Everyone gets a trophy

[Pieter12]

A bit of a rant. I'm cranky today.

When I was growing up, I heard "if you don't have anything good to say, then don't say anything" about other's creations, appearance, speech, etc. Isn't that a lot like "everyone gets a trophy"? I bring this up because I have observed some forums where people post images (made with quite expensive and sometimes exotic photo gear) that would be better off staying on their computer. It provokes the critic in me. But if no-one says anything, how do they improve? I'm not saying to rip the image to shreds along with the photographer's ego and feelings, but only positive comments seem welcome. Some forums have a "like" or "thumbs-up" button. None seem to have a "meh" one. Or maybe they don't care to learn and improve or that is just the best they can do. And if there is a constructive (or god forbid, negative) comment, offense is taken and hordes come to the photographer's defense. I'm not asking for masterpieces or that the images suit my taste, just why did they think some of those photos needed sharing? I shoot plenty of crap, I certainly don't hold it up for the world to see.

People can post what they want. Maybe it's to their detriment that the audience is too polite.

 

[BrianShaw]

Yep, you’re cranky. But that’s okay as it happens to all of us. You’ll get over whatever has you cranked.

 

[Don_ih]

Frankly, I'd prefer someone honestly stated the shortcomings of whatever I happen to post. Some people are more insecure, though, and are hesitant to show their work due to fear of people disliking it. Anyway, a lack of reaction is generally a good sign of apathy on the part of the audience. There's no need for a "meh" button, since no reaction does the job perfectly well.

Consider on this forum, if your gallery post gets 400 views and 3 likes - that's 397 "meh"s.

 

[retina_restoration]

You're not wrong, but the internet is built on everyone patting each other on the back for whatever piddling thing they did. You can vomit in the street and people will hit that old Like button by the millions. There’s a lot to be cynical about in modern life.

 

[Vaughn]

Hopefully people who want to tear the work of others apart can accept criticism about their criticism. I have found that is rarely the case.

 

[Raghu Kuvempunagar]

Consider on this forum, if your gallery post gets 400 views and 3 likes - that's 397 "meh"s.

How to reconcile this with this ?

You can vomit in the street and people will hit that old Like button by the millions.

 

[MattKing]

When I was growing up, I heard "if you don't have anything good to say, then don't say anything" about other's creations, appearance, speech, etc. Isn't that a lot like "everyone gets a trophy"?

While I've heard it said that way, a much more useful version is:
"If you don't have something constructive to say, then don't say anything".
I agree with that - both with and without my Moderator's hat on.

Consider on this forum, if your gallery post gets 400 views and 3 likes - that's 397 "meh"s.

The photos in the Galleries are both something to appreciate, and something to comment on.
The same applies to the threads.
Just viewing a photo is actually enough.
I rarely use the Like utility there, because I much prefer to comment when I feel the need to express appreciation.
But that doesn't mean my reaction to the photographs I don't comment on is "meh" - it just means I don't feel I have anything to add.

 

[Heinz]

When I joined photrio (APUG) I posted a significant part of my photos here in the "Critique Gallery" and was impressed by the quality of constructive critique I got there. I think it helped me to improve.

In this photo: https://www.photrio.com/forum/media/waiting-dog.44068/ I got "only" positive comments, but I started an interesting discussion on "Like" buttons - which did not exist at this time on APUG...

P.S.: I hope I will soon start again posting images (bought an Epson 850 Scanner just a few weeks ago...)

 

[CMoore]

I am not sure i, completely, grasp the timbre of the OP.

I used to view The Gallery quite a bit, and made quite a few comments. I need to start again. It was always one of the best parts of APUG.

Anyway................. When i did comment it was because there was something or things i like about the photo.
Various things.
I am not much of a "Landscape" guy..........rocks trees fog, etc etc.
Those photos have no appeal to me, but they do not "Suck"
So i simply say nothing about those kinds of photos.

I do not recall seeing much negative, and certainly no excessive negative comments.
Is that the complaint of the OP............... the lack of critique because it might be misconstrued as negative rather than helpful.?

Is life really that confusing..???

Helpful........... Nice shot.
Maybe consider the horizon line next time, or shoot 2 and see what looks best.

Negative......... I get seasick looking at your crooked photos. Are you Dutch.?
If not, leave the Dutch Angles to those that are

 

[koraks]

"if you don't have anything good to say, then don't say anything" about other's creations, appearance, speech, etc. Isn't that a lot like "everyone gets a trophy"?

No, I don't think so. One is about "live and let live" - don't get in each other's way, avoid conflict where there doesn't need to be any, respect other people's choices etc. The other is about actively rewarding anything, regardless of effort, intent or result. I think there's a major difference between those two approaches.

 

[Don_ih]

I take "meh" to be indifference. While I said you can consider views that don't generate "Likes" to be "Meh"s, I don't think it's really the case. I think there are many admirable photos in the gallery here. But, like @CMoore more or less said, not everything is to everyone's interest. Some people only really like photos of people, for instance. Taste is variable.

The word "meh", for example, leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Or it would if I'd ever said it.

 

[BrianShaw]

How many times has this thread (or any other thread) been viewed without a comment left? Not sure that really means anything at all. Don’t overthink it or be cranky!

 

[Don_ih]

How many times has this thread (or any other thread) been viewed without a comment left?

It would be a little similar. Some people may view the thread because they're interested or curious but have nothing to say about it. Same with looking at a photo. They may look at it (click on the thumbnail to make it full size) due to interest but not have anything to say and not bother to click a "like" button.

While it's nice to have your work appreciated, as well as what you say, that would be a pretty servile reason to make it public. A desire to express yourself is a better reason. You can do that without pleasing anyone.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

 

[TJones]

Some forums (e.g. LFF, when it’s working) have a policy similar to “Critiques should only be offered if requested by the original poster.”

 

[loccdor]

What people like in an image is subjective.

As this site has photographic education as a large reason for existence, seeing images with shortcomings could be even more important than seeing masterpieces.

The idea that only perfect images should be shared is a stifling one that unnecessarily holds back the flow of creativity.

Another person isn't going to be trying to do the exact same thing with their photography as you are.

A consensus on a piece of art doesn't always mean very much.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

If you need a pat on the back, ask your mother.

 

[CMoore]

If you need a pat on the back, ask your mother.

Hear Hear................... and enough with the damn Rocks and Trees already

 

[pbromaghin]

If you need a pat on the back, ask your mother.

Well played.

 

[Thwyllo]

Lulu doesn't want comments.

But it does underline one thing which is that, as amateur photographers, we are usually desperate for others to see our work, even at the risk of being shot down. I definitely subscribe to Thumper's philosophy unless (1) someone positively requests feedback, and (2) I have something constructive to say, even if it's a better photo than I could take!!

 

[stevenje]

Before the days of the internet, about the only public comment on any “works of art” was from an “art critic” in some sort of publication or outlet. The public could comment on the editorial pages, if the publication wanted to devote the space to them.

Now we comment on every aspect of life at the speed of light. Good, bad or otherwise. Here we are.

I would find it funny, If back day you went to an art gallery and left a Post-it note stuck the picture frame with a comment.

“This sucks”

“Put some clothes on that women”

“I think you hung it upside down”

“The yellow is too bright”

This afternoon I will be headed to the local art gallery with a pad of Post-it notes in hand.

I am sure that soon I will be on some sort of social media, with plenty of comments, before the ink has dried on the first one.

 

[4season]

I've shared many a mediocre photo, but sometimes it's taken me awhile to recognize it as such. Then I'll see someone tackle the same theme more compellingly, and this puts things in better perspective, and inspires me to do better. I'm pretty open to questioning the way I do things (he said, flattering himself), but I can't assume the same is true of others, unless the topic/forum/photographer specifically solicits critiques.

Some folks simply like sharing photos of happy people, pets, stuff they wished they owned, or stuff they might have acquired over a lifetime. And I get it: Artistry isn't always the goal.

 

[Thwyllo]

Before the days of the internet, about the only public comment on any “works of art” was from an “art critic” in some sort of publication or outlet. The public could comment on the editorial pages, if the publication wanted to devote the space to them.

Now we comment on every aspect of life at the speed of light. Good, bad or otherwise. Here we are.

I would find it funny, If back day you went to an art gallery and left a Post-it note stuck the picture frame with a comment.

“This sucks”

“Put some clothes on that women”

“I think you hung it upside down”

“The yellow is too bright”

This afternoon I will be headed to the local art gallery with a pad of Post-it notes in hand.

I am sure that soon I will be on some sort of social media, with plenty of comments, before the ink has dried on the first one.

Oh god, I hope none of these tick tock people are watching

 

[pentaxuser]

Lulu doesn't want comments.

But it does underline one thing which is that, as amateur photographers, we are usually desperate for others to see our work, even at the risk of being shot down. I definitely subscribe to Thumper's philosophy unless (1) someone positively requests feedback, and (2) I have something constructive to say, even if it's a better photo than I could take!!

Lulu has an expression on her face that says it is 1789 France, her neck is resting on something and she is saying "I knew there had to be a snag with being an aristocrat's cat "

pentaxuser

 

[Thwyllo]

Lulu has an expression on her face that says it is 1789 France, her neck is resting on something and she is saying "I knew there had to be a snag with being an aristocrat's cat "

pentaxuser

Funny you should say that because Southwest France is exactly where she is....along with 20 more orphans just like her 🫪