Bruised Ego - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/26/2005 01:25:06 PM · #27

A) I did not find this thread useless, in fact it was quite informative

B) Perhaps we need a button/symbol on our submissions that stands for:

I am extremely sensitive and cry easily.
Please do not say anything negative to me.
If you MUST criticise, then sugar coat it thickly, and present it in at least a 4:1 ratio of glowing versus negative comments.

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

04/26/2005 01:26:40 PM · #28

....wasn't important...

Message edited by author 2005-04-26 14:07:01.

pitsaman

Canon EOS-30D

04/26/2005 01:31:14 PM · #29

Bobster don't know how to comment,booohahahaaaa !
LOL

Sometimes we need shopping bag over the head,people can be nasty if you criticize their work .

KaDi

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

04/26/2005 01:45:28 PM · #30

I'm not trying to say I'm a great at making comments, but I have never received an ugly PM for a comment I've made...I must be doing something wrong. :)

Looking back at my earliest comments, they were mostly lame. Later, when I was having a bad day/challenge, some of my comments were a little cheeky or harsh. Commenting takes practice!

Story:
I took a rhetoric class in my first year of college so I could learn to write in the "college-acceptable" way. I turned in several papers to the young graduate student teaching the course and received "Nice job!" "Well done!" and flattering grades to go with the comments.

Meanwhile, other students were receiving true critiques on their writing. The instructor would invite them to office hours to discuss their work. I was getting nothing.

So, I went to the instructor and asked what was wrong with my work. She said, "Nothing! Everything you turn in is just fine. Keep up the good work!" But, I complained, I don't know what I'm doing right! You never tell me why you like the work or what makes it good!

The instructor said that she reserved comments for students who were "below par" as they needed it most. I argued that the class, then, was teaching me nothing about college writing--it could just be that I was getting lucky in my compositions and once out of the class I could fall flat on my face in other courses because I had not been taught what makes my writing successful. And, further, I told her, I believe everything has room for improvement--if I were perfect, I wouldn't be in school.

After that, I received full critiques on all my papers.

Moral of the story:
We all need to give and receive criticism. It is part of what helps develop our "ear" or "eye" when we work to create our pieces. I'd rather try and fail than succeed without knowing why.

04/26/2005 02:05:38 PM · #31

Originally posted by Pedro:

@Bob - I tried to applaud your effort in commenting in my post. What I objected to (and continue to object to in your last comment) is the hypocrisy in your reply. Your ego seems to have been bruised by the reply, and you're fighting back with this public thread. It seems you have taken their criticism personally, and are now being counter-productive by trying to prove something (only following your line of thought from the last post).

Didn't mean to come across like that... I'm happy that I've done my part for the community by trying to help people. I haven't taken it personally at all.

In response to the issue that has been raised of trying to be diplomatic and encouraging rather than potentially pithy, can I ask whether people would prefer that I left few in-depth encouraging comments, or many comments that just got straight to the point?

jenesis

04/26/2005 02:13:01 PM · #32

Originally posted by Pedro:

speaking of checking your ego at the door...doesn't starting this thread to whine about that person's whining just smack of irony?

Just a tad so, I'd say. I'd much rather someone state their distaste to me personally through a Private message then start yet another thread about why they don't like a comment made. They are just as free to make their feelings known about your thoughts on their photo as you are to have made it. I applaud them for keeping it between them and you. At least that way it's easy for you to delete and we don't all have to hear about it for the next day or two. Just my 2 cents though.

Matthew

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

04/26/2005 02:18:33 PM · #33

Originally posted by Pedro:

speaking of checking your ego at the door...doesn't starting this thread to whine about that person's whining just smack of irony?

Oh the irony of prolonging a thread with which you disagree by your comments!

I'm off to start a thread about people whining about people whining about people who whine. ; )

EDIT: I might go and have a glass of wine first.

Message edited by author 2005-04-26 14:20:04.

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

04/26/2005 02:19:45 PM · #34

Originally posted by KaDi:

Good post. The story is appropriate and especially timely with the invitational about to get under way. Thanks KaDi.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

04/26/2005 02:20:02 PM · #35

Originally posted by legalbeagle:

Originally posted by Pedro:
speaking of checking your ego at the door...doesn't starting this thread to whine about that person's whining just smack of irony?

Oh the irony of prolonging a thread with which you disagree by your comments!

I'm off to start a thread about people whining about people whining about people who whine? ; )

Just offer them cheese and remind them that it's rude to talk with your mouth full. ;oP

TomH1000

Olympus E-3

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom

04/26/2005 02:29:24 PM · #36

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:

Originally posted by Pedro:
@Bob - I tried to applaud your effort in commenting in my post. What I objected to (and continue to object to in your last comment) is the hypocrisy in your reply. Your ego seems to have been bruised by the reply, and you're fighting back with this public thread. It seems you have taken their criticism personally, and are now being counter-productive by trying to prove something (only following your line of thought from the last post).

Didn't mean to come across like that... I'm happy that I've done my part for the community by trying to help people. I haven't taken it personally at all.

In response to the issue that has been raised of trying to be diplomatic and encouraging rather than potentially pithy, can I ask whether people would prefer that I left few in-depth encouraging comments, or many comments that just got straight to the point?

Personally I have no problem with the "straight to the point" approach but, that does not mean that it has to be all negitive. If you see something good in a photo you should comment on that also. I know you like to comment as much as possible in any given challenge so I understand you must be breif in your comment. I for one have no problem with this because if I don't understand a comment or need more clarification I won't hesitate to PM for a more in-depth explanation.

BeingClever

04/26/2005 03:08:46 PM · #37

Originally posted by legalbeagle:

Oh the irony of prolonging a thread with which you disagree by your comments!

I'm off to start a thread about people whining about people whining about people who whine. ; )

LOL clever - I was thinking the same thing but was trying to be polite. =)

sher

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

04/26/2005 03:09:50 PM · #38

Originally posted by jenesis:

Originally posted by Pedro:
speaking of checking your ego at the door...doesn't starting this thread to whine about that person's whining just smack of irony?

Just a tad so, I'd say. I'd much rather someone state their distaste to me personally through a Private message then start yet another thread about why they don't like a comment made. They are just as free to make their feelings known about your thoughts on their photo as you are to have made it. I applaud them for keeping it between them and you. At least that way it's easy for you to delete and we don't all have to hear about it for the next day or two. Just my 2 cents though.

i couldn't agree more! Private would have definitely been the way to go here. Instead, we have a thread calling out someone who (gasp!) dared to express an opinion about a comment. what is this...jr. high school???

4score

Nikon D80

04/26/2005 04:08:32 PM · #39

Bob' [/quote]

It's funny but to tell the truth (and mind you I don't care nor am I upset with your comment) out of 19 comments I received and at least 4 have said they gave me a 10, yours was the only negitive comment. Now like I said I am not upset with your comment and I found it usefull. After all I am almost 50 years old and have been a photographer for almost as long as you have been on this earth (-: but, my only concern is that your comment criticized only one small part of the photo. I agree that you should not give "bland positive praise" but, a truly helpful comment should contain both positive and negitive input. Just my two cents and I hope that like your comment to me you find this comment helpful to you. BTW, I took a look at your profile and you have some nice stuff there. Keep up the good work. [/quote]

Tom, I also find this topic a bit ironic. I couldn't help but notice that you really don't offer too many comments yourself. You've participated in 8 challenges and have been around since summer of 2003 but I really can see only 2 comments from you! Why not share some of that vast experience you have and help some of the people here...I know I could use it! :) You complain about a comment, but at least people are taking the time to say "something".

Mark

GoldBerry

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

04/26/2005 04:33:26 PM · #40

I haven't told someone to grow-up since I was 16. lol

04/26/2005 04:54:41 PM · #41

Sheesh, same old DPC community.
I haven't made this personal... I haven't named any names.
I'm raising a valid point about how to take criticism.
A lot of the comments in this thread do seem like a personal attack, but I'm not going to give anyone the pleasure of responding to them.

04/26/2005 05:56:50 PM · #42

Couldn't resist... I need to have automatic electricity cut off when I feel the need to rise to an occasion!
This thread was going so well and, dare I say it, on such an adult level until the last few posts which really have become very personal, and have upset me despite my best efforts. I've already said above that the issue came from a place where I was doing my best to benefit the community. I just have to remember that it's only a few people here who insist on proving some kind of maturity by ganging up on anybody who expresses frustration. What the hell did I do to deserve some of the rather cutting comments above? It's some of the people who are calling me out for my supposed hypocrisy who are in fact making this place feel like a playground.
It really does make me wonder why I bother, but I just have to keep reminding myself that most of the people here are wonderful, and in fact most of this thread was exploring some valid points.
Rant over, and I'll try not to let anything upset me again for a while.

jenesis

04/26/2005 06:07:35 PM · #43

Sorry for getting personal, If I did I didn't mean too. But I do think my point is a valid one as is yours.

Now I'm off to a lighter thread, I have to check out the new WeeMees!! :-) That's where all the mature folk hang out. ;-) (kidding, jab jab... poke poke)

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/26/2005 06:17:46 PM · #44

Originally posted by jenesis:

Your comment was made respectfully, and I appreciated your opinion although I disagreed ;-) It's other folks who I'm referring to. But yes, I was amazed with my WeeMee which bears an amazing resemblance which I've already posted

Artan

Canon Digital IXUS v3

04/26/2005 06:23:07 PM · #45

Have a anyone ever wondered if anything can be said, without someone else seeing it at a personal assault on something or other.

It's the true diversity of our species which make things fun.

The DPC community is just a simple microcosm of the bigger picture..

tolovemoon

Canon EOS Rebel SL1

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

04/26/2005 06:28:21 PM · #46

Hey I would love to have any comment on any of my photos good, hate, suck, bad, cute, ya know its seldom to get comments by others of any pictures that are in portfolios if they arent in a challenge....
Please BobsterLobster, I rather take a comment like his because it will make me do better... Seeing others views for what they are worth I would pay for the comments :) just so I may get a tad bit better

Nitin

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

04/26/2005 06:51:44 PM · #47

I like all kinds of comments, good or bad.

Bob's comment on my free study was "Centred composition does not work for me". While I may disagree with that for a sunset-photograph (Search google images for sunset), I still appreciate voters telling me why they did or didnt rate my entry well.

I dont see why the comment should have been sugar coated with 3 sentences of praise followed by the criticism. I'm happy to get more short comments than fewer longer ones.

PhilipDyer

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/26/2005 07:45:09 PM · #48

I really appreciate the opinions stated throughout this thread. All of them seem to be in an effort to help improve feedback so that we can help each other become better photographers, which is very much appreciated.

But I completely disagree that "platitudes" such as "Great lighting" or something like "I really love this shot" are useless. If someone felt moved enough by your photo to take the time to tell you that they liked it --and specifically what they liked about it-- that kind of comment is anything but useless. If anyone is so confident in their ability to take photographs that they don't want positive feedback, then they certainly shouldn't need negative feedback either, nor would they be inclined to agree with any criticism that people would offer them. I say keep the "nice shots" coming.

And please note that this message isn't targeted at anyone in particular. I just want to say that I appreciate feedback of all kinds and think there is a place for pretty much all of it.

maxj