Can a newbie critique an image by a seasoned professional?

[mhickey]

A lot of feedback, I hope it has been helpful. Remember that there is a difference between critiquing and commenting. And within the realm of critiquing it can be about technical issues, artistic execution and the list goes on. I like others here like feedback. What I do not like is someone who critiques from a level of arrogance but they have nothing to prove their 'expertise'. I have gotten great feedback from newbies, mid-levels, pros and just passer-bys. But what I have gotten from someone who takes pleasure in demeaning others and they have no skills of their own is only heartburn.

You have taken the right approach in my mind. You have walked into the room and said 'oh, look at all of you' and not 'oh look at me'. To me, your head and heart are in the right place. But that is just my opinion and many think I am crazy.

Mike

[cindavphoto]

I didn't mention names because I didn't want to drag other people into this. I tried to find the post so I could send both to you privately, but for the life of me can't find the one posted by the newb. Maybe it wasn't by who I thought it was or maybe it was pulled for some reason. I've tried searching for it a couple of different way. I did find the post by the seasoned pro, but didn't link it because without the original it looses it's impact.

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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.

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Im backing Cinn on this because I was the first one to blast the guy for posting a senior that appeared topless...then I saw the pro do the same thing...and I was shocked!!! was I wrong to blast the newb?...I didnt know what to say...but I didnt blast the pro because of the reprise I might get..
Don.

[cindavphoto]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
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.

[/ QUOTE ]


Im backing Cinn on this because I was the first one to blast the guy for posting a senior that appeared topless...then I saw the pro do the same thing...and I was shocked!!! was I wrong to blast the newb?...I didnt know what to say...but I didnt blast the pro because of the reprise I might get..
Don.


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I'm glad somebody else remembers this, because for the life of me I can't find the original post. Thanks Don for backing me up on this and letting me know it did actually happen because I was beginning to think I'm loosing my mind since I can't find it.

[Zairia]

My take on it: I'm still pretty new to photography. I've been at it about a year or so. I don't know what level I would be considered, and I don't know a lot of the technical aspects of it yet. I can tell a photographer whether I like it or not, but I still don't have the capabilities to proffessionally tell them why and what exactly.I can't tell them what lense should or should not be used,lighting, and so forth. I can say in laymen terms what I like and don't like about it but thats about it. So I just continue to learn from others.

Zairia

[Doug_Lester]

AMEN!

[jimmyd]

[ QUOTE ]
But that is just my opinion and many think I am crazy.

Mike

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that's because you are crazy. but it's a very likeable and entertaining crazy.

[mhickey]

are you the pot and i am the kettle?

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]Mike

[Doug_Lester]

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I can say in laymen terms what I like and don't like about it but thats about it. So I just continue to learn from others.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm confident others will disagree with me, but as far as I'm personally concerned that's what I prefer. I've been shooting B&W photos, amateur, then pro, now amateur again, for more than 50 years. When I post a photo I damn well know what is right or wrong with it from a technical standpoint. If I post a photo which breaks one of the 'rules', trust me, I'm well aware of it. I rarely get it, but but what I'm interested in is do you like it or not. If you can say why you like or dislike it, then that's the gravy for me. I don't know why, but when I post a photo it usually gets high traffic, but rarely gets any comments at all.

A few years ago I posted an image the pros or "seasoned" photogs all loved, but in private emails the inexperienced photogs and models, the newbies and lurkers hated it. So I dumped it! My target market is the average person, so comments from the average person is what I prefer.

So as far as I'm concerned, comment away and don't worry about technical critiques.

[Titan]

[ QUOTE ]
I am new here and I just finished reading "An observation and advice for new photographers and models to the forum" posted by Brattitude, so I thought I would take some of Toni's advice and put a little work into contributing to the forum with a few questions.

An item that particularly interested me in that thread was in the reply from Jacki M ("Here,Here")

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I didn't critique anyone's work-especially not the seasoned pros (I still don't dare do that!) If I had, I would have fully expected some very negative feedback....

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I understand this completely. - I feel the same way. - From comments I have read in other posts I suspect that it is fairly common.

The thing is, I also read a post from Mike Hickey ("So who did we lose?") and in one of his responses to a reply he says:
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The interesting thing is I have posted many in the past that bugged me and no one said a word, not one comment. That could mean a lot of things or nothing.

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So my questions are:

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

and to all the "Seasoned Professionals" out there:

Did you know that you were held in such awe that many people are not prepared to make a critical comment on your work?

Would you want to hear the views of the rest of us? Would it be impolite to comment, or are we in fact being impolite by not commenting?

Any thoughts?.......

[/ QUOTE ]

hope you don't mind me jumping into the middle of the discussion and adding my 2 cents to the end of the thread.

here's my opinion, I love GG. Great place to learn and just share a sense of community with other like minded people.

There is also a lot of EGO.

I feel that unless a photographer either likes your work, or thinks you are a good or better photographer than he is, he will not value your comments on his work unless it's all praise.

just my 2 cents. Oh wait, make that 1/2 cent i'm not a very good photographer. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]