A desolated beach... just the way we like it.by
TygerrComment by Tygerr: Originally posted by TheMegalomaniac:
You mean deserted don't you ? Desolated implies misery...3 (sorry). |
Initially this comment upset me quite a bit. It criticizes my knowledge of the English language, rather than my photography (and in the forums I even posted the various dictionary definitions for "desolate" which include "deserted" as a meaning - in fact, it was that definition that gave me the idea for the photograph).
Don't get me wrong, I don't think the photo deserved a better score. I wouldn't have voted it higher than a 5 myself (but I'd still rather enter a less worthy photo, and receive comments and learn from it, than abstain from a challenge because I wasn't happy with any of my shots).
I was just unhappy that the comment didn't have anything to say about the photograph, and rather focussed on semantics.
But after thinking it over for quite some time after the voting ended, I actually realise that this comment is just as helpful as all the others. See, a lot of people complain about the fact that the DPC voting process is very subjective, and that only a certain style of photos are "fashionable" with the voters.
But that's just part of getting people to respond to your photos. Even professional fine art photographers have to deal with this. You have to make people feel something before they're willing to think about a work of art.
And that's what Megalomaniac's comment is all about. The lack of a real feeling of desolation in the photo is what leaves the viewer underwhelmed by the image.
I will remember that in future. In order to connect on an emotional level with a viewer - to get them to feel something about a picture - you have to address the hidden implications and connotations of the subject. Meeting the dictionary definition simply isn't good enough.
So my view on comments remains the same: "Any comment is a good comment."
Photographer found comment helpful.
