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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> Should I stop making comments when voting?
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07/02/2006 11:58:13 AM · #1
I have bumped myself down to vote only, and based on my scores I feel that I should not make any comments, because I have such bad scores. I really feel that I have no right to say anything except I like it or I don't like it. Any other feelings on making comments while voting, when you are as bad a photographer as me?
07/02/2006 12:00:53 PM · #2
I wouldn't say you were a bad photographer :)

Besides, you don't have to be an amazing photographer to know what you like and don't like about something. Just put down your opinions in a comment. If you don't feel confident enough to use technical jargon to offer improvements etc, just stick with something simple like "I like the photo, but I think it could do with being a little brighter" or "It looks a bit soft, but overall I like it". Comments like those give photographers an ego-boost as well as offering helpful suggestions :)

Don't feel bad, keep commenting! :)
07/02/2006 12:01:39 PM · #3
Low scores? Your top 5 are well above DPC "average". I think you have a lot to offer and should continue to do so.
07/02/2006 12:03:57 PM · #4
A.) You're not a bad photographer.

B.) Like Ben said, you don't need to be technical, or tell people how to improve, just tell us what you like or don't like. "I would have cropped this way or that way" or "That dust spect distracts my eye" or "I really like the way you ...."

C.) Don't worry about it.

D.) Have fun.
07/02/2006 12:12:30 PM · #5
I'd much rather have you comment on my photos so I know how to improve rather than try and figure it out from the way you scored it. So if you want to pick - please comment and hold the scoring :)
07/02/2006 12:26:14 PM · #6
Good grief! Is THIS a "bad" picture?



How about THIS one?



You're being WAY too hard on yourself. And as for commenting on images, you're welcome to comment on mine any time :-) I understand what it measn to feel down on yourself (happens to me allt he time), but for heaven's sake snap out of it!

Robt.
07/02/2006 01:00:42 PM · #7
Well, I must admit that being on a voting status only makes a big difference in what I am seeing or not seeing. Without a personal interest, my votes may actually gain me some insights regarding myself. I would recommend it to anybody. When you feel your just not getting anywhere, and you can't seem to find the magic, drop down to vote only for awhile, and then go and vote. It gives you a totally different perspective.
07/02/2006 01:02:37 PM · #8
Originally posted by TheMegalomaniac:

... if you want to pick - please comment and hold the scoring :)

Actually, that's something I'll do once in awhile. Not vote, but browse and make some comments. It's fun to go back after voting has finished and see how your comments matched up to others, or if your opinion was subtantially different from everyone else.

Just a thought. No matter what...keep smiling and having fun! ;^)
07/02/2006 01:11:14 PM · #9
Shezzz talk about a bad photographer... Who shouldn't make comments... I should be the first one to stop L()L... and im sure there are people out there that will agree with me.
07/02/2006 02:45:11 PM · #10
Well if our whole photography existence depended on DPC and our scores here, most of us would be in a world of hurt and might as well toss the camera out the window lol.

I happen to like your work. I SUCK at challenges. Not sure why lol, but not my cup of tea either. I vote, and when I comment I probably state the obvious in most cases.

You've scored a lot higher than I in challenges lol.
07/02/2006 02:59:39 PM · #11
The way I see it, is if people were selling their images, they wouldn't just be selling them to the pros, they'd be selling them to everyone and anyone, so it really matters what everyone and anyone has to say.
07/02/2006 04:03:58 PM · #12
Originally posted by ladymonarda:

I have bumped myself down to vote only, and based on my scores I feel that I should not make any comments, because I have such bad scores. I really feel that I have no right to say anything except I like it or I don't like it. Any other feelings on making comments while voting, when you are as bad a photographer as me?


There are two separate issues here that I would like to deal with, the quality of your photography and whether you ought to make comments.

First, the quality of your photography. Bear_Music has praised your two highest rated photographs; they are excellent by anyone's standards. But I'd like to talk about this one:



It shows an ugly, desolate world, one in which the dragonfly cannot find more than a wisp of grass in a stagnant pond. I think the image itself is powerful and it carries a powerful message. I gave it an 8.

But I wasn't surprise that it did not do well in the challenge. It came in 175 out of 198. Voters on DPC have a strong preference for beautiful pictures and very little interest in what the photographer is trying to say with the picture.

The problem here is not the quality of your work. Your work is excellent but it does not match the aesthetic values of the majority of DPC voters.

The second issue is whether you ought to comment. I don't have any strong feelings about this. I think your comments would be very valuable because they can help people see their own work in a different light. But at the same time, people may not appreciate your comments because they come from a different aesthetic point of view.

I'm now using a different strategy for making comments. I make comments after the results are announced and I concentrate on those that I thought were better than the DPC vote showed. (That is why you have a comment from me on the dragonfly from a few days ago.) I've also considered concentrating my comments on those I give midrange votes to but which I think have a lot of promise. You might consider some strategy like these for giving comments.

--DanW
07/02/2006 04:37:40 PM · #13
Nonsense, do not stop making comments, I just got a nice one I agree 100% with from you earlier today so just keep it up. Just think of it that way that you are commeting for yourself and not for others, it has helped me tremendously to look at other peoples work and forcing me to put down in words what I like and dislike on them, it helps me do the same with my own photos.
07/02/2006 04:54:02 PM · #14
Unfortunately this is what happens when you do the right thing and comment. Just remember...while there are some out there that will attack any form of comment...there are the others that truly appreciate the time and effort you take to write those words. Chin up...it will be okay.
07/02/2006 05:46:11 PM · #15
I am happy to get both good comments and constructive comments from anybody. For me, it's what you see in my photography work and your comments that help me improve. Sure, I get some of the other comments that good or bad don't help. I just read them and go on.

Rikki gave me some real good feedback in the Architecture challenge. I went back and tried some of the things suggested and found that the photo was much better.

Soooo, please feel free to comment on any of my stuff. I know what I see in my images and I appreciate knowing what others see.
07/03/2006 10:15:07 PM · #16
As far as I am concerned, the world's most horrible photographer, and every John and Jane Q. Normal, are welcome and encourage to comment on my work. Keep in mind that for a photographer, the image is not just for other photographers, it's for the entire world. It's arguably more important what the average person off the street thinks of your work, than what your peers think of it. Because if you intend to sell, or be a professional, it's the everyday public you will be selling to. They will have no concept of technicality or composition. Especially because taste vastly differs. Believe it or not, there are people who love those "motivational" office posters that have silly words like, "Perseverance", "Encouragement", "Achievement", "Determination" and "Perambulation" etc. paired with an unrelated image of a sandstone cliff at sunset, an ocean surf at sunset, a mountain-top view of a forest at sunset, etc. They're ridiculous, but apparently the general public likes that sort of thing. They're huge sellers.

And as long as you're a human being, I for one would welcome any comments good or bad (as long as they are not purposefully bad in an unconstructive way, "That looks like I pulled it out of my cat's litter box" is not needed and useless to anyone), so as long as someone is not malicious in their comments, I think they're generally welcomed.

You might have encountered people who cannot take criticism, or simply refuse to accept it. I've commented on photos on other sites before where people could not get over a bad review. Photos are very personal, and if there is someone who is very inexperienced or just clueless, they might think their work is fantastic, and anyone who disagrees will be met with aggression. Ignore those people entirely.

Most photographers (even long time pros) gladly accept constructive criticism from peers and the public alike. If your peers love it, but the public hates it, something is wrong, and vice versa.

If you comment on nothing, at least consider commenting on MY future submissions. As far as I am concerned, the more, the better.

-Hideo
07/03/2006 10:16:57 PM · #17
you can always join team suck
Originally posted by ladymonarda:

I have bumped myself down to vote only, and based on my scores I feel that I should not make any comments, because I have such bad scores. I really feel that I have no right to say anything except I like it or I don't like it. Any other feelings on making comments while voting, when you are as bad a photographer as me?

07/03/2006 10:17:44 PM · #18
Originally posted by redsunphotography:

Keep in mind that for a photographer, the image is not just for other photographers, it's for the entire world. It's arguably more important what the average person off the street thinks of your work, than what your peers think of it.

This reminds me of the geek that has the most powerful calculator in class. He and his fellow geeks think it's the coolest thing since sliced bread - but to the rest of us, it's just another calculator and it's so geeky to be carrying it around all the time (imagine tucked in front shirt pocket!) aargh :p
07/03/2006 10:38:34 PM · #19
I don't think that your abilities (or lack there of) in photography should discourage you from leaving comments. You're human and therefore have the ability to think for yourself... you may have a completely different take on a photo BECAUSE you aren't all wrapped up in the technical aspects of the photo, and so hard fast and stuck to the "traditional" rules of photography.

The only real quality I think you should have to make comments on photos is the ability to leave a comment that is constructive, one way or another. I don't think that comments like "oh that's cool" help anyone... say "that's cool because of how the colors work together" or something along those lines. Also when making a negative comment about a pic, give reasons to support it and don't just leave a smart a$$ comment. Negative criticism can be one of the best ways to learn and grow as an artist, but if it's not constructive it doesn't help anyone.
07/03/2006 10:56:13 PM · #20
There is nothing wrong with your commenting. in the 3 I've gotten from you, you show that you understand my intention and then suggest a different solution. Thats very helpful. I often find myself making suggestions that ate beyond my technichal abilities.
07/03/2006 11:13:46 PM · #21
When you come here or to any site, mall, gallery, or even handing your pictures to friends for reactions you enter a new world. You, for better or worse become an entertainer, artist, philosopher, comic and a battery of other things. That world exacts some serious dues. It is a hard school and demands close attention. To succeed, you need more than the eyes, mind and heart of an artist. You need the experience and seasoning of an editor. One who can look at their own work and learn the corrections that will in the end entertain, and then dispassionately make them. Few can grow the iron skin of the aloof who care less what other think and exhibit without care or concern of opinions. But take courage, as babies we were all bad asses and fall after fall did not deter us from our goal - walking and talking. Now at least we can benefit from comunicating with others as we learn. You are fine as a photographer, now.. editing is the trick eh? My 2c.
07/03/2006 11:20:16 PM · #22
I've read one or two posts on here recently where people seem to have lost confidence in themselves, I've been feeling that way too. But please, sometimes all it takes to restore that confidence is ONE comment...so if yet another DPCer decides not to comment,we are heading for darker days. Yours could be that one comment, please don't deprive someone of your unique perspective - there is only one you and no one sees the world in the same way as you;))
07/04/2006 12:13:34 AM · #23
Originally posted by amber:

I've read one or two posts on here recently where people seem to have lost confidence in themselves, I've been feeling that way too. But please, sometimes all it takes to restore that confidence is ONE comment...so if yet another DPCer decides not to comment,we are heading for darker days. Yours could be that one comment, please don't deprive someone of your unique perspective - there is only one you and no one sees the world in the same way as you;))


This is SO true.
07/04/2006 03:38:59 AM · #24
I feel the same way about this as I do about my artwork. My mind/eye is capable of recognizing and evaluating outstanding work that is at the level that I strive towards. And yet my skills and abilities are not able to live up to that vision, at least not yet. But just because I am incapable of CREATING that level of work does not mean that I have nothing useful to say about other's works....
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