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Critiques – Some thoughts
CRITIQUES – GENERAL
Critiques have become a very useful resource within the forum community for those wishing to improve their photography.
In simple terms, for those unsure, a critique is simply an opinion on what is right, what is wrong, and how you might improve your image. These opinions may be those of an experienced photographer or simply an interested enthusiast or even a beginner.
You ask for others to give you critique on your image, they offer their thoughts, and you then accept those thoughts for what they are and take away what you feel will help you.
WHEN CRITIQUES GO WRONG
Recently here, we had a critique that went terribly wrong. An image was posted up and our opinions were asked for. A few of us, including myself, were not taken with the image and, always willing to be honest in our opinions, we made our thoughts known as we had been asked. We are convinced we had offered our thoughts in a polite manner.
However, the owner of the image was not accepting of our thoughts and became very defensive and unreasonable as the discussion moved along. Sad, because this person has shown us some really beautiful work they had created and I personally really enjoyed much of the images they had taken.
The end result was that the person left the forum and vowed not to return.
They are very welcome back of course but sadly may not feel that is so.
I’ve been giving critiques and thoughts to those who ask for some time now in various forums and have never had this reaction but I have seen similar things in forums before so I thought I might expel a few things running around in my mind.
MISUNDERSTANDINGS
Firstly, forums are notorious for misunderstanding. The English language doesn’t help much at all either. So many terms and words can have different meanings. The context in which something is written can have a large impact on the meaning of the words. As can the tone the words are said or typed. We read the words how we think they are being said but often misunderstand the meaning. A single word missed by our eyes or accidently left out by the person typing, can completely change the meaning of what is written.
Add to that the different people from around the world that are trying to help you with their critiques and thoughts. Some of these people have cultural differences in the usage of some words.
In Australia, for instance, the word ‘Dag’ means someone who is a funny, amusing person. In some countries though, ‘Dag’ means poo hanging from a sheep’s tail! Calling someone a dag can mean very different things depending on who is reading.
Further to that, many people in forums such as this one do not have English as their primary language. These people may or may not have a strong grasp on the English language and therefore may struggle to explain their thoughts as succinctly as others. Often these people will use as few words as possible to get their point across. This can be taken as being abrupt by some but wasn’t meant that way. Someone who has English as their primary language, but with little time on their hands may come across the same way.
INFLUENCES ON CRITIQUES
Secondly if you ask for a critique chances are that someone is going to give you their honest opinion about it. This then is their opinion only. It is not necessarily the only opinion and is not necessarily the only way your image may be viewed. What they say is going to be based on several factors which may include some or all of the following. Their own experiences as a photographer. Their own tastes, likes and dislikes in general, and in photographic terms. Their own sentimental reasons. Influences such as colours they like or subject matter that appeals to them. Their current available time to even give a critique. The mood they are in. Their own culture. Whether the moon is full or the mother in law is standing behind them berating them for spending too much time on the PC.And so on. You get the idea. There are many and varied factors that may influence a person’s critique or thoughts about your image.
On another hand, one persons critique can influence those that follow. If someone confidently gives a detailed critique, others can sometimes look at your image, maybe formulate some thoughts, but after reading the first critique can change their minds thinking their thoughts are not as good or relevant. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s not often we take an image that appeals to everybody.
ACCEPTANCE
A persons critique is their view or opinion and not the truth without any other option. It’s just their opinion. You should always remember that and hopefully they will try to make that obvious to you.
So, if someone gives you a critique that you simply do not agree with, or even feel offended by, you simply have the choice to take a breath and thank them for their time and ignore it. Or accept it and learn from it.
If someone walks up and calls you an ugly, parrot headed, moron then ignore them if you wish. If several people call you an ugly, parrot headed, moron then maybe, just maybe, you should land somewhere safely and take a look in the mirror and question your diet of seeds and fruit before pooping on a car and flying off again.
In the same way, don’t be offended (or excited if the critique is very positive) but rather seek more critiques and look at all the views and thoughts. You’ll learn much about how people perceive your images and how you can make changes to appeal to certain people or simply appeal to more people in general.
DIFFERENCES IN CRITIQUES
As I mentioned above, critiques can vary greatly person to person for many reasons. Are some better than others? Should you listen to some people and not others? I believe every persons critique is of value in some way. They may simply tell you that they agree with someone else and that’s fine. They may have almost opposite view to other critiques. That’s fine too because they may have seen something others haven’t or simply perceive your images differently in some way.
Someone who has a good technical knowledge can perhaps help you greatly in the technical aspects of your image but someone with little technical knowledge will not be clouded by those details. They will see other things. Who you are wanting your photos to appeal to will also dictate who you might listen to. For instance if you were wanting to enter a contest and expected the judges to be qualified in photographic judging in some way then having experienced photographers critique your work might be more valuable than a beginners thoughts. However, if you are simply wanting your photo to appeal to the masses then a beginner or general enthusiasts thoughts are very important also. Which is not to say you should ignore the pursuit of technical excellence of course.
AVOIDING MISUNDERSTANDINGS
I think some people are going to misunderstand you no matter what you say or how you say it sometimes. Some misunderstandings seem simply unavoidable.
However, I do think there are a few things we can do when giving critiques to try to lessen the chances of misunderstanding. Reading many of my critiques you’ll see I tend to try to follow a few simple guidelines.
~ Be certain to make it clear you are simply giving your opinion. You may do this at the beginning as I often do, or perhaps at the end.
~ Be Clear. Try to state each element of your critique as clearly and crisply as possible. Then back that up with your reasons.
~ Give credit where credit is due. I’m a firm believer that if you are going criticize something then also complementing is helpful. Softening the blow by pointing out some good points may help the recipient of your critique accept the criticism you offer. This comes from experience in management and I found that people respond better with this technique. After all ... critiques, although from the word family including ‘criticize,’ should also include positive aspects of the image in order to be more helpful.
~ If you are joking around during your critique then use the emoticons (smilies) provided in the forum to more clearly show your ‘tone.’ In fact using these can help in many ways to more clearly define your meaning.
SUMMARY
Forums are a place where misunderstanding is a constant and real possibility.
There are many reasons why peoples opinions of your images can vary.
I’ve found critiques to be one of the single most helpful resources in improving my own photography and have watched many photographers here at ph.ca improve incredibly quickly because they have embraced the critiques given to them by members here. Even if they didn’t quite agree. Keeping an open mind that others may know or see something you do not and trying the things they mention can be a great way to expand your photographic repertoire.
Critiques are for learning and should not be used to simply get a pat on the back for an image you have taken. This is often going to lead to disappointment because every image will appeal or not appeal to so many people in so many different ways that you are certain to get some points of view you do not like.
If you truly want to learn something about your image then the Critiques forum is the place for you to post your image.
If you are happy with your image or simply don’t want critique on an image for any reason then the Show Your Photo sections are the place for those images.
As always, please feel free to add any of your own thoughts or even debate or discuss any points or thoughts I have mentioned in this ... Rant? Novel? Mental Expulsion? Random Out Pouring?
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- Please connect with me further 
Originally Posted by Greg_Nuspel
I try to be as honest and clear as possible, give credit where it's due, and suggest changes if I can think of any.
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