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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Are you qualified to comment?
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 04/24/2005 01:41:30 PM · #1
Newer photographers sometimes seem to feel that they are not qualified to comment on photos. This is simply not true. If you can see a photograph, you are qualified to comment.

You have probably been listening to music for a long time and you can tell other people what you think about the sound and the lyrics, even if you can't write music or play an instrument. You have been eating all your life and you can tell people what you think about certain foods and recipes, even if you can't cook. This list goes on and on and on...

You can also look at a photograph and decide whether or not you like it. Leaving a comment on a photo doesn't require any qualifications other than that. If a photo doesn't 'say' something to you, you can simply say that or just skip over it. If you do like it, or something about it, tell the photographer. You don't have to comment on the technicals of an image.
 04/24/2005 01:55:05 PM · #2
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
You don't have to comment on the technicals of an image.


The comments where people tell their emotion, feeling, memories are more worthwile. You don't even have to be a photographer to be able to express that.

04/24/2005 01:55:14 PM · #3
Right you are! Keep the comments coming!
I just had a look at the first comment I cast on DPC. It was a picture that I really liked and I had to tell the photographer how much fun I had looking at it.
 04/24/2005 01:57:08 PM · #4
It's so true what you are saying.

If you don't feel free to comment the tecnical aspects feel free just to comment the beauty (or uglyness) of it. for example there are some people that don't have camera and still vote and comment. You don't have to give lessons and be a teacher in photography to give your humble oppinion.
 04/24/2005 01:58:56 PM · #5
Like I said in an earlier thread, ANY comment is good. Comments let you know that someone took the time to look at your photo and let you know that they did and thought it was worthy of a comment. Even if it's a Wow or a Good shot. It is a worthwhile comment.
 04/24/2005 02:00:07 PM · #6
Just to put a bit of wood in to the fire. And to resposabilize the people that post photos. Please put a good description of it and how you take it, lenses, shutter speed, etc, if you like any deep critique, and to help other to learn. It's very constructive and certainly will be more commented for shure.
 04/24/2005 02:00:22 PM · #7
Thanks !
I'm sure that this could be very helpful to many of us , I remember my first times trying to comment and feeling a bit "stupid" but I feel better now (lol) , I know little about technics but lot about feelings ...
Some comments I've received have been very helpful (lightning , cropping , etc.) and others have been like a kind and friendly smile , very helpful for my state of mind.

So please feel free and leave comments !
 04/24/2005 02:02:03 PM · #8
One word of advice, though: if you are going to leave negative comments, you'll get a much better reaction of you do it politely, and stress that it's your personal opinion. I don't think anyone minds someone saying 'This doesn't do anything for me.' People, however, are more likely to take exception if you simply say 'this is no good.'

Likewise, compare the (imaginary) comment: 'would be better if it wasn't centred,' with the (imaginary) comment 'in my view, this might have more impact if your subject wasn't placed so centrally.'

e

Message edited by author 2005-04-24 14:02:44.
 04/24/2005 02:23:47 PM · #9
Commenting truly benifits you as you not only learn what to look for in another person's photo, you also learn what to look for when you are about to release the shutter.

The evolution of a comment:
1st Challenge comments - Nice photo/Love this pic/Wow
5th Challenge comments - I like this because the light very nice.
10th Challenge comments - Nice Depth of Field, good composition, focus on subject is crisp, colors are bright but not over done. There is a distracting blade of grass in the lower left, otherwise a very enjoyable photo.

Your comments and abilities will improve dramtically if you give more than you get.
 04/24/2005 02:32:41 PM · #10
Maybe people would feel more comfortable if they reviewed this Tutorial.
 04/24/2005 02:34:22 PM · #11
Originally posted by e301:
One word of advice, though: if you are going to leave negative comments, you'll get a much better reaction of you do it politely, and stress that it's your personal opinion. I don't think anyone minds someone saying 'This doesn't do anything for me.' People, however, are more likely to take exception if you simply say 'this is no good.'

Likewise, compare the (imaginary) comment: 'would be better if it wasn't centred,' with the (imaginary) comment 'in my view, this might have more impact if your subject wasn't placed so centrally.'

e


"would have been better if it wasn't centered' is so much easier to type and when trying to comment on 500 shots in some challenges it is easier to say what your thinking at THAT moment in time. If its not politically correct or written properly the who really cares as long as its has some kind of constructive comment. Feelings or sparing someones feelings is so over rated.
 04/24/2005 02:39:31 PM · #12
Commenting on photographs I beleieve can help you enhance how you take photographs and make your techniques better. By crituqing "I think I made this word up" oh well can give you an idea oh how you can make your photos better. I have noticed I see photographs with more depth and see how composition and techniques get better. overall giving me a better eye to take photographs.

I hope this makes sense. if not oh well I guess I'm just rambling on.
04/24/2005 02:52:30 PM · #13

Whilst I appreciate that some feel that it may not be appropriate to spare others feelings, I have a rather differing perspective on this.

Feedback on this site is there to give observation, critique, and narrative for understanding and improvement.

If feedback is given in a direct and insensitive manner then it has the unfortunate affect of having the opposite impact. criticism rather than critique; disruptive rather than supportive; constricting rather than developing.

I feel very strongly on this issue, and quite frankly feel that anything other than genuine understanding and supportive critique has no place in this community, and flows in the face of the spirit of this community, and the values established by the guys when this built up this site....

There is an old adage .
If you haven’t got anything positive to say then don't say anything.

I feel that this is very sound advice.

[ Climbs off soapbox and rubs himself down with a damp copy of the Radio Times]
 04/24/2005 05:27:51 PM · #14
I felt like I was not qualified enough when I first joined, and it was Setzler who told me to just dig in and comment and I would learn from it, and I have. My commenting on others photos has helped me to critique my own work. I'd say to any newbie, start small and before you know it you will be leaving wonderfully detailed comments with lots of techinical jargon.
 04/24/2005 05:37:28 PM · #15
I've learned more by leaving comments at this site than I have by receiving comments. The more photos you look at in a critical way, the more you'll find yourself applying the same sort of criticism to your own shots.

Really.

Don't worry overly much about the photographer whose shot you're commenting on. I mean, be polite and thoughtful with what you say, but realize there's a hundred reasons why your comment might not be meaningful or helpful to them. But don't let that stop you. Look at the shot and examine it in different way. Study what works and what doesn't as a viewer coming from your perspective.

And when you find yourself taking a similar shot, remember what you said and apply it to your own photo.
 04/24/2005 05:39:13 PM · #16
I agree completely that everyone that can see is qualified to comment on what the visual appeal (or lack) of what they are seeing.

On the subject of how to write the comment ... Everything I write is my opinion -- if it isn't I will include a reference. I don't feel the need to include that little piece of information as a qualification everytime I write something -- and I view everything I read with the assumption it is the writers opinion unless referenced otherwise.

While I don't think or act in an overly disrespectful manner, I also do not go out of my way to be overly polite. If people can't find a way to handle differing opinions they have no business around other people -- even if they are only virtual people. ;)

David

Message edited by author 2005-04-24 17:40:17.
 04/24/2005 05:52:00 PM · #17
Everyone is qualified to comment, and people should comment because the great goal of this challenges are to help people improve their skills as photogrphers.

Given this, I think it is very important that everyone realises quality of comments as the most important definer of their commenting, there is no gain in making 100% comments if all of them are in the style like very much / wow / beatifful / wonderfull / dreadfull / horrible / what is this / don´t like the theme / nice title. I don´t think this are bad comments (there is no such thing) however it is always better to take your time and do only in depth comments on the best and worst picture giving the artists important feedback.
 04/24/2005 06:12:24 PM · #18
every one should comment weather beginer, or pro.

The skill sets that you have should reflect your comment.

A beginer should try to aquire better understanding of what to look for in a pix before commenting, while a PRO should comment on the pix relevent to their experience.

A Pro-Sumer should comment in the best way they know how without interfering with the artists vision, and strictly with the pix itself.

Message edited by author 2005-04-24 18:13:39.
 04/24/2005 06:28:49 PM · #19
"A Pro-Sumer should comment in the best way they know how without interfering with the artists vision, and strictly with the pix itself."

Are you trying to say that if a person doesn't have a DSLR they aren't an "artist"...I hope not.
04/24/2005 06:58:12 PM · #20
Originally posted by rktdesign:
"A Pro-Sumer should comment in the best way they know how without interfering with the artists vision, and strictly with the pix itself."

Are you trying to say that if a person doesn't have a DSLR they aren't an "artist"...I hope not.


I did not read it that way...
 04/24/2005 07:02:52 PM · #21
i comment if i like or love a photo but i hardly ever say if i think it is no good because i dont know if i am right. Sometimes i can really tell if a pic is not working but mostly i have no idea. I wouldnt want to say something isnt working when others see a ingenious idea, or think it is great lighting etx. Am i making sense?
 04/24/2005 07:10:02 PM · #22
Originally posted by swinging_johnson_v1:
every one should comment weather beginer, or pro.

A beginer should try to aquire better understanding of what to look for in a pix before commenting

Sort of contradicting yourself there.

Originally posted by swinging_johnson_v1:
A Pro-Sumer should comment in the best way they know how without interfering with the artists vision, and strictly with the pix itself.

I don't even know what that means.

Here's my deep, philosophical opinion: Anyone should friggin' comment with whatever they want to say about the photo if they feel like it. :)

I trust that most people here are giving their honest, thoughtful opinion and those that aren't - well, I guess I don't even notice the difference. ;-)
 04/24/2005 07:11:31 PM · #23
i too am new and have left alot of comments the past few days....i tend to leave ones on photos that i like and none on the ones that dont move me...my first two entries are being voted and commented on now...and i have mostly recieved kind suggestions which i have found very helpful indeed...except for one....its really tough to read a comment that basically said 'what the hell is this???'

OUCH that hurt
 04/24/2005 07:15:49 PM · #24
Originally posted by buzzmom:
i too am new and have left alot of comments the past few days....i tend to leave ones on photos that i like and none on the ones that dont move me...my first two entries are being voted and commented on now...and i have mostly recieved kind suggestions which i have found very helpful indeed...except for one....its really tough to read a comment that basically said 'what the hell is this???'

OUCH that hurt

Shouldn't hurt. Some people just have a rough way of putting things. I would simply take it to mean that this one individual could not tell what you were trying to convey in the photo. If that's the only comment of its kind for that image, assume the commenter needs glasses or just wish them well with their lasik surgery. ;-)
 04/24/2005 07:20:03 PM · #25
that made me laugh...thank you....needed a good laugh tonight...trying to figure out how to meet the deadline for minimalism when im stuck in bed with a bad back for 4 days now....
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