And when it's public, the whole community learns from it.Originally Posted by mdm
And when it's public, the whole community learns from it.
And what we usually learn is that people like different things.
“You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.”
― Alexander Den Heijer, Nothing You Don't Already Know
Thats ok, its self regulating. Example: self important but unaccomplished artist photographer specialising in male genital piercings and plump ordinary female torsos gives cosmic a harsh crit, people tell him where to shove it. Some agree. Some disagree. Cosmic takes what he wants and ignores the rest. However if Cosmic is called a talentless little ----- by PM every time he posts a picture, well, what can he do about it? Its almost impossible not to feel hurt by that. Public is much safer.
David Cary
www.milfordguide.nz
I think he should do a whole series on the topic.
I would pay admission to a gallery of such an exhibition. He could be the next Mapplethorpe for all we know. Collectors pay very good money for much less original or inspired art.
I am always amazed at how some people on any type forum will spend so much energy complaining about a post. If you do not like or agree with a post or the subject then just do not read or respond to the post. In this particular example if you do not like the photograph then just pass over it. If you have a "real" critique post it. If you are offended by the photograph then do not look at it or comment...
Photography is a method for us to create something. There are many photos here that I do not care for for different reasons. When I see them I just pass them over and find the ones I do like to look at.
Generalizations are made because they are Generally true...
I guess we should all thank Cosmic for starting another almost philosophical discussion about roles, criticism, and the forum, much like the multitude of threads triggered by a "he shall not be named" now ex-member of the forum.
My first thought is that I don't understand the difference between "discussion" and "critique." The name of the sub-forum is "Image Sharing & Discussion" and the small print says that discussion is welcomed. But then the small print goes on to say that critiques should only be offered if the OP requests it. To me those are somewhat contradictory instructions, unless "I like it" is acceptable under all circumstances, but "I would change this aspect..." should only be offered if asked? My own take is that if one posts in a public forum, the implicit transaction is a give-and-take: "Here is my work, what do you think?" If it is merely "Look at it, but don't say anything" posting an image is merely an exercise in one's ego.
The second thought is that there are discussions in most of the Image Sharing threads, they simply don't reach the level of emotion that this one did. Partly that is subject matter: nudes hit many more "hot button" issues than landscapes, for example. The very preponderance of female nudes vs. male nudes already enters the "gender roles" arena, and the specific image behind this stream of posts, the use of a female body as a vase, with explicit comments on how the flowers were "arranged" is bound to inflame some viewer/readers. I suspect that Cosmic's use of "free form poetry" to respond to anything addressed to him also aggravates emotions, since, to me at least, poetry is not always the appropriate form of response (unless Cosmic always speaks in poetry). Perhaps "Nudes" should be a no-discussion thread, although then we're back to the issue of ego.
Who is the ex member?
And why is he banned?
That was the whole issue of politics and the moderator's roles; those threads have been closed and should be left that way. I was simply struck by the way certain subjects just "grab hold" and trigger many more comments than some less controversial subjects.
Peter,
I have heard this sentiment expressed before on the forums and I must admit it perplexes me. I don't consider myself much of an egotist--far from it--but I share my work here without the expectation of critique. Why share it, then? Well, for me an exchange of images is like an exchange of ideas, and the photos I post are my contributions to the ongoing dialogue.
When I sit around and talk with friends, we share our ideas and opinions on all kinds of subjects. We often do not agree, but we don't say to each other, "Your idea is poorly worded and your grammar is all wrong." Instead we say, "I disagree with you, and here's why." Posting a photo only to have the technical aspects picked apart by forum members is akin to having one's grammar corrected by strangers.
Jonathan
Jonathan, I think you are raising two different issues.
The easier to discuss is the difference between useful criticism and its opposite. If someone says "I like that" or "I don't like that" the comment is relatively useless, because there is nothing the creator of the image can really learn from it. However, if the critique is related to composition or technique, then there is value. One can either agree or disagree with the critique, but it has a substance that can be discussed. Similarly, if you were to point out a grammatical mistake, or a spelling error, in my post, I would have the chance to learn from it. So I do differ with you in that I see a value in "having my grammar corrected by strangers" since I can learn from friend and stranger alike. So when I do post images, I welcome comment, even if I don't explicitly say "critiques happily accepted" in the accompanying text.
As to the desire to post images with no desire for any feedback, that is very personal. Yes, there is value in posting, since I imagine all of us gain inspiration by seeing the work of others. Your use of soft focus lenses has been the primary catalyst in my own curiosity about finding and using one. But many of your photos do generate comments (I remember even some discussion about your diet, after one of your "around the house" pictures from your kitchen!). Perhaps your response would be different if not one of the many images you post ever received any sort of comment, hypotheticals are too difficult to guess at!
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