Critique Club Qualifications? - DPChallenge Forums

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

07/18/2003 06:41:24 PM · #1

I'am curious as to what the qualifications were for members to join this Critique Club?

Are the Critique Club members amateurs or members with some type of degree or education in photography?

I would think if they were just amateurs with no more experience in photography than the person submitting the photo you would be just getting another persons opinion and not a qualified professional critique.

I know they are volunteers and it is a lot of work. But I would think if you are going to come down on a photo, you had better have the credentials to back up what you are saying correct? especially if you are going to come down on the submitted photo in an open forum and not in a private message.

I have read just a few critiques and I do not agree 100% with what I have read. But then again I do not have a degree in photography either. I'am self taught and trained over the last 30years.

But then a critique is nothing more than one persons opinion right?

Say one of the "Masters" takes a photo of a night club neon sign (I saw this just the other day on the Internet) and it becomes priceless and sells for over $2,000.00, yet if an unknown photographer takes the same shot it can be just trash?

Just a friendly discussion :) But then I suppose this topic could go on and on and ........

:)

Calvus

Message edited by author 2003-07-18 18:42:37.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

07/18/2003 06:45:46 PM · #2

I have said this in the past but i will definitely share it again here :)

The critique club is made up of volunteers of all levels of photography. What you get from the critique club is an opinion and may or may not coincide with your own views of the photo, but, none-the-less, it is another opinion.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

07/18/2003 06:53:19 PM · #3

When that 'master's' work sells for $2000, its probably name association at that point. It happens when people get famous :)

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

07/18/2003 07:00:38 PM · #4

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

What you get from the critique club is an opinion and may or may not coincide with your own views of the photo, but, none-the-less, it is another opinion.

John

I guess that is one point I was trying to make.

It may not coincide with the photographers opinion and it may not coincide with another Critique Club members opinion. It is simply another opinion. What is a true work of art to some may just be trash to others.

I for one do not understand how a "Master Photographer" can sell a picture of a neon sign for over $2000.00. But I guess if he can find someone to fork over the money. More power to him. Maybe we should all line up behind him!

:)

Calvus

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

07/18/2003 07:01:55 PM · #5

Originally posted by Calvus:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
What you get from the critique club is an opinion and may or may not coincide with your own views of the photo, but, none-the-less, it is another opinion.

John

I guess that is one point I was trying to make.

It may not coincide with the photographers opinion and it may not coincide with another Critique Club members opinion. It is simply another opinion. What is a true work of art to some may just be trash to others.

I for one do not understand how a "Master Photographer" can sell a picture of a neon sign for over $2000.00. But I guess if he can find someone to fork over the money. More power to him. Maybe we should all line up behind him!

:)

Calvus

It's simple name association. People will pay simply because it was done by a notable person. If they were REALLY notable, it would sell for much more than that :)

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/18/2003 07:07:36 PM · #6

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

It's simple name association. People will pay simply because it was done by a notable person.

Yes, like the "Frasier Cranes" of the world. When he bought the priceless artwork for thousands and found out it was a fake when the artist came to his home :)

Calvus

frisca

Nikon D70

07/18/2003 07:15:39 PM · #7

to get back to the question of qualifications, I think the benefit of the CC is giving a photograph a longer look and providing the artist with more indepth feedback. "Everyman" votes on the challenges, so if you want to know what "everyman" thinks..sometimes the CC can help with that, AND even amateurs can at least tell you what stands out and what doesn't. True, you may not agree, and they may be a bit out in left field, but at least someone has taken the time to comment at length and you can take from that what they say, or form your own (contrary) ideas based on what they say.. win win. :)

jimmythefish

Canon EOS-10D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

07/18/2003 07:19:07 PM · #8

But you will get a fairly detailed breakdown of your photo, and the point of view is always valuable as it will assuredly represent one voters' point of view. You don't create photographs for elites to enjoy - you create photographs for everyone to enjoy. Great photographs have mass appeal.

As for the $2000 neon sign photo, things have value in context. How much would you pay for a bic pen vs. a bic pen once chewed on by Marilyn Monroe?

07/18/2003 07:24:38 PM · #9

I agree.

If the critique is done after the voting and the member knows who submitted it, isn't it possible that the critique could be biased.

What if the critique was done not knowing who submitted it? :) Could be interesting.

We all know artist have tempers, would it be better not to post this critique out in a public forum? Maybe send it in a "Private Message"?

Food for thought;

Calvus

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

07/18/2003 07:26:33 PM · #10

Originally posted by jimmythefish:

How much would you pay for a bic pen vs. a bic pen once chewed on by Marilyn Monroe?

LOL :)

Personally I would not pay $0.10 for the second one

Calvus

Alpine99

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

07/18/2003 08:04:03 PM · #11

I'll start the bid at 10cents.. I know others will pay more.. and I think that's the same with name association...

When an artist is starting out it's important for them to keep receipts for their work as it's proof to the next person that not only are they buying something they like but also something of value.. I was looking at a painting recently and the gallery offered to show me proof that the artist's work had been sold for more...

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/18/2003 08:13:05 PM · #12

Originally posted by Alpine99:

The primary benefit of the name recognition is that people LOOK at the picture for more than 5 seconds. Study ANY picture for 2 minutes and you will probably be able to write one or more paragraphs about what--if any--artistic merit it has and which techniques work or don't, regardless of your own training or professional status.

Message edited by author 2003-07-18 20:15:10.

07/18/2003 08:19:22 PM · #13

I have a great idea!

Lets start a critique challenge. Lets post one photo, open for critique and like the photo challenges keep all the information hidden until the challenge is done.

No anonymous comments or critiques allowed!

Now that would be interesting.

Calvus

Message edited by author 2003-07-18 20:19:51.