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| Just My Opinion... |
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TJRusso |
 Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:48 pm Post subject: Just My Opinion... |
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Aficionado
Joined: 30 Sep 2008
Posts: 88
Location: South Florida
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I would love to see more people voting and commenting in the contests.
If we left a comment saying something positive about the entry and then gave suggestions if they are needed I think it would really help those of us who could really use the help.
People who submit entries here need to be open minded about comments made or suggestions given. It's not a personal attack on you or your work. Critiques/comments are a great learning tool. Don't be afraid to ask for help either.
TJRusso |
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| starstef601 |
| Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 12:07 am Post subject: |
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Devotee
Joined: 07 Dec 2007
Posts: 46
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| I definitely agree with you, and you have some good points, so I'll try to be more involved with comments and everything |
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| Lynxy |
| Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:13 am Post subject: |
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Aficionado
Joined: 29 Jan 2009
Posts: 84
Location: Poland
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| Yes, I'm also trying to comment pictures. I think that is what this site is for - to talk. |
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| randykeller |
| Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 6:16 am Post subject: |
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Enthusiast
Joined: 29 Oct 2008
Posts: 11
Location: baltimore, md
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The only comments I ever get on this site consist of a sentence or even just a few words. I always assumed that was because, like on many other sites, if you are less than glowing, you wind up getting it back three times as bad. It becomes almost impossible to participate once that starts happening. So since almost every comment I receive is very short, I assumed we were all aware of what could happen if we get too involved in the critique.
Truth is, a photograph needs to be critiqued to be relevant as a piece of art. Thats part of what makes something "art" in my opinion - it gets analyzed, deconstructed and forced to defend itself in certain very specific areas. I have always seen photography as art, so I spend about 5 seconds getting annoyed and then I am ready to read on and possibly learn something. Its natural not to enjoy hearing something negative about a creation, but no one will ever grow without it.
But the critiques need to be relevant to the art form. Things like repetition, framing, simplification, leading the eye, rhythm, texture, use of color (if applicable, tone if not), DOF, choice of speed and ISO (not always simply a factor of light). Was the photo taken at the right moment, what is its message, should the photographer have made other choices to further the proper point of view? Are there style decisions being made with the shot? And all sorts of other things I can't even think of right now...
I try not to even look at the name of the person who is kind enough to include a comment. That way, I don't form opinions about that person based on how they react to my work. But too often, these very brief critiques only tell us that you like the image or you don't. There's not much to learn from that. For instance, I have never been a fan of flower photos, but I can recognize a good one when I see it, and I feel the author should be applauded for good work - whether its my cup of tea or not. But since it is NOT my cup of tea, should I be offering a negative critique for the average, so-so, run of the mill flower photo? Probably not. So, we all have to be careful not to allow our personal preferences to masquerade as supposed criticism.
I prefer to offer positive critiques only, as do most people, and I have sent personal messages to people I feel do good work instead of making comments on a specific photo. But I would be willing to start offering what I hope will be sound critiquing - good, bad, or whatever... if I thought I would be getting that in return, So if you're up for it, let me know, and we can agree to mutually critique each other's work in a serious manner.
But I'm not gonna trash someone's efforts either. There are a lot of photos on this site and EVERY site that frankly don't measure up to even an average rating, and we all know how much we hate to be called "average." There is nothing to be gained from trashing this person's efforts except to alienate them and possibly just hurt their feelings. Thats not good. NOt everyone actually has the talent or the ability to develop the skills, but its a wonderful thing that they are out there trying and can feel a part of something like this site.
As usual, I ramble too much. Forgive me, but this is rather near and dear to my heart. I could talk about photos all day and night and then do it again the next day. Besides... its all just my opinion anyway...
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randy.keller@yahoo.com |
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| TJRusso |
| Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:18 am Post subject: |
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Aficionado
Joined: 30 Sep 2008
Posts: 88
Location: South Florida
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If I leave a negative comment I try to do it as politely as possible and try to explain what I see as the problem. If I know how to fix it I make a suggestion.
We can't learn to better our photography without comments, suggestions, and honesty.
I always tell people not to take critiques personally but to use them as a learning tool. If someone makes a suggestion ask them what they would do to make the image better in their eyes.
I used to take it personally when someone left a negative comment. It took a while but I finally opened my eyes and looked at my work as if it were not mine. Then I noticed the same things others did.
I hope I always continue to learn from others. The day I stop learning will be the day I hang up my camera. |
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| Lynxy |
| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:17 am Post subject: |
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Aficionado
Joined: 29 Jan 2009
Posts: 84
Location: Poland
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| Quote: |
| we all know how much we hate to be called "average." |
but in comparison with the great photographers of all times almost everyone is "average" :) And we risk to remain average if we won't criticize one another. |
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| JLW |
| Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 12:59 am Post subject: |
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Fanatic
Joined: 12 Aug 2007
Posts: 163
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| TJRusso wrote: |
If I leave a negative comment I try to do it as politely as possible and try to explain what I see as the problem. If I know how to fix it I make a suggestion.
We can't learn to better our photography without comments, suggestions, and honesty.
I always tell people not to take critiques personally but to use them as a learning tool. If someone makes a suggestion ask them what they would do to make the image better in their eyes.
I used to take it personally when someone left a negative comment. It took a while but I finally opened my eyes and looked at my work as if it were not mine. Then I noticed the same things others did.
I hope I always continue to learn from others. The day I stop learning will be the day I hang up my camera. |
Is this the same TJRusso that slammed me (JLW) a few weeks back for posting a corrected version of a Herron shot she did? DEMANDING that I remove it immediately!!!
It’s one thing to offer a few words about a shot in the contest comments and another to take the time to show and explain what a few tweaks actually does to change the visual impact of a particular shot. This is not necessarily suggesting a shot is of poor quality …just offering up another interpretation that may or may not be an improvement.
Each person here has to decide for themselves how to present their photographic ideas.
The picture is still worth a thousand words. I prefer the visual.
JLW
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Orville Wright didn’t have a pilot's license. |
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| TJRusso |
| Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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Aficionado
Joined: 30 Sep 2008
Posts: 88
Location: South Florida
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JLW,
You think pretty highly of yourself to go around and taking other peoples' images and "correcting" them. I didn't ask for your help or opinion. What you did is the most insulting thing anyone can do if they haven't been asked for help.
If you did that on the two other sites I'm on you would have been reprimanded by administration. What gives you the right to take other peoples' work and tell them how it should be?
MY photograph was exactly the way I wanted it. It was taken in the bright Florida sun and I wanted to show that. It was my photograph the way I saw it when I took it. You weren't there and you didn't see it.
Have you ever heard of Copyright Infringment? Taking someone's work and changing it without their consent is copyright infringment.
I figured you were back when I looked through the recent contest scores and saw the 1s and 2s that were given out.
If you are only here to harrass people and lowball scores what good are you doing? Go harrass someone else. Personally, I don't have time for your childish BS.
My daughter is 5 months pregnant and has been in and out of the hospital. Not that you would care about anyone else! I don't need you bothering me.
Unless you are the God of photography do me a favor and leave me and my photography alone!! |
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| randykeller |
| Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:40 am Post subject: |
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Enthusiast
Joined: 29 Oct 2008
Posts: 11
Location: baltimore, md
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I've debated whether or not to get into this or not, but I just can't resist. I debated because I have had several images that received 1's and 2's that definitely did not deserve ratings that low. Its not completely a question of the difference in people's taste. Voting an image that low requires a whole LOT of personal taste, and in most cases, indicates a whole LOT of a lack of knowledge. That doesn't mean I object to losing a place in the contest because of that vote, but it means there is someone here who is taking cheap shots - not a good thing.
But the real reason for this post is... Someone took another person's image and altered it? For ANY REASON AT ALL? NO one has any business reproducing any of the photos on here without the author's permission. Thats a terrible breach of the copyright law and an insult to us all. And if the offender thinks he/she can explain it or justify it - you are totally misinformed. Not just a little shady - its WRONG WRONG WRONG.
If we wish to critique a photo, then we shuold do it by standard methods - with words that express knowledge of the subject. If we state pure opinion, we should indicate that it is opinion. If we have some facts to backup our analysis, all the better. But we need to leave one another's images totally alone in regard to reproducing them in any way. Photos have titles and locations if you need to reference them, but NEVER reproduce them, and making CHANGES to someone else's photo is unacceptable as well. WHat could possibly make yo think there is any justification for doing something that heinous.
Now I am sure - no, positive - that I will get even more extremely low votes from this day on. So, I guess I'll just have to endure that, right? But God help you if I EVER find you have reproduced one of my images and altered it any way without receiving my permission to do so.
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randy.keller@yahoo.com |
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| TJRusso |
| Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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Aficionado
Joined: 30 Sep 2008
Posts: 88
Location: South Florida
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