Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/12/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I agree. I've though there was too much praise almost to the point of sycophancy for what may be ordinary or less-than photos. I usually just mutter things to myself or ask my non-LUG friends if I'm off-base about my thoughts on composition, lighting, exposure, subject matter, context, general interest. When I have offered some critique that was less than praise in the past, I've been scorned for it. So now i rarely participate at all. Whatever. Phil Forrest -----Original Message----- >From: Yama Nawabi <mknawabi.lug at gmail.com> >Sent: Dec 17, 2009 12:19 AM >To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org> >Subject: Re: [Leica] I wish the LUG was a harsher place. (Long Ramble) > >I also get deterred from leaving a comment on photos because I feel like >everyone is indeed being a little -too- nice sometimes. > >On Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 8:11 AM, George Lottermoser <imagist3 at >mac.com>wrote: > >> I appreciate your expressing these thoughts on critiques; >> and agree with what you have to say. >> >> It takes a good deal more time to look at photographs with a critical eye; >> and even more time to express one's opinion thoughtfully and well. >> >> Thank you for inviting us to take that time. >> >> >> Regards, >> George Lottermoser >> george at imagist.com >> http://www.imagist.com >> http://www.imagist.com/blog >> http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist >> >> On Dec 16, 2009, at 3:48 AM, Neil Beddoe wrote: >> >> I bought an M9 recently and a few lenses, revived my dormant >>> photography habit and started posting to the LUG again. In that short >>> time >>> I think my photography has improved and its all down to people being >>> honest >>> with me. >>> >>> The most important thing I've learned since getting the M9 is what kind >>> of >>> photographer I want to be. I don't do beautiful landscapes because I >>> haven't got the patience or inclination to get up at 4 in the morning for >>> the right light or spend hours in photoshop honing a print and I also >>> know >>> that I'd still be pretty bad at it because frankly I find most landscape >>> photography boring. I'd rather just go there on my bike and look at the >>> scenery. I'll never be a photojournalist because I think to do it >>> justice >>> you need to immerse yourself in your subject and make sure that your >>> pictures tell the whole story you wanted to tell. I have a young family >>> and >>> a full time job and this means that my pictures are limited to my >>> children >>> (and I don't post those anywhere) and the things I see in London in my >>> 30-40 >>> minute walks two or three times a week and on my cycle ride to the >>> railway >>> station. The pictures I try to take now show what I see in such short >>> time >>> periods. >>> >>> This group is a great place to force you into some self-reflection. For >>> example some pictures I took of a climate camp in Trafalgar Square were >>> failures because I didn't have the time to spend building the story and >>> the >>> subject demanded nothing less. This was pointed out to me pretty >>> quickly. >>> A few years ago Ted laid into a picture I took of a street singer in New >>> York because it said nothing and he was absolutely right, it was a duff >>> picture. The upshot of all this is that I'm pretty certain now when I >>> take >>> a picture about what I'm trying to say or show and am much more severe >>> with >>> myself when I'm editing if the picture doesn't match the idea. This >>> makes >>> it much easier to explain what I saw in a picture if I think its a >>> keeper. >>> >>> I've learned a lot from the negative criticism my pictures receive and >>> almost nothing from the praise (although I've got an ego like everyone >>> else >>> and all praise is welcome). I think the LUG can be a bit too gentle on >>> posters some times, perhaps with the idea that any photographic effort >>> should be encouraged. I'd love to see much more questioning of posters >>> about why they think their picture works and much more honesty if stuff >>> is >>> just no good. I've noticed that bad photographs tend to get ignored >>> rather >>> than actively criticised while good ones get loads of responses. This is >>> a >>> shame, really good pictures aren't the ones that need criticism although >>> I >>> can understand that this is quite a friendly place and we want to be >>> nice to >>> each other. >>> >>> Anyway, thanks to anyone who's said they liked my pictures and many many >>> thanks to people who said they didn't. >>> >>> Neil >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > >_______________________________________________ >Leica Users Group. >See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information