Comments on: Dealing with negative critique http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/ The Photocritic DIY photography projects blog Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:15:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Cornwall Wedding Photographer http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-314708 Cornwall Wedding Photographer Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:59:35 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-314708 The only critic that serves any good toward professional development if negative. At college - when we did a crit. The girls - especially the Irish for some reason? - used to flip out and negative feedback. They aren't practising photographers. Probably work in a pub... The only critic that serves any good toward professional development if negative. At college – when we did a crit. The girls – especially the Irish for some reason? – used to flip out and negative feedback. They aren’t practising photographers. Probably work in a pub…

]]> By: Audrey http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-308974 Audrey Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:28:02 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-308974 I can recall how hard it was to be critiqued in art classes in college, but it never occured to me it would be as difficult with photography. I suspect the reason is that I haven't had any really hard criticism yet. Although I have had a friend make jokes about some of my more creative self portraits, I just brush it off as someone who doesn't get that I'm just having a little fun. I can recall how hard it was to be critiqued in art classes in college, but it never occured to me it would be as difficult with photography. I suspect the reason is that I haven’t had any really hard criticism yet. Although I have had a friend make jokes about some of my more creative self portraits, I just brush it off as someone who doesn’t get that I’m just having a little fun.

]]> By: Rob http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-307881 Rob Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:45:26 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-307881 Also add in the 'there and then' element. It is very easy to sit back after the fact and see what anyone could have done better, it is another to be able to do it in front of the client in the middle of a wedding with all the guests and the mother-in-law watching and kids hanging off you and the rain coming and the car waiting etc. You do need to spot them afterwards and try and remember to look for it next time, use the experience to improve. Critism is a lot easier than getting everything right on the day. How many football pundits would have scored all those 'sitters' when they were playing (those that did actually ever play football). Thanks a mil for this post. Rob Also add in the ‘there and then’ element.

It is very easy to sit back after the fact and see what anyone could have done better, it is another to be able to do it in front of the client in the middle of a wedding with all the guests and the mother-in-law watching and kids hanging off you and the rain coming and the car waiting etc.

You do need to spot them afterwards and try and remember to look for it next time, use the experience to improve.

Critism is a lot easier than getting everything right on the day. How many football pundits would have scored all those ’sitters’ when they were playing (those that did actually ever play football).

Thanks a mil for this post.

Rob

]]> By: Photography Links – June 5, 2009 « Photo Notes: Photography by Patty Hankins and Bill Lawrence http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-304888 Photography Links – June 5, 2009 « Photo Notes: Photography by Patty Hankins and Bill Lawrence Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:05:17 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-304888 [...] Photocritic has a post on Dealing with Negative Critique [...] [...] Photocritic has a post on Dealing with Negative Critique [...]

]]> By: DWF » Blog Archive » How To Stomach A Critique http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-304250 DWF » Blog Archive » How To Stomach A Critique Fri, 29 May 2009 12:04:34 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-304250 [...] how mean the posts can be, even a healthy dose of honesty can be a bitter pill.  Which is why Photocritic.org has posted a guide to grappling wih negative [...] [...] how mean the posts can be, even a healthy dose of honesty can be a bitter pill.  Which is why Photocritic.org has posted a guide to grappling wih negative [...]

]]> By: Get a free photo critique! :: Photocritic photography blog http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-301324 Get a free photo critique! :: Photocritic photography blog Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:36:04 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-301324 [...] - it’s worth a read if you haven’t yet. Finally, remember what I said in my ‘dealing with negative photo critiques‘ article - you may not like everything I have to say, but my intention is to help you become [...] [...] – it’s worth a read if you haven’t yet. Finally, remember what I said in my ‘dealing with negative photo critiques‘ article – you may not like everything I have to say, but my intention is to help you become [...]

]]> By: DC http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-300041 DC Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:40:27 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-300041 Just found this post. Good advice! It's always hard to take criticism, in *anything* that we do. Here is one thing that I have started to do for myself, when reviewing a day's shooting. If I'm uncertain about a photo -- or even if I think it's great -- I'll sit back and try to pretend that it's not mine, that I just saw it on a critique forum somewhere. Then I'll give it the harshest critique that I can imagine. "What's with those bright spots distracting my eye?! The composition makes me feel like I'm falling off the frame. My eye wanders around and doesn't settle on anything. Your colors are WAY oversaturated." That does several things -- first, it helps give me a sense of whether the photo really is as good as I thought (and if I still like it -- now I have a better idea of WHY). Second, it prepares me for what others might say, and whether they will be legitimate critiques or just nitpicking. It also helps toughen up the skin a bit. :) I've found that this is extremely useful to do on my own photos, and it's really helped me improve. Just found this post. Good advice! It’s always hard to take criticism, in *anything* that we do.

Here is one thing that I have started to do for myself, when reviewing a day’s shooting. If I’m uncertain about a photo — or even if I think it’s great — I’ll sit back and try to pretend that it’s not mine, that I just saw it on a critique forum somewhere. Then I’ll give it the harshest critique that I can imagine. “What’s with those bright spots distracting my eye?! The composition makes me feel like I’m falling off the frame. My eye wanders around and doesn’t settle on anything. Your colors are WAY oversaturated.” That does several things — first, it helps give me a sense of whether the photo really is as good as I thought (and if I still like it — now I have a better idea of WHY). Second, it prepares me for what others might say, and whether they will be legitimate critiques or just nitpicking. It also helps toughen up the skin a bit. :)

I’ve found that this is extremely useful to do on my own photos, and it’s really helped me improve.

]]> By: Photocritic Greatest Hits vol.2 :: Photocritic photography blog http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-298586 Photocritic Greatest Hits vol.2 :: Photocritic photography blog Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:36:42 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-298586 [...] return of Street Photography 5 - White balance explained 6 - Prime Lenses and why you need one 7 - Dealing with Negative Critique 8 - Expose for the highlights 9 - Teaching photography to a 5-year-old 10 - How to do a photo [...] [...] return of Street Photography 5 – White balance explained 6 – Prime Lenses and why you need one 7 – Dealing with Negative Critique 8 – Expose for the highlights 9 – Teaching photography to a 5-year-old 10 – How to do a photo [...]

]]> By: Ed O'Keeffe http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-256199 Ed O'Keeffe Tue, 13 May 2008 23:06:04 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-256199 Thank you very much for this article - I do a lot of photo-critiques on various forums and events both online and offline, the information here will most certainly be linked to and used when people whine at me for being overly harsh. Thanks once again Thank you very much for this article – I do a lot of photo-critiques on various forums and events both online and offline, the information here will most certainly be linked to and used when people whine at me for being overly harsh. Thanks once again

]]> By: barfusstao http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-252823 barfusstao Thu, 08 May 2008 08:42:41 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-252823 I'm an amateur who picked up photography as a fun way to document my travels. Being self-taught, i realize that there's lots i can improve. I really want to move beyond the obligatory praise of my circle of family and friends and develop my skills. any suggestions on which forums i should seek constructive criticism? i.e., which ones are appropriate to which level and kinds of photographers? thanks! I’m an amateur who picked up photography as a fun way to document my travels. Being self-taught, i realize that there’s lots i can improve. I really want to move beyond the obligatory praise of my circle of family and friends and develop my skills. any suggestions on which forums i should seek constructive criticism? i.e., which ones are appropriate to which level and kinds of photographers?

thanks!

]]> By: JDG http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-251894 JDG Tue, 06 May 2008 20:22:58 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-251894 Very cool post! I guess some critique is better than none. I got plenty of exposure to critiques... group critiques and all sorts of people attacking my work while I was doing my BFA... but you always end up learning so much more when you leave school... and sometimes you lose perspective if you're not working in what you studied (like me)... Very refreshing to read. Made me smile. Thank you! Very cool post!

I guess some critique is better than none. I got plenty of exposure to critiques… group critiques and all sorts of people attacking my work while I was doing my BFA… but you always end up learning so much more when you leave school… and sometimes you lose perspective if you’re not working in what you studied (like me)…

Very refreshing to read. Made me smile.

Thank you!

]]> By: peterg22 http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-251863 peterg22 Tue, 06 May 2008 19:19:35 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-251863 @step21 .. recently critizised a photo in a photography forum. In my opinion I wasn’t being rude, but simply stated my opinion Which seems to be acceptable as long as the photographer isn't famous! Apparently :-) @step21 .. recently critizised a photo in a photography forum. In my opinion I wasn’t being rude, but simply stated my opinion

Which seems to be acceptable as long as the photographer isn’t famous! Apparently :-)

]]> By: Haje Jan Kamps http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-251721 Haje Jan Kamps Tue, 06 May 2008 14:02:11 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-251721 Hey how can you not love Pink Floyd? :) Hey how can you not love Pink Floyd? :)

]]> By: Sime http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-251643 Sime Tue, 06 May 2008 10:48:16 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-251643 Step21... I think I may have even commented on that one. What you have to understand is that forums have many varying levels of photographer - they're not all professionals. While you told her - point blank - that she shouldn't use portrait pro, you have to realise that some people don't have PS or, if they do, they might not be that good at it. I think your post [the one you mentioned above] was a bit harsh and not in keeping with the skill level of the photographer in question, and then asking that she post a full res version somewhere "to silence you" was just plain taunting and upsetting for the photographer. That said, you're right - it's not good just to praise photos even when they are not up to scratch, so to speak. I wish more people would give me some decent critique... As an admin of DPS, I usually don't get anything outside of... "Oh, that's lovely...etc" /rant Great post, Very good points... oh, and I still love Pink Floyd ;) Step21… I think I may have even commented on that one. What you have to understand is that forums have many varying levels of photographer – they’re not all professionals. While you told her – point blank – that she shouldn’t use portrait pro, you have to realise that some people don’t have PS or, if they do, they might not be that good at it.

I think your post [the one you mentioned above] was a bit harsh and not in keeping with the skill level of the photographer in question, and then asking that she post a full res version somewhere “to silence you” was just plain taunting and upsetting for the photographer.

That said, you’re right – it’s not good just to praise photos even when they are not up to scratch, so to speak. I wish more people would give me some decent critique… As an admin of DPS, I usually don’t get anything outside of… “Oh, that’s lovely…etc”

/rant

Great post, Very good points… oh, and I still love Pink Floyd ;)

]]> By: step21 http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-251360 step21 Tue, 06 May 2008 00:26:28 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-251360 Hi, I recently critizised a photo in a photography forum. In my opinion I wasn't being rude, but simply stated my opinion, which I confirmed in another reply, after some others wrote me off as rude. My point basically is that one can only get better through honest critique. Telling everyone who knows where the shutter is on their DSLR how amazing their shots are, is not helping them. The case I'm referring to involved a presumably very point n shoot looking portrait of two people, and the use of some obscure software, called portrait professional. Now it is one thing if the mom from next door starts taking pictures of friends, and then maybe uses some software that she can handle, for a little post processing. But in this case the original poster was talking about her "clients" and stuff like that. I think, when someone starts charging money for their work, they, of all people should be able to accept criticism. And, also very important, they shouldn't use preprogrammed software like portrait professional, that's just unprofessional. What do you think about that? Hi, I recently critizised a photo in a photography forum. In my opinion I wasn’t being rude, but simply stated my opinion, which I confirmed in another reply, after some others wrote me off as rude.
My point basically is that one can only get better through honest critique. Telling everyone who knows where the shutter is on their DSLR how amazing their shots are, is not helping them. The case I’m referring to involved a presumably very point n shoot looking portrait of two people, and the use of some obscure software, called portrait professional. Now it is one thing if the mom from next door starts taking pictures of friends, and then maybe uses some software that she can handle, for a little post processing. But in this case the original poster was talking about her “clients” and stuff like that. I think, when someone starts charging money for their work, they, of all people should be able to accept criticism. And, also very important, they shouldn’t use preprogrammed software like portrait professional, that’s just unprofessional.
What do you think about that?

]]> By: photographyVoter.com http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-251339 photographyVoter.com Tue, 06 May 2008 00:02:44 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-251339 <strong>5 ways to deal with negative photo-critiques...</strong> Dealing with criticism is a difficult thing to do as a photographer -- we have a strong connection with those photos. But critiques will happen, so here are five ways to deal with them.... 5 ways to deal with negative photo-critiques…

Dealing with criticism is a difficult thing to do as a photographer — we have a strong connection with those photos. But critiques will happen, so here are five ways to deal with them….

]]> By: Stacey Huston http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-251240 Stacey Huston Mon, 05 May 2008 20:12:22 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-251240 Wonderfully helpful post.. ON the other end of this spectrum.,...I have a few photos that My husband used on his blog, ( I really don't like them) and everyone that sees them just loves them..(arugh!! I would rather delet them, but I promised my husband I wouldn't) But your right, it is not my job to defend them. after all I am trying to get to a point were I can actually sell my work, and being negative or defensive is NOT the way to get there.. maybe I should ask for some critical advise so I will know where to improve.. thanks Wonderfully helpful post.. ON the other end of this spectrum.,…I have a few photos that My husband used on his blog, ( I really don’t like them) and everyone that sees them just loves them..(arugh!! I would rather delet them, but I promised my husband I wouldn’t) But your right, it is not my job to defend them. after all I am trying to get to a point were I can actually sell my work, and being negative or defensive is NOT the way to get there.. maybe I should ask for some critical advise so I will know where to improve.. thanks

]]> By: Luís Brás http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-250809 Luís Brás Mon, 05 May 2008 05:06:28 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-250809 "It is not your job to interpret your own photographs, it is your job to take them." Well said! I'll print this line and glue it to the ceiling over my bed :-). “It is not your job to interpret your own photographs, it is your job to take them.”

Well said! I’ll print this line and glue it to the ceiling over my bed :-).

]]> By: Scott Fillmer http://photocritic.org/dealing-with-negative-critique/#comment-250734 Scott Fillmer Mon, 05 May 2008 02:17:19 +0000 http://www.photocritic.org/?p=954#comment-250734 Nice post, good point, just found your blog will have to rss. Sometimes what looks terrible to me is great to others and vice-versa, sometimes you just never know. Nice post, good point, just found your blog will have to rss. Sometimes what looks terrible to me is great to others and vice-versa, sometimes you just never know.

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