Observations and thoughts of a new member

[Thunder_o_b]

…………………………………………………..

[BigFuzzy]

Honestly, I don't think the SYS should necessarily change. Sometimes people just want the social aspect of sharing the images and none of the stuff you (and I) are apparently interested in. That's why I don't think it needs changing, it's also the reason you never ever see me in the SYS area because I also can't stand seeing some of the things you see.

In the end, for the sake of your sanity, you should probably just stay out of SYS, it's not what guys like you and me are here for.

As for the "come back and have clearly ignored the most pertinent advice and ask again for help" .. just remember, "most pertinent" to you (clearly more experienced) doesn't mean most pertinent, or even most understandable advice to a newbie, so maybe cut them some slack? Sometimes even the most real, accurate and helpful advice to you and me will be over someone else's head.

As for the not acknowledging your response.. I'm used to it, mostly because I think my advice tends to lean on the harsher side.. but yeah, would be nice if I spent 10 minutes writing a reply for a basic "thanks!"

Otherwise, I share many of your feelings... and welcome to DPS.

[Barbara V]

I think sometimes people ARE asking for a little more help with their SYS shots, and not just presenting them for show.... but they are too afraid to jump into the critique arena. I don't think it would be bad to add a little constructive criticism to sys shots sometimes.... especially if the OP is giving you an opening for it.

Taking to heart, though, what Big Fuzzy is saying, too.

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

Honestly, I don't think the SYS should necessarily change. Sometimes people just want the social aspect of sharing the images and none of the stuff you (and I) are apparently interested in. That's why I don't think it needs changing, it's also the reason you never ever see me in the SYS area because I also can't stand seeing some of the things you see.

In the end, for the sake of your sanity, you should probably just stay out of SYS, it's not what guys like you and me are here for.

As for the "come back and have clearly ignored the most pertinent advice and ask again for help" .. just remember, "most pertinent" to you (clearly more experienced) doesn't mean most pertinent, or even most understandable advice to a newbie, so maybe cut them some slack? Sometimes even the most real, accurate and helpful advice to you and me will be over someone else's head.

As for the not acknowledging your response.. I'm used to it, mostly because I think my advice tends to lean on the harsher side.. but yeah, would be nice if I spent 10 minutes writing a reply for a basic "thanks!"

Otherwise, I share many of your feelings... and welcome to DPS.

I see your points, and they are valid.

[Thunder_o_b]

Originally Posted by Barbara V

I think sometimes people ARE asking for a little more help with their SYS shots, and not just presenting them for show.... but they are too afraid to jump into the critique arena. I don't think it would be bad to add a little constructive criticism to sys shots sometimes.... especially if the OP is giving you an opening for it.

Taking to heart, though, what Big Fuzzy is saying, too.

I agree with you that a low level help response would be good, but it is rule number three that stope me, even if the author asks for it. "3. Please do not post critiques of the images in Share Your Shots. If you'd like to make suggestions on how someone could improve their shot, there are lots of people in the Critique sections who would love your input."

Being new, I don't want to piss off the mods

[Barbara V]

Originally Posted by Thunder_o_b

but it is rule number three that stope me, even if the author asks for it. "3. Please do not post critiques of the images in Share Your Shots. If you'd like to make suggestions on how someone could improve their shot, there are lots of people in the Critique sections who would love your input."

Being new, I don't want to piss off the mods

I hear ya.

[sk66]

In the sys section, when I view it (which isn't that often for the reasons mentioned) If I hat a shot and can't find anything encouraging to say I say nothing (well, almost always). If it's a generally good shot with what I consider a significant flaw I might post something like: "very nice image, I just wish that pole wasn't coming out of her head"...haven't gotten yelled at for it yet.
The point is SYS is for encouragement and enjoyment...if I really knew how bad most of my pics were when starting out I probably never would have stayed with it this long.

[Indigo November]

I still can't get over the fact that you joined 23 days ago, and already have 341 posts.
An average of almost 15 posts per day.
Who are you??

[dlambert]

I believe that there probably are people who post who are confused about whether they're sharing or asking for critique, but given that there are sections for each of these things, I think we have to give them the benefit of the doubt and either appreciate or critique as appropriate.

If someone posts in SYS, I have to assume they're not looking for criticism unless it's explicitly asked for (in which case, they're probably going to be directed to the critique sections). Having said that, though, if there's a critique about the photo that someone presents respectfully, I guess I don't have a problem with that.

As far as the "responding to posts" bit, I personally wish the forum software helped with that a little. I'd love to see some sort of notification that someone respond to one of my messages without having to jump through hoops (I know I can turn on subscriptions if I go to the "advanced" panel, etc.). I find that threads here have a half-life of about 12 hours -- if nobody's answered by then, they probably won't. I'd love to see a community like this running on software like Stack Exchange (the existing photo.stackexchange.com site is awesome for technical questions, but it explicitly excludes critiques).

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by Thunder_o_b

snip

Again in SYS, the number of new photogs (at least I hope they are new) that are in love with the sharpening "button" is large and nothing can be said. To all those that try to over come the weakness in their form or the limits of their lens with the "button" I offer this, sharpen the shot to the point that you think that is right, then back it off a step or two. If someone can see the artifacts and halo in pictures this small they will be glaring in a print.
/snip

I agree with everything you said except this. Proper sharpening for print will show as over sharpened on screen. Artifacts, unless they are REALLY bad, don't show in print for the same reasons as noise doesn't show in print unless it's super bad, ugly noise.