Getting paid to critique photos (or paying to receive critique)

[melsam]

I just found out about http://www.gurushots.com. Anyone here tried it yet? Seems like a fun way to earn some money critiquing photos, or even get your own photos critiqued. However, most critiques I see featured on the site are rated 8 or 9, so I question the usefulness or honesty of the reviewers. Doesn't seem that much different than getting a few "Great photo!" comments for free on forums like this one or Flickr. I have no affiliation with the site, just curious if anyone here is using it.

[bhursey]

charge for critiqueing? sounds like a scam

[SusanH1970]

Definitely sounds like a scam. And the "great shot" comments here on DPS are generally used in Share Your Shots - have you looked at the Critique section?

[RLucas]

Ewww! I perused a little. There seems to be some critique that is on the up and up, but for the most part, it's high grades for crap images. I saw some 8's and 9's on stuff that even I would delete. At $8.00 per image, it seems like a rip off. No thanks.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by RLucas

Ewww! I perused a little. There seems to be some critique that is on the up and up, but for the most part, it's high grades for crap images. I saw some 8's and 9's on stuff that even I would delete. At $8.00 per image, it seems like a rip off. No thanks.

I got curious and took a look, too. I saw one that got an overall 9.9 that I wouldn't dare show a client.

[dlambert]

I tend to agree about the quality per $$$, but there's nothing about this that suggests it's an outright scam. I have every reason to believe that you'll get a critique if you pony up your bucks -- whether the critique is any good or not.

Frankly, if the critiques could be scored (in terms of helpfulness), that would probably improve the site immeasurably.

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by dlambert

I tend to agree about the quality per $$$, but there's nothing about this that suggests it's an outright scam. I have every reason to believe that you'll get a critique if you pony up your bucks -- whether the critique is any good or not.

Maybe I'm being cynical, but I'm thinking the motive might be, "let's tell 'em what they wanna hear so they come back for more."

[dlambert]

You might be right. If so, it's not going to last long. The idea is intriguing, even if the execution still needs some work. I know there are plenty of people here (and on other sites) that bemoan the difficulty in extracting a decent critique out of anyone, and I do believe there's some truth in that.

[IABoomer]

I could see something like this working if the payment was part of a feedback loop.

Photog offers up to $X for a critique of an image.

Critiquer offers a critique.

Photog pays some amount, up to $X based on the completeness/effectiveness of the critique.

Critiquer rates photog on fairness of payment (think eBay seller ratings).

This way, if I want to do some critiques for cash, and I find a photographer who has historically paid fairly for a good critique, I'll consider looking at their work. If I find another photographer who is offering more money, but has a worse reputation, I'll be able to temper my expectations.