Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/12/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Some quick thoughts. I am not a particularly good critic and I know that. I have a policy that if I can't say something nice I probably will not say anything at all, although silence doesn't mean that I don't like an image. You can't reply to everything. If several people have already more or less said what I would say about an image then I tens not to say anything. Kind words can serve a useful purpose. If they motivate someone to keep picking up their camera and to keep shooting then I think that is a good thing. There us nothing wrong with positive feedback. Barney Barney Quinn, WK3Z C: (301) 775-1386 H: (301) 654-0938 On Dec 17, 2009, at 7:40 AM, Geoff Hopkinson <hopsternew at gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Neil. I think this is a worthwhile topic and that you have raised > some > thoughtful points. > Here are some comments from me. > I agree with your impression that non-memorable images tend to > garner little > on-list response and also that we often see more reactions, including > praise, on higher profile contributor's work. > I think that there are a number of factors at work. > The LUG is a social group with friends and personalities and a broad > range > of relationships and expectations. > The volume too means that people will inevitably be selective and of > course > have varying interests. > I certainly make more efforts for friends and filter others. I'm > sure that > both of those apply in reverse with others when I post too, of > course. A > core of members, including myself, post a lot and there is a risk of > serial > overposting (guilty!) so often I will discuss work with friends off > list > rather than post again. Some measures to ameleriorate that volume get > suggested occasionally, such as posting thank you's and attaboys off- > list. > > In my opinion, the best way to encourage more detailed and active > comments > on your own work is simply to make the effort yourself to post the > type of > response that you would like to receive from your own picture posts. > It > takes considerable effort. > Leap in. If you have a different viewpoint on a comment, post a few > lines, > ask why or say where you differ. > Lots of members look at everything posted about their images and > evaluate > the comments. Candidly, I always take into account my own views of the > commenter's work or experience etc etc. Again to encourage discussion, > reciprocate in kind. > > > > >>> >>> 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 >> -- >> Cheers >> Geoff >> http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman >> > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information