Hey all,

just wanted to post this thought and get some feedback.

Wondering how many others here are hesitant to leave critical feedback on posts in the galleries? I have a couple people in mind as I write this. I love their shots and think they post some really nice stuff that just needs a touch of post work, touch ups (levels, contrast, etc). But I am worried about offending anyone so I keep my typing hand silent. I know some may not have the programs to even do the fixes.

Anyone have this feeling and vibe here? Seems everyone is just so nice in their comments that a critical one will look like I am an ass. And I have thought of doing it in site mail, but still don't want to offend. Guess I want to help out some members with my little knowledge but worry about driving them off the site and or posting completely.

Where is the balance here? How do you do this in humility? Any thoughts?
Am I not alone in this "rock and hard place" feeling?

Just wondering.
-Bruce

If you do it it a nice way ie. offer help and advice ie "I think this photo is great, but if you did bla bla  most will be happy about it.  If you say something like "that photo is rubbish, but if you did bla bla to make it better.  You may get get backs up.

Maybe i need to be a "wordsmith" so it sounds good. Any writers here that can help me out? LOL

Bruce
Advice on pictures will be always be welcome.
How are we going to become better photographers if we do not receive critique on our uploads.
That is the only way we will be able to improve.
Yes it is sad to know that some people do not have descent editing programs to improve their pictures,but i am certain one can download free editing programs on the net to improve one's pictures.
Christo

Attached Link: photoscape

I, for one, would welcome tips in improving :)
.. and at the moment  I am using the Gimp program, which is freeware.

O do use quite a few programs which include Paint Shop Pro 2 which i bought.The rest of the editing programs which i use is freeware.

i8?  got a link.  Not heard of that one.

I thing as long as your respectful but your still going to hurt someones feeling so many ware their heart on their sleeve, I've been known to do that, Ouch. Early on 3 suggestions given to me, Very good shot but next time you might won't to straighten the horizon, I tried that and it did look better, I've had suggestions about ISO settings, longer exposer times, brightness and contrast each time very nice comments along with some contrustive criticism given as a suggestion. I tried each suggestion and found they were right. I personally don't feel comfortable giving critiques I'm still tring to figure out what I'm doing. Also some are not tring to become photographers or artists they just like sharing there snap shots and thats great too. To make a long story short have I wanted to, sure respectfully! 
 

 
Royce

I have never thought advises as beeing rude. I think it is the best way to learn, so I will be happy for advises and I use psp9.   I use a few filters for adjustments in light, saturation or sharpening too.

Bruce, I think you've hit on a raw nerve here. This site obviously attracts many serious artists and there is outstanding work being presented. On the other hand, my experience with artists is that they can be very sensitive especially about their own work. We all see different things in each piece so we may suggest something that would take the work into an area the artist does not want to enter because they are seeing an entirely different point of view. The DITI examples in the Photography Forum show the vastly different views that some might see in a work.

If something seems very wrong technically you might offer a suggestion, but I don't think I would suggest many changes without first starting a dialog to assess how open the artist is to criticism. I think there are all levels at this site — some take it all very seriously, yet others may just be using the site as a tool to keep their photos on display for their friends and family.

Wayne

Check the line at the top of the comments box and if it says 

"Both critical and non-critical comments are welcomed."

Then it is fair game as far as i am concerned (more so if they tick the "critical only" box).  If someone gets shirty about a critical comment just politely remind them to check the box reserved for those who just want an "ooo excellent photo hugs xxx", and dont indulge their comment collection outlook next time as your effort is wasted on them.

Problem is that most people fall into (whether consciously or not - who doesnt like to see 20+ comments on a photo?) the latter category or at least bordering on on it - critical comments are a rarety on this site (and most other sites) exactly for that reason - people are sociable and dont want to offend others.

Personally I try to leave constructive comments (whether positive or negative) where (and increasingly when these days) i can.  Just do what you feel is correct and you will be fine - i'm my own worst critic so i doubt any critical comments (if based in reason (ie not "I think you needed to be closer to the lion to improve this photo" or "the corner of the building needs to be moved a bit to the left to help the composition"))  would offend me. 

I leave too little criticism, either complimentary of the work done or suggestions for improvement.   Yet, I do comment fairly regularly.

When I do provide constructive criticism, it will be a simple suggestion generally dealing with photography technique or composition and not so much with postwork beyond basics.   Site mail works fine also and does keep it private if you feel better about that.

We sometimes forget that positive criticism is also part of growth and reinforcement of good work done.   It might be easier to be critical in offering improvement than is offering genuine sounding recognition of good work.  A "wow" won't do it..not generally.

Hello!
1.People are afraid to express their opinion for one reason or another.
2.Some people jump all over from one picture to another one, type nice comments and they expect the same from You.
3.There are circles of people and they make nice comments on each other images,no matter what they upload.They do not look on thumbnails,they look who posted an image .
4.There is too many technically bad  photos:underexposed,overexposed,no contrast,no sharpness,but they still get many views and nice comments.How people can make improvements if they see those comments and they thinks everything is OK.
And that is the reasons I do not post comments,but if I see great picture I put it in my favorite folder,or make an artist my favorite one.
I have tried to change all this problems by choosing my 3 of top 30 in weekly gallery and encourage  people to do the same,but so far without success.
One of the solution to this problem would be to make all new posts anonymous ,let's say for 3 day and also all  star ratings anonymous.
Greetings..........................Wojtek

 Like the last suggestion - but that turns it more into a competition style site really.  Try DPChallenge.com for some good honest (and blind) feedback in a challenge scenario.

One of the things is that a lot of people put watermarks so the pictures wont be truly anonymous - i can tell a couple of photographers styles on here too so i wouldnt have too many problems picking them out even without watermarks.

Nice to hear so many good responses. i am going to read through these and take em for what i can get out of them and respond more in a bit.

Thanks for the input all.

Couldn't have put things better myself. :')

Quote - Check the line at the top of the comments box and if it says 
"Both critical and non-critical comments are welcomed."

Then it is fair game

I hear ya on that. The bummer is, I think since that is the default setting,  most here don't even realize that is what it says. I think 99% of posts have this on their images.

My point exactly... 

That is why it is fair game.  Until people actively associate themselves with wanting to just receive a cuddly message then i see no reason why you shouldnt do what you feel like in terms of comment content - it is entirely not your fault if they get upset (as long as it isnt a trolling post).

Someone once said that "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard."  If the choice between checking a selection of boxes is the theory of democracy, then abide by that truism...

=)

Sorry to join in so late.  But yes, I for one would love to see more 'advice' and/or critique; afterall, how else can we learn?  I think it's great that you show concern for offending others with advice you so want to give; I think you will find a way to find the right words because of that fact alone.  There is also a check box in every upload, where they have a choice whether they want it or not. 

Quote - Sorry to join in so late.  But yes, I for one would love to see more 'advice' and/or critique; afterall, how else can we learn?  I think it's great that you show concern for offending others with advice you so want to give; I think you will find a way to find the right words because of that fact alone.  There is also a check box in every upload, where they have a choice whether they want it or not. 

Yep, just think most dont even see that check box. Thats the bummer.

 Make it default to unchecked and force people to choose?

That's a good idea Inshaala (rich?) .. excellent idea.

There was a time when I was disappointed by a lot of things I noticed at RR. Among that list was the "lack of honest critiques". It took some time before I realized that this was an irrational approach.  I have learned that if one wants honest critiques, they should post in the forums and ask for such critiques instead of posting in the gallery.

Those who participate in the forums are more involved with the hobby and more likely to really look at the image and have an opinion. Those who post in the Gallery are more likely to be less willing to voice an honest critique because they do not want to cause "hurt" feelings or because they don't feel competent enough to offer such critiques.  Who am I to question such decisions. Everyone who posts here, has their own reason for doing so. Some are beginners, some are pros.  Some have basic equipment and some have all the bells and whistles.  Some are just sharing snap shots and some are looking for personal exposure, some post terrible images and some post inspiring ones. Most are "social", lol.

I have come to realize that if you want to share your images with a diverse number of people at an online "art" community , then you need to accept whatever or how many response(s) and comments you get or don't get.   I decide that if I didn't like how things operate, then I could pack it up and stop posting. I am going on 5 years here, so it is obvious I for one am happy to be a part of whatever it is, lol.

Lee

I'd love to see more critical feedback in the galleries - if I think an image can be improved by something simple, I'll say so, and I appreciate it when, in return, someone tells me that they reckon my composition is wonky.

That said, what really irks me is when an image I'm sure is worth seeing gets little or no feedback at all.

For instance, take this image, featured in the most recent LWITG. The previous (2? I don't remember) times that I've had images picked, there's been a sudden increase in viewers and comments - and, as a result, since about 1/10 comments is a critical one, an increase in useful feedback. This time, nothing - to be honest, I'm suprised that someone noticed the image in order to feature it, since it's had all of 19 views in total - about half what I'd normally expect for an image which I thought was decent. Of course, some of that is attributable to being in Australia, and thus tending to post at odd times.

So, is the image boring? Or just the thumb? Does the thumb show too much detail, making clicking seem pointless? Yep, I'm asking for a sort of meta-feedback - feedback on why I might have got so little feedback.

(if this little rant should be pulled out to another thread, I'd apprecaite a PM to that effect.)

• theSeekerr