i am wondering if its okay to say what i see/think or if it is a must to click all the time EXCELLENT ...

i am wondering if its okay to say what i see/think or if it is a must to click all the time EXCELLENT ... Constructive critiscism is fine. Rudeness is not. Example: Recommending how an image can be improved in a thoughtful and helpful way is constructive criticism. Telling someone their work is awful and that they should delete it is not constructive criticism, and is considered trolling in the galleries.

i know meanwhile that one comment was not "nice" - but many other critiques got deleted and i got called idiot meanwhile because i said what i think about some photos. you cannot give always constructive critique, but you can point flaws in a photo, yes or no ? for example, there is a photo of a boat, sky is washed out, water is overexposed, subject is boring - how to give "constructive criticism" then ? its surely impossible to give lessons - that people always expect EXCELLENT is sad, this way they will never look at their photos with open eyes ...

If you merely want to point out flaws in images without suggesting ways for improvement, then may I kindly suggest to you that you shouldn't say anything to the poster of the image. :~) There is a right way and a wrong way to critique and one does not need to give extensive lessons in order to help someone learn. Sigh I'm afraid I wasn't prepared to give etiquette lessons today....maybe tomorrow... ;~)

Attached Link: http://market.renderosity.com/~photo/newweb/index.htm

You really shouldn't have to teach etiquette at any time, 'Chelle. Their Mommies should have handled that along with other training. The link goes to our resource center, where Alpha wrote a nice tutorial on how to give a meaningful critique. Most of the time when I see work here that I think is "bad," I ignore it. Sometimes I suggest that the photographer go over to the Forum, and post the picture with questions about how to make it better. Sometimes I'll say things like, "The sky here is pretty dominant and washed out, maybe you should try a different angle, or check out the very useful tutorial in the Resource center on polarizers." Or, "The water is a bit over-exposed here, in situations like this it is best to meter..." If the work is indeed boring, there is not much I can do. Though I'm often very surprized about what bores or excites different people. I'm sorry the original poster is angry about something and no longer wishes to participate. But I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. Insulting Gallery members is, I believe, a violation of the TOS. It is certainly not good manners. And it is a very bad idea to piss off our hard-working Michelle and star.

I agree with Misha

Actually, I think he does have a point, but why does it always come from people who have an empty gallery ? It's always the same thing (or the same person ? ;)

Just my 2 cents worth...
I like to keep in mind that "success" in a photograph (in my opinion) is a matter of whether the photographer achieved the look he/she was going for or not. If your goal was to create an underexposed, blurry image and you used whatever technique to accomplish that look - then you have a successful photo - (but there may not be many people who LIKE it) If, on the other hand, your desire was to create a classic "Ansel Adams" landscape and your result was a blurry, underexposed image, then you need some CONSTRUCTIVE critiscism - which to me would sound something like: "I think you may want to try a smaller arperture and put your camera on a tripod - then try metering off of some medium tone or a grey card to get your exposure. Compositionally, I am having a hard time understanding exactly what the subject is - if there is a way to define it in you composition (different angles, tighter composition, etc.) it may make a better image - but that's my opinion" - to me, that give the person better information than "Boy, this really stinks - why don't you sell you camera and purchase an Etch-O-Sketch!"

If you have given someone reasonable advise as to how to improve an image, and they are offended by it, then they either are too full of themselves to admit they're work could be improved, or too thin skinned to be posting their images to begin with.

There are several "styles" of photography that aren't "my cup of tea" - but I can appreciate a well executed photograph....even if I don't really "like" it - if that makes any sense.

Excellent points from Wolf! I had definitely forgotten about the "style" aspect. Even constructive criticism, if pointing towards a different intention, can be unappreciated. It is always best to prefix, "IMHO." We learn quite a lot from other folks' styles. ["If you used a tripod it would be less blurry..." "But I wanted it to be blurry!"] I think we still have a consensis here; it is not polite to just diss someones' work as crap. [Actually, for purposes of argument, sometimes you just have to take a stand and call crap, "crap." But I expect the need is actually rarer than the occurance. For myself, I'm trying to keep my day job.]

I'm curious if telling someone to shut the phuck up is bad criticism or not? Anyways, Mitch, lemme know if it's okay. if it isn't then i wont say anything.

The guy has filled in 'renderosity sucks' as name.....what are we wasting time on ? :) Let's kill him !!!! ;)

hmm, hope no one looks at my name...

Anyone caught throwing sand in the sandbox get a 5 minute time-out in the corner.....so play nice kiddies! Sorry....my mothering instincts showing thru...LOL!

LOL ! :) But he started it, miss! =)

ROFLMAO!!! Wolf has made an "excellent" reply, I must say :) hugs her etch-a-sketch lovingly

It's more like: ONLY LEVEL-HEADED PEOPLE ALLOWED. Assholes and jerks prepare to die!!! hahahahahaha... (I'm kidding, OKAY? Lighten up kids...) :-) There's a lot of good from what's been said here, but I'd just like to add a few more thoughts on this, and a few reminders as well. Seriously, it all depends on how you say it and how you take it. The comments feature is generally used by members for helpful critique and comments (please read The Art of Critique Part One in the Resource Center-- link provided above). Name calling, trolling and such are NOT helpful at all. Compliments and words of encouragement are welcome, of course. This is, after all, a community. (Now, who would complain about EXCELLENT ratings in her/his own gallery? I'd be willing to delete upon request, in case anyone complains about high ratings on their own images. HAH.) As for those whose purpose for posting is just for viewing purposes only or those who are too thin-skinned for non-compliments, they have the option to turn OFF the comments feature. (Click [edit] underneath your gallery thumb. I'm sure you guys know this one already.) REMINDER: If any one of you receives offensive and rude comments and messages, please let your moderators (or admins) know about it. We don't bite (but I don't think we have proven this yet hehehe). This public forum is not really the appropriate venue to discuss such squabbles. Thank you. passes bag of potato chips around (*

personally - i have a rule. if i want to say anything negative, i also find something positive. if i cant find anything positive, i keep my mouth shut. doesnt work quite so well the other way round though...

"Photo editor's walls are covered with prints that were never published in their magazines"...a little thought I keep in mind whenever I submit photos to any magazine. The idea is, photos have a purpose - and that purpose depends on the viewer - whether a buyer, or just someone looking at it. There's no telling why someone will like or dislike a particular photo - it could be a beaautiful abstract shot of apple sauce..and the viewer may have some sort of horrible childhood experience with apple sauce...so he's gonna HATE your photo. Bottom line - you will never find ANY photograph that EVERYONE loves....I've heard of people who (get this) DON'T LIKE Ansel Adams work...?!?!

I agree SES. In some art groups we have workshop sessions where we critique each others work, and a very helpful way of dishing out a criticism is by sandwiching the negative in between two positives. This method proves to be effective for most of us. Starting off with a compliment or a good comment will not be taken defensively on the first instance, and following the negative with another positive will not leave a bad impression. (But I'm not saying you have to force yourself to think of two positive things just for the sake of. Hehehehe...) Example: "The image looks dull." And sandiwiching the critique: "The image is well-composed and gets your concept across. However IMHO the colors need to be enhanced a bit to emphasize the subject matter. With a little tweaking, I think this will really make a good study for an ad." (*

sandiwiching = sandwiching Doh!

I dont mind a critique on a picture, but nasty doesnt cut it. EX: posting a reply on one of my photos that it was after all.." simply a snap shot" was kinda rude. Of course it was only a snap shot! I thought that was obvious! I never claimed it was anything else except a snapshot! so, if you want to tell me how to "snap" a better picture, go for it, if you want to say it isnt your cup of tea, then send it to me in a message. nuff said