Evaluation of beginners photos

[Callie Muller]

I searched for a thread on this and found one but it was closed
My feeling is best described by Simon in that thread, see below. I would like to thank Simon for his crits which suggests what could have been done to make the photo better. I believe he should be more critical as well. If it is bad it is bad !
Futhermore, getting no comments suggests to me that the photo should not have been posted because it is of such a low quality that none of the pro-members find it not worthy to do so. On the other hand I wonder how many experienced photographers here ever look at the beginners section
Also, the view count is misleading because when a photo is not clear but looks interesting you view it just too see what it is . Bingo, one view more !
The thread, started by Hennie, is very interesting and prompted me to start this one. I assume that WD means exactly that, why else take the effort to comment ? But I feel if the photo is bad the comment should state that but with reasons. On the other hand if it is really junk then a comment is probably not advisable. That links up with my "such a low quality" remark above
What do you guys think ?



Re: Comments on phtotos on odp

I've always felt that instead of VVVVVWD, why not post "Tech's handled perfectly, I like it!" I've also felt that giving a detailed crit on a photo which has a number of VVWD's and then pointing out a few shortcomings doesn't go down well with the poster, they tend to slam my suggestions for comp, pose, shadow control, etc, maybe I'm just not part of their VVWD club, outsiders stricktly forbidden. Comments on photo's are meant to assist the photographer in planning for the next shoot, what to aim for in both photograhy and PP, pity that so little of it is taken to heart by a large number of posters. As per my signature line, the offer for specific crits still stands - many ask via PM/email, or send photo's via e-mail. Otherwise, I do selected crits and Beginners/Avian/S&A mostly.

PS: wish more members would help with the beginners comments, technical input there is sadly lacking.

[John Mullineux]

Yes, I agree. Although, getting a VWD after a sucky day at work does feel good. I use ODP as a soundboard to check if something that I think is good, is good, as well as to see if some chances i have taken were pulled off or not. Useful crit (up or down) assists in letting me know what to change or try next time. Particularly when I have a great scene and subject, but minor PP changes to brightness/contrast will elevate it from good to really great. Also, specifics help me know when there are aspects of an image that I have pulled off but that the image as a whole is perhaps not as good as I thought.

Also, when I view other guys' galleries and view the comments, I get an objective view of what to try on a following shoot.

In the beginners section I have noticed a few really good pics that would be improved simply by a slghtly tighter crop to clear the frame. I think some of these guys could do with the encouragement of helpful positive crits to take photography more seriously and thereby get better. I had a semipro helping me when I still had a 3x zoom pocket camera. An eye for a pic is worth more than a good camera and an eye takes development. PP eye is a separate challenge (I use my wife as a consultant here - she knows enough to comment, but more importantly can tell me when something is improved or destroyed by a tweak).

Keep the comments coming.

[Andre v]

This has been discussed many times in the past, and honestly nothing every really changes.

My advice is :
Rather post your images in the relevant gallery and give the beginners gallery a skip. It is not viewed much by many of the photographers on this site who prefer to comment in the galleries they frequent.
Ask specific questions about your image in your subject line or comments box. (E.g. Is this image exposed correctly?)
And most importantly use what you have learnt from previous images in your next images.

[Callie Muller]

Thanks Andre. That certainly is some useful advice

[Karin Leibbrandt]

I think a crit is someone's (sometimes educated) opinion on a photograph. But it remains one person's opinion, made based on their own likes and dislikes and knowledge.

Generally I think it is great when someone feels it worth the trouble to comment and I prefer that to being ignored. When it is a less than positive comment, hopefully it includes pointers to take the photograph from good to great.

However, before you accept anyone's opinion and try to learn from them, make sure that the person's opinion is in line with what you want to achieve and the direction you wish to grow in photography.

The VVVVVWD's keep themselves and their club members happy - don't worry too much about that, there are many others here who's opinion count so much more and is truly educational and worthwhile. If you particularly like someone's work, ask that person in a pm to crit you - I have always received good feed-back that way.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

...However, before you accept anyone's opinion and try to learn from them, make sure that the person's opinion is in line with what you want to achieve and the direction you wish to grow in photography.

The VVVVVWD's keep themselves and their club members happy - don't worry too much about that, there are many others here who's opinion count so much more and is truly educational and worthwhile. If you particularly like someone's work, ask that person in a pm to crit you - I have always received good feed-back that way.

I really want to second that...

One of my best selling pictures (blue sunset) has had... erm ... not such great reviews by the true masters of the gendre (and I honestly agree with all the criticism - and I am NOT a landscape/nature photographer!), but... it seems image buyer still like it because it's earned me over $5k (it's been licenced over 3,000 times) and has been on book covers, double page magazine spreads various website headers... it does seem that there are at least a few people that like it

Is it great? no, I don't think so, and I have taken every criticism to heart and tried to learn and improve my skill set.

[Karin Leibbrandt]

I really want to second that...

One of my best selling pictures (blue sunset) has had... erm ... not such great reviews by the true masters of the gendre (and I honestly agree with all the criticism - and I am NOT a landscape/nature photographer!), but... it seems image buyer still like it because it's earned me over $5k (it's been licenced over 3,000 times) and has been on book covers, double page magazine spreads various website headers... it does seem that there are at least a few people that like it

Is it great? no, I don't think so, and I have taken every criticism to heart and tried to learn and improve my skill set.

I think that is what is so great about photography - I think it is a fantastic photograph, I can understand why it has brought you so much money!

However, I am a landscape/nature disaster, so I am not sure what criteria should be used to evaluate. This photograph speaks volumes in emotion, and if someone does not share the emotional personality, I suppose they could crit on technical aspects - another of my disaster areas!

[Andre v]

I think if you look at most commentary on photo forums, not just ODP, you will find that 90% of the commentary would revolve around technical aspects of the image.
Its something tangible and something that can be backed, and i suspect, that is why most peoples comments revolve around this aspect of photography.Its not often that you will view an image and read comments about how the image made the person feel, and this is where i think the VVVVVWD comments come in.

[Nqina Dlamini]

VVVVVWD - Very, Very, Very, Very, Very, Well Done?
I had to ask.

[Andre v]

Lol, yes.
ODP slang, i think a literal meaning would be lost on this particular phrase

[Callie Muller]

This has been discussed many times in the past, and honestly nothing every really changes.

My advice is :
Rather post your images in the relevant gallery and give the beginners gallery a skip. It is not viewed much by many of the photographers on this site who prefer to comment in the galleries they frequent.
Ask specific questions about your image in your subject line or comments box. (E.g. Is this image exposed correctly?)
And most importantly use what you have learnt from previous images in your next images.

Hi Andre. Did what you advised and it really works. I have had a lot more comments, good and bad, which is really the purpose of posting photographs here
One question, I would put myself in the intermediate range and as such would not comment on technical aspects. But, as you said, there is an emotional side too and I often want to make a comment on a photograph if it captures something beautiful, never mind the technical side. Is there an unwritten rule who can make comments ? Just curious

[SimonDP]

Nope there is no rule, even the most starting out beginner can make comments. You are more than welcome to add your praise to a photo, but I would suggest you say why its a good shot in your opinion, instead of "Nice shot, congrats", post "nice shot, like the colours and comp, sharpness is and DoF is spot-on". Carries a lot more impact, plus someone else can learn from that too.