Commenting on images.

Wheels

Wheels

Julian Keeler
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Julian
Edit My Images
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I am finding myself in a rutt, when I want to comment on peoples work on here and else where I find a mental block on what to say, I wish I could write something more indepth than ticks my boxes or I like that or these.

I dont feel qualified to comment on other peoples work, If I have done the above to any of your work and you have thought well thats constructive (NOT) I apologise. I guess Im trying not to look as numb as I am :-)

At the same time, if I do like something or dont I will genuinely say so, its when it comes to the finer points of the images that I seem to get stuck.
 
Some are easier than others, though. Some, even I (owned a DSLR for about a month, so even less qualified!) can look at and know what is good about it, what isn't ('like the shallow depth of field, but think your butterfly is a bit out of focus' sort of thing) ... whereas some are just 'overall good' or 'overall bad', but it's hard to really put a finger on what exactly is good or bad
 
Most people don't seem to want in depth critique (truth) - they just want a pat on the back.
 
everyone is qualified to comment if you have an opinion, say what you like and what you dont like, job done.
 
When I mentioned on another forum that as a beginner, I didn't feel qualified to comment and offer critique, I was quickly put right and told that my views were as relevant as anybody's. Just because I was new didn't mean that my impressions didn't count.

It was suggested that I comment on what I liked about the image (nice colour/composition etc), then comment on what I didn't like and thought could be corrected (horizon not straight perhaps?) and finally finish on a positive note, perhaps with suggestions as to how to improve it.

It could be something as simple as "I like the composition, but I think the foreground is a bit too intrusive. Why not try a slightly different angle?"

I'm still a bit reluctant to offer critique, but I do try when I have time. I think if people are brave enough to put their photos on the forum, then the least we can do is make some sort of comment, particularly in the case of newcomers. We need all the help we can get!

Janet
 
I have found that honestly critiquing other peoples photos has improved my own technique (I say technique, not pictures :lol:)

Wheels, just say what you see. I don't look at the person giving the crit, as I feel that any point that someone can make about a shot of mine is valid. I don't like it when I get (or see) comments that offer me no way of improving, and will normally comment to say so.

What is the worst that can happen if you do say something??????
 
You don't have to focus on the 'technical', which, I think is what puts people off as they assume they have no real 'knowledge'. Focus, as has been said, on the points you like or don't regarding the composition, the subject matter etc and you will be able to make a valuable and valued contribution.
 
I must say, I can see exactly where Julian is coming from, I'm fairly new here and I just dont feel qualified to comment on other peoples work. Although it is something I am going to make more of an effort to do :)
 
There is a fine line. Don't comment because you feel you have to, if something pops in your head like, "ooh, that horizon is not straight" then say so; Just don't get all technical if you don't know what you are talking about, like "oh yeahj, i would have used a 3rd longer exposure at 205mm f2.8 and pulled ND grad down two thirds to get the ROT into play then took it into editing software to reduce the noise and bring up the highlights". lol
 
Lunaticsamurai said:
There is a fine line. Don't comment because you feel you have to, if something pops in your head like, "ooh, that horizon is not straight" then say so; Just don't get all technical if you don't know what you are talking about, like "oh yeahj, i would have used a 3rd longer exposure at 205mm f2.8 and pulled ND grad down two thirds to get the ROT into play then took it into editing software to reduce the noise and bring up the highlights". lol
Click to expand...

:lol: I automatically zone out reading something like that and assume the writer doesn't really know what they are talking about and are just trying to show off ;)
 
If you like something, say so. If you don't, say so...but say why.
It can be tough, because photography is in many ways totally subjective...and what floats your boat may not have the same effect on others. From a techie point of view though, I've learnt a lot more from negative comments than positive ones.

If youre only posting for the pat on the back, then youre not going to get that guidance (which is fine, assuming you dont NEED that guidance!)
 
TinaC said:
I find the old fashioned way the best

I say what I like and why!
I say what I don't and why
And finish with a compliment and encouragement

i find the more i do, the easier it is and i learn a lot from reading others, even if it is how not to ;)
Click to expand...

:thumbs: Exactly what Tina said.

And don't worry if you don't feel that you can comment on the finer technical details.
Subject matter, colour, composition, angles, shapes, atmosphere, mood, style . . . you don't even need to know one end of a camera from the other to know if you like these things about a photo (or don't like them as the case may be)
 
if only artist commented on other artists we would have cows cut in half going for millions :lol:
 
What I tend to do is as Tina said (and re-quoted by Sarah).

When I have the time (not a lot of it recently) I go to "New Posts" on the menu bar at the top, select "Unanswered Posts" to show all the posts with no replies, then pick a topic I enjoy looking at (Portraits, Landscapes etc).

I am fully aware that the photographer may not agree with what I say, and I don't take offence if someone gets upset. I mostly comment on the shots I can see have potential but with a few minor changes, would become the "great shot" that actually means something.

It's still tough to crit constructively and I've lost count of the posts I've deleted and never put up for fear of offence.

Maybe have a nose through the 52's in the Challenges forum too. A lot of folks there are trying to improve, and are more receptive to feedback. (Well they were for the paltry time I spent on it last year)

That's my tuppence.

Ian.
 
I have to admit to not offering as much critique as maybe I should. I would also say that, one thing that really winds me up is somebody will say they don't like something, but actually not offer any real critique.

If you don't like a shot:

a) Say why you don't like it
b) Say what you may have done instead

A number of times when I have had negative critique I have asked "what would you have done?" but never got a reply, which tells me that person didn't know any better than me.... Negative critique is what makes us better...

Steve

Sent from my iPad using TP Forums
 
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