Don''t Patronize Me!! - DPChallenge Forums

08/06/2002 09:05:35 AM · #1

1) Let me begin by saying I am not starting this post to support being able to see the names of commenters, or be able to write to them during the challenge. I believe I can be patient enough to wait until Monday.

2) I have, from the get-go (since joining dpchallenge), received comments from people that I am not particularly happy about. After absorbing the comment, I think I have done a good job at growing thick skin, and reread comments in the vein they were intended: frank, constructive critisism.

3) I have participated in forums where I have done a *there, there* cyber pat on the back to other's rants about negative comments....

4) I am hoping the person who left me the particular comment last night was just in a bad mood which can be over-looked by me later....

That said:

I know my photo for "Something old" wasn't great. I have begun to be able to look at a photo and critizise it myself and even "score" it: "Oh, this is about a 6, I bet", or whatever. I looked at this one, laughed, and said to myself. "Not your best. Probably a 4 or a 5! But, go ahead and submit because I'm on withdrawal", and, as I've posted before, I am having "photographer's block" (of sorts) - so I thought throwing myself into the "game" I could activate some creativity. So, I went out and photo'd. Well, the photo is getting exactly what I expected: a 4.6 (currently, although it was at 5 for a bit), but most importantly, it is getting comments that I totally agree with, and saw myself before submitting.

What does this serve? Wasting people's time? I hope not. And so sorry if I did. I'd rather look at it as validation of my own thoughts, and so still a lesson learned.

BUT!!! There is a particular comment that I have referred to above: the one from last night.
It is taking every morsel of control to not post it here (because I don't like that): so I will just say I will revisit this again on Monday.

My return message: Don't patronize me!

Sorry this is vague and long...

Kimbly

Canon PowerShot G2

08/06/2002 09:11:50 AM · #2

Hey Karen,

I know the feeling. Just think, maybe on Monday when you look back at who wrote the comment, you can look at their portfolio (or lack thereof) and criticize their work too ;-)

Obviously, when you're posting stuff and asking for critiques, you make yourself vulnerable to this sort of thing. But I'm coming to realize how some people really don't understand that they're being offensive.

Hope you feel better :-)

08/06/2002 09:20:16 AM · #3

Thanks, Kim. I wasn't going to post... but being able to rant did get it off my chest so to speak.

I have often been able to blow-off comments, but this one ticked me off.

Gotcha

08/06/2002 09:40:07 AM · #4

Hey Karen,
I just wanted to say thank you for "Not" posting the comment here. I think that shows your moral fiber. You are one of the people here at DPChallenge that I view as a support pillar, in that you lead by example. I am looking forward to reading through your comments at the end of the challenge & I hope many others will as well. If this comment is as offensive I believe it will be (If it upset "YOU", It's got to be bad)I know the admins will take the appropriate actions. I'm sorry this happens. -Mike

shortredneck

Olympus C-3000Z

08/06/2002 09:48:45 AM · #5

I may have even been the one you are referring to in the comment, I don't know. This is the very reason I don't like feeling the push to leave comments on as many photos as possible. I believe you are very good at every photograph you take and I envy your talent. I really meant it when I said it was worth a 10. I just can't give it for a something old challenge because it is in no way representing "old". If that is patronizing, I apologise.

We all get comments that we don't like and I am trying very hard to ignore them. One in particular this time is "it's the rule of thirds, not the rule of fifths". I disagree wholeheartedly with that critique but I won't ever be able to change that person's mind.

I think I will go back to not leaving comments.

08/06/2002 09:55:38 AM · #6

No, shortredneck, doesn''t sound like yours.
I may even be reading into it too much... but I''d be interested in seeing if other''s would have taken the comment the same way I did.
Thank you for your support.

Gotcha - thanks! You always have a kind word.

* This message has been edited by the author on 8/6/2002 9:55:30 AM.

shortredneck

Olympus C-3000Z

08/06/2002 09:57:27 AM · #7

I guess I feel pretty guilty for leaving any kind of critical remark. That's just me. Hang in there Karen. Don't let it get you down.

lisae

Olympus C-720UZ

08/06/2002 09:57:38 AM · #8

The problem with this kind of post in the forums is that it makes everyone worry that it was their own comment... I know it makes me worry! But I'm pretty certain that it's not mine because I mostly leave favourable comments these days, on photos I like. I've run out of enthusiasm for posting criticism, I guess because I know that if there's something obviously wrong with a photo it'll be pointed out by enough people that I don't have to chime in.

And anyway, for me it's fun to find things I like about a photo. It's very therapeutic. I also think people can learn as much from praise as they can from criticism, because knowing what you're doing right is important.

Agamemnon

Olympus C-700UZ

08/06/2002 10:02:28 AM · #9

I am quite sure it isn't me, but your right that it can make you parinoid even if you expect you did nothing that could offend anyone. I even went back and signed mine.

08/06/2002 10:02:32 AM · #10

By the way, shortredneck... don't stop leaving comments. Leaving comments helps both parties involved - usually! ;-)

08/06/2002 10:04:21 AM · #11

Sorry. Like I said.. I didn't even want to post this rant... just had to get it off my chest.
Don't get paranoid. Go about commenting per usual.

Like I said also: I hope I took it the wrong way.. but I keep rereading it.....

RedRuthann

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

08/06/2002 10:05:38 AM · #12

I know that I've been leaving very frank remarks - but really not to offend, I'm trying to relay what I see. I started out very very polite and not really acknowledging what I see that may need improvement - but that is totally from my point of view and in no way is my opinion the end all. I apologize if I offend anyone. Personally, I would much rather have a constructive comment than a "mmmm pineapple" sort of comment - that is nice that you like pineapple, but it really does not help me grow as a photographer. So I've been trying to give comments that may at first seem harsh, but I'm really just trying to be constructive. I also sign my comments, and if someone is really offended, they can let me know.

I don't remember who said it in another thread, but they were talking about how each person interprets a comment differently - it is how each individual reads the comment. Our own experiences greatly influence how we interpret things, especially written words.

So I'm very apologetic if I'm the one you are referring to (but I do sign).

For me, well, I know I am still learning and it is very tough to receive those comments, but I value the one's from the people that participate here regularly. I have learned a lot.

PS - Karen your work is great.

Ruthann

RedRuthann

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

08/06/2002 10:06:32 AM · #13

OH yeah - it's great to be able to vent!! We all need it.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/06/2002 10:36:52 AM · #14

I just had an email conversation with a moderator who on one level agreed it was a comment that could be perceived as condescending, however, the moderator also gave me another perspective on it as well.

Thank you everyone for patting me on the back, and for your support!
:-)

TerryGee

Canon EOS-30D

08/06/2002 10:53:38 AM · #15

I received a comment on last weeks challenge(c.w.) that I feel was totally inappropriate. Again maybe I was over reading into also.
What do you do about these? Just ignore?

* This message has been edited by the author on 8/6/2002 11:03:34 AM.

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

08/06/2002 10:57:44 AM · #16

lamedos

Nikon Coolpix 5000

08/06/2002 10:58:39 AM · #17

He was asking to clean your pipes so he could get the money that you wash down them.

DOH - beat me to it.

* This message has been edited by the author on 8/6/2002 10:58:30 AM.

* This message has been edited by the author on 8/6/2002 10:59:07 AM.

shortredneck

Olympus C-3000Z

08/06/2002 10:59:17 AM · #18

I think he was making a joke about the money in the pipes. I wouldn't think he was trying to say anything offensive.

lisae

Olympus C-720UZ

08/06/2002 10:59:31 AM · #19

Originally posted by TerryGee:
I received a comment on last weeks challenge(c.w.) that I feel was totally inappropriate. If anyone would please read it. It is posted in my profile by as_ason. Please tell me if it is as offensive as I think. Again maybe I was over reading into also.
What do you do about these? Just ignore?

I don''t think that comment is offensive at all, although I can see why you might be reading it that way. The reference to cleaning your pipes is probably because the commenter is joking that it would be stuffed with $100 bills! Then it seems like he misspelled "sweet".

That''s my theory anyway. If you get some mildly offensive comments, the best thing is indeed to ignore them. As I''ve said before, by being a nuisance, people just identify themselves as not worth listening to. Comments that are blatantly rude or vulgar are against the rules and should be complained about.

lol, other people said the same thing while I was writing this. Bah.

* This message has been edited by the author on 8/6/2002 10:59:36 AM.

TerryGee

Canon EOS-30D

08/06/2002 10:59:32 AM · #20

I guess I read it wrong.

Gracious

08/06/2002 12:36:34 PM · #21

Originally posted by Karen Bryan:
[i]1) Let me begin by saying I am not starting this post to support being able to see the names of commenters, or be able to write to them during the challenge. I believe I can be patient enough to wait until Monday.

2) I have, from the get-go (since joining dpchallenge), received comments from people that I am not particularly happy about. After absorbing the comment, I think I have done a good job at growing thick skin, and reread comments in the vein they were intended: frank, constructive critisism.

3) I have participated in forums where I have done a *there, there* cyber pat on the back to other's rants about negative comments....

4) I am hoping the person who left me the particular comment last night was just in a bad mood which can be over-looked by me later....

That said:

I know my photo for "Something old" wasn't great. I have begun to be able to look at a photo and critizise it myself and even "score" it: "Oh, this is about a 6, I bet", or whatever. I looked at this one, laughed, and said to myself. "Not your best. Probably a 4 or a 5! But, go ahead and submit because I'm on withdrawal", and, as I've posted before, I am having "photographer's block" (of sorts) - so I thought throwing myself into the "game" I could activate some creativity. So, I went out and photo'd. Well, the photo is getting exactly what I expected: a 4.6 (currently, although it was at 5 for a bit), but most importantly, it is getting comments that I totally agree with, and saw myself before submitting.

What does this serve? Wasting people's time? I hope not. And so sorry if I did. I'd rather look at it as validation of my own thoughts, and so still a lesson learned.

BUT!!! There is a particular comment that I have referred to above: the one from last night.
It is taking every morsel of control to not post it here (because I don't like that): so I will just say I will revisit this again on Monday.

My return message: Don't patronize me!

Sorry this is vague and long...

Like everyone else, I'm hoping it wasn't my comment. I consider myself to be tactful, MOST OF THE TIME, but I seem to be subject to moods. So far this week I am having a difficult time. For example, a friend was in a freak, critical accident, my fibromyalgia is flaring, and so much more. I am really sorry if I offended anyone. I don't think it was me, but I am just seeing through a glass darkly. Maybe I shouldn't leave any remarks this week. In my heart I know I'm a caring individual who loves to encourage people....geeeee I really hope it wasn't me.
As for the comments I've recieved on my submission....I feel like any minute someone is going to tell me "You ARE the weakest link...GOODBYE!" :-{

My Photographs

boyte1

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM

08/06/2002 02:02:59 PM · #22

When I first started submitting to this contest, some of the comments were really hard for me to take. But Im still here and I have learned to take the good with the bad. This week someone commented on my bad BLUE back ground. The only problem with this is my back ground is solid black. Just goes to show how irrelevant some comments can be. So hang in there and dont stop submitting or commenting. We are all still learning , and having some fun shooting new pics.