jan normandale
Film is the other way
I'll re iterate because I think this got lost in my earlier post regarding what form or shape a critique thread could take
Maybe instead of putting good shots in we put in shots that have had criticism or bad response. No one can be hurt too badly at that point.
Then we could do a 'photo mechanic's review' giving thoughts and insights on the photograph that may have lead to the poor response ie analytic and thoughtful analysis of what could be detracting from the shot.
I think that postive feedback is more appropriate for the weekly pix thread.
Maybe instead of putting good shots in we put in shots that have had criticism or bad response. No one can be hurt too badly at that point.
Then we could do a 'photo mechanic's review' giving thoughts and insights on the photograph that may have lead to the poor response ie analytic and thoughtful analysis of what could be detracting from the shot.
I think that postive feedback is more appropriate for the weekly pix thread.
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ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
When I visit my dentist I want her to tell me the truth. Why should she say that my teeth are fine when they're not?
When I put a photo in a critique thread I want the same.
When I put a photo in a critique thread I want the same.
Wayne R. Scott
Half fast Leica User
jan normandale said:
I think you are onto something here Jan. I have participated in a few of the critique threads. I have posted photos that I know for a fact have faults (a couple of them were really horrible) and waited for the slaughter to begin. It never really happened. Most of the people here are too nice. Actually, many times I think we get "too much sugar for our dime".
They are kind of "closed session" threads limited to 5 participants, so the vast majority of the rff viewers do not look at the threads. Hopefully the threads that I participated in were worth while, but I doubt that I will enter another.
Wayne
mrtoml
Mancunian
I run a 'physical' print exchange in Europe with a web based critique forum and from experience know that you are never going to get a concensus on what constitutes a good or bad level of feedback. People have all sorts of constraints and may happily volunteer for an exchange only to find that the other participants are slow or they find time constraints suddenly impede useful discussion.
I have participated in a few of the RFF critiques and, although the comments were on the brief side and generally positive rather than negative, I did learn something from all of them. But there were no earth-shattering revelations that would change the way I work very much. But I didn't expect this either.
What more would you expect from a forum such as this where you are looking at often badly scanned versions of prints or negatives and where conversation is limited by the medium of the web forum format and time zone variation? I'm sure if 5 of us got round a table and had a discussion with the prints in front of us we would have a much better discussion, but we can't do that so we should accept the limitations of what we have here: which is a very useful and friendly forum where we can exchange ideas without getting our heads blown off.
Also with respect to politeness, isn't it better to gently nudge a contributor in the right direction with some positive as well as negative feedback. If they are smart they will know what to do about their technique and where it is lacking. It is too easy on internet boards for strongly negative comments to get taken way out of context and get out of hand.
This is just my opinion of course, ymmv
I have participated in a few of the RFF critiques and, although the comments were on the brief side and generally positive rather than negative, I did learn something from all of them. But there were no earth-shattering revelations that would change the way I work very much. But I didn't expect this either.
What more would you expect from a forum such as this where you are looking at often badly scanned versions of prints or negatives and where conversation is limited by the medium of the web forum format and time zone variation? I'm sure if 5 of us got round a table and had a discussion with the prints in front of us we would have a much better discussion, but we can't do that so we should accept the limitations of what we have here: which is a very useful and friendly forum where we can exchange ideas without getting our heads blown off.
Also with respect to politeness, isn't it better to gently nudge a contributor in the right direction with some positive as well as negative feedback. If they are smart they will know what to do about their technique and where it is lacking. It is too easy on internet boards for strongly negative comments to get taken way out of context and get out of hand.
This is just my opinion of course, ymmv