Critiques and Discussion-- what are they?

[Peter Lewin]

I've gone through the image sharing sub-threads with new work when I signed on, about 7 this morning, and every one is full of "well done!" and other compliments. So do those who are suggesting limiting critiques unless requested also want to limit all the "attaboys" or only criticism? If that is the rule, then we could make it more explicit with " 'Likes Only, No Critiques' ".

[Tin Can]

A very wise suggestion!

Attaboy!

Not making fun of a good idea.

as my "pal" did with me, how about just make contact with someone you want
a critique from send them the image / show it to them in person or online
and then wait for your unthoughtful/thoughtful response via email message pm
or meet up for tea, coffee, crumpets, meze plate, snacks, devil'd eggs, shrimp and dip
nachos, conversation, vino, brewskis &c..

[faberryman]

I've gone through the image sharing sub-threads with new work when I signed on, about 7 this morning, and every one is full of "well done!" and other compliments. So do those who are suggesting limiting critiques unless requested also want to limit all the "attaboys" or only criticism? If that is the rule, then we could make it more explicit with " 'Likes Only, No Critiques' ".

Give a man a complement, flatter him for a day; teach a man to fish for compliments, flatter him for a lifetime.

[invisibleflash]

Just put an option on the post. Critique / No Critique.

[Jac@stafford.net]

It is easier to make a photo that speaks for itself, or not, than participate in the morass of competent criticism.

[LabRat]

It is easier to make a photo that speaks for itself, or not, than participate in the morass of competent criticism.

Generally, don't ask many art critics or others that might tell you it's all Freudian... ;-)

Steve K

[Louis Pacilla]

Just put an option on the post. Critique / No Critique.

And all abide. Simple!

[Steven Ruttenberg]

This thread had me thinking, and this morning I had an idea for a new image-sharing thread.

The idea: to have a "Your Best Photograph of [previous month]." Consent for constructive critiques would be implied and discussion of the technical and artistic elements encouraged. One photograph made or developed in the past month would be allowed per poster (I'm not a mod so this wouldn't be enforceable by me, but hopefully that would be understood and adhered to). New work only.

I'm on the way out the door for a day of freelance work so I'll make a thread tonight. Feel free to 'critique' the idea in the meantime .

I like this idea. I am for it.

[Corran]

I like this idea. I am for it.

Done. For those who want to participate come on down.

Your Best Photograph from the Previous Month - Critique and Discussion Encouraged

[Peter Lewin]

Done. For those who want to participate come on down.

Your Best Photograph from the Previous Month - Critique and Discussion Encouraged

It will be interesting to see how this works. What I see as a downside is that people will take the image they have already posted (prior month) and which has received a bunch of "great photo" comments,, since it is the previous compliments which make it "your best photo from the prior month." Of course, if we are interested in comments on what might not be a magnificent image, we can continue to post those to the usual threads, and mark them "comments and critiques welcome."

I'm reminded of a business school lesson: in WWII they would watch the bombers coming back from missions, see where they had the most bullet holes, and reinforce those areas. Until someone pointed out that those were the non-critical areas, the ones which needed reinforcing were the areas where bullet holes prevented the bombers from making it back. The photographic analogy is that the photos which will most benefit from critique are those which are not the best, rather thant those which have already been praised multiple times.