Are you put off by critique?

Ian · #1 01-06-12

Over on our Olympus UK E-System User Group forum it has been decided to rename the critique board from 'Looking for Perfection' to 'Looking for Improvement'.

This is because some people were put off posting their photos because they thought they weren't good enough and others were concerned that they weren't qualified enough to comment on photos posted there. Naturally, the intention is to help people improve their photography with the help of constructive feedback - and anyone interested in photograph is naturally qualified to do this. I typed up some prose to underline this and thought I'd reproduce it here:

Good move to rename this board; while 'Looking for Perfection' is what it's all about, 'perfection' is subjective, but basically this board is all about posting photos to generate third party constructive comment aimed at helping the poster to find useful advice on improving the picture where possible - or condensed down to one single word: 'critique'.

Don't be afraid to post comments. One thing that is undeniably true is that it is much easier to appreciate other people's work than to create your own. Your opinion is very useful. Without adequate feedback a consensus is difficult to form. Especially if you don't like something, that feedback is very valuable. Naturally, be as respectful and polite as possible when providing feedback.

For those wishing to post their images for feedback here - do be prepared for comment that you may not agree with and respect such comments as long as they are well meant and polite. If you feel you won't cope well with negative comment, then it's probably best not to post your work here.

Other advice - critique forums work best if you limit each thread to a single image (or at least one shot and maybe several different workings of that shot, or maybe several slightly different images). If you post several images in one thread, especially very different ones, it's difficult to focus on particular points.

Above all - image posters and commenters - try not to be put off!

The above applies 100% as well here

Ian

Pops · #2 02-06-12

Good point to raise and strangely enough very well timed. I have found myself in a rut just lately barely moving from ap priority at f6.7 with iso at 400. This past couple of days I have been much more experimental with manual with much better results.
Personally I would welcome any and all constructive critique, I just never think to use that board tending to go straight into the 'eye of the camera'.
Your post prompts me to sort out a couple from this morning to post in critique.

patmoore · #3 05-06-12

I'm still new at this and welcome constructive criticism. Why not borrow the expertise of folks more knowledgeable?

Kurt · #4 05-06-12

I really like to get critique, in fact any comment I welcome. I am more put off by lack of response and find it slightly disappointing when no comment, either negative, positive or constructive are forthcoming. sometimes people do put up pictures in order to provoke discussion.

Ian · #5 06-06-12

Absolutely - getting no response is much worse than getting a response that is critical!

Ian

ekkl · #6 09-06-12

I like reading the critique, gives you an indication of what other photographers think, where they are coming from etc and I can learn a lot just by reading the replies.

Personally, I am just not good enough to post something up for critique, I take plenty of pics but they are nothing special! I recently returned from Morocco and Italy and have taken so many but hardly dare put any on here as they are merely snapshots!

Graham_of_Rainham · #7 09-06-12

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekkl

I like reading the critique, gives you an indication of what other photographers think, where they are coming from etc and I can learn a lot just by reading the replies.

Personally, I am just not good enough to post something up for critique, I take plenty of pics but they are nothing special! I recently returned from Morocco and Italy and have taken so many but hardly dare put any on here as they are merely snapshots!

Please consider how much more you could learn from comments about your own pictures, posted here for critique.

Only you know what you wanted from the image, and often we take a picture simply to record a moment that was special to us as individuals. On other occasions we produce an image specifically to show to others. The sharing of pictures with others for comment, will provide lots of ideas for ways to try different techniques as well as confirming the ways you have approached subjects and used your camera.

Competition judges often spend more time commenting on the "Beginners" pictures, as the "advanced picture makers" are supposed to know what they are doing

Hopefully you will choose your favorite image and post it for us to enjoy

Kurt · #8 09-06-12

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekkl

Personally, I am just not good enough to post something up for critique, I take plenty of pics but they are nothing special! I recently returned from Morocco and Italy and have taken so many but hardly dare put any on here as they are merely snapshots!

I'm with Graham_of_Rainham. Isn't that just what is needed in critique. We are all looking for hints and tips to make our images better. Many great shots are taken quickly, but with some thought (and luck) those snap-shots can be great images.