Critiques

[MarkBarbieri]

Interested in a critique thread? We did critiques at the photo club last night and people seemed to really like it (except me). The idea is to have people present photos and then people pontificate about what they like and don't like about the picture and what could have been (or could still be) done to make it better.

Obviously, it takes people willing to hear constructive criticism about their pictures and people willing to give constructive criticism.

I'm not sure what the format should be to keep a reasonable pace of pictures. We could restrict it to one picture a day and pick the poster by random lots, formula, blatant favoritism, or something. Before we dig into the particulars, would you be interested in submitting pics to be critiqued? Would you be interested in providing feedback?

I know many people reading this are probably thinking that they aren't qualified to provide feedback. Wrong. If you like to look at pictures, you are capable of saying what you like and don't like. Whether that's correct according to some theory about the way photos are supposed to look is not relevant. It's all about opinions. After having seen many people (including professionals paid to do it) critique pictures, I guarantee that you can certainly do no worse and and very likely to do better.

 

[InsertWittyNameHere]

Sounds like a great idea. I'm fairly new to photography so I am always up for constructive criticism.

Count me in.

 

[Alztybrn]

I don't know the logistics involved, but what about a subfourm under the Photo heading? It could be just for critiques, and people could post their pics there under individual threads, and then folks could have at it....

 

[thomas998]

I don't know the logistics involved, but what about a subfourm under the Photo heading? It could be just for critiques, and people could post their pics there under individual threads, and then folks could have at it....

Good idea.. just require anyone starting a thread to limit to one photo per thread... If only because it makes it much easier than having poster constantly refering to the light in #6 and the angle in #3 and simple folk like myself having to constantly scroll around to remember which was what.

 

[jann1033]

Interested in a critique thread? We did critiques at the photo club last night and people seemed to really like it (except me). The idea is to have people present photos and then people pontificate about what they like and don't like about the picture and what could have been (or could still be) done to make it better.

Obviously, it takes people willing to hear constructive criticism about their pictures and people willing to give constructive criticism.

I'm not sure what the format should be to keep a reasonable pace of pictures. We could restrict it to one picture a day and pick the poster by random lots, formula, blatant favoritism, or something. Before we dig into the particulars, would you be interested in submitting pics to be critiqued? Would you be interested in providing feedback?

I know many people reading this are probably thinking that they aren't qualified to provide feedback. Wrong. If you like to look at pictures, you are capable of saying what you like and don't like. Whether that's correct according to some theory about the way photos are supposed to look is not relevant. It's all about opinions. After having seen many people (including professionals paid to do it) critique pictures, I guarantee that you can certainly do no worse and and very likely to do better.

actually i was recently thinking i'd like to see this, since i'm basically chicken to go elsewhere where the tough guy grownups play so i'm in. i think in the few times this has been tried here it's been more of a lack of photos submitted but maybe say we could submit one a week and have to give a constructive critique to someone else's before we can submit a new one? by that i mean not "nice photo"... even if you don't have a specific technical aspect to point out, what makes it a good photo/ not so good photo to you
it might be helpful to know what the photographer was going for since that way it might not bog down into just a strict "reading of the rule book", ie did the photo produce the desired result as well as technical merit or lack there of.
and of course a little tact might help more participate.. ie find a good point(s) to comment on first then mention the improvement areas

since not being worthy of giving my opinion ever crossed my mind, i'll put on my pontification suit so i am ready to go

just wondering though, why don't you like to do it?

 

[Quicklabs]

I would be very interested in this. It might be helpful to ask the poster to ask a question that they had about the photo: eg. is it cropped effectively, concern about the exposure, etc. I think that I am such a novice, I would be a little hesitant to critique some of the board "stars" here, (Not because I think they'd be insulted or nice in taking criticism but because it might be too apparent that I don't know what the heck I'm talking about) but I'd do my best to say what I liked and didn't like.

I am very comfortable her at the DIS photography board. People are always so extremely nice and patient. The "senior" members have especially been kind and generous to all. So, if there's any place I'd like to do a critique, it would most definitely be here.

 

[waytoomanywebkinz]

I would be very interested in this.

 

[Suburbanmom]

I'm game!

 

[Experiment_626]

I might be interested as well.

What about the possibility of having a photo presented without the photographer being revealed until after it has been critiqued? That way, "board stardom" wouldn't be a factor.

Just an idea off the top of my head ... discuss, dissect, or dismiss as desired!

SSB

 

[crazydadguy]

These are all really good ideas! Getting critiqued is always good if you are willing to learn, and give a critique helps you understand more about what makes pictures good. I'm game!

 

[RBennett]

Sounds like an INCREDIBLE idea and a great way for anyone (beginner or seasoned veteran) to get some fresh opinion and a new eye on some of our photographs that maybe we've stopped analyzing ourself. Or maybe that one shot that you REALLY wanted didn't come out, and you're not sure why. I'd LOVE to be involved!!

 

[allie5]

I think it would be great. Ive found it hard being a newbie on dedicated photography forums before now - they either ignore you because you are new or slam you so hard with negativity that you dont feel worthy to post anymore LOL!

There is an incredible amount of talent here without anyone being too precious, so I think a crit thread would work really well.

Im definately game!

 

[MontanaZoo]

Great idea! I'm up for it.

 

[DueyDooDah]

Although I love the idea, too many critique forums I've seen end up alienating people. Some people can be a bit harsh when giving suggestions then the 'critiquee' takes it wrong and the bitter bantering ensues.

Although the DIS is normally a safe haven from flame wars, this could be an area that tests our patience.

But, I am willing to submit work for review and will try to be kind (but not overly so ) and provide "constructive" critique.

 

[jann1033]

Although I love the idea, too many critique forums I've seen end up alienating people. Some people can be a bit harsh when giving suggestions then the 'critiquee' takes it wrong and the bitter bantering ensues.

Although the DIS is normally a safe haven from flame wars, this could be an area that tests our patience.

But, I am willing to submit work for review and will try to be kind (but not overly so ) and provide "constructive" critique.

i do think this is a valid concern but it seems to me the problems usually arise over someone just being critical ( unfavorable comments) which imo is not constructive, rather than really evaluating something . i think we need to put our own personal style aside and need to be able to try to see what the other person was getting at, whether it's our idea of "art" or not. what were they trying to portray and were there major areas of technical problems that might have helped portray that better...not "you were 1/32 left of the rule of thirds line so this picture stinks, throw away your camera you buffoon " that is what has kept me from some other sites, they just don't allow any slack, it's their way or no way and imo that is stupid reasoning.( how's that for tact?)
plus if you expect perfection from everyone else you better be perfect....case in point, on a nameless site i had posted some stuff, some of which were square photos and the subject basically filled the whole thing, so i liked them centered, with very little background. one person said they terrible due to the fact they were centered ( automatic f in his view) but hysterically when i looked at his gallery every one of his 300+ photos were centered( and they should have not been , a photo of a centered running horse, plenty of room to not make it so etc) and out of focus to boot. so I didn't take his advice all that seriously. if he had said why he thought i could have done something diff. or asked why did i do what i did i would have been more apt to listen( although his camera is way better than mine and his photos were way worse than mine( hard to believe i know) so maybe not LOL!) anyway, imo it can be fun and not mean...but my pontification suit is starting to itch so i'll stop now.

 

[thomas998]

Although I love the idea, too many critique forums I've seen end up alienating people. Some people can be a bit harsh when giving suggestions then the 'critiquee' takes it wrong and the bitter bantering ensues.

Although the DIS is normally a safe haven from flame wars, this could be an area that tests our patience.

But, I am willing to submit work for review and will try to be kind (but not overly so ) and provide "constructive" critique.

Its the problem with internet forums in general... no one can know if the other person is tough as nails or fragile as glass... But for the record, I don't like anything sugar coated or held back... so if anyone thinks something I post belongs in the bottom of a bird cage don't be afraid to say so.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Although I love the idea, too many critique forums I've seen end up alienating people. Some people can be a bit harsh when giving suggestions then the 'critiquee' takes it wrong and the bitter bantering ensues.

Although the DIS is normally a safe haven from flame wars, this could be an area that tests our patience.

But, I am willing to submit work for review and will try to be kind (but not overly so ) and provide "constructive" critique.

I totally disagree! You'd have to be a complete MORON to think something like that!

Sorry...just practicing for the bitter bantering.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

So what should the rules be:

1) Should we open it so that people can just post picks whenever they want in any number that they want? Should we restrict it to one picture per person per time period (day, week, month)? Should we moderate it and only post one picture per time period?

2) Should we allow people to post their own pics, or should we have them PM links to the moderator who then posts them anonymously? That would depersonalize things which might cut down on favoritism but the anonymity might also make people more brazen in their criticism.

3) Should their be any kind of grading (I score 2 for composition, 2 for lighting, and 1 for technique)?

4) Who wants to moderate it?

5) Should their be rules on what can be said in a critique?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

1) Should we open it so that people can just post picks whenever they want in any number that they want? Should we restrict it to one picture per person per time period (day, week, month)? Should we moderate it and only post one picture per time period?

I think it should be moderated and be one picture per day or two or threeish - depending on how busy the thread and the moderator are. That means that people won't be able to post as many pictures, but there will be more attention paid to those pictures that do get posted.

2) Should we allow people to post their own pics, or should we have them PM links to the moderator who then posts them anonymously? That would depersonalize things which might cut down on favoritism but the anonymity might also make people more brazen in their criticism.

I like the anonymous posting idea, but it exponentially increases the moderators work.

3) Should their be any kind of grading (I score 2 for composition, 2 for lighting, and 1 for technique)?

I'm pretty opposed to this idea, but it's sort of the way it worked in one photo club I was involved with.

4) Who wants to moderate it?

Don't look at me...I'm just suggesting the thread. Someone better organized and nicer should probably do the actual moderating.

5) Should their be rules on what can be said?

I have no idea how you'd enforce it, but I think we should have posted guidelines. Stuff like - Comments should provide suggestions on how the picture could be improved rather than simply pointing out it's shortcomings. No personal attacks or criticism of the photographer - just the photograph.

 

[allie5]

For what its worth, on the one photography board I do use, the Critique thread is run quite loosely. Its strictly one picture per post and people are encouraged not to post reams of photos, and also not to simply post their "best" pictures, but photos that they feel genuinely need pointers to get right the next time.

There is a trend that 3 sorts of photos get posted - very very good ones where the thread will run for a couple of pages with comments like "Lovely shot" or "great photo" but no critique, very poor photos where advice is generally given helpfully and in abundance, then thirdly, there is the "mediocre shot" - not good enough to be given a "great shot" comment but not bad enough to warrant much critique.

It seems very few people consider themselves "good enough" to offer genuine, honest and without predjudice critiques which is why a lot of the comments are usually "great shot". If a photo is hard to comment on i.e "average" then tumbleweeds tend to blow across it and it drops away uncommented on. Usually because no-one is brave enough to tackle critiquing the "average" offerings- its much easier when a really good or really bad shot is posted!!

Because of this, I wonder whether posters offering photos for critique should ask specific questions which might spark comments from others - such as "have I over saturated this?" or "does this crop work" for example. Posting an amazing picture simply to bask in the glory (and we've all done it ) doesnt work so well on proper critique threads as this is when the OP can get narky that their best work is being ripped to shreds LOL!!