Critique - A proposal to members

UG! just wrote a reply.. took me forever (no super secretary here)..and UG..I got logged off and is all gone! GRR

Now .....what was I saying?

Wow, there is so much to respond too and please accept my apologies for not responding to each reply individually, I'll be here for ages but I will take everyones feedback very seriously.

Firstly, I just want to thank everyone for their kind comments and support for our site and it's quite clear from the comments the biggest concern is regarding not having the confidence to comment on other photos so let's test drive something for a while, I'll explain more later in this post.

I'm really happy that I can see a thumbs up from those who have joined in this discussion with regards to the proposed system. Yes it needs fine tuning but it would really tighten up loose ends and help us with this little problem.

Now onto that test drive I was talking about. The critique system is going to take development time and is something for the not so distant future so this is something we can start right now and make a game out of how to critique and make learning fun to give members confidence to leave comments.

All the comments I've read seem to boil down to things like "no confidence", "i don't want to upset anyone", "that person is a much better tog than me, I'd be crazy to critique their photo"....... I'm sure you all will agree you've seen these too!

How can we work our way around this?

Let me put another proposal to you....... how about a new forum dedicated to critique development and learning? Look at this new forum as a school for learning how to critique where everyone can experiement and put their toes in the water knowing absolutely nobody will be offended with any comments that are made. This can also be looked at a comfortable safe zone.

How will it work?

Firstly, I'll need some volunteers who will be our teachers or guides for this new forum. I want our guides to post an image or two as new threads so other members can practice their critique and I need the guides to then help members improve their critique skills in pointing out what to look for. For example, a guide can post an image with deliberate mistakes and work with members to see those mistakes etc.

Do you think something like this would work?

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Paul

www.phrphotography.com

"Providing critique can be a valuable part of the learning process"

Personally, I very much enjoy writing critiques and naturally, recieving them...LOVE talking photos. Not just the technicals, as I am no expert, but also the emotionals of a shot, the situation of the shot, the how's and why's of a shot being taken.
I was not always like this but have basically forced myself to look harder and analyse into words, why I find one shot a WOW and the next a Yawn! I believe this to be an essential part of photographing and improving, and believe that everyone can do this on some level.

I support the changes.
Receiving nice & safe replies at first is lovely, but at the end of the day, these can be stifling, offering no new inspiration.

I like the idea of not downloading too many images in one day, utilising a point system sounds possible, I see it used at another site.

I would not like to see cliques and 'clubs' amongst members at the cost of some feeling left out and shunted, but do enjoy to see friendships and familiarities...so hopefully not all the fun & lighheartedness will go out the window.

The idea of a "Learning to Critique" section is fabulous.!
With the understanding that critiquing is not a personal issue but, a genuine view point of a photograph, I do think it it should work. We can learn and be inspired by others, and watch people grow and develop their skills.
It all sounds good to me!

Cheers Paul good job!

Dear all,

I agree with the credit system. I am the member of the PhotoSig too and I find their system is worth to consider. However, I feel this site is more friendly to the novice or amateur photographer like me. I submit photo to the site because I want to know what is the position of my photo, what is the feedback. I think in order to encourage people to offer critiques, I suggest the following:

1. introduce the rating system such as one thumb up, two thumbs up & 3 thumbs up so that people who is too shy (I used to be like that due to my poor English)can express their feeling through rating the photos.

2. The photo who collect the most thumbs up (accumulated) can be the photo of the day, week or year so that it encourages people to submit their best photo or better quality photo.

3. Limit one photo per day per member.

At last, for those who think that they are not qualify to give critique, I tell you what, no body will kill you if you just write "Wow that is great. I like it." Everyone like to see positive comment. Of course, if you don't like the photo, just give a simple reason will do. I believe everyone is friendly in this site and will respect each other opinion. Also, English is my third language, beside Chinese & Bahasa Malaysia. If I can put some words, definitely you can do better than me. Folks, just do it.

PS: Paul, since you wish everyone can offer critiqus, might as well you change the system that all photo been submitted will automatically place in the critique forum. If people don't like to see critque of their photo, I think Flickr is the better place to share their photo. Lastly, I apprecaite your best effort & concern to improve this site. Wish this site will getting better & better. If you find difficulties to understand what I mean, sorry for the poor English

Regards
Steven de Siow

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Steven de Siow
Malaysia

Hi all, I am a newbie moved from a "site that is closing". I am not sure that you will get rid of a clique feel in a critique section. I myself am interested in landscape and portraits and that is all I really feel comfortable commenting on. Also possibly the only images I would notice. I do like Stevens idea of a thumbs up though, quick and simple.

I vote for Barry, Alan & Genese...this is not to say they have massive amounts of time or they are the best, i admire these guys (&gals) work tremendously, however, When reading their crits you really get a sense of time, care, attention to detail and a genuine want to help the beginners..
I know that the assignments are now gone, but would this help any beginners? a weekly challenge then all who enter can crit each other..?

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Of course its goes work~~ Paul~~ I am completely with Steven;I need when criticizes me my photographs, I need for opinion for the others, I needs to learn an easy way ects, then I like to bring for the others my experiment or easy way. I would be attentive has all propositionet has to give all that I can~~

Ivan

Although the basic idea is sound,it could actualy backfire and have the opposite effect to what is intended, you could end up with a few images recieving lots of critique and other images still recieving little or none.
It is a fact on most sites that some contributers are more popular and revieve more comments than others, irrespective of the quality of the work submitted, thats life.
Despite the above thoughts I think this is probably the correct action to take and, fingers crossed, it has the desired effect.

someone said above about the clique? i hadn't realized there were any.. i guess when your new then it may seem that way a little bit! most of us have never met ... we just banter and would love everyone to join in... as fay and lorraine will tell you they came from another site along with others and soon caught on to our strange sense of humors! i am yet to come across anyone who has been offended by a critique i have given at the end of the day they are not pulling apart your image but suggesting ways for you to improve its up to you whether you take on board the suggestions made, if you are happy with your images and don't want to learn then fair enough.
I like the idea of a critique team
idea here ... what about a maximum upload of 1 image per day and then 1 critique per week done by a professional photographer/ semi pro?
then those that are not comfortable with giving crits can still learn etc?
think thats pretty much what andy said above!

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http://www.genesephotography.com

"1 critique per week done by a professional photographer/ semi pro?"

What a good idea.

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Steven de Siow
Malaysia