Positive Reinforcement & Not Just Thoughtless Critique

" I hope that people here will take away from this that when asked for a critique: - you offer your "pros" & "cons"
and not just sometimes "curt" critiques."

I agree 100%

Well, a critique is just that, a critical commentary on the image. Compliments aren't critical.

That said, I have always found that the best way to get a constructive point across is the tried and true compliment sandwich.
Nice thing, critical thing, nice thing. It all has to be true, though. Don't say something nice just to fill the air with noise, and don't critique without reason or invitation, either.

"Great color and contrast, I find the tilted horizon a little distracting, but the line of the seafoam is a great focal point."

I might have also suggested cloning out the white dot and dark thing on the beach; needless distractions. And, I'd have noted the small size of the image.

some people are sensitive and don't really know what they are asking for when they want a comment. i think in this case they wanted comments to fill their pix, but there were only 2 and well... anyway, i wouldn't bother.

in any case you can critique what you want to, you don't need a certain amount of images. but you can only give one if one is asked. or at least interpreted that way.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

The poster in the closed thread said "Leave your opinions." (I'm guessing that was the original post and not edited later.) I get the feeling he was asking for comments left on the actual image page and was not expecting an actual negative critique.

Outside the scope of the poster who asked for opinion, to your comment "Positive Reinforcement & Not Just Thoughtless Critique" positive reinforcement works better if there's actually something positive to reinforce. And a critique by it's very definition is never thoughtless because you are actively judging something and giving your opinion.

it said leave your comments originally.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Aren't critiques inherently thoughtful? Regardless of whether the feedback is positive or negative, thought went into the critique, or at least it should otherwise it's just words.

I'm lucky to have an artist friend who has a much better eye than I have. I nearly always run a piece by him before I convert to JPEG and he tells me straight up what bothers him and why. Most often I never would have noticed unless he said something, and then I see it too and can fix it. He's been spot on every time and that is a tremendous help.

Back to the other thread (the one we aren't allowed to refer to) I also read it as asking for a critique, not for people to go to the page to leave comments.

On the other hand, why shine people on? Every day the world of photography and art is getting dumbed down by delusional "artists" who obviously do not look around at the incredible work online, in magazines, books, museums, etc.... One cannot get a GoPro in December and go pro in January which is exactly what is happening time and time again. I find his two shots a slap in the face to photography. There is a lot of talent on FAA but it is becoming hard to find amongst the overwhelming amount of pure crap. Joseph's words are true; all too often there is nothing positive to reinforce.