how bad is my photography....really? how bad is my artistic endeavor? why am i getting nice comments? do i deserve even one? are my images completely without artist merit? i never studied photography...just a little in high school. i am trying to improve myself all the time. i know my work is not even comparable to many of yours. but is what i do completely worthless and terrible. Does my photography completely suck. i ask for critiques...rarely get them. would like more. Please give me feedback. Thanks!

First off, I personally LOVE your gallery. You have a wonderful combination of insight and sensitivity to your works! Many of your images have an other-worldly quality to them. I suppose you are getting nice comments because others feel as I do :) Also, keep in mind that there are SOOOOoo many images posted to the galleries each day, and especially to the photo gallery, that it is often impossible to leave long comments on everyones work! And, to some, it is better to leave an Oh My Gosh that is beautiful than to not say anything :) I know it is a politically incorrect to leave a simple comment like WOW but to be honest, when I look at some works of art that is the first thing that comes to mind. WOW! Which is much better than Yuck! As to your style of art I LOVE raw artists those wonderful artists with little or no formal training. Dont get me wrong there is Nothing Wrong with formal training, and there is much to be learned in the tech world as well as composition, color, and lighting. But there is a certain joy that is viewed in works of raw art! Something innocent and full of magic! Your images reflect your inner beauty! That is a rare and wonderful quality in an artist, and you should be very thankful that you have been blessed with that gift! Dee-Marie

I second Dee-Marie's opinion, Sheila. Your work reflects your personality. It's sensitive, touching and beautiful. You get comments from people who appreciate it. You should really have more faith in yourself, sweetie :))) I have no formal training either but I've learned loads & tons during those 18 months I've spent here just viewing other people's work and reading threads in the forum. You don't need critical comments to learn, really :))) Besides, if you want more 'technical' input you can always post here, the forum seems to be the place where you get more 'meat' in the comments... :D So, keep trying, experimenting, posting and viewing and you will grow! :))) And just to be perfectly clear on this - your photography DOES NOT suck! :))) Hugs, Niu

i agree with dee... oh & nui (looks like we were writing at the same time) :], you have spirit & thought that shows in your work, it reaches out to the viewer... any technical advice i'm usually good at giving, whether liked or not, & it can be learned... sometimes i'm just not up to it & only point out the good but i never tell untruths, at least i try my best not to... i'm not going to have a orgasmic fit unless it's really that good!! :]
you want more honest critque, you have to stress that which each & every upload & they'll be a few that will be glad to give it to you... in a nice way of course

so no :p it honestly doesn't suck :]

Message edited on: 10/13/2004 16:29

We're not all professionals here (I'm just an amateur myself). Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Or.. what is art to one person.. is crap to another. What matters most is that YOU like what you're doing and creating. Ask yourself these questions when you're about to upload a picture: Is this what I wanted to create? Is it finished? And most important: Am I happy with the result?. It may not have been what you set out to do, but it might turn out rather well. Like cynlee said: you really have to ask for critique. Just putting C&C welcome usually doesn't cut it. And IMHO.. your photography doesn't suck. There's alot in there that I like.

thanks guys. I so much appreciate all the comments everyone leaves...no matter what they say...no matter how many words. Dee Marie, i don't see anything wrong with saying WOW either. Like you...sometimes that's just the first thing that hits me. I like my photography. I like the way i express myself. I know it didn't sound like it from what i wrote. I was mad. someone said something to me. I probably should not have posted this thread here, but I was so mad about what was said to me. I won't here what was said. It is that person's opinion after all & they're certainly entitled to it. I don't agree with it. All i know is the reason why i do what i do is because i enjoy it. It makes me feel good. It is a way for me to express myself. I don't upload images for other people's enjoyment. I please myself first. I work on an image until I'm satisfied with it. If I can't get it the way i want it, I'll post it in the forum. Or if I'm not sure how it's coming across, I'll post it here for feedback. That helps. I know the forum is the place to get more critiques. that's true. Dee Marie & Niu, thank you SO much for what you said. sniff sniff. i just got so incredibly mad. My opinion: I like who i am and i like my images. they come from my heart. I know they are not technically up-to-snuff, but I'm trying to improve...at my OWN pace. I'm trying to learn new techniques. My gallery is a place of self-expression. If someone doesn't like my images that's fine. I don't expect everyone to like my work. After what was said to me, I guess i just needed to let off steam. Thanks for listening and for the wonderful things you said. Hugz sheila

P.S. Cindy...3DGuy...just read yours. Thank you both also for what you said!!!! I will try to stress more that i want more critiques. I love reading everyone's comments. But I also like to know how it has affected them or come across to them. I don't give critiques because i don't feel qualified to do so. i have my own ideas about what i like but i don't have any technical experience...just my own eyes and senses. sometimes here in the forum i will leave a comment about someone's image...will add in my 2 cents...but really that's all it is...two cents...because I have no training or expertise in photography. but i believe i do possess some worth here in RR. I enjoy so many wonderful images here, and I like to tell people how much i enjoy their art. I think that counts for something even if I have nothing else to offer. okay...thanks guys!!! pressure cooker no longer whistling Hugz, sheila

ok... who said what to you!? :[ i'll sick the HC on 'em! jk, jk :] yeah, try not to let those ppl(?) get to you & as said in another thread, not all critique is bad, it can be good too...
it's good you posted this thread here... as many people feel the way you do but it sounds you've got the right mindset going again! :D & yes, by all means, you're worthy to RR!

cindy, i was NOT given a critique. thanks!!!!! hugz, sheila

your photography is wonderful and very true. i always find a lot of emotion in it.your photography speaks and that is the most important part on it. thank you for sharing !!!!!!!! #:O) !!!!!!!!!!

OK I critiqued some of your photos. Everyone is right. Your work is VERY good. Some things we may not see the same way but I like what you see. Makes me think. THAT is what good photography is about. Keep shooting! You have a good eye and a great camera. I had a Sony until last year when I got my Nikon. Now I have a new Nikon (D100) and some thief has the old one. Magick Michael

Well...speaking as a Professional....HC....I still do the majority of Photography on Automatic...blush...and like being in the Raw ...and a Raw Photographer I yam! You must have Faith in "Yourself"...and...I believe You are a "Natural Comic"...and You have all Your Toes in the right place....and...You please many....even Me...and I am a Loony ...rolls eyes madly When I joined Renders Photography about 2 Years back....I had only just purchased a Digi Camera....and had the nerve to put on My Home Page...."Hello...My Name is Tedz, and I am an Artistic Photographer ...and have been...for 2 Days". I have had heaps of horrible Comments...one day I am gonna Publish them, but in the meantime....I have learned a wee bit...and have learned it ...here....as I am only Trained in Affairs of the Heart....and Space Travel. Do You think I would have You as the Mothership's Cook if You "Sucked"...hmmmmmmpfh...hardly....now off and Cook up some Delights...or I shall Demote You! THC :]

gerhard...thank you! i'm glad you hear what my photography is saying!!!!!! thank u SO much for what you said!!! zhounder...i so much appreciate your words...and you taking the time to make comments in my gallery. it is good to hear what u think, and i take your words into consideration. They made ME think...and i like that! u like your new Nikon? HC: i take most of mine on auto too. I do try different speeds and have used automatic settings, but i really "suck" at that! i just need more practice. natural comic? dunno 'bout that. maybe...because i am just plain funny to look at!!!! sorry 'bout all your heaps of horrible comments...might make an interesting book!!! i was gonna make everyone some silly cupcakes, decorate them, and then take pics...uh...well...let me go see if i have eggs...might just bake some...we'll see. i certainly don't wanna be demoted! cindy...sorry...i think i can off short and snappy in my note to u...i was just hurrying out the door and didn't realize how i came off. u forgive me??? i think critiques can help us see things differently. when zhounder commented on my Cherish the Elderly it made me think. His words made me realize that perhaps the postwork was taking away something...like from the richness of their faces. i dunno. but i like to hear other peoples' thoughts and ideas. thank u for worthiness!!!! group hugz!!!!! sheila

not at all sheila, you can snap at me anytime, jk, you weren't :D
i was just saying a critique is:
well here it is...
an act of criticizing; especially : a critical estimate or discussion *
criticizing* : to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly : EVALUATE
(& not that the person who said something negative to you was giving you a critique ;)

Message edited on: 10/13/2004 20:47

thanks Cindy! saw dentist today...now THAT sucked!!!! :)

First of all, your work does not suck. It is sensitive and fresh. Second, critiques are more useful in the Forum than in the Gallery, and then when the Photographer asks specific questions, or explains what she was trying to do with the photo. Then we can give specific answers. It is VERY difficult to answer a question like, "Does this suck?" Third, sometimes someone will say negative things. We need to take the bad with the good. It is part of growing. However, "but I was so mad about what was said to me", sounds like you were treated meanly. If that happens here, or in the Gallery, or IM's or e-mail from other Members, let us know. We perhaps can fix the problem.

Thanks Misha for what you said. Yes, what you're saying makes sense. I appreciate your offer to help but i spoke my mind to that person and said how i felt...and i blew off steam here. i'm fine now and cooled off. yes, u r right about taking the bad with the good. i welcome critiques. I do NOT mind when someone tells me what they think might make it better...did i consider this or that...or maybe tell me i might try this or that. I welcome ALL that. i think that is good. but not everyone sees "critique" in the same way. Thanks! sheila

Thanks Michelle!!! i so much appreciate what you said...after all...u r the one who inspired me with your image. don't worry about my gallery, silly girl!!!! i'm just happy u looked...and i'm glad u like! i am the same with self-portraiture...it is a wonderful means of self-expression!!!! and u r absolutely right...it is VERY difficult to get in front of the cam and expose myself like that...and then to actually upload....makes my stomach knot. but so far no one has made distasteful remarks...u know the kind i mean. it is hard to do this when u r a woman. well, i take that back. i shouldn't generalize. it's hard for me to do as a woman. if i were a man i would not be scared to upload self portraits. anyway, it's even hard for me to face many of those images...regardless if i upload them here or not. getting older...and facing that...seeing that unmasked. health issues...and facing that...seeing that unmasked. these are not easy for me to see. the trick is to be able to look at myself and love who i am. anyway, thanks so much for your feedback and the nice things you said. i know my photography skills have much to be desired technically. looking in my gallery is like looking in a mirror. sometimes we have bad hair days!!! hehe.... but my gallery is a reflection of who i am. and i like what i see. i do this to please myself i guess i really don't need to ask, "Does my photography suck?" As long as I like it, that's all that matters. If it please or touches someone else in some way, then I'm happy! Thanks you Michelle and everyone else! I feel much better about all this! hugz sheila

Just to add my two bobs worth! First NO your work certainly does not suck, your work is very expressive and passionate. I believe that your (Meaning anyone not just you) work first and foremost is for you, and if you like it that is most important, if others like it, and they do then all the better, if some dont like it then it is no real loss you cant please everyone. I also believe that you are qualified to give critique everyone is regardless of their training or lack of. Being professionally trained doesnt change that. There are people of all levels here no one is the best or the worst but some are technically more experienced than others. Like you have said you get lots of nice comments but little critique, and that is more likely as people tend to air on the side of caution so as not to offend, myself included. Whilst there is nothing wrong with constructive criticism, I dont like to see negative criticism, and have had some myself that really has had absolutely no relevance to the image in concern. Just before I end my ramblings, I would just like to share this: Recently I was involved in a conversation with a woman (a new member) at a club that I attend on competition hand in night, she said to me that wasnt going to submit her entry as her work was below what she felt the standard was. I said that she should enter anyway (which she did) if only to get feedback and learn from it. Some of the judges make some really odd comments and what is considered poor can often do quite well. I entered a photo of an old RAF Spitfire and the judge said it would have been better if it was in a field! (It wasnt and there in nothing I can do about that) I also told her about RR so maybe she will join. The wonderful thing about photography is you never stop learning. LP

thanks for your two bobs Simon...and for the nice things you said!!!! i appreciate your words! yes...we never stop learning...some of us just learn a bit slower that others!!! hehe!!! sheila