Honest critique

[faberryman]

Who cares what random people on the internet have to say about your photography?

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

As part of my job as a photography instructor, I participate in critiques on a regular basis. I've learned to temper my critiques so that they are critiques and not opinions, because I'm providing feedback to students. Those students are coming from all different backgrounds and approaches to photography. Everyone has opinions, and they're certainly valid, but unless the opinion is explicitly requested, it's best to focus on four things when providing critique: what was the photographer's objective for the image, what about the image works to support that objective, what doesn't work, and how they can improve the image. I don't think it serves the hobby to discourage people, because their goals and aspirations are different from yours/mine. IT can be hard to do, when someone presents images that they're proud of but violate every principle of aesthetics (and even sometimes ethics) that you hold dear.

 

[DonW]

Photo forums seem to attract process and gear types. I dare say only five percent of Photrio's members have the artist and educational depth to provide a credible critique.

That being said given we are all members of "this" tribe it's always nice to get a "nice photo" comment from one of ours.

 

[cowanw]

As part of my job as a photography instructor, I participate in critiques on a regular basis. I've learned to temper my critiques so that they are critiques and not opinions, because I'm providing feedback to students. Those students are coming from all different backgrounds and approaches to photography. Everyone has opinions, and they're certainly valid, but unless the opinion is explicitly requested, it's best to focus on four things when providing critique: what was the photographer's objective for the image, what about the image works to support that objective, what doesn't work, and how they can improve the image. I don't think it serves the hobby to discourage people, because their goals and aspirations are different from yours/mine. IT can be hard to do, when someone presents images that they're proud of but violate every principle of aesthetics (and even sometimes ethics) that you hold dear.

Nicely said and quite right, Scott.

 

[AnselMortensen]

Or the dreaded "you must have a nice camera."

Hmmm....that was a delicious dinner....
You must have a nice stove!

 

[faberryman]

Or the dreaded "you must have a nice camera."

Given most photographers obsession with equipment, why would you expect anything different?

 

[warden]

Given most photographers obsession with equipment, why would you expect anything different?

I don't expect anything at all. "You must have a nice camera" may miss the mark as a critical response to an image but at least the comment was the result of a positive experience with the image. Most folks don't have the vocabulary to go beyond simple responses to photography, painting, etc and that's not a problem with me. I'll take "you must have a nice camera" any day of the week, and wouldn't dream of correcting someone who offers it.

 

[reddesert]

Anna Boacharova (sush) has posted on some common photo sites. Some commented - "looks like pictures were taken by the child".
https://anna-sush.photographer.ru/

I enjoyed browsing through the photographs on her web site. Thanks for posting it.

IME from long-ago art class, critique is a hard thing to do well. The medium and technical minded discussion of say an internet photography forum and its personalities are not the warmest environment for it.

There are photographs where I think, I couldn't have visualized that because I don't have the technical skill to make it come out (like master printmaker, A. Adams type); and more interestingly there are also photographs where I think, I couldn't have visualized that because I wouldn't have seen that there was an image to be made there, which transcends, or is strengthened by, any technical imperfections. Some of Anna Bocharova's photos are like that for me.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I enjoyed browsing through the photographs on her web site. Thanks for posting it.

IME from long-ago art class, critique is a hard thing to do well. The medium and technical minded discussion of say an internet photography forum and its personalities are not the warmest environment for it.

There are photographs where I think, I couldn't have visualized that because I don't have the technical skill to make it come out (like master printmaker, A. Adams type); and more interestingly there are also photographs where I think, I couldn't have visualized that because I wouldn't have seen that there was an image to be made there, which transcends, or is strengthened by, any technical imperfections. Some of Anna Bocharova's photos are like that for me.

Anna is professional photog. Does it for living. Her dark room prints went on display as well.

 

[VinceInMT]

I've pursued this hobby for 40-some years purely for my own satisfaction. Not many people outside the family and friends see my work. Then, 5 years ago, I enrolled in a BFA program at the local university where all of my studio work, photography and other mediums, is critiqued by the professors and peers. For the most part the assignments are on a conceptual prompt of some kind the work is evaluated beyond the technical. One piece may generated 45 minutes of discussion. You have to take it for what it is and hopefully let it inform your future work.

We have juried exhibitions every spring and while I haven't entered a photograph yet, I have had drawings, sculpture, and ceramic work accepted. On opening night it's interesting to stand within earshot of the work and hear the occasional comment.