The idea behind DPC is that anyone can vote and comment on photos, regardless of whether they've submitted a shot, or if they even own a camera or not. The users of the site range from complete beginners all the way up, and lets everyone get involved and learn from all aspects of photography - submitting, voting, commenting, and discussion.
Thus, the submittors will get feedback from all sorts of people, all at different skill levels, which should give you a wide cross-section of opinions and comments. Plus most users without digital cameras who get involved invariably end up buying one and submitting after a while ;o)
Why? Wouldn't this depend on knowledge? I know (of) many art critics that could not draw a square box on a white sheet of paper. Still I trust their insight on the (pictorial) art they are commenting on.
It seems to me that you are overreacting to some harsh comments. Get used to it, most of the times there is some truth in them. Just let it be for a day or two and then come back and look again.
Obviously this comment was typed in while Manic's response was being edited.
I'll take every comment/suggestion I can get... If someone doesn't submit here, it doesn't mean they don't know which end of the camera is the lens... It just means they haven't submitted. I also appreciate critiques from non-photographers. You don't have to be a musician to know that Beethoven wrote some pretty hip toe-tappers :)
A member that has not submitted a photo be a critic? I want to see some results first before you have the guts to critique me anyone agree?
I'm confused. The only 'critique' you have received is from Justine, a veteran (sorry!) of 26 challenges, and a very regular commenter to boot.
I'm guessing you're referring to a 'comment' you've received on your current entry, now that we can see who they're from and what (if any) camera they own?
The non submitters could be 40 year film photographers who have just not made the transaction to digital yet. I'm an art major and have quite a bit of art history, but my camera and I don't get along real well. I would hope that people trust my words on their photos, if not, hey, they can always just ignore me. :)
~Heather~
Well thanks guys! *blushing* We DO have our moments though. Like for this motion challenge, my subject had to be in low light in order to get the effect I wanted, cause I don't have shutter speed settings. I have to "cheat" and take the shot in low light in order to keep the shutter open just that much longer. Anyway, I was ready to file devorce from that thing. LOL. It's in the dog house tonight!
Other nights though, it's cheap champaign and candle lit dinners. we'll hopefully have one of those nights soon.
~Heather~
Try to take a critique in the vein it is meant. Of course, if it steps outside the rules or even outside ettiquette, let the admins/moderators know about it...
I commented on a number of challenges before entering any myself and I certainly got feedback from some of the recipients that my comments were useful.
Apart from the fact that many people here who comment but don't enter much are not wholly converted to digital, there may also be some who don't photograph much.
Since photography and art can be purchased by non photographers and non-artists I want feedback from anyone - regardless of their experience and skill in taking the pics - they can still know what they like to look at even if they don't take pics themselves.
Okay, I've had a look and seen the comment which obviously prompted this thread. I can see why you were upset.
I don't think the fact that they have not entered a challenge makes any difference though, this was just downright insensitive and had nothing to do with photography at all.
I stand by anyone and everyone being allowed to comment, and unfortunately this will result in the occassional comment like this. You just have to learn to ignore what is obviously an attempt to wind someone up.
I got a comment like that a couple of challenges ago and at first it ruffled my feathers. But I then realized that this is a public forum and you have to expect some things like that. I put it in the category with those things that I'll never totaly understand and let it go at that.
I agree that the comment on your blue image was completely insensitive. Crass, unnecessary, hurtful and perhaps should even be deleted.
Take a deep breath, folks. The commenter mentioned that the photographer took an unattractive picture, nothing more. I happen to agree; imo, it was a lousy image that I scored a 3. Are we supposed to suspend our photographic judgemnent just to avoid upsetting someone? If this grave was of such emotional importance, then it certainly should not have been used in a contest that encourages comments. If it is NOT of such importance, then the comment was appropriate.
Take a deep breath, folks. The commenter mentioned that the photographer took an unattractive picture, nothing more. I happen to agree; imo, it was a lousy image that I scored a 3. Are we supposed to suspend our photographic judgemnent just to avoid upsetting someone?
I have no problem at all with commenters saying that they find an image unattractive, and if it's backed up with a reason or a suggestion then all the better.
Photographic judgement does not justify the provocative manner in which this comment was worded.
It was provocative only if one wanted to read it that way. It was in any other circumstance a perfectly normal method of making a comment that flowed directly from the title of the picture.
I have to re-iterate that if one doesn't want negative comments on one's cherished images, then an open competition is not the place to bring them.
Was it upsetting? Yes, I see you have emotional attachment to the subject, and this may accentuate how you feel about the comments being made on the photo.
I, for one, had to make my emotional observation on this photo, then step back for a minute, and evaluate it based on the photo itself.
Yes, people should be aware of how they word things.
No, we are not going to change the world.
Should it be deleted? No.
I can only hope people will a) think before they comment, and b) think before they take a comment the wrong way. <<<< in general.
Thanks to all.. It just ruffled my feathers a bit, I don't dislike a negetive comment I use them to my advantage. Heck check out the ones I got about my Technology submission! LOL
There is a world of difference between a negative comment and a hurtful one.
This was CLEARLY a photo with emotional content for the photographer, to leave such a blunt comment was grossly insensitive, though it's good to see Roger has not let it get to him too deeply.
The same comment may be less hurtful on a different image but the whole point here is that our images are all different.
Showing sensitivity in giving negative comments would not go amiss.
I have given a whole lot of negative comments, but I'd like to hope I've remained polite and said them in a positive way.
I also hope if that is ever not the case that the recipient will be kind enough to let me know I've hurt their feelings so that I can amend that.
This is the bizarre world of political correctness! The commenter said the image was "unattractive" - a very mild statement that was neither inaccurate nor hurtful about an image that was deliberately -- repeat, deliberately -- trying to pull emotional strings.
It was a very basic and pooorly taken snapshot of a gravestone that was aiming to get by on its emotional content rather than through the skill of the photographer. I am glad that the commenter at least had the sense to see through the miasma of guilt that seemed to deaden the hand of everyone else.
Jak
Trust me when I tell you that I don't do political correctness.
Anyone who knows me or has met me on DPC Fanatics Chat will be able to assure you of that.
But whilst you can nit pick each word apart of the comment and point out that none in themselves are particularly nasty - the comment itself was rudely put.
It would be easy to say simply that the viewer did not find the photo attractive and leave it at that - instead there was such a sneering tone to it - and I say that fully aware of how difficult it can be to interpret tone in a written comment.
Anyway, normally I'd use the commenter's profile to get a feel for other comments he/ she has left but since that feature is not currently available in new DPC it's time for me to bow out of this thread.
Kindest Regards
Kavey
and as far as i can tell it's not a poorly taken snapshot, either. granted, it is not the best picture i have ever seen, but i'm usually rather unimpressed with the pictures that WIN on this site.
so what if it was deliberately trying to pull emotional strings? the challenge was "blue." "blue" can be an emotion. he tried to express and make us feel blue, and SUCCEEDED.
technical merit does not make the picture. communication of thought and emotion, and expression of self does.
