Can a newbie critique an image by a seasoned professional?

[jimmyd]

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Would it be impolite to comment, or are we in fact being impolite by not commenting?

Any thoughts?.......

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you brits often seem caught up in this polite/impolite thing. forget that. if you have an opinion and you offer it in an intelligent and thoughtful manner, regardless of your personal level of expertise, i say offer it up.

[jimmyd]

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However your eyes are absolutely beautiful and my favorites of you are the photographs that show them off. What makes you such a hot model is the rest of the package terrific as well, but it's still the eyes I look to first.


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"It's all in the eyes, isn't it?" - Sir Laurence Olivier

[Al_Nowak]

This forum is mainly about photography and largely populated by photographers. Thus there is a built in bias to the audience. Supposedly, they know something about photography.

But when someone asks for an opinion, comments, or critique of an image, are they assuming that the responses will be strictly related to technical aspects? Personally, I hope not. If you put an image up for general critique, you should be prepared to hear from all comers regarding any aspect of the image.

Most images aren't created just to be viewed by other photographers. They're meant for general audiences. That golden rule that "gotta post an image if you are critiquing" should be banished, it really serves no purpose other than to try to limit the audience. That's silly... why limit the audience? Realistically you should want the broadest possible audience.

Now then if you post an image and ask for comments on a specific technical area, say the lighting ratio or whether a lens choice was appropriate, you may have some basis for expecting replies from people who have some knowledge of such things.

Otherwise, everything about the image is fair game and no holds barred from anyone; photographer, model, casual visitor, never even picked up a camera passerby, etc...

If your ego bruises easily, take suitable precautions.

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[cclesue]

misinterpreted by some but I believe it's the truth.
Years ago I attended a PPA function where a "Reknown Photographer" spoke after which I asked him to critique my fledgling portfolio. Pointing out a few of the sexier images his only comment was do you want a reputation for sexy or for mainstream. Keep in mind this man had made his name as a wedding and family photograher.
"I didn't think they were that bad" I told him.
"Don't be concerned with what I think," he said, "play to YOUR clientele. Know your potential customers."
I think he was right. If I want to make money I needed to understand where the market was an play to them. I used to work for a very successful photographer in Utah and although he took great glamour and boudior he never showed them in the studio simply because he knew it would ruin his business in that semi rural area of Utah. Story goes there was a photographer near here that took a senior pic that momma didn't approve of and she literally picketted his studio. He's still in business so I guess it didn't kill him but I wonder how many sittings it cost him.
I'm not familiar with the images you are talking about but I can't help wondering if the comments weren't more to warn you of potential pitfalls to a flegling career than an actual critique of the image. As to the similar image from the "PhotoGod" (your words) I suspect most of us would think he/she has already established their rep so no use cribbing on that.



"Oh good grief, now what" for those interested it was a girl . . .her third.

[cindavphoto]

It wasn't my images. I don't do seniors in a nude style unless their parent is here and approves of the idea. Some do, some don't. It was someones else image, but I don't want to say who because I don't want to drag them into this. But my point is, how can they see the potential pitfalls when someone else with an established career and portfolio does the same thing and it's "ok". We read all the post, not just those directly attributed to us. So therefore my concern is the confusion something like that causes people who are trying to learn. There are a couple PhotoGod who likes to tell everybody to break out of their box, yet everthing I see from them is the same.

This in not about critiques I've recieved. I don't even remember what the last critiques I've had were about.

This site just seems to have become a popularity contest.

[Driftwood]

Thanks Jacki. I have received nothing other than warm welcome on this site, but I still feel like a newbie - (that's okay, new is good!).

I too have seen some of those posts from people who choose the wrong way to criticise (In defence of the newbies - they aren't the only ones who get it wrong!) I know that there is a right way and a wrong way to offer criticism, and that those ways can change depending on how well you know each other (I try not to be rude to strangers, but my best friends will understand me!).

I understand the point you are making and I know I have taken your words out of context in order to stir up this discussion. I should probably apologise for that but the thing is I am quite glad I did it really because I'm enjoying hearing other peoples thoughts on the matter. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Look what you started?..... Just another exchange of opinions. Sounds good to me!

With regard to Robert's picture of you, I can't comment on the background. I haven't got past the foreground yet. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[JackiM]

what I think of the newbie critiques in the other thread about observations of newbies and you quoted me in this post...so I know it was the last sentence of my other post that helped provoke this one. I think I already made my point though Thanks for understanding what I meant. I was bascially saying show respect when commenting on someone elses work. You stirred up alot of thought today. That's what I love about this place. It turned out to be very constructive and the newbies and veterans were both able to speak their sides and come to a general agreement-I think... so good for you[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

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How many of us refrain from commenting on the images of the "seasoned professionals"?



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I'll critique them when I see obvious things wrong that I've been taught by the same seasoned professionals..when I see basic things they leave in an Image that was preached as a DO NOT DO THIS in an Image...I dont think because you are a seasoned pro gives them liscense to forget the basics...
JMO...
Don.

[bsphoto]

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I thought I'd take this opportunity to share with you all why I don't participate very much here anymore. Although I do still lurk quite a bit.

I simply quite critiquing or posting for critique because I felt it was all just starting to depend on who you are. A newb or a less seasoned proffesional can post a shot a be trashed for it. But if one of the photogods posted the same kind of shot, it was wonderful. For example....someone posted a senior shot that was kind of close, showed bare shoulders and implied she could be nude. He was told how wrong that was. How that was in bad taste. But a week or so later one of the photogods posted the same kind of shot, a senior with bare shoulders implying she could be nude but it was "wonderful". A beautiful shot. Now can somebody tell my why this was?? Why the newb who is trying to learn got trashed but the photogod was praised for doing the same thing? I've seen this several times so I just don't bother anymore. If confuses us who are trying to learn.

Cinnamon

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Missed that, could you link?

[darrellp]

Okay maybe the title stretched things a bit, but I agree with your post!
Best Regards,
Darrell