The Good Wifeby
RKTComment by RKT: I need to be clear on this. I will expand on what Mark and Karen mentioned.
More than
upsetting me, the comment
angered me.
It is not
what was said, but
how it was said. It is absolutely alright that people dislike this photograph, or any other. I expect it even. My work certainly does not appeal to everyone due to the fact I tend to make photographs that please
me. That fact that anyone else enjoys them is icing on the cake.
Chinarosepetal, I will never mark that comment as helpful. I will never condone bad manners, arrogance, and as a friend so rightly put it...\"willful ignorance.\" The
reasons given by
kivgaen were at best, highly elementary reactions. The reactions seemed to be that of a total beginner who seems to be unwilling to look beyond the surface and explore the deeper depths of a photograph. A beginner who seems to think they know it all. I cannot abide
any photographer that thinks they know it all and that there is a strictly
right way and a
wrong way to make an image. I\'ve been taking pictures for a very long time and am always seeking out new ways to challenge myself, new ways to look at and see the world I live in. I hope that things change for this person. I hope they find their
curiosity and indulge it. I love when new photographers want to grow and learn...and through this curiosity and hunger, eventually find their own voice.
Also, as Karen briefly mentioned, it is a highly conceptual photograph, and statements such as this:
yes, yes, I see the apron. What\'s your point?
lead my to believe they came from the mouth of a very creatively immature, uninspired viewer/photographer. It just went over his/her head. That\'s fine. Now don\'t misunderstand me, I know people are at different levels technically and conceptually with their photography. I also know some photographers never even enter into the conceptual arena. That\'s fine too. But because someone is new at this, does it give them a
pass to blurt out whatever they please? Is this sort of arrogance ever acceptable no matter what experience the viewer may or may not have? No, it most certainly isn\'t. Perhaps many will think I sound arrogant with what I have just written. So be it. I\'ve been doing this for over 25 years, so I have something fairly solid to base my reactions on and wanted to explain why I found the comment offensive. I always try to be thoughtful with my commenting, and if there is something I don\'t like about an image, I try to find something I do like and make a compliment sandwich, which is much more satisfying than a diatribe of so called technical faults and broken rules. I like to believe there is no
right or
wrong in photography...just
different. And if a photograph just doesn\'t move me in some way, I say nothing at all.
When an opinion is expressed about one of my photographs, I have the right to address that opinion. It is a two way street.
Instead of this:
Okay, first, it\'s not a flower (yes, yes, I see the apron. What\'s your point?). Second, it\'s boring. Third, the framing is static. And fourth... hmm, well there isn\'t a fourth. But I just don\'t like it.
why not say...
I\'m afraid this image just doesn\'t appeal to me.
Photography is vast and wide. The same can be said about the opinions, tastes, experiences, education and willingness to learn and grow within the realm that
is photography. But is there really a need for people to be unkind and disrespectful? And the snark of this,
hmm, well there isn\'t a fourth ...just not necessary.
Photographer found comment helpful.
