Campaign for Critique

Marcel said:
Critique means anything from indepth dissection of every single aspect of the photo, right down to a "I don't like it because her feet are at a funny angle. If she straightens her feet and you remove that empty crisp packet from the floor, it will look much better"

There's no need to read too much into it, just help your fellow photographers with comments!
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This for me is the general gist of the thread, it's all well and good offering technical advice if this is something your confident in the same with compositional advice too, however pretty much everyone can offer their thoughts on that they do and don't like and why? And that really is what I had in mind to encourage when starting this thread...that members offer at the minimum what they like/don't like and why, if they want or can offer more thats wonderful
 
PMN said:
I wouldn't comment on anything using studio lighting either as I have no specific knowledge of it, but I see no reason why a knowledgable and experienced photographer shouldn't be able to comment on a street portrait just as easily as a landscape. Even if they don't 'specialise' in both the underlying principles are pretty much the same.
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I'd agree with you, as long as one has something useful to offer the creator of the original image then it's reasonable to offer critique.
 
Should add a massive thanks to all the critters taking part and offering their critique out in the wild it's nice to see (y) even noticed a few others adding just that little more to their own post which is wonderful be it because of this or not...but if we are to stand a chance of a positive effect we really do need as many people as possible taking an active part in the campaign so please not matter the amount of time you can offer please shout up and do your best (y)
 
In the drop-down menu for "New Posts" on the old forum there were categories divided into two for critique and no-critique.

Can we have that function back?
 
Ulfric M Douglas said:
In the drop-down menu for "New Posts" on the old forum there were categories divided into two for critique and no-critique.

Can we have that function back?
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That is already back :D if you hover "new posts" in the dark bar at the top of the page a drop down list will open with the option of "new critique posts"
 
What for? If you don't want peopel commenting on your images, don't post them on the internet.
 
Pookeyhead said:
What for? If you don't want peopel commenting on your images, don't post them on the internet.
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It's a refined search just to show those particularly tagged with critique David
 
Gotcha! That's a good thing... misunderstood.
 
I'm pleased that the subject has been broached, this is a photography forum and it will only thrive if members give feedback to other members, it's been said already but anyone can comment on what they do and don't like about a photo, it just needs to be fair, polite and constructive.
 
matty said:
I'm pleased that the subject has been broached, this is a photography forum and it will only thrive if members give feedback to other members, it's been said already but anyone can comment on what they do and don't like about a photo, it just needs to be fair, polite and constructive.
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Sums the situation up nicely, I particularly that last part as it says exactly what critique should be if you critique with that in mind there should be no grounds for anyone to get upset when receiving critique...(y)
 
ancient_mariner said:
To me, critique requires at least a reasonable understanding of the particular area being critiqued, so I might be cautious about offering opinions and advice on studio lighting techniques, for example. I'd like to be a bit more useful that saying 'the pic doesn't work for me because the lighting isn't so good'.
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Why - thats very valid crit. There is nothing wrong with saying why you do or don't like a photo, you don't need a detailed understanding of the technical details to do that
 
Good discussion.
I am one of the offenders who often asks for critique but doesnt ever offer any as I feel I am not good enough at the art to actually offer anything that would be absorbed as valuable.
I will change that starting right now.
 
Stu Blackpool said:
Good discussion.
I am one of the offenders who often asks for critique but doesnt ever offer any as I feel I am not good enough at the art to actually offer anything that would be absorbed as valuable.
I will change that starting right now.
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Fantastic Stewart, I look forward to seeing you around the critique sections more often (y) don't let yourself think your not good enough to offer critique as you are, everyone is good enough (y)
 
Matthew thanks for the note, I was hovering over the light coloured one, now found the dark bar one and it works.

Thumbs up.
 
I'll be honest here, unless a post has the critique tag I usually don't respond. For posts without the critique tag, if it's a good image then it will just have lots of "wow, cool shot" type posts and if it's a bad photo it will just get 0 replies. I think particularly with images that need some improvement, unless someone has specifically asked for critique I don't want to wade in there and tell them how it could be better as if they're new and just starting out that would be really disheartening in my opinion!

Another forum I post on has a rule of you can't post an image for critique unless you've provided feedback on someones photo that same day. I try to do the same on here. I'm not suggesting that it be made an official rule but if everyone tried to follow it we'd all benefit.
 
pamplemoose said:
I'll be honest here, unless a post has the critique tag I usually don't respond. For posts without the critique tag, if it's a good image then it will just have lots of "wow, cool shot" type posts and if it's a bad photo it will just get 0 replies. I think particularly with images that need some improvement, unless someone has specifically asked for critique I don't want to wade in there and tell them how it could be better as if they're new and just starting out that would be really disheartening in my opinion!

Another forum I post on has a rule of you can't post an image for critique unless you've provided feedback on someones photo that same day. I try to do the same on here. I'm not suggesting that it be made an official rule but if everyone tried to follow it we'd all benefit.
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Hi Paul I can certainly understand your logic on only responding to those posts particularly tagged critique, personally I wouldn't want people to feel they had to comment before they posted though can honestly say that is a personal mentality I do have myself I always aim to post significantly more critique that I post my own photos
 
Well thanks to thand have picked up some good tips is thread I have felt more comfortabel about posting images for crit and feedback and have picked up some good tips and have found all the replies to be helpful.
 
Downton Mini said:
Well thanks to thand have picked up some good tips is thread I have felt more comfortabel about posting images for crit and feedback and have picked up some good tips and have found all the replies to be helpful.
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Wonderful Mark, this is the key really being helpful, what more could anyone really ask for (y) so glad it's working well for you (y)
 
It's just a suggestion, it might be nice to have a thread where people can post a link to their forum posts, saying that they specifically *want* proper critique. That way you know that certainly those people are not going to eject toys from pram.

(She says after noticing no one will see my request for critique in the nude/glamour forum!)
 
CharlotteM said:
It's just a suggestion, it might be nice to have a thread where people can post a link to their forum posts, saying that they specifically *want* proper critique. That way you know that certainly those people are not going to eject toys from pram.

(She says after noticing no one will see my request for critique in the nude/glamour forum!)
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Strictly speaking there is already this thread http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/bump-your-threads-here-helpers-on-hand.138929/

But that maybe dosn't make it totally clear it's a request for proper critique and I'm all for as many ways to make it clear that people really want the critique
 
CharlotteM said:
See, I knew it would be such a good idea that someone had already thought of it!
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:LOL: :LOL: indeed I sometimes wonder if there is a topic that hasn't been raised at somepoint, looking though really old threads can be a proper laugh :D
 
At the risk sounding like a broken record we really do need as many volunteers as possible to get behind this for it to have a positive effect so please if you think that can give a little bit of time to this even once as week please come forward and volunteer...
 
CharlotteM said:
It's just a suggestion, it might be nice to have a thread where people can post a link to their forum posts, saying that they specifically *want* proper critique. That way you know that certainly those people are not going to eject toys from pram.

(She says after noticing no one will see my request for critique in the nude/glamour forum!)
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The way I see it is....you post an image/s on here; it's open for critique whether you ask for it or not (and every member here is entitled to give it)....in depth or not/good/bad/short/long/ego stroking/nothing at all. You get what you get.....and you take from that what you will and hopefully there is a nugget of information you can benefit from. I suppose that does come from being on here a while. Without trying to offend, there seems to be possibly 3 groups of people that crit.......those that know exactly what they are talking about and have valid and interesting points to put across that you really should listen to; those that aren't maybe so experienced but can put across a valid reason why they like or dislike something; and those that try and offer crit on what they think is correct based on information they have read elsewhere.

It's totally up to the OP of a crit post to filter the wheat from the chaff.
 
Its taken me a while to get to this post and I see the consensus of opinion is critique is generally a good idea. I am a member of a critique team on another photo forum site and I work to the principle that comments should be honest and positive, highlighting the good and the bad and importantly thoughts on how changes can be made. I try not to say improve because the image is ultimately the creation of the photographer.

I myself have had my critique welcomed and I have generated a long protracted discussion on image theft by suggesting a modification and posting a version to demonstrate my comments.

Personally I feel if this site wishes to seriously offer critique to members images then a dedicated gallery needs to be created with the understanding that posting there is specifically for critique and modified images may be posted to demonstrate suggestions. Then its up to the members to participate.
 
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antihero said:
The way I see it is....you post an image/s on here; it's open for critique whether you ask for it or not .
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The problem with *this* for me is that... if I'm going to spend quite a good amount of my time giving an in depth critique... I'm not going to give it to just anyone who posts a picture. I'm going to give it to people who genuinely want my time.
 
That's not what I said. I'm talking from the posters perspective. Why post an image if you don't want any feedback? (none of my post was directed at you Btw, was just using your text for reference)
 
antihero said:
That's not what I said. I'm talking from the posters perspective. Why post an image if you don't want any feedback? (none of my post was directed at you Btw, was just using your text for reference)
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Just showing off something you've created is more than enough reason to post it.

I don't want critique on most of my images. I usually don't open myself up to receiving it. Sometimes I like to share an image though.
 
I suppose that's just my viewpoint... I see absolutely no point in posting an image and wanting no feedback on it.... Unless one is adamant the image is aesthetically and technically perfect, then one would just be showing off. Also pointless if you are the only one that thinks it's any good.

On the flipside, every comment left should give the OP some food for thought. "like it" or "not for me" without any explanation as to why serves no purpose at all and these posts should be deleted.
 
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I'd see the 'photos for pleasure' section of the forum for images that one does not want critiqued - the main photo section of the forum is headed 'feedback and critique' after all, and most people have Flickr/photobucket etc accounts in order to show their work to the world.

Maybe there should be another tag set up as a default which says 'No Critique please', and in order to receive it you have to actively select the critique tag? Or would it be better t'other way round?
 
ancient_mariner said:
I'd see the 'photos for pleasure' section of the forum for images that one does not want critiqued - the main photo section of the forum is headed 'feedback and critique' after all, and most people have Flickr/photobucket etc accounts in order to show their work to the world.

Maybe there should be another tag set up as a default which says 'No Critique please', and in order to receive it you have to actively select the critique tag? Or would it be better t'other way round?
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there is , or was one.

It's really quite simple (or should be). Post in "Feedback and Critique" section if you want feedback. If your work's that awesome that it doesn't need any critique, post it in "Photo's for Pleasure"
 
ancient_mariner said:
Maybe there should be another tag set up as a default which says 'No Critique please', and in order to receive it you have to actively select the critique tag? Or would it be better t'other way round?
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This is something we are looking at, at the moment

antihero said:
there is , or was one.
It's really quite simple (or should be). Post in "Feedback and Critique" section if you want feedback. If your work's that awesome that it doesn't need any critique, post it in "Photo's for Pleasure"
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That is obviously the simplest answer,
but a lot of members have got into the habit of posting in a specific forum,
and kicking off if they don't like the feedback.
Hence my comment to Toni above :)
 
ancient_mariner said:
I'd see the 'photos for pleasure' section of the forum for images that one does not want critiqued - the main photo section of the forum is headed 'feedback and critique' after all, and most people have Flickr/photobucket etc accounts in order to show their work to the world.

Maybe there should be another tag set up as a default which says 'No Critique please', and in order to receive it you have to actively select the critique tag? Or would it be better t'other way round?
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Take a look at post 118 and 120 which refers to this.
 
If someone posts an image in say, People and Portraits, with a "No Crit Please" tag on it and it has a couple of obvious flaws do you think anyone will refrain from pointing them out? I don't either.

IMHO, the only way to stop crit if you don't want it is to click a "no crit" tag and it disables comments in that thread. There you go...no crit or feedback and an image just floating in cyberspace doing nothing.
 
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