Critique Forum? :cofused:

[Dracotype]

To follow-up, here are some proposed ground rules:

Proposed ground rules
• Participants limited to 5/thread

I think it’s important to limit the number of photographers because these participants will then “own” the critique (they’ll be subscribed to the thread, as well).

Number of participants and photographs can vary, but groups should be smaller rather than larger.

🙂

I hadn't thought about it that way, but that's a really good idea. In that way, people will be obligated (I don't mean in a bad way) to comment and recieve criticism. No one will be able to randomly spout off something and then run away. It will also concentrate attention on the photos to be critiqued. Hopefully, more attention=more artistic/compositional growth. We will have incentive to be constructive.

Drew

 

[Todd.Hanz]

To follow-up, here are some proposed ground rules:

Proposed ground rules
• Participants limited to 5/thread
• Participants join the thread by posting their intention (simply stating something like: I'm joining, I'm in, or just their name)
• Once the thread is full of participants all photographers upload their images
• Photos/participant limited to a maximum of three
• Photographers post their images without any commentary they cannot offer any initial explanation of the image
• Photographers can only comment on their own images when everyone else in the thread has posted their comments
• Every participant must comment on every photo (except their own—initially)
• Every participant must make at least one positive comment, and one constructive criticism (which is actually two positive comments)
• Once every photographer has commented then a free flowing discussion, in which every photographer can comment on their own work, can occur

I think it’s important to limit the number of photographers because these participants will then “own” the critique (they’ll be subscribed to the thread, as well).

Number of participants and photographs can vary, but groups should be smaller rather than larger.

🙂

just out of curiosity, what happens if someone doesn't fulfill his obligation to comment on every photo, does the "free flowing discussion" never take place? I like all the guidelines but we need to make sure everyone who wants to play gets to.

Are we still talking about a specific forum or are we wanting to post in W/NW and call it "Crit" like was proposed in an earlier post?

Sorry, I'm playing catch up...I had to sleep 🙂

Todd

 

[RayPA]

just out of curiosity, what happens if someone doesn't fulfill his obligation to comment on every photo, does the "free flowing discussion" never take place? I like all the guidelines but we need to make sure everyone who wants to play gets to.Todd

If not everyone fulfills their obligation then it's not a really a successful critique. That's why we need full commitment, and willing participants. Eventually, most of us want to discuss our own photographs and comments they received. To get to point B, you have to go through point A

Maybe we could compile some suggestions from the members here (in a separate thread) on how they look at, critique, and comment on a photograph. People wanting to participate, but who don't know how to critique can use that thread as a reference.

Are we still talking about a specific forum or are we wanting to post in W/NW and call it "Crit" like was proposed in an earlier post?

Sorry, I'm playing catch up...I had to sleep 🙂

Todd

It would be nice to have a forum to place the threads into , but initially the threads could float around in the general discussion, with a unique/consistent title (like Crit).

I'm by no means an expert at this. I've been in a lot of critiques and peer reviews. I proposed these guidelines trying to simulate critiques that I've been in. They are certainly open to modification. I know we have photo and art students here who can help us make them better.

We could also set up one thread with the participants here as a trial to see how it goes.

 

[back alley]

i like the idea of using a thread for now, work out some of the basic kinks and then move into a seperate section.

i like some of the ideas posted also, like calling it a peer review - we all go in as equals.

i think some of the ideas would be hard to implement, like time limits and everyone having to critique before we move on.

what happens if someone posts a comment but they are not officially part of that thread, do we delete the comment?

in the name of keeping it simple, i would suggest (as a start anyway) one pic per person per thread. much less complicated than 5.

i would like the poster to say what they like/don't like about the pic they have posted.

i wonder if we can expect full committment on everyone's part?
this would be hard to enforce and we don't want to drive people away if they cannot commit.

just some thoughts

 

[RayPA]

Five people and 15 photos sounds like a good number.



I've always thought that if I had to explain what I "meant" by any of my photos, then I didn't accomplish what I intended.

What about some reasonable time limit? In other words, the thread has a self imposed close date? Not quite sure about this but if we all know there is a specific time frame, that may help us(well me, anyway) focus[no pun here-I just can't think of another, better word] on the photos and the community?

I hate to bring it up, but what about specific image sizes?
Rob

Well it needs to be brought up. 🙂 I like thumbnails as opposed to inline, but I know that there are some strong and rich 😉 opinions on that.

 

[RayPA]

i like the idea of using a thread for now, work out some of the basic kinks and then move into a seperate section.

i like some of the ideas posted also, like calling it a peer review - we all go in as equals.

i think some of the ideas would be hard to implement, like time limits and everyone having to critique before we move on.

what happens if someone posts a comment but they are not officially part of that thread, do we delete the comment?

in the name of keeping it simple, i would suggest (as a start anyway) one pic per person per thread. much less complicated than 5.

i would like the poster to say what they like/don't like about the pic they have posted.

i wonder if we can expect full committment on everyone's part?
this would be hard to enforce and we don't want to drive people away if they cannot commit.

just some thoughts

One image as opposed to 3 is fine. The 3 was suggested as a maximum (5 is the participant number).

I think non-participant comments would have to be deleted. If they want to be part of a critique they have to join a thread and post images.

Every critique that I've been involved in, the person showing the work puts it up without comments (titles are allowed).The work stands alone, but that's not to say it couldn't work by allowing it. We could try it that way.

it shouldn't really need to be enforced, other than keeping out non-participant comments. The group is small enough that the pressure to follow through should be enough. The group size could be even smaller, like 3, but I think 5 gives a good range of opinions. If it needs to be enforced then it fails, really, and hopefully the other threads have better participation. That's just one of the uncontrollable variables. We just have to hope that the people that join are serious. I wouldn't want to be in a critique thread with someone who has a history of non-participation.

 

[rbiemer]

Well it needs to be brought up. 🙂 I like thumbnails as opposed to inline, but I know that there are some strong and rich 😉 opinions on that.

I don't have a preference about this and so would be happy to do it however works.

I think non-participant comments would have to be deleted. If they want to be part of a critique they have to join a thread and post images.

Not sure about deleting non-participants comments but the "official" participants could certainly pay those no heed--maybe the particular thread starter could respond with something like: "Thanks for your remarks, would you like to join the next critique?"
I noticed the other day when loking at my User CP there is something about "public groups"--is that something we could use for this? ie, make a Critique Group? Dunno if that would be useful, just a thought.
Rob

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Unless we are going to wield the power to delete comments and open or close threads it's going to be hard to control what others do.

I think we should start by simply posting an image and asking for a critique, see how it goes from there.

Todd

 

[ray_g]

Sorry Ray THIS is the wrong approach.

Hmmm... I guess you did not like my idea. 😉

Brainstorming is good. It looks like we are making good progress, and I for one am looking forward to this.

 

[RayPA]

Unless we are going to wield the power to delete comments and open or close threads it's going to be hard to control what others do.

I think we should start by simply posting an image and asking for a critique, see how it goes from there.
Todd

That's already being done, Todd: when someone asks for a critique of their photo (website, blog) in a thread.

I guess this goes back to my very first post in this thread. :angel: 🙂

If deleting non-participant input bothers you then Rob's suggestion would be the way to do it.:

Not sure about deleting non-participants comments but the "official" participants could certainly pay those no heed--maybe the particular thread starter could respond with something like: "Thanks for your remarks, would you like to join the next critique?"
I noticed the other day when loking at my User CP there is something about "public groups"--is that something we could use for this? ie, make a Critique Group? Dunno if that would be useful, just a thought.

Hmmm... I guess you did not like my idea.

Brainstorming is good. It looks like we are making good progress, and I for one am looking forward to this.

🙂 Ray, no offense intended (but I think you know that) and yes brainstorming is good! We'll get this together somehow!! 🙂

 

[Todd.Hanz]

That's already being done, Todd: when someone asks for a critique of their photo (website, blog) in a thread.

I guess this goes back to my very first post in this thread. :angel: 🙂

If deleting non-participant input bothers you then Rob's suggestion would be the way to do it.:

Deleting non-participants doesn't bother me, I just don't see Jorge giving us the power to do so. Asking a moderator to monitor for non-participants and then delete those, seems like a full time job 🙂

Keep the ideas coming, I'd like to see this thing happen.

Todd

 

[robert blu]

I support the idea of a place where to critic photos. Honestly not many ideas how it should be realized. But I like this site, but sometimes feel it a little too related to gear, cameras, tech etc and not so much about images etc.
I' m leaving for summer holidays in a few days and back end of august. Hope you all find a good solution, where I would like to tkae part.
ciao, robert

 

[RayPA]

Deleting non-participants doesn't bother me, I just don't see Jorge giving us the power to do so. Asking a moderator to monitor for non-participants and then delete those, seems like a full time job 🙂

Keep the ideas coming, I'd like to see this thing happen.

Todd

I can't imagine that initially we will have more than a couple of threads going, so managing non-participaing member comments wouldn't be that difficult, IF we wanted a moderator to delete them. If a non-participating member posts a comment then there are 5 participating members who can remind the non-participating member of the rules. I don't see where this is a sticking point, really.

Is there anything else that is unappealing about the approach I proposed?

🙂

.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Is there anything else that is unappealing about the approach I proposed?

🙂

.

I'm good with your ideas, I am sure this will be a "feeling out" process as we go. Now, now how do we get started?

Todd

 

[nomade]

I may have not read all the posts here, but i need that in a bad way 😀