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02/28/2008 03:42:15 PM · #1 |
Firstly, I just want to start off by saying that I REALLY appreciate the constructive comments that I receive on photographs, as they halp me to improve on the art of the passion I have for photography. Thank you all.
I'm sorry if I'm being picky and all, but some comments lately have not been as helpful as in the past. I find that you get those who are GREAT commenters, and then those who just comment for the sake of having an opinion, where I feel the REAL reason for commenting should be to HELP the photographer to improve their shot.
Comments like "I dont think this is a good shot." does not help anybody. Why don't you think this is a good shot? What would make YOU, as the voter, vote higher?
Am I being picky, or do I have a point? I REALLY try to make constructive comments. Really. If I don't like something in a shot, I try to always say why, and what would have made me vote higher. |
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02/28/2008 03:47:06 PM · #2 |
For some it's a numbers game...
I agree. One thoughtful comment (good or bad) is worth five "great", "wonderful", or "nice shot" comments. |
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02/28/2008 03:50:30 PM · #3 |
I agree with you. Although it is nice to hear "I like it!", I have a long way to go in the learning process and that kind of comment does nothing to help me. Again... I do like those comments! :)
This is the problem i see with those that try and comment on every photo in a Challenge. Not that there is really anything wrong with that... but after a while the comment is pretty much generic sounding, if you know what i mean.
Myself... I try not to make generalized comments. I do my best to give the most constructive criticisms I can, when I see something I don't like, or something that is not done (in my mind) correctly. But I will also praise what I see that I do like and why.
With the problems happening recently with rude comments and the fiasco that happened afterwards, I think maybe are a little hesitant to comment in the constructive criticism way. I do hope this switches back. I have a heckuva lot of learning to be learned!
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02/28/2008 03:54:42 PM · #4 |
I like to vote first then return to finish the comments later. I usually start with the 4's and below to make comments because I feel the photographer needs my explaination as to why I voted the photo lower. The mid numbers there might be one thing wrong and sometimes I just don't like the photo but can't figure out why. Once I get to the top end I find that I have a hard time commenting at all except for nice,good,great,etc.... So if you're getting a comment from me like that I scored you high. But I agree, comments are too short and need to explain more.
I know there's a "how to" thread here somewhere!!! |
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02/28/2008 03:55:06 PM · #5 |
Well, I probably don't comment on as many pics as I'd like to in a challenge, as I want to put time and effort into each one, as I think this is where we can all learn, whether the comment really be helpful or not, as it is, after all, an opinion, I still feel every good, well thought through comment is valuable. I don't mind so much the good ones being short, although it would be nice if we could know what made the shot great, but at least we know that people thought it was a great shot. But the negative ones, I feel, warrant an explanation. A low vote, for me, also warrants an explanation. All this imho, of course. :)
Am I being too over the top about this, or is it the general feeling? |
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02/28/2008 03:57:30 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by garretht:
Firstly, I just want to start off by saying that I REALLY appreciate the constructive comments that I receive on photographs, as they halp me to improve on the art of the passion I have for photography. Thank you all.
I'm sorry if I'm being picky and all, but some comments lately have not been as helpful as in the past. I find that you get those who are GREAT commenters, and then those who just comment for the sake of having an opinion, where I feel the REAL reason for commenting should be to HELP the photographer to improve their shot.
Comments like "I dont think this is a good shot." does not help anybody. Why don't you think this is a good shot? What would make YOU, as the voter, vote higher?
Am I being picky, or do I have a point? I REALLY try to make constructive comments. Really. If I don't like something in a shot, I try to always say why, and what would have made me vote higher. |
There was just a poll about comments, Were you one of the people that thought the site should stay the same?
And shouldn't this thread be put under "rant" not "current challenge"
Message edited by author 2008-02-28 15:58:35. |
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02/28/2008 03:58:59 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Dantzr:
I agree with you. Although it is nice to hear "I like it!", I have a long way to go in the learning process and that kind of comment does nothing to help me. Again... I do like those comments! :)
This is the problem i see with those that try and comment on every photo in a Challenge. Not that there is really anything wrong with that... but after a while the comment is pretty much generic sounding, if you know what i mean.
Myself... I try not to make generalized comments. I do my best to give the most constructive criticisms I can, when I see something I don't like, or something that is not done (in my mind) correctly. But I will also praise what I see that I do like and why.
With the problems happening recently with rude comments and the fiasco that happened afterwards, I think maybe are a little hesitant to comment in the constructive criticism way. I do hope this switches back. I have a heckuva lot of learning to be learned! |
I'm completely with you on this. I have SOOO much to learn, and that is the main reason why I am here. I love photography, and want to get better at it.
Message edited by author 2008-02-28 15:59:44. |
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02/28/2008 04:00:18 PM · #8 |
Here is what I think. Comment doesn't mean a critique, it means a comment. What you think about the photo. Good bad, whatever. You are asking full critique of a photo, not everyone has that kind of time to vote 500 photos a week, and give detail critique, good or bad. If your photo good anyway, just "Oh, nice shot" should be enough. If you are waiting something like, "I like your shot, the lighting on the subject is very nicely centered, and shadows on the left gives really 3D feeling. I also like the colors, and composition on the subject. I reminds me (a famous photographer's name here) work"
Noup, not everyone has time for that :D but you should be able to PM and ask detail comment if you wish :D
FP |
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02/28/2008 04:04:09 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:
There was just a poll about comments, Were you one of the people that thought the site should stay the same?
And shouldn't this thread be put under "rant" not "current challenge" |
Well, I'm ranting about the current challenge :). Sorry if it's under the wrong category.
I don't see a problem with the site. I really don't care if I can delete comments or not... My main concern is about the comments that are received in themselves and the quality thereof. I know that each one of us has a constructive opinion about most shots, if we just took the time to think, we could really start helping more of the lower (Like myself) begin to score higher.
My opinion may not even be useful or helpful alot of the time, but at least I take the time to explain and try to give constructive crits. |
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02/28/2008 04:06:09 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by FocusPoint:
Noup, not everyone has time for that :D but you should be able to PM and ask detail comment if you wish :D |
Btw, that smiley face emoticon means he's just kidding! Please don't PM people criticizing their comments unless you absolutely must.
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02/28/2008 04:08:42 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by citymars:
Originally posted by FocusPoint:
Noup, not everyone has time for that :D but you should be able to PM and ask detail comment if you wish :D |
Btw, that smiley face emoticon means he's just kidding! Please don't PM people criticizing their comments unless you absolutely must. |
Agreed |
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02/28/2008 04:10:08 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by FocusPoint:
Here is what I think. Comment doesn't mean a critique, it means a comment. What you think about the photo. Good bad, whatever. You are asking full critique of a photo, not everyone has that kind of time to vote 500 photos a week, and give detail critique, good or bad. If your photo good anyway, just "Oh, nice shot" should be enough. If you are waiting something like, "I like your shot, the lighting on the subject is very nicely centered, and shadows on the left gives really 3D feeling. I also like the colors, and composition on the subject. I reminds me (a famous photographer's name here) work"
Noup, not everyone has time for that :D but you should be able to PM and ask detail comment if you wish :D
FP |
I completely understand your view, and also understand that time is valuable. The "Good" and "nice" comments are ok. I really don't mind that too much, but if the comment is negative, without an explaination... this is what is bugging me currently. added: And of course, very low votes without explanation.
Don't worry  citymars, I won't be seding PMs. :D
Message edited by author 2008-02-28 16:11:06. |
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02/28/2008 04:11:18 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by FocusPoint:
Comment doesn't mean a critique, it means a comment.
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What he said, though I probably would captalize it or bold it. :) |
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02/28/2008 04:14:55 PM · #14 |
Personally while I really value critique comments, I enjoy nearly all the comments I get. Even if someone says "I really didn't like this shot." I know it evoked a reaction in someone enough that they commented on it (or they just comment on every shot).
So to everyone out there -- the more critique the better but don't be afraid to say "nice" or "blech" or whatever.
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02/28/2008 04:15:38 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by karmat:
Originally posted by FocusPoint:
Comment doesn't mean a critique, it means a comment.
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What he said, though I probably would captalize it or bold it. :) |
I understand. I just feel a bad comment warrants justification... added: or maybe I'm just wallowing in self-pity. :). Please forgive if I am. :).
Message edited by author 2008-02-28 16:18:13. |
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02/28/2008 04:17:21 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by karmat:
Originally posted by FocusPoint:
Comment Doesn't Mean a Critique, it means a comment.
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What he said, though I probably would captalize it or bold it. :) |
Allow me...what she said about what he said. ;-)
For what it's worth, I find "nice" comments and high scores without explanation to be the least helpful. I can pretty much interpret "Yuck!" And I'm being serious... I once took a professor to task on this. When I turned in poor work it would come back with all sorts of comments on what I had done wrong. When I turned in good work all I got was an "A." So I demanded to know what I was doing right and asked why she spent all that energy of hers on taking students down a peg rather than lifting them up. Just something to think about.... |
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02/28/2008 04:20:34 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by KaDi:
Originally posted by karmat:
Originally posted by FocusPoint:
Comment Doesn't Mean a Critique, it means a comment.
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What he said, though I probably would captalize it or bold it. :) |
Allow me...what she said about what he said. ;-)
For what it's worth, I find "nice" comments and high scores without explanation to be the least helpful. I can pretty much interpret "Yuck!" And I'm being serious... I once took a professor to task on this. When I turned in poor work it would come back with all sorts of comments on what I had done wrong. When I turned in good work all I got was an "A." So I demanded to know what I was doing right and asked why she spent all that energy of hers on taking students down a peg rather than lifting them up. Just something to think about.... |
I think ideally, a comment on both what was good and not so good in a shot would be best, but that's living in an ideal world where time stands still. :). But I definately agree about knowing what you're doing right as well. |
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02/28/2008 04:26:07 PM · #18 |
Here is what I say when I go give my "comments"
"Great shot, I love the subject (end of comment)... But if you had it on the edge a little more rather than having on the middle, it would be much better IMO (end of opinion)"
I don't give my opinions all the time though. Only if I really like, or dislike the photo somehow. |
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02/28/2008 04:28:51 PM · #19 |
I'd rather have comments that say "nice" and/or "crap" than just an empty void of no comments.
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02/28/2008 04:30:31 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by FocusPoint:
Here is what I say when I go give my "comments"
"Great shot, I love the subject (end of comment)... But if you had it on the edge a little more rather than having on the middle, it would be much better IMO (end of opinion)"
I don't give my opinions all the time though. Only if I really like, or dislike the photo somehow. |
And that is exactly what helps. This is all I ask! Lol. |
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02/28/2008 04:33:24 PM · #21 |
It is hard to give a constructive and thought out comment on everything. Sometimes I'll have to look at a shot for a while till I realize why I don't think it's great. I try to work the hardest on commenting the 4's and 5's. The great ones will get lots of comments, and the poor ones will also get enough feedback to let the person know what was wrong. I've gotten to where I feel I am cheating if I just say I don't like it and I don't say why.
Several times lately I've given out a fairly low score (with explanation) because of a lot of visible JPEG compression artifacts, and afterwards see I was the only one to point this out and score low because of it. Not sure if that's a good thing, or if I'm being too picky.
Funny thing is, forcing myself to do this has been improving my own stuff. Or, at least I often know before the challenge what kind of comments I'll get.
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02/28/2008 04:34:07 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
I'd rather have comments that say "nice" and/or "crap" than just an empty void of no comments. |
That's kind of like checking the mail box, finding it full of mail, then seeing that it's nothing but bills and flyers.
For me, I still get excited when I see one of my challenge entries has a new comment...but honestly, if it's just a one word blip it's an empty letdown. |
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02/28/2008 04:38:36 PM · #23 |
I received one of the best comments I've ever gotten on my recent "Peace" entry. Someone said my entry made them a bit angry. I thought that was great, because it meant I effectively communicated my message, though he disagreed. (Of course, I also got a few that said "I don't understand what this has to do with peace...") I need to PM him thanking him for that awesome comment.
Message edited by author 2008-02-28 16:39:17. |
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02/28/2008 04:39:19 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by yospiff:
... I've gotten to where I feel I am cheating if I just say I don't like it and I don't say why ...
Funny thing is, forcing myself to do this has been improving my own stuff. Or, at least I often know before the challenge what kind of comments I'll get. |
Further evidence that you will learn far more from the constructive comments you make than those you receive.
It doesn't really matter whether or not some random voters are capable of aesthetically or technically analyzing your photo, your photos will not improve until you yourself are able to preform such analysis, preferably before pressing the shutter. |
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02/28/2008 04:39:49 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by yospiff:
It is hard to give a constructive and thought out comment on everything. Sometimes I'll have to look at a shot for a while till I realize why I don't think it's great. I try to work the hardest on commenting the 4's and 5's. The great ones will get lots of comments, and the poor ones will also get enough feedback to let the person know what was wrong. I've gotten to where I feel I am cheating if I just say I don't like it and I don't say why.
Several times lately I've given out a fairly low score (with explanation) because of a lot of visible JPEG compression artifacts, and afterwards see I was the only one to point this out and score low because of it. Not sure if that's a good thing, or if I'm being too picky.
Funny thing is, forcing myself to do this has been improving my own stuff. Or, at least I often know before the challenge what kind of comments I'll get. |
I'm really struggling to break that 6 barrier. I think once your shots are better than 6, you start getting alot of comments and you'll start improving rapidly. As you say, 4's and 5's are hard to comment on, but I think the most necessary. |
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