360° feedback

Contrary to what some would have you believe, the real G is not really a monster. I had a quick look at your pics, and will return to them to see if there is anything helpful I can say.

G

thanks George, I appreciate you taking the time.

Yes, and here I tell you that I am also a judge, appearing in camera clubs/photo societies in various places.

The basic principle is that when somebody puts up an image they have invested some of themselves in it. It's an expression and it's not to be trashed. Let's celebrate and highlight the positive aspects first and enjoy it along with its creator.

Then it is certainly OK to suggest improvements and point out any weaknesses, but with courtesy. Cheap shots are not on the agenda.

If we enjoy looking at pictures and genuinely want to help, this process can be honest without being negative.

I did suggest, a long time ago, that we have an 'anonymous' upload for such a critique area. That way, no egos are bruised and the poster can choose whether to reveal themself after an agreed period.

All i can say is People learn from Plain honesty.

Greynolds- not sure about anonymous postings.

People need to lighten up , enjoy their hobby and not take themselves too seriously.

If they cant post on here without fearing the comments of other members then i would certainly have major concerns for them in the real world.

The act of self appraisal reveals quite a lot and many questions can be answered ahead of asking others. Also it shows the areas you have doubts about which can be zeroed in by the respondents. I'd be more willing to engage at a deeper level if I'd seen what the creator thought about their own work first.

Doug - I think you are absolutely spot on.

Yes, a bit of feedback from the Creator would be most instructive.

Frankly, with a complicated thing like a planet with life on it, I personally would have taken more time. Seven days is rushing it, and I think it shows.

G

PS: Joking apart, Douglas, I agree with everything you say.

That hits the nail there. Comments are welcome, and criticisms usually are only okay if the original poster expressed so.

Then again we have images that scream of wanting to be criticized! Especially marklj's photos, all of them. My main criticism would be: You should have taken me with you when you took those shots! LOL

Hmm. I disagree. If somebody posts a photo on a photo forum he should expect people to comment on it, unless he specifically requests otherwise.

And if he did, I'd comment anyway.

Then I suggest you hie yourself down to the gym, or up the nearest mountain. That Mark is pretty fit.

Cheers

G

I'm with George on this.

I want to improve and I'm not interested in getting a pat on the back- my family and friends can provide that.

I think that many new posters would rather get tactful criticism than a yawning silence when they post their early attempts.

In fact I think the more experienced members of the community should try really hard to make concise and tactful comments on as many images in the "my photos" section as possible.

I am going to try and give my feedback in this way- because of my lack of experience I may not always be able to suggest a solution though and for some that maybe unsatisfactory

All true.

I am, however, more likely to comment on one picture than a whole load, unless they are part of an obvious sequence.

G

It's usually a matter of time, so I tend to only comment on images that for some reason attract my attention, not necessarily because I like them but sometimes because they raise an interesting issue.

I think this is a really interesting thread. I post quite a few pictures on PU (too many probably) and I agree with Axel's initial observation that there are not too many constructive criticisms applied. I also agree that if someone does not particularly like an image they will simply not place a comment rather than commenting negatively.

However, I also think that you learn very quickly what is seen as good or not good by other members simply by interpreting the lack of comments by certain of the more expert photographers who regularly post images in PU and / or provide comments on images posted by others (e.g. Puma, Dr. Orloff are two examples). I have not yet managed to gain a positive comment from Dr O, so I interpret this to mean that my pics are not yet good enough to merit a comment and I don't take this negatively in the slightest.

I've only ever received one comment that I perceived as negative rather than constructive. I sent a PM to the member that posted it but received no reply or acknowlegement. I think that says it all.

BTW, I try to post as many comments as possible, usually positive, occasionally constructive. As with Axel, I don't post if I really don't like the image.

I will continue to view the gallery and post pictures and comments as I personally feel it can only help me to improve.

Regards
David