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02/20/2004 03:43:33 AM · #1 |
I always appreciate when I get comments on my photos, good or bad. I always read everything and take into consideration what has been said.
However I will not accept comments which are personal opinions of the subjects of my pictures. It is a given fact that people have different opinions of things, but there is no need to call a picture "tacky" or to say the "subject doesn't interest you". I feel that comments should be kept at a professional level. If you don't like a picture say why, and give advise on how you would make it better. For example if you are taking a picture of flowers don't say: "I don't like those flowers" and that's it... you could say: "I think if you took the flowers from a different angle they would appeal better to the viewer".
I did set up an especially difficult picture in the past, only to be told it was "Tacky" from someone. That doesn't tell me anything - just that the person commenting didn't like my subject. The picture itself was difficult to shoot but wasn't recognised as such.
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02/20/2004 03:54:43 AM · #2 |
| maybe there shoud be a box for "un helpfull" comment :O) |
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02/20/2004 04:10:29 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by Apollo2077:
I always appreciate when I get comments on my photos, good or bad. I always read everything and take into consideration what has been said.
However I will not accept comments which are personal opinions of the subjects of my pictures. It is a given fact that people have different opinions of things, but there is no need to call a picture "tacky" or to say the "subject doesn't interest you". I feel that comments should be kept at a professional level. If you don't like a picture say why, and give advise on how you would make it better. For example if you are taking a picture of flowers don't say: "I don't like those flowers" and that's it... you could say: "I think if you took the flowers from a different angle they would appeal better to the viewer".
I did set up an especially difficult picture in the past, only to be told it was "Tacky" from someone. That doesn't tell me anything - just that the person commenting didn't like my subject. The picture itself was difficult to shoot but wasn't recognised as such. |
I agree that comments such as "tacky" and "I don't like the subject" aren't really that helpful. But it sounds like you're saying you'd like us to comment strictly on the technical aspects of the photo and how the image can be improved technically? Subsequently, if we dislike the subject you're taking a picture of, should we keep it to ourselves and vote accordingly?
If we were to confine ourselves to a standard like that, there would be a lot of people posting in the Rant forum asking why they have so many nice comments about technical aspects, but such a low score.
The plain truth is, no matter how well composed or exposed, sometimes the subject is uninteresting (or possibly offensive) to someone. In my opinion (which I know you don't like to hear), if a person doesn't want honest critiques or comments, then DPC probably isn't the place for them. A gallery where comments aren't allowed would be better suited to those who don't want to hear opinions.
Message edited by author 2004-02-20 04:12:13. |
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02/20/2004 04:26:02 AM · #4 |
I knew people would take it the wrong way... There are ways of telling photographers you don't like their subject that would be more befitting to a photography challenge. I'm not saying I only want poeple to say nice things - if they did it would be boring, and no one would learn anything. But what would you make if you got comment telling you your picture had an uninteresting subject with nothing to back it up??? Can they not say why they find the subject uninteresting/unaplealing or boring?? Do you understand what I'm saying??
Message edited by author 2004-02-20 04:27:22. |
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02/20/2004 04:33:45 AM · #5 |
I think it's important to know when someone dislikes an image because of the technical aspects - I haven't presented it well, my lighting or composition or background is poor - and when they think those aspects have been handled well but feel the content itself is lacking in appeal.
Surely one needs to know which aspect is letting them down/ resulting in a low score before one can effectively improve?
At the end of the day, voting is about peoples' personal reactions to images - and most truly great images appeal on many levels, content wise, well taken, aesthetically pleasing etc.
Just my two pence, if you don't like it, just ignore it.
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02/20/2004 04:34:00 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Apollo2077:
I knew people would take it the wrong way... There are ways of telling photographers you don't like their subject that would be more befitting to a photography challenge. I'm not saying I only want poeple to say nice things - if they did it would be boring, and no one would learn anything. But what would you make if you got comment telling you your picture had an uninteresting subject with nothing to back it up??? Can they not say why they find the subject uninteresting/unaplealing or boring?? Do you understand what I'm saying??texttext |
I agree, it would be nice if some commenters were more tactful in their critiques and left helpful suggestions as to how a person could improve the appeal of their subject. The problem is, not everyone has the time for tact and usually you're lucky to get more than a handful of comments on your image, especially an image where the subject is considered "uninteresting". I don't know what to say other than, all you can do is take the good comments with the bad and try to learn from both. |
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02/22/2004 10:26:54 PM · #7 |
L()L...
Don'tcha just love it when things get too personal??
I summited my first shot.. Im horrible I would be the first to admit that. Nothing really special about my shot.. only I thought it fit the catigory.
Hence, I got some pretty bad commits.. most of which I don't understand because Im a prebeginer.
Yet, I have posted tons of poetry. I have recieved many reviews on. Good, Bad, Indiffernt and Psychotic. The way I feel about the different types of reviews is this.
Tear up my work as much as you want.. Tear up the subject the same... But don't ever say anything about me.
You don't know me.. Don't know what I may have been thinking when I took the photo/wrote the poem. All you see is whats in front of you.. Judge that.. don't judge me.
Im not saying anyone hacked on me.. Not sure if they did or not L()L.. Just saying that there are differnt opinions about things.. Differnt flavors for different folks. Can't please everyone, So just Please yourself.
----Thanx.. Im still learning all of the things to do and not to do.
Message edited by author 2004-02-23 00:29:14.
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02/22/2004 11:12:15 PM · #8 |
People have often said that they do not get comments that justify their low scores. If on average people are giving a shot a poor score and not leaving comments it is because they dont really have much to say. Some people have said that they want to know if someone doesnt like it. So we have people asking to be told when the voter doesnt like it, and people asking to not be told if the voter doesnt like it. I, myself, am confused.
I stopped commenting as much after a few challenges because of the negative response to my comments. I've recently tried to start commenting more again. There are certain technical styles of photography that I cannot comment on due to having no knowledge whatsoever in that particular genre. Abstract and impressionism is probably my worse for comments. Part of DPC is also judging how the general population is going to 'accept' your image. If someone says 'I dont particularly like this style of image' or equivalent then you can put a strike in the con column. I'm sure there will be others in the pro column too. I would much rather receive a comment like that and accept it as that person's opinion than receive the low score and assume all sorts of things why that person didnt like it.
One thing you will rarely find on DPC is that people vote on technical merit only. Neither will everyone take into account how you acquired the subject, how much it cost you, how far you had to drive, how many shots you took, how many hours you stood in the water staking a bird, whether the flower only flowers once every ten years for fives minutes or other such difficult shooting conditions. What people see is a final image they either like or dislike - the technical part can be positive or negative or not even play a part if the image strikes a particular chord in the viewer.
DPC is first and foremost a contest site. Yes, we learn things as we go along, either from receiving comments, making comments, looking at other images or so on, but it basically boils down to which picture is prettier within the confines of the challenge. Unless you are taking a snapshot where you want to be patted on the back you are entering an image that may have some marketable value. Surely getting positive, negative feedback from potential customers would be a good thing so as to gauge whether an image would sell or if it appeals to the masses or a niche market.
Hrm, I think I lost my point, or even if I even made one!
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02/22/2004 11:14:16 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by littlegett:
I summited my first shot.. Im horrible I would be the first to admit that. Nothing really special about my shot.. only I thought it fit the catigory.
It is a texture shot of ..... |
Texture voting is still ongoing and you are not suppose to mention specifics that would identify your image. You may want to edit your post to be vague about your submission.
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02/23/2004 12:16:12 AM · #10 |
I've heard many others (in addition to Moodville) say they've stopped giving negative comments because of the negative feedback they receive. IMO, you miss out by writing off any comment as unhelpful or useless. It is one person's view. It's not wrong. It just is. There is probably something you can take away from it if you try.
Moodville - I am glad you have returned to giving constructive feedback. I have just started trying to do so (I'm fairly new here), but time is short and there are a lot of photos, etc. More reasons why I think any criticism given should be encouraged, not beaten down. Sure, they could have said more or said it differently....but the important thing to me is that they took the time to comment in some way why they were giving a low score. It is possible to shoot a technically sound pic that people just don't care for...can be difficult to suggest improvements other than take a picture of something more appealing to them (a la the subject is not interesting). |
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02/23/2004 12:31:07 AM · #11 |
I remember a comment I got a long, long time ago. It infuriated me at the time, but it is the one comment that echoes through my head when I am shooting. In effect, it said, "what is the point of this picture." I believe it had some other stuff with it, but that is what i remember.
When I got the comment, I remember thinking, "Point? The point was to try and take a picture that met the challenge and was slightly interesting." However, after backing up and re-evaluating the situation, I realized that the very best pictures relate to the viewer on some level.
Don't get mad about comments "tacky" or " not interesting." Take them for what they are. comments. If we were meant to give in depth critiques on each and every picture, it would say "In depth critique" on the little box. If your goal is to take a picture with a subject that is appealing to large masses, then those comments have done you a great service in letting you know that you missed the mark, at least with some viewers.
Message edited by author 2004-02-23 00:46:58.
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03/25/2006 03:04:28 PM · #12 |
Yeah, I can never understand how people can only mark positive comments as helpful. I find MOST helpful, because I learn more from the negatives than those that just say "nice". But it's the WAY they comment! If it's something technical yeah, tell me I should have. But if it's something regarding your own tastes, don't tell me I am wrong in my tastes, share your opinion with me. And, if possible, suggest how to fix what I've done wrong. I probably KNOW the sky's noisy, but what do I do next time to avoid that?
Even worse is the voting. I was under the belief that we should vote on ALL aspects of the photo; meeting criteria, subject matter, content, technical details. If one of those fails badly it definitely gets marked down, but if it's great in another area it gets points for that.
So almost never does a picture rate only a 1 from me. There's nearly always SOME decent aspect to it.
In the footwear challenge I got creative. I think technically it's a fairly decent shot, tho' maybe a bit harsh on the light. But I got 27
ones. 27! All because it wasn't obvious that they WERE slippers.
So being obvious in meeting the challenge was the only voting criteria, nothing else mattered. I did get 24 above-average votes, so those who DID know what they were thought the shot was okay. I only got ONE comment on technical details.
In "hands" I've gotten a couple rather nasty comments, but in this case I'm satisfied with them. I intentionally avoided a "nice" shot as I espected there to be plenty of that type, and those telling me they hate it show me that at least I succeeded in arousing a strong emotion. THAT'S what I was going for this time.
Sorry this is so long... you just triggered some of the things that have been bugging me and it erupted :)
To wrap it up, I was taught years ago that the best way to critique is to commend, recommend, and commend. If they hear a positive first they're more receptive to the negatives, and then you leave them on a positive note so they're ready to try again rather than give up.
I know that some folks don't have much time to get verbose, but if you're giving your opinion, try just starting with IMO. There's no need to be nasty, folks, even if you're short on time.
There, I'm done... |
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