What’s Your Preference?

Kungpao · #1 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 03:53 PM

It just occurred to me that there's a bad/ugly side (at least for me) in all the learning I've been doing here at DPS.

I critique all photos that I come across!!

It seems innocent enough but in my brain and inner most thoughts, I can't help but think man I'd like to fix that. Or you really think that's a good picture? It's awful. There's a guy I know who him and his buddy went and bought identical Olympus DSLRs. I was real envious of them at the time and I thought their pictures came out great. Now that I've gotten my D40 and found DPS, my view has TOTALLY changed. The knowledge just opened my eyes. All i see is. Wrong focus, over exposed, wrong lighting, poorly composed. Can I dumb myself back down?

Has this happened to anyone else?

LOL just kidding on the dumbing down thing.

waffles · #2 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 04:04 PM

And that's why I tend to not say anything over in Share Your Shots.

dakwegmo · #3 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 04:51 PM

A recent DPS Blog about commenting on photos, mentioned that it was a good idea when offering critiques, to begin and end with something positive, and put the things that need improvement in the middle. I've found that this is a good habit to get into, especially when friends and family show me their shots. It allows me to scan a photo, and find both the positive and negative elements, and then offer positive feedback on the good things I found, keeping the negative aspects to myself, unless they're another photogrpaher asking for critiques.

Kungpao · #4 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 04:54 PM

Oh I totally agree. I always find something good to comment on. Though... there are just some people that cannot take constructive criticism. Those, I just keep my mouth shut lol. It's easier on me that way.

Sime™ · #5 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kungpao

Oh I totally agree. I always find something good to comment on. Though... there are just some people that cannot take constructive criticism. Those, I just keep my mouth shut lol. It's easier on me that way.

They'll learn

Dizzle · #6 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 05:10 PM

It's funny, since I started playing in Critique, my own images have gotten better. Critiquing someone elses images has made me look at mine a bit closer and try to work to improve them before posting for my own critiques.

Its all about learning and improving!

lissykeeper · #7 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 05:25 PM

I have the same issue and its not just with photos. Watching movies, my eyes are totally focused on the light they are using, the dof they are filming at, the camera angle...you name it. It's almost driving me nuts.

And I think I have become a shot snob. During my daughters slumber party, I had to force my self to get the camera out and just take pictures. Once I got it in my hands, I was fine. But I didn't want to just take snap shots. I wanted to pose them. I had to step back and re-evaluate the reason for taking pictures in the first place. So even though my slumber party pics are far from perfect, I'm trying to love them that way.

Seltzer · #8 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 05:28 PM

I have mentioned this same thing to a few other people lately.. I have to stop myself from saying stuff about composition, layout, framing, etc.. But then again, I don't have much right to say anything if I'm not able to follow my own directions so I suppose it goes both ways.
It happens with everything, not just photography, just any skill you start noticing things that are a bit off. That just means you are improving your awareness of how to do things. So long as you are aware of what you are doing and saying and pay attention to your own and other's lessons it's alright. Just remember you have to be able to take critique if you are willing to give it.

Kungpao · #9 (**permalink**) 08-15-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lissykeeper

...snip....
But I didn't want to just take snap shots. ....

That's exactly it. If it were my dad, whom I get my love of photography from, I could critique to my heart's content cause he understands. 99% of the people I know don't think of photography as an art, it's just snap shots to preserve memories which is important too. As for criticism... I can take it cause I definitely want to learn.