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12/11/2025 10:12:31 AM · #1 |
When I was an active participant here, one of the things that really hammered at my nerves was the submitting photographer's unwillingness to write anything in the "Photographer's Comments" field when submitting a photo for a challenge. There are currently 25 challenge images displayed on the main page of this site. Only eight of them have any commentary from the photographer who posted it. I used to enjoy commenting on a lot of photos here. I helped form the critique club when it was originally put together. But I kept asking myself WHY I would take my time to offer any commentary on a photo that the photographer who made it didn't have anything worthwhile to say about it? Lots of folks say 'my photography should stand on its own.' If I have to comment on it or leave commentary explaining it, then I have failed.
I'm a fair judge of a photograph . I can comment on one regardless of the photographer's intent. But IF the photographer had any specific intent that might not be readily absorbed from the image itself, it would be useful to have that information available.
As a fan of art in general, I love to hear the story behind any photo that was deemed worthy of posting here to a challenge. What inspired that photo? What were you thinking about when you made it? What part of the scenario inspired you to look at it through the viewfinder? Why did you compose it the way you did? And most importantly, how does this photo make YOU feel?
15-20 years ago, I just wrote this stuff off as the photographer doesn't really care. It was an early form of the endorphin rush that the social media platforms all push these days. We used to stay up past midnight on Sunday nights to look at the new challenge photos as they came out. One challenge a week back then... Two per week when they introduced memberships... Lots and lots of entries. |
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12/11/2025 11:21:51 AM · #2 |
I used to be very good at putting in photographer's notes, and then I got lazy. If people are actually reading them and wanting them -- I will start doing it again! Sometimes I don't have much to say. Many times I have a lot to say. I will make sure I say it.
Edited to add -- there, I have one thing in voting, and I've added photographer's comments to it. Thank for the reminder.
Message edited by author 2025-12-11 11:35:09. |
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12/11/2025 11:34:47 AM · #3 |
I definitely appreciate when photographers take the time to comment on their work, even if only briefly. Of course, it's nice to know the technical details and the "how I did this" stuff from time to time, too. (I've especially enjoyed Wendy's, Larry's, and Lev's recent explanations of some of their more technically finessed pieces, for example.) But the main thing is just getting to see what inspired or gave rise to the composition in the moment. Not every piece has a story behind it, of course. And some images are maybe best left to speak on their own without any kind of context. But generally speaking, I see the photographer's comments section as part of the community-building aspect of DPChallenge. It's the invitation to see behind the camera into the inner world of the photographer.
Admittedly, that's probably a pretty vulnerable thing to do. Many people I know--including my own boss and coworkers--find it intimidating and emotionally fatiguing to try expressing themselves in writing even when they're exceptionally unguarded and talkative generally. I'd rather see more work submitted with no comments than see people withholding their work because they don't know what to say about it or don't feel comfortable expressing themselves in writing. :-) But I do think that it's a gift when they do. |
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12/11/2025 11:49:41 AM · #4 |
Thanks, John, for bringing life back to DPC forums.
I used to write in Photographer's Comments when I first started but as I am very competitive, it was mainly about scores than the photo. Then I got lazy and stopped doing even that.
You have inspired me to write something on one my current entries, thanks. |
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12/11/2025 01:36:28 PM · #5 |
| However, I cannot post it, there must a problem with the system. |
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12/11/2025 03:21:17 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
I used to be very good at putting in photographer's notes, and then I got lazy. If people are actually reading them and wanting them -- I will start doing it again! Sometimes I don't have much to say. Many times I have a lot to say. I will make sure I say it. |
Pretty much my story too ... I do try to add the focal length (no field for that) so people at least know the technical specs.
In the past I've suggested adding a preference for receiving comments to the photographer's profile page (see example from another site below) so voters/reviewers would know whether or not the photographer wants constructive ctiticism.
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