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06/11/2007 05:55:24 PM · #1 |
Hey everyone!
I've been an admiring stalker on DPC for nearly a year now and recently got up enough nerve to actually start entering some pieces. To say I'm an amateur is to even abuse that word, but certainly am an enthusiastic one of whatever I am.
I've entered one of the current challenges and got a comment that really caught me off guard. Now, I'm cool with criticism, even anxious for it to help me improve, but this one really surprised me from this community.
The sad part is, I kind of liked the composition in this one! Hopefully I'll get more useful critiques as things develop, but I guess my question is this: what do you more experienced folks do when you get a comment like this? I've got tons to learn, but the tone of this suggests I should hang it up!!!
Thoughts?
"[redacted]"
That was the full comment.
Thanks!
Barry
Message edited by L2 - Forum Rule #13. |
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06/11/2007 05:58:14 PM · #2 |
I find it helps to have a quick look at the posters profile page.
You'll find that there is a direct relationship between level of rudeness and level of success and talent. :P |
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06/11/2007 05:59:27 PM · #3 |
| If you find an image to be rude or offensive then hit 'report post'. Don't give the rude commeters the attention they desire. |
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06/11/2007 06:01:14 PM · #4 |
some people speak with a very direct style - i would recommend taking it for what it is, a comment, then try to find value in it. Ask something to yourself like "What is it about the composition that is not pleasing or that doesn't follow the usual good practices of composition?"
Remember, during challenges, comments are not personal because commenters don't know whose work they are commenting on - so I wouldn't take it personally...
Message edited by author 2007-06-11 18:02:09. |
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06/11/2007 06:03:01 PM · #5 |
On a serious note...
At this stage of the game I think it's best that you choose a few members whose work YOU respect.
If you contact directly with questions, I think you'll be surprised at the very generous responses.
Hanging it up is NOT allowed. :)
Good luck! |
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06/11/2007 06:03:38 PM · #6 |
have you thought about why this person may have made that comment - despite the fact you think the composition is good?
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06/11/2007 06:04:08 PM · #7 |
Some people are going to be a**es. It makes them feel better, or something.
It's not about you, or your picture, or your value as a photographer.
It's about them.
So laugh it off, and go make a helpful comment on someone else's photo, so everthing returns to balance. |
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06/11/2007 06:08:30 PM · #8 |
If my composition sucked enough that someone would ask me if I've even studdied composition at all...I'd really want to know.
For example, I put a round object directly in the center of a photo. We all know that this only works on special occations...
Or if it was a portrait and the negative space were behind the subject, instead of in the direction the subject was looking. Also rarely works out for the best visually appealing photo.
Or a horizon smack dab in the middle of the photo. Some things need to be exceptionally good in order to stray from typical 'rules' of photography.
While there are really no set rules...some things definately work out better than others. I think they were telling you that something in the photo strayed from the 'norm' and that it didn't work in your case, and suggested that you read up on some of the more standard (visually appealing) compositional suggestions. |
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06/11/2007 06:10:46 PM · #9 |
We have people here from all over the world. Some of them are not so good at English. We also have people here from all kinds of educational levels. We have people here who are not good at putting their thoughts into words. Threads like this that directly call out the offending commentor is why a lot of people do not comment any more.
To get more to your original post, I found the comment to be quite informative...
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06/11/2007 06:11:36 PM · #10 |
I take the comment on board. If it is right, then I might try not to make the mistake again. But if I like my shot, I stick by it and carry on regardless.
I am used to the bottom of the league, so I just go with the flow. Why? cos one day I will take a ribbon photo. Until then, I just plod along with a smile on my face. |
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06/11/2007 06:38:08 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by brayburn:
Thoughts?
"[redacted]"
That was the full comment.
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The comment most likely came from someone trying to make him/herself feel better by belittling others.
I find marking these comments helpful to be good therapy for me! ;-)
Message edited by L2 - Edited to remove quote of another user calling out a commenter. |
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06/11/2007 06:44:30 PM · #12 |
My advice is "Take it as it is" first and foremost and i.e.
-- that he/she didn't find the composition good at all
-- and that that person is asking if you studied good photography composition at all.
and then take a deep breath. ^_^
Once you aren't disappointed with the comment anymore, try to evaluate some sense to the words. |
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06/11/2007 06:55:15 PM · #13 |
first off, ditto what everyone has said :-)
When you get a comment, I find that without even thinking about it, I initially 'hear' it in my head with a certain inflection or whatever, and it 'comes across' a certain way. Now, replay it in my head, hearing it said different ways, with different inflection, and it can come across in different ways. I then pick a version that sounds constructive, and go with that. I tried it with this specific comment, and it works :-) With the proper inflection applied, it sounds very helpful to me.
Also, as people have pointed out here, some folks are just direct and to the point, or just not 'wordy' people, or not heavy english users, whatever, if you have a comment that you feel this way about, just try changing the wording slightly in your head, but still with the same jist.
For example: "I think the composition in this shot could be stronger. There are many techniques, and compositional 'rules' that can be applied when composing your photos that can greatly enhance the overall presentation of your chosen subject. Some research and study of these compositional techniques can really give some 'oomph' to one's photos. There are some good tutorials on the site here, or just googling composition on the web would probably yield a multitude of good reading."
Or any version that sounds good to you :-) In the end, they all really say the same thing don't they?
And finally, even if the person was trying to be rude, abrasive, or insulting, I think I am richer, and the better person, and kind of like the ultimate insult back at them if I actually get something out of their comment :-)
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06/11/2007 07:15:14 PM · #14 |
....
It starts out as a valid critical comment and then deteriorates by getting somewhat personal instead of substantiating. You will likely receive your fair share of general statements and very little in the way of factual reasons behind them in this environment.
This is, of course, as regrettable as it should be expected.
Message edited by L2 - Edited to remove quote of another user calling out a commenter. |
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06/11/2007 08:37:52 PM · #15 |
make the most of it. for example, "study" doesn't have to be as trivial as reading up on a few supposed rules. It could be a beautiful, profound examination of images that move you. It could mean simply looking at them, meditating on them. "study" is what you make it.
and no, I didn't write the comment. :) |
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06/11/2007 09:16:45 PM · #16 |
Hey Brayburn,
That comment is pretty spot on. Made by one of the more talented working photographers here ay DPC, it is insightful although abrupt. I realize you are new here, but your commenter travels extensively to photograph lots of famous people and is published all over the world.
I'm sure the commenter meant no offense.
In future, if you have a question about a specific comment you can use the Report Post feature as others have mentioned. Quoting exact comments in such a way that they can be tracked down for witch-hunting later is frowned on here. No harm done, we've edited your post to preserve the commenter's anonymity.
Finally, good luck in the challenge!
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06/11/2007 09:21:07 PM · #17 |
| I haven't seen the picture, but they're clearly right. It also lacks depth of field. The subject matter to the right should have been cropped out and a little neat image couldn't hurt either. |
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06/11/2007 10:21:00 PM · #18 |
Thanks to everyone who commented and for the support. I'm sorry if I committed a faux pas by quoting the comment - certainly not intended to cause problems.
I will take all the comments to heart and try to apply constructively.
Barry
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