The Critic

[clockdoc]

In a recent thread,one of the forum members mentioned how it is sometimes difficult to accept criticism. A lot has to do with the way it is presented. I posted this quotation by Theodore Roosevelt a while back but since so many new member have joined and may have missed it, I thought I would repost it. So the next time you post a shot that took you hours to locate, shoot and process, think of these words when you read the critiques:

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

President Theodore Roosevelt
"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

[jiminyClickit]

clockdoc,

Needs to be repeated often. Thanks for bringing it back. It may be excellent perspective also for those critiquers whose main contribution is finding fault, without giving possible solutions, or reasons why it "doesn't do anything" for them.

[WooD]

Originally Posted by jiminyClickit

clockdoc,

Needs to be repeated often. Thanks for bringing it back. It may be excellent perspective also for those critiquers whose main contribution is finding fault, without giving possible solutions, or reasons why it "doesn't do anything" for them.

I usually don't critique others shots unless its something positive. I'm too much in the learning stages myself. Plus I usually look at a picture for what it is, instead of what it could be. I am getting more into PS thou, but thats with my shots.

There is one person on here that shall remain nameless that seems to go out of their way to find anything, and everything wrong with a image. I have looked at most of their blog shots, and was shocked at the quality I saw. I was expecting near perfection, but was sadly disappointed. I guess that could be the reason they hardly ever post their work.

This is still without a doubt the best place to learn about photography.

[Robin Sarac]

Do or do not...there is no try? LOL!

This is a great note, clockdoc. There's a reason men and women like President Roosevelt are remembered.

Even those that seem gifted have to work at their chosen craft. Maybe less than the rest of us, but they work at it nonetheless.

I don't know. I've always thought if there's no effort involved, what's the point? If you can already do a good job of it, great! Time to move on to something more challenging!

Criticism is important. It helps us grow. It helps us improve. It teaches us to take the good with the bad and keeps us humble. It also teaches us that us that peoples' tastes are very different and that we have to love what we do first and foremost.

At the end of the day, you just have to get out there and do it. Take pictures. Enjoy them, learn from them, and take more. Use whatever you have to its fullest. Make sure you take the time to enjoy what you've done. Look back and see where you've been and where you are now.

Thanks.