Constructive Criticism

[biggerry]

This is a nice writeup and extends well beyond critiquing photography.

Constructive criticism is criticism kindly meant that has a goal of improving some area of another’s person’s life or work. Often constructive criticism refers specifically to the critique of someone else’s written or artistic work, in perhaps a teacher/student setting, that would allow that person to further improve the work or to improve their approach......

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-constructive-criticism.htm

[Reschsmooth]

Interesting. Much has been said of the reduced traffic to this forum. However, a side effect is that the C&C is much more constructive rather than sycophantic "great shots."

[gstark]

Interesting. Much has been said of the reduced traffic to this forum. However, a side effect is that the C&C is much more constructive rather than sycophantic "great shots."

Which has always been our goal.

[surenj]

Nice to read up on this as stated, its important to many facets of life apart from photography and art.

[biggerry]

Interesting. Much has been said of the reduced traffic to this forum. However, a side effect is that the C&C is much more constructive rather than sycophantic "great shots."

Which has always been our goal.

being only a relatively new member i am interested to hear your perspective on how this has developed and changed over the years here.

[gstark]

Interesting. Much has been said of the reduced traffic to this forum. However, a side effect is that the C&C is much more constructive rather than sycophantic "great shots."

Which has always been our goal.

being only a relatively new member i am interested to hear your perspective on how this has developed and changed over the years here.

Gerry,

For me, the education aspect has always been a very large part of what I want this forum to be. We've had the challenges over time, and while it's noce to think that the prizes on offer were just for trimming, and likewise the pricing of equipment ordered through Poon, the reality of the situation is that it was those items that attracted a large part of the active membership.

For a further large part of the membership base, our lives have changed over years since the forum started as D70Users.com. Mine has changed very significantly: Leigh has moved out, I'm now an employee (vs self employed contractor), and I am much busier today than was the case five years ago. I know from talking with others that I'm not alone in that situation.

That said, we've always had a strong push towards realistic honest critique, a prohibition on flaming others (criticise the image, not the person) and of course the pursuit of this wonderful hobby that we share: photography.

We've been very fortunate to have members of the calibre of Matt K and Chris (sirhc55) to name just two, who are photographers with a very high level of experience, technical skill as well as artistic talent, and who are also very good communicators, and who also share the collective love of the hobby and the photographic image.

And the moderators here, while largely doing not too much, are people in whom I am fortunate to have found: they enjoy my utmost respect and trust.

There have been times where there have been challenges - I don't (and I can only speak for myself here) like it when people post what I like to refer to as ego boosting images. There have been people who posted images showing where they had been, but that may be done within a number of contexts: I love it when that is done with a genuine intent of seeking true critique, as distinct from being posted with an attitude of "guess where I was last weekend?".

The former has always been very welcome and appreciated; the latter is difficult to address without pissing off the perpetrator.

And over time there have been discussions around the merit of genuine critique vs the "great shot" posts. Some members have expressed disappointment over the fact that their image may have had 50 views, and no comments. While I understand the disappointment that this must engender, I'm not happy with the alternate PoV that suggests that people should make those "great shot" posts just to satisfy that demand.

I think it's far better to have just one post that suggests ways to improve a shot than it might be to have any number of meaningless posts that do nothing to help the poster improve their technique, and that's why I have always been (and still remain) reluctant to impose any sort of quota or requirement upon people to make those sorts of posts.

I'll be honest and say that I would like to see more traffic, but I would prefer that to be honest traffic - traffic focused on the photography, rather than the side issues that come up. That said, I'm always open to see controversial discussions opened up here, and of course the good natured banter that I believe is an essential part of we have built.

Does that help? Does this answer your questions?

[biggerry]

Does that help? Does this answer your questions?

of course that helps Gary, your response are always (we almost always ) helpful and insightful and I appreciate the time you do spend to table them and that in itself lends alot of weight in my books.

I guess the crux of the question is, does it feel that the overall nature of critique has improved over the years or has it declined?

[gstark]

Does that help? Does this answer your questions?

of course that helps Gary, your response are always (we almost always ) helpful and insightful and I appreciate the time you do spend to table them and that in itself lends alot of weight in my books.

I guess the crux of the question is, does it feel that the overall nature of critique has improved over the years or has it declined?

I think that it has improved, and that is good. The only thing that pisses me off these days is the occasional spammer that we get. Sadly, there's no easy way within the software I'm using to really trap the dickheads and automagically prevent their first posting, and upgrading the software is a little difficult because of the portal that I've got in place, along with the custom mods that I have.

I would truly like to see more local stuff happening - regular meets and the like, and have stuff to put in the calendar ...

Of course, that would present further challenges ... last night was the first night in a week that I was home at 7 ... and had nothing to do but relax.

[biggerry]

The only thing that pisses me off these days is the occasional spammer that we get.

pretty minor really, its not like you see them every day, i reckon people get more pissed off at the clowns in their inbox.

I would truly like to see more local stuff happening - regular meets and the like, and have stuff to put in the calendar ...

I agree...

last night was the first night in a week that I was home at 7 ... and had nothing to do but relax.

ha, the real work (unpaid parenting) starts when you get home...

[Mr Darcy]

I would truly like to see more local stuff happening - regular meets and the like, and have stuff to put in the calendar ...

Speaking of which, Stubbsy promised to bring back the 2x2 meets. In particular there was one mooted at Jenolan Caves. What Happened?

(Peter I know you are lurking)

[surenj]

Sadly, there's no easy way within the software I'm using to really trap the dickheads and automagically prevent their first posting

May be you could stop from posting any links in the first 5 posts for any new member...

ha, the real work (unpaid parenting) starts when you get home...

Also need to calculate the opportunity cost.

[surenj]

I would truly like to see more local stuff happening - regular meets and the like, and have stuff to put in the calendar ...

How about a little mini-meet when you get a test unit of N1/J1 etc?

[gstark]

Sadly, there's no easy way within the software I'm using to really trap the dickheads and automagically prevent their first posting

May be you could stop from posting any links in the first 5 posts for any new member...

Actually, I'd prefer to review the first five posts, but either way, the software doesn't provide that facility.

I would truly like to see more local stuff happening - regular meets and the like, and have stuff to put in the calendar ...

How about a little mini-meet when you get a test unit of N1/J1 etc?

Sounds like a plan. Hopefully very soon now. The camera should be starting to hit store shelves in the next week or so.

[biggerry]

I would truly like to see more local stuff happening - regular meets and the like, and have stuff to put in the calendar ...

Speaking of which, Stubbsy promised to bring back the 2x2 meets. In particular there was one mooted at Jenolan Caves. What Happened?

(Peter I know you are lurking)

see here..

http://www.dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=40393

[stubbsy]

Minds like steel traps you guys My photography has taken a back seat to my day job this year as I was seconded to a project in Sydney part time which meant my "real" job in Newcastle backed up and what with that and the travel to and fro I've had bugger all free time. The project has now gone live and I'm back to normal (and on leave for all of October!) so I should have time for photography again (and so to organise another meet).

[aim54x]

Minds like steel traps you guys My photography has taken a back seat to my day job this year as I was seconded to a project in Sydney part time which meant my "real" job in Newcastle backed up and what with that and the travel to and fro I've had bugger all free time. The project has now gone live and I'm back to normal (and on leave for all of October!) so I should have time for photography again (and so to organise another meet).

This is great to hear that your back to a normal schedule (not to mention the leave!).

[surenj]

This is great to hear that your back to a normal schedule

It is a pity that we couldn't organise a 'Sydney Safari' for you during your travels....