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04/30/2005 04:36:03 PM · #1 |
Hey everyone. There has been a lot of discussion about people who don't feel qualified to give a critique or comment on a shot because they think that their own work isn't good enough yet. Ya know what? It doesn't matter. All a comment or critique is simply your opinion. Pure and simple and quite frankly, everyone is entitled to and has a right to their own opinion.
Now there is already a tutorial about How to give and receive Feedback and it's very well written, but I'm going to give you a specific example, link to some shots that I have given critiques on and you can see the pattern in my method.
If you read my critiques on the following shots:
  
  
  
  
  
  
If you read my comments on these shots, they all start with a compliment! What I like about the shot. Either the set up, the idea, something I like. Then I comment on what bothered me or what I personally thought could be improved on the shot. Sometimes I get nitpicky, nothing major, but if I pull a shot from the Critique Que and it's already a 10 in my book, what are you going to do? Here is one shot that something bothered me the first time around, couldn't figure it out until I went back and studied it closer.
Okay, then when you are done letting them know in a NICE way what you didn't like about the shot, always say it's strictly your taste, you opinion and your idea, finish up with something positive again.
It's the same as if you are talking to another person and they are wearing something you really like but the belt or purse or shoes don't go with the outfit, IYHO, so you tell them, "Hey, I love that outfit! The colors look great on you! That shirt is fantastic! But I would like to comment on that belt, it seems a bit off from the rest of the outfit, to me personally. Could you tell me why you chose that belt to go with that outfit? Thanks so much, because I really like the overall outfit would love to hear your opinion and/or explaination!"
Pretty easy. Anyone can do it. Everyone can do it if they want. If you're not big into writing long novelettes like I do (can type fairly fast so can do them rather quickly) be short and sweet.
Example:
Love the shot. Colors, composition just wonderful. The blown out area on the right is distracting to me overall though. Otherwise, great job! An 8
Gets the point across, lets the person know or see something they might not have seen before and it really does make you more aware of your own photographs when you are shooting and editing. All the things that bothered you or that you loved on the other shots can be applied to your own! :)
Okay, I've talked/typed long enough, my fingers are getting tired and I still have more critiques to do today. I promised myself at least 2 a day from the Critique Club and I haven't done mine yet today!
Hope this helps and encourages others to make that comment.
Oh, one more thing, for those that get comments and but don't like the message, don't PM the commentor and let them know it wasn't appreciated. That's just not classy. They are doing what everyone has encouraged them to do, state their opinion and if anyone gets that upset over a stranger critizing their shot, they probably shouldn't be putting them up on a public site in the first place. Take the critique in the manner it which it was offered, to help and possibly improve you and well as theirselves.
Deannda |
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04/30/2005 06:38:42 PM · #2 |
I don´t like entering the challenges anymore cause I just can´t take the critisism that I get...I am trying to build up my own style and mostly I get comments saying I´m not doing good cause it´s not mainstream...arghh...
when I recive a critique I want it to be honest and fair...but most of all I want to be able to use it...when ppl don´t like my style they don´t have to tell me...I know I like things a little bit dark and european and not bright and happy and..well american...
So when ppl tell me my model is ugly and the photo is too dark I know it is their opinion...but they don´t have to tell me that...I don´t say bad things about bright and happy photos
Mostly I would just like ppl to look at a photo and think: "Oh, this is a dark photo...how can it be a better dark photo..." or "Oh, this is a bright and happy photo...how can it be a better happy photo"
and then tell me something useful
And also I can´t understand why almost everybody takes everything so seriously...sometimes a photo is supposed to be funny or artistic...and is supposed to be enjoyed as such...
why can´t we all just get along??
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04/30/2005 06:45:01 PM · #3 |
Deannda you have written an excellent post of how to write a constructive criticism. I have read a lot of your comments because I learn from them even if it isn't on my photo. I really appreciate you including my photo of Zachary in your listing too!
Keep leading the way here at DPC, helping us become better photographers! |
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04/30/2005 06:52:03 PM · #4 |
| You comment almost exactly like me. I always say something good about a photo. Even if the only thing I can find good is that it meets the challenge. I also mention things 'I would have liked to have seen differently' and always state that it's just my own personal opinion. I get a lot of compliments on my comments as well, so if people are looking for other examples, feel free to browse my comments given too. I have said a lot of 'bad' things about photos and have had only one person send me a nasty email and that was a long time ago, about a border I said I didn't like. (you know who you are...shaaaame) |
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05/01/2005 12:40:10 AM · #5 |
Bump for the night shift.
Deannda
Night ya'll! :) |
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05/06/2005 05:14:21 PM · #6 |
| thank you for writing this so well. as a newcomer to the site, i often feel intimidated when expressing my opinion about others' work as well. i will do my best to learn from your positive example. :-) |
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05/06/2005 05:24:15 PM · #7 |
I have my own way to 'critique'. Its pretty cut and dry.
What I wanted to say is that I manage/coach baseball. One of the things I do to help my players is do 'sandwich' instruction. Good/Bad/Good.
IE= Your pix is great, in my opinion you should, but overall.
Hmmmmm.....speaking of baseball....
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05/06/2005 05:37:39 PM · #8 |
Learning by your examples is always a great way to improve.
Yours above, as well as reading numerous other CC members ways of doing these was a great help in getting a feel of how to do these as a new member to the CC. The feedback via PM from the members that I have done them on so far was very positive and appreciative.
I have only done a few so far, but offer these as further examples:
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