So... HOW do you... - DPChallenge Forums

02/14/2016 11:08:11 PM · #1

So... HOW do you... comment on an image in voting (or elsewhere)?

Do you tell folks what you think they want to hear?

Or... do you tell them what you think about their image... after honestly considering their image?

When I first came here... I got many comments on my images...

Some were complimentary... others were not.

I appreciated both, although the "I think you should have done this" ones stung at first. I was used to my family's and my friends' comments on Facebook. Ha!

But... as time went on... and I grew... I appreciated the "negative" ones more... the ones that told me more about what they'd like to have seen in my image... more than the ones that told me what they already saw in my images. Of course... I'd already seen what they'd appreciated in my images... I'd seen it myself before I entered it. (Just being honest here, folks!)

What I wanted to see... and still do... is what others find as... lacking, in my images.

WHAT MORE could I have included?

What would have made the viewer smile? Or weep? Or wonder? Or...

What would have caused the viewer to FEEL... more?

I love all comments... I really, really do! But what I really love is when they tell me what could make my image better.

My family and friends have always told me... what I wanted to hear.

I joined DPChallenge to hear...

The Truth.

Tell me the truth about my image.

Yeah... I know you don't know which one is mine...

So...

Tell EVERYONE the truth about their image.

Kindly, of course... but...

You won't help anyone... by telling them that they are amazing... if you think they suck. Or by telling them that they're decent... if you think that their image sucks.

Even if that's what they want to hear and complain if they don't hear it.

Comment, folks.

Tell people... honestly... what you think of their image... If they complain... SC will let you know! Ha! But... even SC knows that honesty is the best policy. People are here to ... hear the truth about their image. They want to know ... ACTUALLY KNOW ... what you think about their image.

If they don't want to hear the truth... they'll go back to their friends and family who will tell them they are amazing (as mine did before I got here... they're REALLY picky now! Ha!... or they'll find another site. ;) )

If they do... I'm okay with that... because... I like to comment to help folks... and if my honest comments are not encouraging others to think about their image again... and evaluate my comment as nonsense or truth... or somewhere in between... then... they need to go back to their friends and family and think that they are great... and that they don't need to improve.

I need to improve.

I thank you all for every comment you give to me.

My family loves me.

You tell me the truth. *grin*

Thank you for that.

I've learned SO MUCH! I was... a... nobody as a photographer until I got here.

(I probably still am... but... don't tell my family... they like it when people pay me to photograph them.)

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

02/14/2016 11:31:37 PM · #2

Lydia, dear, I'll stick my head in the lion's mouth.
(Kidding)
Sounds as if you have had some problems with commenting lately, and while I only took a cursory look at your comments,
I'll just tell you how I do it. Maybe there's a pointer or two here, maybe not...

When giving a critical comment, I'm likely to say something like:

"If this was mine, I'd probably process it [in this manner, giving details] would it be better? hard to tell, but it is a different approach."
"however, it isn't mine, it's yours, and you made a different decision. The voters [liked], [didn't like] your effort.
and that's fine. it's a learning process, either way."
another useful phrase is: "I like this part of your image, but that other part is difficult for me to understand."
or
"I don't exactly understand how this meets the challenge, but I wasn't there, you were and you were in a position to make the decisions."

Does this help?

Message edited by author 2016-02-14 23:32:25.

gipper11

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 50mm f1.8

02/14/2016 11:34:22 PM · #3

Actually I do tell the truth good, bad or a combination of both, if you tell them everything is good when it isn't then you are not doing them any favors. Point out what you think and ways that may improve it in some way. There isn't very many comments being made to begin with.

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

02/14/2016 11:36:16 PM · #4

I'm not looking for how to comment better... although, I'm sure I could use that advice.

Thank you, Alice!

I'm trying to encourage folks to comment with "REAL" comments... to help others who are lessor... or better photographers than they are.

I love comments. ALL comments.

I've learned almost everything I know about photography from...getting... and GIVING (evaluating others' photos) them.

Comments are the key to learning here, IMHO. :D

tnun

Ricoh GR III

02/14/2016 11:58:41 PM · #5

it always helps to know who is "lessor."

02/15/2016 12:04:52 AM · #6

Originally posted by tnun:

it always helps to know who is "lessor."

Oh dang.

You're right.

It's "lesser".

Sorry!

I am the lesser in our grammar. :D

skewsme

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens

02/15/2016 12:21:02 AM · #7

so... rather than trying to be more tactful, you just want everyone else to be less tactful? >:-P

Originally posted by Lydia:

I'm not looking for how to comment better... although, I'm sure I could use that advice.
Thank you, Alice!
I'm trying to encourage folks to comment with "REAL" comments... to help others who are lessor... or better photographers than they are.
I love comments. ALL comments.
I've learned almost everything I know about photography from...getting... and GIVING (evaluating others' photos) them.
Comments are the key to learning here, IMHO. :D

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/15/2016 12:23:31 AM · #8

I think most people have been scared off of leaving honest comments, or even commenting altogether with all the concern of being PC. Sad but true.

As for commenting better, I've seen your commenting and don't think it needs any improvement. You are honest and offer substantive feedback.

As a general note (not particular to you), comments that question the legality of an image, or the interpretation of the challenge are not encouraged. The legality , if in question, should be reported, but should not influence your vote or comment. The interpretation is part of creativity, and while it might not float your boat (and you are free to comment on THAT), it's not cool to tell someone they interpreted it wrong.

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

02/15/2016 12:34:27 AM · #9

Originally posted by skewsme:

so... rather than trying to be more tactful, you just want everyone else to be less tactful? >:-P

Originally posted by Lydia:
I'm not looking for how to comment better... although, I'm sure I could use that advice.
Thank you, Alice!
I'm trying to encourage folks to comment with "REAL" comments... to help others who are lessor... or better photographers than they are.
I love comments. ALL comments.
I've learned almost everything I know about photography from...getting... and GIVING (evaluating others' photos) them.
Comments are the key to learning here, IMHO. :D

skewsme.

But... yes.

Please message me if you have something personal that you'd like for me to fix.

I welcome ... actually... I look forward to your... comment on my comments.

tnun

Ricoh GR III

02/15/2016 12:49:15 AM · #10

no, I was not really commenting on your spelling; only by the way.

Lydia, I know you think you are being helpful by saying what you think is amiss in a photograph, but you always see so much that is amiss that I wonder if often you are not missing the whole of the photograph.

Anyway I doubt very much that anyone has ever been helped by a comment of mine. At best I hope they have laughed or even been glad. But that is the humble contribution of a possibly lesser photographer.

02/15/2016 01:00:31 AM · #11

Originally posted by tanguera:

Thank you for your encouragement.

So... if there's a "Make SURE you use THREE (and only THREE!) Images in your Entry" challenge... and we think only one image was used...

We should vote as if it were... and then we should ... not comment at all?

That's our goal?

Or... should we tell the photographer what we see is degrading their vote on their image... and vote as if it were three images?

I love the "vote as if it were legal" rule.

But... as an entrant... I want to hear why they voted me lower... WHY did they think my image did not meet the challenge topic? WHY did they think I did not use THREE (and only THREE!) images in my entry and voted (or didn't) my image lower than the rest?

Anonymous voters are the only ones I can count on to give me the truth about my image.

I will not hold them accountable if... for instance they ... don't know how to combine three images and can't see the truth if it hit them between the eyes... Ha! Sometimes I misunderstand the topic. (My score shows that every time... I want to... KNOW!! I want to KNOW how I could have improved my score.)

PLEASE. PLEASE tell me about my image.

What you love... what you hate... what you'd liked to have seen... what you loved seeing...

If you question the legality of my image, obey the rules. Vote as if it were legal... and report my image as illegal. Let SC decide if it's legal.

If you question my interpretation of the challenge topic, vote as you will. SC can't help you there.

If I've interpreted the challenge topic in a way that you don't agree with... vote your way! And then tell me why you've done so.

SC has no dog in that fight either.

If I've interpreted the challenge topic in a way that your image does not show... and I've left a comment and/or a vote showing my view... that's mine (and your) right here.

If my comment/vote offends you, feel free to PM me... (the polite, and most expeditious route)... or... post it on the forum (the most public route), or report it to SC privately (if you're afraid of the first two routes).

Everyone who posts an image here is... by their entry... asking for comments.

Please comment on their images...

Just... comment on people's images. That's what we're here for. To learn and encourage.

Not the other stuff.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/15/2016 01:05:00 AM · #12

Originally posted by tnun:

So.. you're saying, Timothy, that you'd rather not have a comment from me at all... rather than hear what I "think is amiss"?

I really, really truly want to know. (not kidding)

I want to know if you'd rather not have a comment from me at all... than have me tell you what I think is a bit off.

Truly.

Please tell me.

I might be amiss in my thinking... since I love comments on my images so much.

tanguera

Nikon D750

02/15/2016 01:24:21 AM · #13

You could have said something like "to me, HDR exhibits [your parameters] and I this images is lacking in those areas". Or something along those lines.

For everyone else, geez, find a way of dealing with receiving comments.

tnun

Ricoh GR III

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

02/15/2016 01:28:46 AM · #14

absolutely nothing wrong with Lydia making her Lydia comments. I am merely commenting on the Lydia comments.

JakeKurdsjuk

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

02/15/2016 05:03:56 AM · #15

Interesting.

I tend not to gush in my comments unless the image really has an impact on me. More times than not I comment on "almost" images where I believe the photographer got most of the way there but either stopped short and missed a few things, or went too far and perhaps made a bit of a mess that needed cleaning (halos, etc.). I suspect some folks take them as backhanded compliments ("It's a really nice image, but..."), or they may feel I'm overly negative, but they're given because I respected the image and feel they simply missed the mark. I've gotten mostly positive feedback when someone replies, but others have taken it as insult even after I've apologized and explained myself. Not all skin is the same thickness.

I came here to learn and I was hoping for critical and honest feedback, and I was disappointed by the utter lack of it unless you asked after the fact. It's only been during the DPC and DPL where my teammates and I actively sought critical reviews that I really got them, and it helped tremendously. I appreciate it when a commentor calls me on an edit, either because I missed something or because they would have made a different choice, and on occasion I'll follow up with them directly to thank them for taking the time and either explaining myself or perhaps to debate what it is they saw if I feel they missed something. Those conversations are what I like about this place, I just wish it happened more often.

mitalapo

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/15/2016 06:31:54 AM · #16

Originally posted by tnun:

Anyway I doubt very much that anyone has ever been helped by a comment of mine. At best I hope they have laughed or even been glad. But that is the humble contribution of a possibly lesser photographer.

there is no such thing as unhelpful comments.

Tiny

Apple iPad mini 4

02/15/2016 07:07:51 AM · #17

<<<<<<<<<<<<---------

NiallOTuama

Google Pixel 2

02/15/2016 07:36:03 AM · #18

Originally posted by Lydia:

Really? You're trying to convince us that you took several images... and then... added them all together to make one image with... more DOF than could normally happen?

I hope you don't get the brown.

Nice and helpful and measured comment that I found without too much effort.

Message edited by author 2016-02-15 07:53:13.

salmiakki

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony Sonnar T* 35mm F2.8 ZA

02/15/2016 08:32:29 AM · #19

Originally posted by Lydia:

I wouldn't find that comment very helpful. Just shows the technique of HDR is not understood by the commenter.

NiallOTuama

Google Pixel 2

02/15/2016 08:43:17 AM · #20

Originally posted by salmiakki:

Originally posted by Lydia:
Really? You're trying to convince us that you took several images... and then... added them all together to make one image with... more DOF than could normally happen?

I hope you don't get the brown.

I wouldn't find that comment very helpful. Just shows the technique of HDR is not understood by the commenter.

Yeah. I suppose.

Message edited by author 2016-02-15 08:43:33.

pixelpig

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 1.8/50mm SAM

02/15/2016 09:54:45 AM · #21

If I knew which entry was Lydia's during voting, I could maybe leave her the kind of comment she seems to want. But I don't know, so I have to comment only on the image I see.

I don't want to assume anything about the unknown photographer's process or intentions, much less make critical comments based on such assumptions. That kind of discussion is much more valuable & interesting when it's a 2-way conversation with the photographer--after rollover.

PennyStreet

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko

02/15/2016 10:19:06 AM · #22

Originally posted by salmiakki:

+1 In voting (and commenting during the voting period) I feel it's courtesy to give credit to the entrant for putting their effort out there. If someone wants a critique on their entry they should click the box or ask for it after voting.

NiallOTuama

Google Pixel 2

02/15/2016 11:31:07 AM · #23

Originally posted by PennyStreet:

Originally posted by salmiakki:

Originally posted by Lydia:
Really? You're trying to convince us that you took several images... and then... added them all together to make one image with... more DOF than could normally happen?

I hope you don't get the brown.

I wouldn't find that comment very helpful. Just shows the technique of HDR is not understood by the commenter.

+1 In voting (and commenting during the voting period) I feel it's courtesy to give credit to the entrant for putting their effort out there. If someone wants a critique on their entry they should click the box or ask for it after voting.

I must admit I misread the last of this comment as "I hope you get the brown" in my pre-coffee haze!