ferider
Veteran
It's a little like somebody honking, cutting you off, or showing you the finger in a traffic jam. They would never do it face to face (imaging a line at a bank teller for instance 
). Tells you more about them than about yourself (or your photo).
Just ignore it.
Roland.
). Tells you more about them than about yourself (or your photo).Just ignore it.
Roland.
Ming The Merciless
Established
Dexdog, It's actually a picture of me but people keep on telling me "Gee you look just like Levrantii Beria! Do you think I should get plastic surgery?
Last edited:
dexdog
Veteran
Dexdog, It's actually a picture of me but people keep on telling me "Gee you look just like Levrantii Beria! Do you think I should get plastic surgery?
I don't know about the plastic surgery idea - maybe you should post the image on flickr, and poll the viewers... No offense intended, of course
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
dexdog
Veteran
The 'merciless one' is yanking our chains ... I googled and found this!
yeah, I saw that too when I googled beria- it was like the 4th or 5th hit. I have read a couple of books about uncle joe, and may have to pick up the beria book
tbm
Established
10 days ago I saw an image on a Flickr page and was astonished about how many people applauded its "beauty" when, in fact, the digital noise throughout the sky and the awful blown out highlights throughout the sea area from the center to the right side make it, in my opinion, a loser rather than a keeper. I posted a comment on that page to that effect and the guy who captured it responded with "Because I like it that way!" This illustrates one fact about Flickr: Amateur photographers' flaws are so apparent, as is their lack of knowledge about photographic technique in so many ways. Here is the link:
http://flickr.com/photos/scemulillo/3051427458/
http://flickr.com/photos/scemulillo/3051427458/
bmattock
Veteran
The photo has a tilted horizon, which I find disturbing on ocean scenes. I don't think it is a wonderful photo, and certainly not worthy of all the accolades it received. You are a 'professional' photographer, I take it, but somehow you missed that?
However, where on the comments by the photographer did you see "Please tell me how to be a better photographer?" Where did you see the request to correct the comments of all those people who mistakenly think the photo is a masterpiece?
You might note that the 'Comment' capability is just that - a comment. Not a critique. Where did you get the notion that it was your job to critique the photo?
And the positive comments? They were from people who apparently like the photograph. Guess what? They don't have to like it for the right reasons, or for the reasons you find acceptable. I know people who think velvet wall hangings of Elvis are beautiful, or prints of that 'Dogs Playing Poker' painting. I don't agree with their assessment, but guess what - they get to make up their own minds about what they like and don't like, just like you.
And frankly, if the photographer 'likes it that way' as they apparently said, what's that to you? Maybe they do like it that way, and that is your problem how, exactly?
Flickr has a number of people who use it to garner positive comments about their photographs. I guess it makes them happy. I don't get it, don't agree with it, and don't participate in it. Therefore, even though I know it exists, it does not bother me. Why does it bother you?
user237428934
User deletion pending
"Because I like it that way!" is just a normal way to tell you, that your critique is not welcome.
Rule of thumb: don't do critique in flickr unless someone "begs for caning".
Rule of thumb: don't do critique in flickr unless someone "begs for caning".
Muggins
Junk magnet
*sheepishly raises hand and admits to posting bucketfuls of manure on flickr*
I was most amused by one of my (very rare - I think there's about six) comments when someone praised the pale blue of a flower. It's a lab artefact - no dahlia was ever that colour, and certainly not the one I took a photo of! Call me paranoid, but I'd probably be more concerned by being the centre of some of the masturbatory attacks of praise that some pics seem to get than a few bad ones. Possibly why I don't think I've ever commented on anyone else's?
I'm also amused by the way that it's never the pics I like most that other people like. Obviously there's no accounting for taste!
Adrian
bmattock
Veteran
There is actually a group of jokers on Flickr who get a big kick out of finding the worst photos they can find (must be spoilt for choice) and then gang-praising it, with the goal of getting the photo into Flickr's 'Explore'. Why? I have no idea - they find it amusing. People are strange.
user237428934
User deletion pending
Wait a moment. Do you want to say that not every comment under my pictures mean that it's a real good photo? I am shocked!
kevin m
Veteran
The same place you picked up your RFF hall-monitor badge, maybe?
tbm
Established
I posted my response on that guy's Flickr page re his coast capture not to critisize him but rather to inform him--to enlighten him--to instruct him about how to capture better images.
bmattock
Veteran
Actually, that's the definition of 'criticism'.
Criticism can mean 'to find fault with', and many people think that is all it means. However, a critique of one's work is intended to instruct by pointing out (inform, enlighten, and instruct to use your words) how it could be better as well as to point out the flaws in the work in question. You did criticize his work, you just don't understand the proper use of the term (that was my criticism of your understanding of English, how did you like it?).
Again I ask - did he ask you to do that?
Flickr, as I have stated earlier, is not a forum for the criticism of photographs. The comments are labeled 'Comments' because they are that, and not critiques.
Flickr says:
Nothing about performing critiques in there, is there?
On the other hand, many forums, like photosig.com, are actually set up for the type of instruction you hope to provide to poor amateur photographers who are so desperately in need of your services:
Do you see the difference between the two?
My suggestion is that Flickr is not the proper forum for you to provide your free photographic analysis service, and that perhaps people don't care to have you offer the services that, while no doubt very valuable, they didn't ask for.
Thardy
Veteran
There are a few (that I know of ) groups on flickr that are for critiques. Join those and critique away.
CK Dexter Haven
Well-known
Looking at the rest of that fellow's photos on flickr, i wouldn't characterize him as a complete "amateur" nor someone ignorant of "photographic technique." In context, i can understand why he might like that photo. I can understand why others might like that photo. Whether it's a "loser rather than keeper" is maybe more of an aesthetic, subjective evaluation than an empirical truth. You and i might agree, but that doesn't make it gospel. In a situation, like that, i wouldn't bother to post a 'critique.' There's no possible gain, for either of you. It's not as if his entire portfolio is based on these "flaws" and you might be educating him about dynamic range or highlight suppression. He clearly made a choice and he's happy with it, for whatever reason. Maybe the image represents something to him that is more significant than a technical expression of proficiency.
Personally, i never see a reason to 'critique' anyone's work on sites like that. I mean, Who am i to know better? There are things that i like, things i don't like, and things i'm indifferent to. If i spent time giving reinforcement and praise to the images i like, i don't have time for the others. The only exception is when something is offensive or potentially dangerous, or if it's a copyright infringement. I have made a comment on a photo of a very young girl, wearing a t-shirt with a provacative message. I asked the photographer if she knew what the message actually meant, thinking that the implications were not understood, and that if she realized them, she might remove the photo. That comment was not happily received....
bmattock
Veteran
You would be amazed at the number of people who feel it is their duty to inform people that they are overweight, should quit smoking, ought to drive a different car, wear their hair differently, and so on. Most who stick their noses into other people's business seem to honestly believe that they are doing the person a favor by 'informing' them that (for example) they are too fat and should lose weight. They are shocked - really shocked - when the subject of their 'improvement' objects to being told such things.
When I used to smoke, it was not uncommon for total strangers to come marching up and tell me "You know, you'll live longer if you quit smoking." As if a) I didn't know that already, and b) it was any of their business.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Bill,
Some people might be amazed, but on past experience, I certainly wouldn't be.
Cheers,
R.