Do you learn from Critique posts?
Orson Carter said, 1731233329
Afrofilmviewer said
"I think that there have been extremes. On one hand there used to be someone who fancied himself as PP's answer to Craig Revell-Horwood and whose 'critiques' (please note the inverted commas) were often very personal. But that guy seems to have gone quiet."
If this is who I think it is.. They were *exactly* of person I was thinking of. On nearly every image or port review. Long treaties on what the photographer got wrong (usually). Often full of bias. And like bad geek podcasts, they mistook length with importance. But also thin skinned and never took his own advice.
Yep.
bad john said, 1731234147
Orson Carter Certainly, there was one guy like that. Maybe more than one as the quantity of mean stuff was large at one time.
Portfolio review was even worse. There used to be one guy who immediately replied to any post with lots of negative comments and not even phrased politely. Many others commented that he never requested a review himself.
"If you can't say something nice don't say anything". That's certainly a rule of mine and, fortunately, most others now.
I am happy now to use Single Image Critique occasionally but I still stay away from Portfolio Review.
Huw said, 1731235321
One person in particular who dribbled enthusiastically over every female model’s portfolio and hammered every male photographer’s portfolio but never asked for critique of his own work.
Particularly hated nude work…. Possibly because Daddy funded his business and didn’t let him shoot it.
MidgePhoto said, 1731235401
A great advantage of an awful picture or collection of them is that it is so very easy to find one thing to say that would improve it.
Of a well-executed interesting picture it is hard to say much beyond "nice", or "I like it".
Huw said, 1731235443
I will occasionally ask for critique, mainly because I don’t think one should offer it without accepting it.
Huw said, 1731235571
…. however I already know my BW “naked chicks on rocks” stuff is about 50 years out of date.
It was when I started shooting it. :(
Photowallah said, 1731236325
Personally no, not really - but only because I put myself through all that many years ago.
To anyone starting out in photography I would heartily recommend soliciting 3rd party critique.
I used to regularly enter camera club competitions, which is much the same thing.
However...
Anyone doing this needs to have the basic manners and wisdom to accept that others may not see things the way they do.
Accept constructive criticism with gratitude - if someone took the time to look at your photo and make suggestions you should thank them, whether or not you agree with them.
If a person can't listen constructively to criticism, I rather doubt their capacity for growth and learning.
It was pretty much a 'given' that a camera club judge would be an old duffer, set in his ways, and blind at that. But through listening to their thoughts collectively over a long period of time, filtering and taking on board as I saw fit, I learned a fair bit about photography.
tandi said, 1731238363
Huw said
…. however I already know my BW “naked chicks on rocks” stuff is about 50 years out of date.
It was when I started shooting it. :(
I've seen some of your 8MP creations and I have to say they are timeless and people viewing it won't know whether it was taken 10 years ago, today or anytime on that day in the future.
Edited by tandi
MaristarOxley said, 1731239152
Thanks for sharing your side. I personally only ask people I know personally.
MaristarOxley said, 1731239225
Quote:
Mostly because so much of it comes with baggage and is quite incurious.
I have to say, that I agree with this.
MaristarOxley said, 1731239283
That's really good to hear. I have always avoided the Critique section.
MaristarOxley said, 1731239413
Quote :
On the other hand, when I've tried to give directed, specific, constructive critique, I've more than once been rewarded by getting blocked
It's unfortunate when Blocking is done so quickly, when an opinion is expressed, which has not been anywhere near being offensive.
MaristarOxley said, 1731239480
In many cases, some photographers do not share what they do on a shoot, so this can be difficult.
MaristarOxley said, 1731239784
Quote:
Bottom line: a review or critique only has real value if you trust and respect the person giving it, and if it helps you progress as an artist. Otherwise, most of the time, you're just setting yourself up in a shooting gallery—and not the nice kind with shiny cameras.
I personally agree with this. Trust in the people you know, who would be coming from the fact, that they know you and your way of shooting.