I stopped Critiquing in 2010, and I'm still leading the pack.
Aww, come on folks, let's get this thing on the road again.
So, join me in Critiquing some images. If you're not on the roster,
contact Manic (er, he used to be the moderator) to get enrolled.
There were 8 in the queue when I just did one, so hurry if you want to get at the other 7.
Meanwhile, I'm not giving up the lead easily, so get going now if you want to catch up!
Edited to add: I'll wait a couple of hours before polishing off a few more.
So, see what you can do...heh heh.
Do you need to have solid knowledge on all the classical rights and wrongs? I am still learning, but I try to comment a lot to help train me eye and brain. (When I very first started, I asked for critique on a shot I loved but it did very poorly. I am not sure it ever did get critique, but I did eventually figure out on my own why it scored lower.)
Nope, if you would like to be part of the Critique Club, those in the Club would want you to 'critique' images, rather than comment. While both are valuable to the photographer, there's a difference.
A Critique Club critique involves an indepth evaluation of the image in question for (among other things) technical, esthetics and relevance to the Challenge Topic. Preferably in a teaching mode, usually prefaced with the note that the Critique Club person is a peer trying to help, not an authority.
It usually takes about 15 - 20 minutes to do justice to any image. But it's worth it in terms both of helping the photographer whose image is being critiqued and the person doing it. Both learn from the experience.
The challenge here is that the person doing the critiquing gets a random image from the queue. No second guessing. The image on the screen must be dealt with.
The challenge was phobias. As I look at it, I think a main weakness is lack of clear subject. Also, the lighting is a bit too bright and is pretty quite boring. I can't tell if the sharpness is off or not - parts of the image seem okay parts seems a bit soft. (Accurate focusing, even with autofocus cameras, this is a HUGE struggle for me on anything remotely distant.) At this early date, I did not even process my images at all. *bowing head in shame*. But now I am learning...
Solid knowledge? Evidently not, I've not been tossed out so far.
Which image, I'll give it a go...
The challenge was phobias. As I look at it, I think a main weakness is lack of clear subject. Also, the lighting is a bit too bright and is pretty quite boring. I can't tell if the sharpness is off or not - parts of the image seem okay parts seems a bit soft. (Accurate focusing, even with autofocus cameras, this is a HUGE struggle for me on anything remotely distant.) At this early date, I did not even process my images at all, so shot was SOOC. *bowing head in shame*
Julee, actually, to get a critique from the Critique Club, you would tick a little box when you submit your entry.
It says "I would like an indepth critique on my submission. "
Then, if someone in the Club gets to it, you will get a critique. If not, well...you tried.
But since you put this in play here in the Forums, I'll give it a stab for all to see.
Now, this image was from the Phobia Challenge way back in 2013. The Challenge was to:
Photograph something in such a way that it conveys a personal phobia or fear to the viewer. Try to make the viewer feel the emotion of the fear. No bugs (including spiders), as that is just too easy! Your title or description should include your phobia.
GREETINGS FROM THE CRITIQUE CLUB:
We try to give an indepth review of the image randomly set before us. If you find this review helpful, please tick the box that says so. then the Critique Club members feel as if they are really helping!
This image has a lot going for it. Good composition and a great rendition of the tangle of tree branches that could ensnare an unwary adventurer. Still, it would give a stronger feeling of danger if there was a strong focal point that exemplified the danger.
While it does meet the challenge to a degree, it is not therefore, a strong entry, as sadly, the voters pronounced.
On its own, it has good definition of lights and darks and makes a very good pattern shot. However, the competition was exceptionally imaginative in this Challenge and your subtle take on the was under-appreciated.
Extra points from me for knowing (or looking up) the meaning of Hylophobia.
(I did click the button back then, just never heard.). it seemed as if maybe Alex was offering, so I thought I would see what he thought, but I am happy for any critique.
And thank you. Alice. One of the biggest things I have probably learned about DPC is indeed that the level of creativity is exceedingly high.
Okay, ambaker. I left you two!
Or, of course, this alerts any other critique club member that happens along to a chance to move up in the stats.
Once you've registered in the Club, your name is there forever, I think.
If you're not on the roster, send a ticket to SC and I'll bet someone will put you on the list.
BTW, If the current pile of requests is depleted, you can always do a random one from the older queue and make someone very, very happy.
I love comments from people especially the indepth ones.. maybe one day when I grow up, I will be able to do comments other than Nice photo!!! LOL!
I still have no idea how to comment properly
I love comments from people especially the indepth ones.. maybe one day when I grow up, I will be able to do comments other than Nice photo!!! LOL!
I still have no idea how to comment properly
I love it if someone says my photo is Nice! It's positive and much better than hearing nothing :-)
Mike and ambaker joined me in critiquing some 12 images just in the past day or two.
And if they keep up this pace, they will surpass my total in no time flat.
So, with four more requests in the 'new' queue, and about 65,000 in the 'old' queue, let the competition continue.
Ok. I set myself the challenge of voting on every entry in the 'Framing' challenge. Now the only person without a comment must be me :-)
It took me ages but I now feel very smug. However, I think I'll need to restrict myself to 20-25% in future...!! My problem with that is that it is much easier to comment on the really good pictures but, as a bottom-thirder myself, I think the weaker shots are the ones that often need the comments more!
Ok. I set myself the challenge of voting on every entry in the 'Framing' challenge. Now the only person without a comment must be me :-)
It took me ages but I now feel very smug. However, I think I'll need to restrict myself to 20-25% in future...!! My problem with that is that it is much easier to comment on the really good pictures but, as a bottom-thirder myself, I think the weaker shots are the ones that often need the comments more!
And those are the ones that you will learn the most from, it will help to train your eye for what works and what doesn't work...
I just wanted to say thanks to the members of the Critique Club. I just received my very first critique (from Mike) on what was my very first entry, and it was fair, nice and helpful. I will definitely keep it in mind next time, and think before I shoot :) For a newbie like me, this kind of feedback is invaluable. So, thanks heaps! Keep up the good work!
The response to this has been just terrific. Mike is critiquing like there's no tomorrow and is even chipping away at the
requests in waiting. Requests also turn over every time the Challenges turn over. So, while there were just four in the current queue - and Mike took care of those! Yeah, Mike! there are still some 65,994 who previously asked but haven't heard from us yet.
So, plenty of room for new critiquers to get on board.
To check out the Club, go to "Community" and see the drop down "Critique Club".
To join the Club and participate officially, drop a ticket to anyone on the Site Council - that is go over to "Help" and then "Contact Us" and then "General Inquiry". The SC on duty will undoubtedly forward your request to the person whose in charge these days. It used to be Manic and perhaps it still is.
