Purpose behind critique of work

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 12:52 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

I'm a bit surprised at some of the non-constructive comments in the "Critique" section!! I was under the impression that the purpose behind a critique was to comment on the picture and offer (where necessary) constructive comments?? There seems to be a few recent postings where "fly away" comments have been posted regarding submissions. The whole point of this forum is to act as a support to LF photographers - these type of comments don't, in my opinion, offer anything. I'm all for freedom of expression and speech etc but I also feel that the "ethos" behind this group is being contradicted by this type of negative posting. Sure, if you don't like an image then say so BUT offer VALID reasons and suggestions as to how YOU would improve it. If you have nothing constructive to say then I personally can't see the need to amke any comment on an image in the CRITIQUE section? Just my thoughts!

uraniumnitrate · Post by **uraniumnitrate** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:49 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Yes I understand that you pointing me out but the problem with some images that there is just isn’t anything to say! There are images you just don’t take anymore! Partly because there are a hundred thousands of look alike or because they say nothing at all! It’s like who the hell taken a picture of the sunset and would be taken seriously as a photographer/artist!? I did leave constructive critics on two images that were a lighthouse and the portrait of the girl with 8x10 even a tip how I would have done it! Didn’t you read those? Or it’s just personal thing for you? Well it’s not for me and the end of the day it’s you who decide not me if you would listen or not! You know what they say! If it’s not you pullover than don’t pull it on you!

Post by **Joanna Carter** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:19 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

I think that part of the problem with U's remarks is that his/her first language is not English and s/he doesn't know how to express feelings well. Comments about mobile phone cameras, however, are really just a bit out of order. Those of us who take LF seriously know only too well that some of our shots are, shall we say, experimental ? It is upon those shots that we would like to see critique, not criticism (there is a difference) and that is the purpose of the Critique section of this group.

It is also hard for us who are not so shy about our identity to accept criticism from someone who seems so reticent to even let us know whether they are male or female

(although I suspect male

)

As a guideline, may I suggest that the best critiques usually start with a few questions rather than an outright condemnation of someone's hard-won efforts

Of course, there are some of us in the UKLFPG who know each other very well and, from that background of familiarity with the personality of each other, will both expect and accept, what might seem to those less familiar as, rather robust comments

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:22 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Hello (again!). "U" I appreciate what you are saying but I feel that if you see an image in the CRITIQUE section that you don't like ( "like" being a very personal feeling) then unless you have something constructive to say then is there any point in saying anything? The fact that you feel you may have seen similar images before is irrelevant and not worthy of a comment for this point alone. I have read all your critiques - and yes you do leave some advice but there are a couple which are blatant and not useful. I don't know you so I certainly wouldn't have anything against you as a person so it's in no way a "personal thing" for me!
I do, however, detect slight annoyance in your post. I appreciate that I decide if I read a posting but my argument here is that I feel that you are missing the whole point of a "critique" and some of your comments are just rude.
As for photographers using other formats - we as a group decided at the inception that we would not become elitist and "ban" smaller formats - that is not in the nature of our photography - many artists/photographers would feel stifled if limited to just LF?
I personally like Guy's Holga shots - he took them inbetween taking shots on 5x4 so is there a problem? I don't think so.
You seem to object strongly to anyone using a small format using this forum? I can't understand why as you are advertising film in these very formats in the classified section of the same forum?
If you dislike the way the group'forum operates then may I suggest that there are plenty of other forums that may fulfil your needs? Regards Paul

uraniumnitrate · Post by **uraniumnitrate** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:46 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

No no no! Don’t misunderstand me! I didn’t know any of you and I don’t discriminate any of you in any ways! The reaction from my side was a spontaneous! It’s not the elitist thinking either! It’s just it would be nice if this site stays as an LF site! I have other forum to show my 35 mm images and you have it too in the UK! Don’t you! I would not put anything up here which is not made by 4x5 or bigger!! Everything has its place and time how and when!

The film I’m selling is because a lot’s of people own other cameras including me that don’t mean that I’m going to put up a lot’s of 6x6 here! I thought that the films have a good price and help out those with a little money with good quality film! That’s not the elitist thinking is it?

But if it’s an LF site and people begin to load a lot’s of images from different size of cameras than the word of LF looses its meaning! At least in my dictionary! That was one of the reasons why “ironically” I stated that than the image from the mobile phone would be the next logical step!

Now I know better and no more words from me now on!

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 1:05 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Uranium - I think maybe we have our wires crossed? The site/group is devoted to LF photography. The photographs in the CRITIQUE section SHOULD be LF! The photos that Guy took on his HOLGA were on his web site and the link to the site from this forum was showcasing his photographs from one of our workshops. I personally think there is room for a variety of formats in a photographer's arsenal - but I agree with you - this site MUST be kept LF!

Wires uncrossed? Looking forward to hearing from you in the forums