I don't want to step on anyones toes here but I thought I would pass along something I have learned in my old age, sort of old that is.
I have been a professional photographer for over 46 years. I have done shoots for many people, some you may know. Over those years I have learned to be very cautious concerning giving photographic advice. It is a "step lightly" conundrum to critique anybody else's photographic attempts or skill. I was originally taught every phase of camera, lens, exposure, wet and dry darkroom in the years 1958 and again in 1960 by my uncle Steve in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. He was an exceptional photographer whom I doubt that I will ever match.
Just today I had an unasked for critique on some forum I won't mention. I was told that I had made it to dark, the sky had uninteresting clouds that drew this persons eye and was a distraction, I had blown highlights, and I had cut the head off a person in the photo.
First of all, there were no people in the photo, the clouds were mid summer lilting clouds (I don't think I have control over the weather. I could be wrong.) There were NO blown highlights and, AND, there were no people on the bridge that I had shot......!
So, if you are going to critique a persons work the least one should do is LOOK!!! at the photograph before one opens ones mouth. Then, apologize for the ignorance. It is the right thing to do if you have any photographic knowledge. Don't critique and provide links to back yourself up if you are a knowledgeable photographer. Give personal advice from the wealth of knowledge that you have put together after many year of dealing with the ups and downs of the Photographic Profession. And, if you are that knowledgeable then why aren't you still doing it?
The best critique for the average photographer to give is to ask questions, not make statements. Questions such as, "Why is the sky so bright?" or "Why can't I see the trees roots in the shadows"? There just might be some artistic license at play with that particular photo. Avoid going out of your photographic realm.
The digital age has brought an awful lot of people into photography that would never have been here with film. Digital cameras do a lot of work for a person on full auto. This is wonderful, absolutely fantastic in my view. Just please settle down and don't think because one has learned the aperture priority control setting on a digital that you are an expert. Whoooaaaa to the ego. And the fact that you may have been fortunate enough to buy Pro style equipment only means that you had the money, not the skill.
OK, I'm done. People like this person are the reason I started my own Photographic Forum in 2009. I am not a member of any forum and I don't provide links to give advice unless it is something that I have little or no experience with such as Architectural photography. I can shoot a knockout group of photos for a person on their property or in their homes. But I know and understand that this will NOT make me a good Architectural photographer.
So, all this is merely to encourage equilibrium in your critique and advice. If you do you will have a really great place for discussing each others work. It will be fun and educational for the amateur trying to pick up hints to better themselves in the photographic medium. I wish you all smooth seas and friendly ports of call. TCrowe
One final thing. The best approach to critique when a person posts a photo is to simply ask, "What do you think of your photo?" 99% of the time that person will let you know what that person thinks the problems are. Critique is ALL about teaching. You wouldn't teach Calculus if you didn't understand Algebra. The same goes in photography. Also remember that you have no idea of the other persons knowledge. So, stay within your own equilibrium concerning photography. That will make this segment of this forum a happy and beneficial experience for all. There is no fighting in photography. Only careful and positive thought. TC
I have been a professional photographer for over 46 years. I have done shoots for many people, some you may know. Over those years I have learned to be very cautious concerning giving photographic advice. It is a "step lightly" conundrum to critique anybody else's photographic attempts or skill. I was originally taught every phase of camera, lens, exposure, wet and dry darkroom in the years 1958 and again in 1960 by my uncle Steve in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. He was an exceptional photographer whom I doubt that I will ever match.
Just today I had an unasked for critique on some forum I won't mention. I was told that I had made it to dark, the sky had uninteresting clouds that drew this persons eye and was a distraction, I had blown highlights, and I had cut the head off a person in the photo.
First of all, there were no people in the photo, the clouds were mid summer lilting clouds (I don't think I have control over the weather. I could be wrong.) There were NO blown highlights and, AND, there were no people on the bridge that I had shot......!
So, if you are going to critique a persons work the least one should do is LOOK!!! at the photograph before one opens ones mouth. Then, apologize for the ignorance. It is the right thing to do if you have any photographic knowledge. Don't critique and provide links to back yourself up if you are a knowledgeable photographer. Give personal advice from the wealth of knowledge that you have put together after many year of dealing with the ups and downs of the Photographic Profession. And, if you are that knowledgeable then why aren't you still doing it?
The best critique for the average photographer to give is to ask questions, not make statements. Questions such as, "Why is the sky so bright?" or "Why can't I see the trees roots in the shadows"? There just might be some artistic license at play with that particular photo. Avoid going out of your photographic realm.
The digital age has brought an awful lot of people into photography that would never have been here with film. Digital cameras do a lot of work for a person on full auto. This is wonderful, absolutely fantastic in my view. Just please settle down and don't think because one has learned the aperture priority control setting on a digital that you are an expert. Whoooaaaa to the ego. And the fact that you may have been fortunate enough to buy Pro style equipment only means that you had the money, not the skill.
OK, I'm done. People like this person are the reason I started my own Photographic Forum in 2009. I am not a member of any forum and I don't provide links to give advice unless it is something that I have little or no experience with such as Architectural photography. I can shoot a knockout group of photos for a person on their property or in their homes. But I know and understand that this will NOT make me a good Architectural photographer.
So, all this is merely to encourage equilibrium in your critique and advice. If you do you will have a really great place for discussing each others work. It will be fun and educational for the amateur trying to pick up hints to better themselves in the photographic medium. I wish you all smooth seas and friendly ports of call. TCrowe
One final thing. The best approach to critique when a person posts a photo is to simply ask, "What do you think of your photo?" 99% of the time that person will let you know what that person thinks the problems are. Critique is ALL about teaching. You wouldn't teach Calculus if you didn't understand Algebra. The same goes in photography. Also remember that you have no idea of the other persons knowledge. So, stay within your own equilibrium concerning photography. That will make this segment of this forum a happy and beneficial experience for all. There is no fighting in photography. Only careful and positive thought. TC
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