pot a little in order to get a response...? Well, as I said, I got it, and
I'm happy with it, because when people offer a critique of something, they
also leave themselves open to some form of critical evaluation by others in terms of their offered opinion. To me it makes for interesting reading,
psychology.

Thanks again for all your opinions. Keep em coming.

And, yeah, Rob_m does really nice work. My birds are merely the product
of accident and incompetence. If, as I've been told, such work belongs
in the Shared Images section (other might have a different suggestin, too), then I guess I should buslte over there to take a look.

Good! But my problem is that every photo can't be tack sharp, or well
exposed, or contrasty, yet still can impress some as art, accidental or otherwise. I've looked and commented on several technically good but
boring (to me) photos. Others have, too. That's one purpose of this category. And there are many I just don't care to comment on. True.
Nobody here can or is expected to comment on every single entry. That's
pure insanity.

But anyway, I wish I had visited the Shared Images section before starting this thread. I could have posted my birds over there and saved
us all a lot of calloused fingertips.

Art or Photgraphy?

Guess what gentleman Photography is an ART form/medium. I was kind of taken back by a few comments made here. Maybe it's just semantics I'm not sure. But we are all working to create photographs that evoke a feeling or response from the viewer and thus communicate something through our work. Well, that's Art.

We follow the same rules taught in any Art class. Positive space, negative space, focal point (where your eye starts on a canvas), subject matter, balance, perspective etc.

There are many Genres of Art Impressionism, realistic, abstract, surreal etc. Just as in photography so this string has me confused.

Photography is an Art. Grant it there is a lot of bad Art out there but nonetheless.

-Clos

The problem is, clos, photography is both art and technique. The
Critique forum generally looks at a photo for its technical asapects,
while the Shared Photos section allows as much artfulness as you want to put into your picture. I realize that now. They are treated separately here,
which is good. If you want free form art, check out the Shared Photos. If
you like technical art where where the emphasis is on the "Rules of
Good Picture Taking," then Critique Corner is the place to post.