A gentle reminder

[Bambi]

Nah, I'm just blunt and rude. But I try to restrain myself here because you're all nice people here...

I am an egotistical, self centered ass who is crass and SOB, but like you said they are nice people.

I am one of the nicest people you'd ever want to have a beer with

[Fortytwo]

Well, if you ever get to Amsterdam, I'll buy you a beer for sure. You'll just have to pay for your own trip...

[Bambi]

Well, if you ever get to Amsterdam, I'll buy you a beer for sure. You'll just have to pay for your own trip...

42 you are on!!!

[tomorrowstreasures]

There is no excuse for rudeness or mean spirited comments. That is not how someone grows. All that accomplishes is more negativity. Constructive criticism, constructs - builds... not knocks down.... If people are happy having someone tell each other that their image is -- hated/ugly/insert negative remark here -- in the manner that was done on this forum, then this is not the forum for me - and I am sure many others.

Because someone steps up to the plate and confronts someone on their behavior does not create a clique... the person in question was emphasizing appropriate behavior. I thank her for that.

[Mad Aussie]

Something else to think about when you feel you have received an abrasive or blunt critique/comment is that you may be looking at a comment from someone who does not have English as their primary language. Imagine trying to be all the things we expect in the way of respect and politeness when you struggle to form sentences in another language.
I always look at the person's location if they have provided it to guide me in this case.

Another reason someone might be a bit blunt is because they've rushed in and tried to participate, but were short on time. This can result in a comment not as well constructed as it might be.

Even people with English as a primary language can be taken the wrong way also. The 'tone' of a sentence in English is very important to it's meaning quite often and this often misinterpreted in a forum.

So always take a bit of time if you feel a little stabbed by someone's comment to consider these points.



Something I tend to do is try to tailor my critiques to the person a little. For instance, if someone is new here and I'm uncertain of their level of expertise then I tend to tread more lightly than I would if someone like Marko posts a shot up. No point picking a newbies shot apart, better to start with helping them get some basics right first. Marko on the other hand expects us to pick on the finer points he's missed.

Recently I've been more harsh in my critiques of both Casil and Bambi because I know they both want to try to step their photography up a level so now I'm more picky with them. If they let something basic like not leveling their water horizons I'm onto them and will not nominate their photo for the members Choice even it's perfect in every other way. It's my way of pushing them to look for and correct the small things. My point is my critiques tend to be different for different people.



Lastly, critiques are not always from an experienced photographer, or even if they are, sometimes they are not a definitive lesson. Sometimes (actually most often due to the subjective nature of photography) they are simply an opinion and not much more. Every photo put on here will be liked by some people and not by others.

[Iguanasan]

...
Something I tend to do is try to tailor my critiques to the person a little. For instance, if someone is new here and I'm uncertain of their level of expertise then I tend to tread more lightly than I would if someone like Marko posts a shot up. No point picking a newbies shot apart, better to start with helping them get some basics right first. Marko on the other hand expects us to pick on the finer points he's missed.
...

I do this as well. I think it just makes sense. A new member to the site may be very sensitive to a comment as it may be their first time putting themselves out there. It behooves all of us to take other people's feelings into consideration when making a comment.

[Bambi]

Recently I've been more harsh in my critiques of both Casil and Bambi because I know they both want to try to step their photography up a level so now I'm more picky with them. If they let something basic like not leveling their water horizons I'm onto them and will not nominate their photo for the members Choice even it's perfect in every other way. It's my way of pushing them to look for and correct the small things. My point is my critiques tend to be different for different people.

AHA!! I knew it!!! And I was flattered that you (and others) are being more picky with me. Does this make me a masochist? Who cares as long as it makes me a better photographer!!!

and I agree with everything else you said as well.

[Mad Aussie]

and I agree with everything else you said as well.

Of course ... everything I say is very, very important you know??!!

[Bambi]

Of course ... everything I say is very, very important you know??!!

yes dear.

[Marko]

Thanks for starting this thread TT.

I LOVE the pulse and friendliness of our forum

But lots of points in this thread so far....

First off - any member can PM me if they want me to look at a thread objectively for rudeness or any other reason. Because I want to keep this forum friendly, and I can no longer look at every post, I will be depending more and more on members to alert me to such posts as opposed to letting them slide....Obviously different people have different writing styles and different people are more sensitive than others....but I think we all know when something is "Too" rude. Many of you have seen it on other photo forums...and i do NOT want it creeping up here if at all possible...Even as membership grows...if we are ALL friendly, we will all set the pulse.

MA makes an excellent point about language and lack of time when we are writing fast.....just something to be aware of.

One thing that MIGHT be sticky is the difference between the show forums and critique. Some people (myself DEFINITELY included) occasionally add small notes of improvement in the show threads. It's kind of a grey area. Do we need to make it b/w?

Thanks for listening and if anyone prefers to PM instead of posting here please feel free.

many thx - Marko