I find myself often frustrated with the niceties afforded us photographers by the viewers of our work. I have been looking at many sites and seen many photographers work displayed for all to marvel at, some of it great, some of it poor. I dont believe anyone has a true right to say a photograph is bad!! gosh, how could they??!! We would crall into our darkroom and never emerge!! I do feel however that there is plenty of space to be filled in the area of constructive critisism on photo commentary.
"nice shot", "well captured", "well done", so those looking for the thumbs up on their photography really feel good about themselves and carry on photographing. where is the constructive criticism? we are all learning and learning from each other no matter how experienced or inexperienced we are! I would love to see more comments where people get a little obnoxious! stir the pot a little, throw in your ideas, why dont you like the shot, what would you change? any ideas on how to improve that shot? be real about it, making photograph comments should be less about buttering up the work we see before us and more about commending it and then giving the photographer some direction as to how he or she is able to do it better, or make it more interesting. Even a cliched sunset can look even better and more original and interesting after hearing a few peoples crits and comments. I have found by studying photography and doing a bit of lecturing, a student grows so much faster when people are open and are able to justify why they feel a certain way about their image.
Its tough taking a hit for something you're proud of, but thats how we learn best! if someone smacks your work down just for the sake of it then yeah, stuff them too, but if they justify their comments and after picking your ego off the floor you realise that they may have a point, then good, you have learnt, and your photography will be better off for it. If you want a positive response and the "oh thats nice" comment, then take it to your gran.
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Interesting thoughts bro and I can agree with you on some points. But to be honest, I don't think there's a need to be obnoxious, stir the pot, get smacked down with justification etc.
ReplyDeleteI think constructive criticism is best delivered by offering an alternate view/advice in a sensitive manner where the focus is rather on "hey I want to help you improve" instead of breaking down the individual in the process.
I have been a victim of bullying which was said to be "constructive criticism" as well as the guilty party of hurting someone with my views and trust me, it does way too much damage to the individual on the receiving end - very little good comes out of it.
Tact and a humble approach are key when it comes to being constructive in one's criticism - but it is definitely needed or else nobody would really progress. Remember, most artists are sensitive souls and damage is easily done :). Besides, if one delivers the criticism with the wrong attitude/approach, they just end up looking like pompous idiots at the end of the day.