Do you feel comfortable commenting on others images?

B

Betty

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No
Sorry if this has been asked before, which I am sure it has, but after a couple of comments Ive made recently, it made me wonder if I am actually "qualified" to do so.

Anyone can spot a sloping horizon, or if a pic is too dark/too bright, but even as an amateur, can I really comment??? :shrug:
 
yes, everyone has an opinion, and it will be equally valid whether your pro or amateur.
 
Of course you can! A wonky horizon is a wonky horizon. There's no qualification needed to be allowed to point that out IMO.

Maybe if critiques venture in to the realms of suggesting a different shutter speed, or changing the aperture and using a filter, then perhaps some knowledge of photography would be warranted to be able to offer the opinion with any air of gravitas but, even then, it's only a suggestion of how to try something different.

If something doesn't work for you as an image, then you are perfectly qualified to explain why.
 
Everyone has an opinion Betty, but I know who's images I am comfortable critiquing and whos I am not. That is more down to how the person reacts ;)


Also though, I find sometimes, if someone doesnt like an image, but 10 people have posted how "wonderful and amazing it is" its a whole different ball game of going "excuse me, but I dont like it.....and heres why"
 
Nope. I've decided that if I am to learn I must be able to offer crit, accept crit, and learn from crit. Without wanting to sound too harsh, at the end of the day nobody on here really knows me, and if everyone decided I was *u**, it wouldn't be the end of the world. I've spent too long in my life carefully treading around people, making sure I don't offend and sit in the middle, and it gets you nowhere.
 
Perfectly comfortable. Just say what I see and think of the image. If someone has asked for help then I'm only too happy to give my pennys worth in a polite and helpful manner.
 
I'll comment on any image. One mans Picasso will be another mans dogs dinner, differing opinions are good to hear.
 
I have no problem doing it even when someone is obviously far more talented than me, you don't have to be a good chef to know when the steak is good and the same is true for photography. You don't even need to know how a particular effect is achieved in a photo if you have an opinion or a suggestion offer it in a nice friendly manner.

My only trouble is i've taken to looking at my own work with the same critical eye I do some of the amazing work on here which makes me see even more problems with my own attempts!
 
I generally don't mind saying what I think but I always try and temper any negative comments with at least one positive. Now this may be for my benefit (to stop me feeling guilty about dissing someones image) but I think it can be quite daunting to post an image on here and find no one likes it.
I also think that some people do take crit better than others and if I know someone will be upset then I tend not to comment at all. However, this is rare as mainly people use crit to help them improve, so its a good thing.

Andy
 
If i have an opinion on an image, i'll offer it. I don't need to be "qualified" to do so.

Everyone's opinion is valid and valuable as it all helps in the learning process.
 
I only really look in the photo area if a title catches my eye as I scroll down the page, but if I do look at something and I like it I will usually say so.
If its not for me there is not normally a reason other than it is not my sort of thing which is not constructive so I would rather say nothing - I'm certainly not qualified to tell people how to do things differently!
 
It's the only way people will learn, if people provide feedback. Often the problem is with how the OP reacts to the crit. Credit where it's due, but constructive criticism is often far more valuable.
 
'You don't learn if you don't ask'........Northern Accent.

I say, why post if you do not want a reaction.

I do not post enough but that does not mean I do not have a view on a particular shot/subject, but I am wary of certain members reactions to critique. No Names no pack drill but you know who you are *********.
 
i hate commenting on others photography and having mine commented on, i'm very critical and general "ok" ness doesn't really do it for me so unless something excels i come across as harsh when i'm just being honest.

also i'm not really fussed what people think of my photography hence why i rarely offer it for criticism and i've never posted on here :)
 
Yep - no probs

Crap, Ok, Good, Great - are all easy enough to manage as a comment - but not worth a great deal

Full commentary takes good technical knowledge and experience to get 'right' - but the aesthetics of whether you like it or not is very personal. I've marked highly many images I don't like, and marked down some I do like for technical reasons

Snag on here is that a full comment would take quite a long time to put together, and there are (???) hundreds of images posted daily, so as crap, ok, etc. are pretty meaningless I don't tend to comment on many

DD
 
Definitely find it hard if theres a string of "Great shots!" and I'm sitting there thinking "I dunno, its..." Its like walking into a Liverpool pub during the game vs Everton with an Everton tshirt on and saying "Nah, you're wrong."
 
I think it's OK to comment regardless of ability. We all have opinions, and who's to say one opinion is right over another.
 
I comment in genre's that i dont venture personally. Usually just technical comments. However when an image grabs me i say so. If its poor i try and be nice and suggest improvements fro next time. Its not a must they do the improvments, more of a think about the shot more next time.
 
I have no problems posting a comment as long as its constructive. As a relative beginner i can't always offer technical advice but if i think a shot "works" or not then i will try to say why.

I think everyones opinion is valid as long as it is genuine. I must admit i do feel for those who have put something up for C&C and get no response...its like saying no amount of advice will help you mate!
 
I'm quite happy to say whether I like a shot or not or even pick a favourite from a set.

However, when it comes to the technical stuff, I don't generally feel I am qualified to comment particularly when it comes to the post-processing.

I certainly don't mind C & C. Silly to post if you do!! So far everyone has been kind and helpful - even if they haven't liked what I've posted (unlike some other forums I've posted on). Can't ask for more than that.
 
Strangely, perhaps, I don't usually comment on the pics in the field where I specialise myself (landscape). In fact I hardly ever look at that Forum.

I suppose it's because my own standards, after many years of practice, are so much higher than many of the people on here. That may sound arrogant, but it's really just a fact of life.

Where I am happier, although I don't do it very much either, is in areas where I'm a relative beginner myself.:)

(....ready to receive flak....)
 
crusher said:
I'm quite happy to say whether I like a shot or not or even pick a favourite from a set.

However, when it comes to the technical stuff, I don't generally feel I am qualified to comment.

I certainly don't mind C & C. Silly to post if you do!! So far everyone has been kind and helpful - even if they haven't liked what I've posted (unlike some other forums I've posted on). Can't ask for more than that.
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:agree: my thoughts
 
jerry12953 said:
Strangely, perhaps, I don't usually comment on the pics in the field where I specialise myself (landscape). In fact I hardly ever look at that Forum.

I suppose it's because my own standards, after many years of practice, are so much higher than many of the people on here. That may sound arrogant, but it's really just a fact of life.

Where I am happier, although I don't do it very much either, is in areas where I'm a relative beginner myself.:)

(....ready to receive flak....)
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then your knowledge would certainly help people in achieving your level.:thumbs:
 
fletch5 said:
then your knowledge would certainly help people in achieving your level.:thumbs:
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It's not that many are BAD, just rather predictable, so it's difficult to know what to say. People are understandably happy with what they've achieved, so why spoil it for them? That's the magic of photography.

Where I've seen really GREAT pics, I feel more able to comment, and then its largely a matter of opinion.
 
jerry12953 said:
It's not that many are BAD, just rather predictable, so it's difficult to know what to say. People are understandably happy with what they've achieved, so why spoil it for them? That's the magic of photography.

Where I've seen really GREAT pics, I feel more able to comment, and then its largely a matter of opinion.
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as in the shots that have been dont a million times sort of thing??i understand a bit now, and putting it that way does make you sound less arrogant:)
 
fletch5 said:
as in the shots that have been dont a million times sort of thing??i understand a bit now, and putting it that way does make you sound less arrogant:)
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That's right. It wouldn't be fair for me, or anyone, to criticise people for that. Standards are so high in landscape photography generally.

And thanks .....
 
The problem for me is that it's sometimes not obvious what kind of feedback the tog is wanting. I know some people make it very explicit by putting things like "First shots for feedback - be nice please" in the thread title which makes it more obvious, but in the thread linked to by Gary I too thought that feedback on the images was being sought. It's not until much later in the thread when it's suggested by others that the OP is actually wanting to bring the photo subject to people's attention.

How's anyone who isn't familiar with the tog supposed to know? Had I wondered onto that thread I might have said similar things i.e. it looks a bit flat to me and I think it could be improved with some contrast tweaking...

People seeking feedback should let others know what sort of feedback they're inviting. That way, there's no ambiguity.
 
By posting an image, you are inviting comments and if you do so on this forum then I don't think you should be surprised if you get a good mixture of people (abilities/experience) commenting. That's what makes it interesting - someone inexperienced might suggest something completely unthought-of.

I think it's good to force yourself to put into words the reasons why you like/dislike a photo. It makes me think more about he photo as a whole rather than focusing on my initial reaction.

I'm experienced enough to know that there is loads still left to learn :)
 
DigitalRelish said:
The problem for me is that it's sometimes not obvious what kind of feedback the tog is wanting. I know some people make it very explicit by putting things like "First shots for feedback - be nice please" in the thread title which makes it more obvious, but in the thread linked to by Gary I too thought that feedback on the images was being sought. It's not until much later in the thread when it's suggested by others that the OP is actually wanting to bring the photo subject to people's attention.

How's anyone who isn't familiar with the tog supposed to know? Had I wondered onto that thread I might have said similar things i.e. it looks a bit flat to me and I think it could be improved with some contrast tweaking...

People seeking feedback should let others know what sort of feedback they're inviting. That way, there's no ambiguity.
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maybe we should scrap the subject forums and break it down into level of feedback required.
 
EdinburghGary said:
Who knows what to think:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=99723
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I hadn't seen that thread EG - thanks for that :D

But that pretty much shows the issue & problem of asking for or offering commentary - it's hard to know at what level to pitch it, or how it would be received

There's a common joke judges start with when judging at camera clubs, it goes pretty much like...

"One of you in here will think I talk great sense, have fantastic perception of your technical and artistic ability, and that I'm a brilliant insightful judge - you will be tonight's winner.

Everyone else will agree I'm a complete k******d"

DD
 
DiddyDave said:
I hadn't seen that thread EG - thanks for that :D

But that pretty much shows the issue & problem of asking for or offering commentary - it's hard to know at what level to pitch it, or how it would be received

There's a common joke judges start with when judging at camera clubs, it goes pretty much like...

"One of you in here will think I talk great sense, have fantastic perception of your technical and artistic ability, and that I'm a brilliant insightful judge - you will be tonight's winner.

Everyone else will agree I'm a complete k******d"

DD
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No problem. I don't even feel remotely comfortable offering crit after that episode. Sucks.

Gary.
 
Toothie said:
maybe we should scrap the subject forums and break it down into level of feedback required.
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I think that may place too heavy an emphasis on critique over content. I think the general consensus is that if you post you're asking for critique / comments. By displaying your work publically you're open to all levels of response. Good and bad. Gotta learn to roll with the punches.
 
Many moons ago when this subject came up (which it does time and time again :D) I decided to add more than 'nice shot' and actually say why it was a nice shot (or conversely how I think it might be improved). I sometimes forget to elaborate but I try my best :)

I'm really happy commenting but as I'm no great techie myself my comments tend to be more on the aesthetics than the technical.

I appreciate any comments on my images but they're more valuable to my development if they say 'why' a shot is liked or not :)

Having said that its a nice feeling if anyone takes the time to pass comment good, bad, simple or elaborate :)
 
petemc said:
I think that may place too heavy an emphasis on critique over content. I think the general consensus is that if you post you're asking for critique / comments. By displaying your work publically you're open to all levels of response. Good and bad. Gotta learn to roll with the punches.
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Foggy said:
Noooooo....the subject forums means I can avoid the stuff I have no interest in at all!
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I agree with you both, trying to suggest a solution to people becoming upset by comments onthere pics
 
Toothie said:
I agree with you both, trying to suggest a solution to people becoming upset by comments onthere pics
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Another thing under your username telling people what level of crit they want is probably the best option if it can be implemented.
 
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