What are the qualifications... - DPChallenge Forums

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

08/08/2006 08:08:11 AM · #1

...to be considered worthy of giving critiques?

I'm curious, in a current thread an invite was put forth to a member to join the critique club based on the length of comments this person gives, yet this person is fairly new to digital photography.

Based on the items asked to comment on (in below excerpt from OP in this thread), would you consider it difficult for someone new to digital photography to give a valid, constructive critique? I would.

Are there any photography skills required to join the critique club other than the ability to make lengthy comments?

Originally posted by HBunch:

Reminder to ALL who are giving Critique Club Critiques
For those giving CC Critiques, we would also like to ask that while we do not expect you to write novels, please be as detailed as possible on all the information you offer. Try to note all aspects about the photo. Some things to mention are focus, lighting, visual appeal, composition, relevance to the challenge topic, background elements, distracting elements etc. Again, be as detailed as possible and make sure to incorporate the photographer's details (if available) into the critique. If they were going for a dark moody look, and it isn't coming across as such, then suggest something that would help the photographer achieve that look. Again, we don't expect you to write novels, but a 'Detailed Critique' should include more than one or 2 lines stating that you like the image and think that it fits the challenge.

amber

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

08/08/2006 08:13:05 AM · #2

She left this comment on one of my images

Great job! This has a great nostalgic feel to it! I am giving this an 8 because it meets the challenge so well, the technical aspect deserves merit, and because it creates an overall feeling of fun that I like to see in a shot. I loved the movement of the water, the whitecaps and shadows of the figures all work together very nicely. Again, great job in meeting the challenge

Now that's in a challenge...why is she not able to do Critiques? I'm confused.

ETA: the length of comment was in relation to the difference between the above comment and the 'Great Job' comment ad nauseum.

Message edited by author 2006-08-08 08:15:06.

08/08/2006 08:25:15 AM · #3

Originally posted by amber:

Ok. That's a nice comment. Is it CC worthy? Maybe it is, maybe not... Perhaps the person that left it has underestimated their ability as a photographer?

BTW. I think the "Great Job" was being left as a pat on the back for people taking the initiative in general to make the effort to enter the challenge. For every one person out there that didn't like it, how many where perhaps moved by it just a little? Kind of like getting a "nice shot", or a "I love it".

...but back to point. What's it take to be a qualified critiquer?

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/08/2006 08:31:10 AM · #4

I don't feel I'm qualified to be in the Critique Club for exactly the reason you state. I am utterly inexperienced at digital photography. Nevertheless, I could write a 10-page essay on any photo you give me, analyzing it as an image, using what I know from the visual arts (and other arts as well, there is lots of overlap). But I could not talk intelligently about photographic technique. So I give critiques, because I think my p.o.v. is (at least) as valuable, but I do not ask to join the Critique Club.

Kamlan 28mm F1.4 MF for APS-C

08/08/2006 08:38:54 AM · #5

Originally posted by posthumous:

I don't feel I'm qualified to be in the Critique Club for exactly the reason you state. ...

... So I give critiques, because I think my p.o.v. is (at least) as valuable, but I do not ask to join the Critique Club.

I hear you. I remember when I first started here and I checked the critique box. I thought the critique was going to be some formal feedback and provided by some semi-authoritative DPC members - like long-term members with a few ribbons or high avg score, etc...

I guess that's why I'm still curious a little as to the makeup of Critique Club members. It's cool that it's available to those that desire that additional feedback.

Manic

DJI Mini 3 Pro

08/08/2006 08:42:15 AM · #6

When looking at CC applications, the main thing we look for is not so much photographic experience, but familiarity with DPC. Since all levels of experience vote on the challenge entries, all opinions are valid and useful, be they from beginners or seasoned pros, as we all look at images differently, and our votes count equally.

To understand what DPC is, how it works, and how the rules affect the challenge entries, you need to have been on the site for a while, and probably entered a few challenges too. Therefore, my personal rule-of-thumb for applicants is 100+ comments (with at least some of more than one sentence), entered at least a couple of challenges, and been on the site for a few months. It's that simple :o)

08/08/2006 08:56:15 AM · #7

Originally posted by Manic:

When looking at CC applications, the main thing we look for is not so much photographic experience, but familiarity with DPC. ...

Wouldn't the underlined items in the following text require more than just familiarity with DPC?

Not trying to be overly manic (pun intended) about this, really - it's just when I think of a critique on a photo I think detail and technicals should be included. Hard to do even if one has the gift of being verbose.

I guess it's not really all that important. I tend to voice my opinions and if others want to pick up on it, debate it, etc...then have at it. Critiques on challenge entries appears to be a popular item and I thought it would be interesting to hear more details on the process. Thanks for that. ;^)

Originally posted by HBunch:

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/08/2006 10:08:08 AM · #8

suggest something that would help the photographer achieve that look

That's the key for me. I can tell you all kinds of things about your picture, even things about focus and DOF, but I can't tell you nearly as much about how to take the picture differently as the pros and ribbon winners on this site.

Then again, it's a rare person who has a broad and deep understanding of *both* photography and image critique. Bear_Music comes to mind.

Message edited by author 2006-08-08 10:08:20.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

08/08/2006 10:34:00 AM · #9

Originally posted by posthumous:

He (Bear_Music) is a member of the Critique Club, isn't he? Hooray! ;^) I agree with your mind choice.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

08/08/2006 01:38:44 PM · #10

Originally posted by glad2badad:

He (Bear_Music) is a member of the Critique Club, isn't he? Hooray! ;^) I agree with your mind choice.

Yeah, he is, and he doesn't critique anywhere NEAR as much as he ought to in CC. He tends to prefer discussing images in forums and learning threads, where the critique is a 2-way street...

R.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/08/2006 02:03:09 PM · #11

Ummm, I just recently joined the Critique Club and I have no special qualifications. I've not ribboned, nor finished in the top ten, nor do I work as even a part-time photographer in any semi-professional capability. I do enjoy participating here, and that was the one factor I took into account when I applied. I suspect my "critiques" may very well not be as valued as those provided by someone like Robt, but for those who are looking for at least SOME form of critique, I can at least provide my opinion and my thoughts, and base some of that on my own experiences in trying to get decent images out of my camera.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

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

08/08/2006 02:05:10 PM · #12

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

He tends to prefer discussing images in forums and learning threads, where the critique is a 2-way street...

R.

Note that the place where you post that critique functions exactly the same as a forum thread, and that if you indicated you wanted a two-way discussion of the comments, it's perfectly possible. The only thing you have to do differently is remember to return there, since the thread won't be posted on the front page -- though you could start an "Individual Photo Discussion" thread with a link to the photo. and bump it as comments are added.

Not the most elegant workarounds, but I don't know how else to structure it. Another route of access is the Photos > Browse menu link, which takes you to the listing of photos most recently commented upon.

moniepenny

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

08/08/2006 02:12:28 PM · #13

I'm new to digital photography, and am a member of the critique club. I don't critique very often, but when I do I put a lot of thought into every aspect and angle of the photograph I can think og and give my honest opinion of it. I feel I'm qualified even if I don't know all the technicals because I take the time to look.

HBunch

HP PhotoSmart 315

08/08/2006 02:12:54 PM · #14

OK!! First of all, I NEVER said I invited her based on the LENGTH of her critiques. Where do people get this information!? I DID say that she offered some very helpful advice in her 'more lengthy' critiques and invited her to join the CC. That invite still stands.

Can you not tell me that you learn a lot from giving critiques of other's images as well as receiving critiques on your own images? I think I learned more from picking apart other people's images than I did from some of the comments I GOT. You don't have to be a pro to tell someone what you don't like about their photo and why you don't like it. If you have a suggestion to improve it, fine...if not, at least they will know why what the did didn't work, and knowing the circumstances behind the photo, figure out something that would turn better results.

Touching base on lighting doesn't mean that you have to write 32 pages of technical mumbo jumbo on the precise location and settings of your alien bees...
If you see a photo is so dark you can't even make out the subject, mention it. IF you can think of a way to maybe fix it, mention it. Even if as simple as 'more light would have helped this shot'. It's not a difficult process.

AllanL

Canon EOS-20D

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

08/08/2006 02:25:05 PM · #15

I think the problem is the tons of photos people want critiques on. The CC people have always noted a ton of backlog and hence the recruiting efforts. I agree that the critque of any photo *must* include comments on mechanical and artistic parts of the shot. However, given that this is a volunteer activity, you must cut them some slack. I think a PM discussion with the critic might be a worthwhile effort if the photographer feels strongly about his/her submission and want more detailed comments. After all, not every picture deserves a 10 page essay. I think that would be a nice balance between the need of photographers looking for an additional viewer that will stare at a photo for more than a glance with the work load of the CC.