How do YOU walk the Fine Line?

[CanadianRocky]

Originally Posted by loeee

Generally, if someone critiques your work a couple of time and you respond with a disagreement or an "I like it anyway" they will stop critiquing your work.

I think that is a very important thing to point out.

I have taken images (never lightly and only when they have asked for a C & C) from threads where the OP has "editing OK? - Yes" and made modifications and reposted them. On a few occasions never hearing anything from the OP, one way or the other. I never C & C their work again.

[ohenry]

I give 'em negative Karma!



Nah .... I think one should expect to hear negative comments anytime they post. We all look at our photography differently. I'm going to compose it one way, another will come along and suggest cropping it. I think the best solution is to simply say thanks for your comments. I take all comments onboard. I just toss out those that I don't happen to think fit what I was trying to achieve with that shot.

[ah-photography]

I don't think we get enough, not so much negative comments, but critique.

[AnnieSocial]

I try to define where my tastes are different from others'. I like color,ultra wide lenses, and lots of saturation. So when someone tells me my shot needs B&W, a longer lens, or less saturation, I generally discount it without comment.

The exception is work that is for a client or to hopefully sell; in those cases, if a lot of people are saying those things, and very few are agreeing with me, I may take the criticisms more seriously.

[KEVINS]

Ya know, here’s my take and I’ve only be doing photography for 8-9 months but this has crossed my mind a lot.

I’ve learned that everyone has their own opinion including me and I’m just as right as they are when it comes to judging if a picture is a "pretty" picture to look at. I appreciate CC’s all the time and that’s how I learn to look for details that will make me be a better “artist” but I don’t ask b/c “usually” when I post a pic I stop processing it when I like it. If someone gives CC’s then I really look at what they said and they may be right or maybe not. If they are right I make the adjustments. Sometimes I get tunnel vision and can’t see the bad things in the pic.

If I don’t like my pic then I ask and someone will usually help identify the issue so I can fix it. I also have learned that photographers judge a picture entirely different than the average person. Average people look at a picture and decide if the picture is a “pretty” picture where photographers look at it differently.

I’m taking pictures to sell as fine art so my compositions and processing are for those people who want something to hang on their walls so the colors/textures/compositions I choose are for those people as I start out.

Kevin

[Bilsen]

A lot of interesting takes on this question.

I should probably be clear that I'm not whining about critiques and I still seek them out on here. I haven't even figured out all of Benji's rules yet and I read that article about twice a month. Improvement is a process which ain't always fun.

My real question was not "how should I handle this situation" but more toward "how do you handle it"?

Thanks to all for their views. Keep going all.

[ohenry]

One more thing I might add. I generally take any comments directed towards how to post process an image with a grain of salt. Too many variables in taste there.

I'm really more interested in how I can improve the image with regards to composition and/or any technical flaws (i.e. exposure, too much or too small of a DOF, and other in-camera properties). Even these are subjective but, IMO, much more useful to me as a photographer.

[JohnnyUK]

This is a very interesting question, and one that can be answered in several ways.
First, if you (and your client) really like an image, then nuf said, who cares what others say, what you then need to look for is the alternative perspectives that could add value, enable learning and seeing the shot in a different way all together. This is valuable feedback, but you may need to sift for it through lots of opinions, there may not be detailed feedback, so misinterpretation is a real problem.
Second, we all get attached to our work some times, this is pure emotion at work, not valuable, this is when someone says it's a snapshot and we see red, this is when you are liable to learn the most, we then need to look really long and hard at whether it is supported by other opinions over time, it's about taking a step back and taking on board all the critic and comment to see if there is reason. Often it provides an alternative view if you prompt the commentator to add more, if they don't then move on.
Finally the beauty is that as people we all see things differently (wouldn't it be a boring world if we all saw things the same), and sometimes it's good to just disagree, give your feedback and perspective of how you were trying to shoot the picture, this is the reverse education process, where you educate the viewer to see more into the shot than they may have originally. Just maybe the commentator learns something of your style and comes to appreciate your work more.
As to C&C I believe that this forum is one of the best I have come across on the web, some other sites are just plain mean.
One of the earliest lessons I learnt was that only 4% of people matter, it's those that have the honesty to give a real opinion, tooooo many people leave very shallow comments like great, love this etc. without explaining what it is they like and how they have read the picture.
I always think of the following:
The reasonable man adapts himself to the conditions that surround him.
The unreasonable man adapts surrounding conditions to himself.
All progress depends on the unreasonable man. George Bernard Shaw

[northlander]

I like to receive useful comments and suggestions and I try to leave useful comments. Too often we can be our worst critics but it's always interesting to get other perspectives. I'll agree that this site offers useful c+c compared to some other sites which tend to denigrate into flame wars. I usually don't respond to comments unless asked for more info. Overall the if the comments are truly to help the person they will be received as such.

[Rense]

First of all you have to draw the line before you ask for critism, e.g. if I get on one image two different opinions, my opinion is the most valid one, if not you can get insane: person x says the image is to light, person y says the image is to dark and you are placed in the middle.

Second: always thank a poster: (s)he has made some energy on your posting

Third: don't act upon the critics just right after you have posted it: at that time you are still to tied up to the image. Let it go for a week and ask your self, if I do the things the poster suggested is it still my image style?