By the very nature of entering into the challenges, we open ourselves up to criticism, and I welcome it, especially when it is constructive. Tell me where my entry falls down, and make a suggestion on how to improve it.
Here are two examples of comments made in the last challenge about my entry:
“lacks focus, but beautiful colour” - not great, but constructive
“I like the softness of this and the limited color palette. I might have sharpened it just a notch but not too much. Very nice.” - again constructive
What I can not stand are comments being made that just serve to rubbish the efforts we have made, label us no good, and knock the motivation to take part in further challenges.
Here are some I mean:
“Interesting. Not that creative though.”
“boring stock photo”
How are these constructive? I my opinion these are just damn rude, and annoy the hell out of me.
Needless to say, these two won’t be getting a this comment was helpful tick!
I complete agree that there are some very rude and uncalled for comments on the site. Although playing Devil's advocate I will say that I've found in some situations it's because some of our users don't have a firm grasp of English language and are not trying to be rude but don't know quite what to say. Just something to keep in mind.
None of those comments were mine, since I usually try to sugar-coat them (but resent having to do that).
Lets look at this one: "boring stock photo"
He/she didn't call you a name, didn't call you useless, didn't mention your heritage in an unpleasant way, didn't tell you what do with yourself, didn't tell you to throw away your camera and use crayons, instead.
He/she simply compared your photo to a stock photo (which isn't such a bad thing....... many people make money out of those), albeit an uninspiring one.
So what is the big deal?
If you see a negative comment, take a deep breath, think about if it might actually have some merit, and hopefully learn from it. It does not mean you are useless as a human being and might as well jump off a tall building.
By starting threads like this one - sooooooo many of them are around - more and more people get discouraged from voting or lie about the photos (i.e. tell you only the good stuff, so they CAN comment and keep their stats looking good).
Please just deal with it and don't scare away all the willing and honest voters.
None of those comments were mine, since I usually try to sugar-coat them (but resent having to do that).
Lets look at this one: "boring stock photo"
He/she didn't call you a name, didn't call you useless, didn't mention your heritage in an unpleasant way, didn't tell you what do with yourself, didn't tell you to throw away your camera and use crayons, instead.
He/she simply compared your photo to a stock photo (which isn't such a bad thing....... many people make money out of those), albeit an uninspiring one.
So what is the big deal?
If you see a negative comment, take a deep breath, think about if it might actually have some merit, and hopefully learn from it. It does not mean you are useless as a human being and might as well jump off a tall building.
By starting threads like this one - sooooooo many of them are around - more and more people get discouraged from voting or lie about the photos (i.e. tell you only the good stuff, so they CAN comment and keep their stats looking good).
Please just deal with it and don't scare away all the willing and honest voters.
Well Said!
I agree. There are lots of threads in the archives that address all of these issues again and again and again...
Not to diminish your opinion, but there are so many opinions that it never really goes anywhere.
Comments are people's opinions and they are never wrong.
Threads like these are the reason we receive little or no helpful comments on photos that score low explaining why it scored low (my opinion).
I appreciate and am grateful for any and all comments people take the time to give me. Rude or sugar coated, positive or negative. The more opinions I receive on my work the better I get.
I think the comments you pointed out as unhelpful are in fact very constructive. They're just not very eloquent, but I think we can live with that for the sake of more people leaving more comments. As we've discussed in the past, let's NOT discourage people from leaving comments.
'Boring Stock Photo' is very helpful. There is no soul in this photo. I've seen it before, etc.
Tell me where my entry falls down, and make a suggestion on how to improve it.
Here are two examples of comments made in the last challenge about my entry:
“lacks focus, but beautiful colour” - not great, but constructive
“I like the softness of this and the limited color palette. I might have sharpened it just a notch but not too much. Very nice.” - again constructive
What I can not stand are comments being made that just serve to rubbish the efforts we have made, label us no good, and knock the motivation to take part in further challenges.
Here are some I mean:
“Interesting. Not that creative though.”
“boring stock photo”
How are these constructive? I my opinion these are just damn rude, and annoy the hell out of me.
Huh, yet did you find my comment helpful? You could relate my comment, "The Fruity" challenge to, "Interesting. Not that creative though." The thing is that there were many images of sliced citrus fruit with light behind them. It's simply not a subject that was unique. That's all that's being said...
Edit to add: You even state that, "I know this lacks punch, so any help on making this stand out some more would be great!" The commentors are telling you to pick another subject, one that gives you the punch you're looking for.
I complete agree that there are some very rude and uncalled for comments on the site. Although playing Devil's advocate I will say that I've found in some situations it's because some of our users don't have a firm grasp of English language and are not trying to be rude but don't know quite what to say. Just something to keep in mind.
also to keep in mind there is different culture in the world how you talk to people, Greenlanders dont say hi way out on the ice when the run in to individual after weeks, just keep on going whit out saying a word :)
I usually only leave coments on images that have some potential for improvement so I can say what is good and what is bad. I rarely if ever comment on just flat out bad images.
There is a member of this site who is autistic. His bio expresses his difficulty with tact. With that in mind, I have found his comments well thought out and helpful.
And don't forget the youngsters on this site who (thankfully) haven't learned the art of BS.
I usually only leave coments on images that have some potential for improvement so I can say what is good and what is bad. I rarely if ever comment on just flat out bad images.
Now why cant I put what I think across that well:))
Here's a technique to mitigate and hard feelings you may have towards 'bad' comments...
Once the challenge is over (or immediately, if they don't hide their name) click on their profile and take a look at the other comments they have left in the past. If 80% of them are 'boring stock photo' it's obvious that the voter is a tactless jerk, and you can simply ignore everything they say. Then, soothe yourself by checking out the rest of the perfectly adequate photos he or she has made crappy comments on, you may actually be in an interesting club.
People like your commenter feed off of people with thin skins, and I wonder if he or she is reading this thread right now for their own amusement. You can't let some jerk discourage you, or you'll never get the practice which will make you a better photographer. Don't let every negative comment throw you... the world is a very judgemental place, especially in creative areas. You have to expect to see some bad mixed in with the good, take what you can from it or ignore it, and keep moving forward.
A non-helpful comment doesn't have to be negative, by the way. The comment 'Cool' or 'Nice' or 'I like this' is hard to derive constructive information from. People like to assume that 'not positive' = 'not constructive'. Hell.
Basically, if you want to make truly constructive comments, just expound on your reaction to a shot, and why you have that reaction. Saying 'I don't like this' is nowhere near as good as 'I don't like this because...'. Both are negative, one is constructive.
A non-helpful comment doesn't have to be negative, by the way. The comment 'Cool' or 'Nice' or 'I like this' is hard to derive constructive information from. People like to assume that 'not positive' = 'not constructive'. Hell.
Basically, if you want to make truly constructive comments, just expound on your reaction to a shot, and why you have that reaction. Saying 'I don't like this' is nowhere near as good as 'I don't like this because...'. Both are negative, one is constructive.
Well that promoted a bigger response than I was expecting!
First of all though, I just wanted to say I did post this in the Rant section for the very reason I wanted to say it and be done with it.
Apologies if I upset anyone with my view, but I do stand by it.
_eug, you are right. I will now go and tick all those comment, for all my entries, that I have found useful and helpful.
Everyones comment in this thread, other threads, and in the voting, are valid, because they are opinions, and by their nature opinions are subject person to person.
I couldn't find the thread I was gonna post this too.. but this one will do.
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Hidden During Voting
Is this the most interesting thing you have seen during an entire year? I'm sorry.
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Posted on my Best of '05. Anyway, the comp isn't 'the most interesting thing I have seen in '05' Its Best of. L()L
Although.. I know mine isn't the best and after voting 75% thus far. Its one of two similar images where the other is a 15 compaired to my 2.
Anyway, Whats the deal with this type of comment.. and since this person is hidden I will call him 'Putz'.
I posted my image (knowing it isnt the best I have), but still. Needless to say I shouldn't have to defend my reasons for posting the image I wanted to. Vote on it and move on. If you have a constructive comment than post it. If you are just a Putz like above person.. you should just Bounce.
How many times does this topic even have to surface. Yet people are Jerks and will always remain jerks. Their will always be those people who feel they 'have' to belittle someone.
But thats ok. just don't come to me asking for anything. Because you will get the same thing served to you that you dish out.
... and since this person is hidden I will call him 'Putz'.
... Yet people are Jerks and will always remain jerks.
Their will always be those people who feel they 'have' to belittle someone.
You truly ought to read the first two comments you made... then read the last portion of your comments again... I know I did, and it was the last quotation that really left an impact.
