This comment bothers me!!! - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/08/2006 04:50:41 PM · #1

OK, don't worry folks, I've learnt my lesson about kicking off on comments on this site.

This comment was made on a photographers picture on another site. I admire the guys work (its top notch) and he certainly has a style (will say no more). This comment was made by a site moderator (remember not here). I also moderate on the site but (and it may be the emotional state I'm in right now) to me it reads that no other member will ever get close to 85% as good as the commentee (or some similar percentage).

On the 'photographers name removed'-scale this is 8.5 out of 10 for me. On any other scale it's 11 out of 10.

Thoughts anyone? should I increase my dosage?

hey, I just had a thought for here, lets handicap good photographers until we all average 5.5 (jk)

Canon EOS-20D

06/08/2006 04:53:25 PM · #2

Maybe I'm reading it wrong but it looks like he's just saying that while the work is excellent, it's not as good as the photographer usually does. ?

06/08/2006 04:55:38 PM · #3

I read it as saying that it's not as good as the photographer's best but it's still better than many other photographers' bests!

No big deal - it's just a way of giving a compliment - we all have those we think are better than the rest... in most things in life.

06/08/2006 04:57:16 PM · #4

Originally posted by mk:

Maybe I'm reading it wrong but it looks like he's just saying that while the work is excellent, it's not as good as the photographer usually does. ?

To be honest I think thats the way it was meant to be read. however, imho some people might read it as "even my best work will never be as good as an 8.5 for him). The site is built around people wanting to learn photography and for a mod to basically say 'forget it' you'll never get to this level is wrong? (goes to medicine tablet).

06/08/2006 05:00:39 PM · #5

Originally posted by Kavey:

There you go, another sane mind on the subject and yes I think you are right. There are some great fotogs on that site and several that 'I' prefer to this guy and imo its wrong to say nobody will get close to this photographer (there are better ways of complimenting somebody).

06/08/2006 05:03:57 PM · #6

If anyone on the site is so fragile that they would take that comment too seriously and be put off by it they probably oughtn't to be on a peer-focused site in the first place...

There's a difference between applauding really top notch work and suggesting that everyone else should just stop trying - I think the comment does the former rather than the latter.

For me, being immersed in work by photographers much better than me inspires and motivates me and opens my eyes up to lots of new ideas. I can also learn from those of this group of photographers who are willing to share their thoughts.

Some people do tend to be discouraged rather than motivated by what they see as unattainable standards and perhaps community-focused learning is not for them?

Certainly anyone who would actually be put off by a simple comment like that would be the kind of person who was just looking for an excuse to give up, quite frankly!

:o)

Message edited by author 2006-06-08 17:05:57.

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

06/08/2006 05:13:14 PM · #7

I see your point Kavita (and you know I've learn't to let comments ride (now)).

just picking up one thing from your first post

I read it as saying that it's not as good as the photographer's best but it's still better than many other photographers' bests!

The commenter actually said

On any other scale it's 11 out of 10.

not many.

Anyway, I guess if I want to take this further I should post in the mods section of the site in question as dpc are far removed from the other site and don't know the situation that well?

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

06/08/2006 05:14:45 PM · #8

Well, a lot of comments can be misinterpreted rather easily. The name you removed is probably just someone the commenter really admires. One way to read the comment is the way you read it, but, who cares. If this person really admires the work of this photographer, so be it.

06/08/2006 05:15:18 PM · #9

Yes but... I doubt he actually sat and analysed every word beforehand - it's just a quick comment I'm sure...

And we often express things absolutely as a way of stressing the strength of our feeling when we know full well that they aren't actually absolute/ black and white at all!

It's just a figure of speech isn't it?

:D

Message edited by author 2006-06-08 17:15:49.

06/08/2006 05:28:36 PM · #10

Ladies (if thats not too formal ;) yes, you are both right, its just a comment and very probably meant as you both say (just as well you left ursula otherwise you'd be in the 'cannot hold a lamp' to him crowd ;)

As is probably best I'll go to bed then revisit in the morning and all will look well :)