One picture at a time, please

Leaving aside the fact (evident from your gallery) that you aren't at all a beginner, I think this point warrants comment.

You're not the first to cite lack of experience as a reason for not offering a reason for liking or disliking a picture, and there's just no need to feel that way.

I'm quite sure that if you were to ask any of the most experienced photographers that contribute here, lack of experience would never be a reason they would give for not wanting to hear someone's opinion of a photograph.

A fresh pair of eyes, not yet jaundiced or overloaded with technical stuff, can still see, and still have a completely valid opinion of the picture.

Do you have to be an artist to appreciate art? Or a photographer to have a picture trigger an emotion in you?

Of course not.

Critique does not require lots of long photographic buzzwords to be valid.

All it needs is for you to say why it strikes you as it does. Sometimes that takes a little thought, since we often don't think much about why something evokes a particular feeling.

But it's valuable thought, since understanding why you like (or dislike) a picture makes it easier to take pictures you like in future.

A general guideline would be, don't say "I like it". Say "I like it because...".

Or of course, "I don't like it because...".

Some of the best photos I've seen I've really hated.

What he said...

Seriously though, I too do not understand the "not technically qualified" argument.

I'm not suggesting that people go massively in-depth into the technical side of things (although as SLR users we presumably should all have some degree of a grasp of these), but say WHY you do or do not like something.

If you don't immediately know, think about it!

Many people here have no "qualifications" for commenting on pictures (me included), but I like to think that if I do give some criticism it is of some use as I've explained it.

"Fantastic shot" may make the photographer feel great for a few seconds, but it doesn;t really tell them much.

I wish the mod's would close this thread and even delete it.

we have all had our say and it's just going no where.

what this thread is doing is putting people off enjoying photography for one reason or another. What would the new members think (the ones that are just about to join)
the members that are apprehensive/timid about joining and that have been sitting on the sidelines reading post’s we are damaging the future of pentax user.

I do agree the saying I like it, great, ditto all the above, suggests you’ve not really looked at the image and just agreeing just to look good and be part of the crowd.

Take time to look at a image and you will learn more about photography all images speak volume and will help you evolve your own technical boundary’s

James

the Roff, Adult Ed, first year, easy guide to photo crit.

a: What is attractive about this photograph? (shapes, colour, detail, space, atmosphere, etc)

b: Can you say what is the main subject of photograph, the point they focused on?

c: How does the background of the picture compliment/contrast with the subject? (Light/dark, complimentary colour, sharp and soft focus, simple/complex etc)

d: If they were asked why they took this photograph, what might they say?

You asks yourself the questions, and ponder, and come up with a few sentences. Some of the things may not apply, when there is no background etc.

The thread will die away eventually James, but people keep adding to it and keeping it alive.

Ooop, I've just done it myself

Fair point chris its just rather daunting for me someone who hates analysis (flunked my art humanties at school for it) but I shall try to take as much time as I can to look more and comment to the best of my ability in future.

The problem is, reposting the same argument over and over again. I know it's tempting to want the last word, but if all the points in this thread had been made just one it would have been quite short.

People are entitled to disagree, so no need for closing threads, but if it just descends into abuse then it would be closed.

Just respect other points of view, even if you disagree.

Unfortunately, you've taken what I said out of context. I meant delusions of grandeur which can arguably take place when someone gives unjustified praise to a shot - giving the photographer, 'a delusion of grandeur'. I was trying to show that I do indeed appreciate the sentiments at large here, even if I disagree with the way this is being handled.

I also made no direct reference to you anyway.

Sorry, what you said was the people making this point (me included) had a "holier than thou" attitude, not "delusions of grandeur".

I apologise for misquoting you.

EDIT: I believe the term "self-righteous" was also used.

Ok...I may have vented a little...and I did apologise twice If I had misunderstood the situation.

I've made my feelings on the matter clear. I'll just carry on and pretend this thread never happened and I'll just leave it at this (is that a hooray I hear?)

It is interesting how a thread which began with a polite request for people "not to post a load of disparate pictures in a single thread" has managed to get onto the subject of constructive criticism AGAIN.

It's obviously a subject that resonates with more than just one or two of us.

Some of you will be glad, no doubt, to hear that I plan to give this topic a rest for a while. The pros and cons have had a good airing.

Best wishes to all, and thank you for your contributions.

G

See "homage to Bwlchmawr" - that`s what I think

T