featured photo critique

[FrankS]

We go to great lengths at RFF to be polite with each other, to not step on any toes, and to not hurt anyone's feelings. Critiquing a photo is a touchy topic because feelings may be hurt. I think that we might be ready for a little bit of honesty and frank talk.

I'm going to start by saying that I am more impressed with an extra-ordinary photo of an ordinary subject, than I am of an ordinary photo of an extra-ordinary subject. Both photos give a good impression, but for different reasons.

The current featured photo is of a very interesting-looking man (an extra-ordinary subject), but is it an extra-ordinary photo? I do like the way the photographer has positioned the man so as to have a dark background on one side, and a light background on the other. Unfortunately when I look at this photo, all I see is the bright background area above the man's head. Had the photographer lowered the camera's viewpoint, this may have been hidden by the man's head. Then perhaps this would have been an extra-ordinary photo.

(Having said that, I'm certainly not claiming that my photos are great or superior in any way.)

Opinions?

 

[Toby]

If the point of this site is to help us all become better photographers then constructive criticism should be given in this spirit. I don't like negative criticism of my work (who does?) but if the upshot is self improvement I'm happy to take that medicine. The bottom line is the spirit in which it is given.

 

[TPPhotog]

For myself if I see a picture that has something about it I really like or has meaning for me I'll comment on it. I see things that would make a picture more interesting to myself but that doesn't mean that those changes would make it a better picture for anyone else.

I don't go into critique as I am yet to meet a picture editor I agree with so I have no hope of meeting the standards that we seem to impose on ourselves.

 

[hoot]

Thanks for raising this issue, Frank. I, too, am often at a loss as to whether to give honest critique or not. What the critic may perceive as "constructive criticism" might not be seen that way by its recipient. Personally, I think a generally foolproof way of critiquing an image is by suggesting how it could be improved rather than pointing out what's wrong with it. Finally, we should always remember that it's usually easier to critique a photograph from the comfort of our computer consoles than to go out there and take the photo.

If anyone is offended by one of my critiques, I hope they'll let me know!

 

[Doug]

If I make a comment, and it's not all positive, I do try to offer a helpful suggestion regarding the negative... 🙂

Frank, on the current featured photo, several of its attached comments echo your own concerns...

 

[back alley]

i think we're getting there frank.

if you look at the comments that were left in the gallery, i noted the white bg as distracting and others brought up areas for improvement as well.

joe

 

[MP Guy]

I would like to keep this thread alive and active with more comments on all featured photos as they change. Stay tuned for the next one.

 

[f/stopblues]

It's one thing to give constructive criticism and another entirely to constructively pick it apart. To see the latter, click on over to pnet and look at the POW. It turns me off so completely to see photos deconstructed like that. It's accepted and welcomed to give an opinion, but above all, respect the photographer and their work. I think our Featured Photo comments are right on track.. warmly honest.

Chris

 

[FrankS]

All-righty, then. Last time I clicked on the picture, only the positve 5 or 6 first responses were posted then.