i have never commented on someone’s photo. when i recently began learning about photography, i read all the comments to everything that interested me. and i noticed often some commenters attack newbie commenters. one example comes to mind of a fellow commenter essentially responding to a newbie’s questions with something like, “you obviously know nothing, so don’t waste our time.”

i think this type of thing may have subconsciously frightened me away from ever posting any of my photographs (were i ever to take any i thought were good), because i can only imagine the criticisms i would receive. my fragile newbie self would not have been able to survive, i’m afraid. :)

One thing though, you must keep in mind that with todays tachnology, a compilation can have well over a hundred pictures and one cannot have enough time to comment a whole paragraph for each photo. Personally, if one says my photo is good by saying “nice one!” that already, in itself, is an encouraging enough comment. When one comments in real life, how often do you see a Lay-man talking about lighting, background and whatnot? You want a comment? here’s what I will give your photos….

Nice shots man… You gotta teach me some day.

I do completely agree with all that you wrote, but my hitch on commenting is that I do see many wonderful photos, and read just as many fantastic posts. It would be absolutely impossible to actually comment on every one… The time it would require would take me all night! There are just so many talented individuals out there. Some inspire & encourage; others simply awe & astound. I wish there were enough hours in the day for me to say all that I would like to about all the wonderful things I see.

Me personally? I don’t necessarily need any validation for my photos. That may sound aloof and snotty, but that’s definitely not what I intend to be. I only mean that if I put a photo onto my blog, I obviously must think it’s good enough to be there. I haven’t gotten into flicker or photo forums, and perhaps that’s a mistake on my part. I admire those that do; I admire even more those who are able to comment on everything they love or are inspired by. Perhaps someday I’ll find the time to be a great commenter!

One more thing – I do have to agree with you about the short, tacky 2-word comments that may not even have any relevance to what’s posted. This is especially true since @pete COMPLETELY exemplified the “ridiculous comment scenario” JUST to get hits & comments on his photos that seriously aren’t that great. Sorry to be blunt & rude, but that’s just how I feel.

Thank you very much for a wonderful post, and the only thing I add is that some people (like I said earlier) just don’t have the time to comment on all that they love. Tell people not to be discouraged by lack of comments though! Look instead at the hits your site is getting…

If you have Statcounter (or something of the like) you can see the number of visitors & the URLs of those who visit you. Even if they don’t regularly (or ever) comment, they must like what you have to offer if they keep coming back. :o)

Thanks again for a great article. Take care & God Bless,

All my love,
Amanda

Neil,
Many of the comments, here, have said most of what I’d want to say/contribute, so I will leave those points alone, for now. The one point I Would like to make comes from a pivotal (for me) workshop I took at the formerly named Maine Photographic Workshops, under Sean Kernan ( http://seankernan.squarespace.com/ ). When we had shot the day’s assignments and gathered to look at them the next day, we were encouraged to comment, but in a way somewhat modified from the usual sense of “critique”. Sean encouraged us, actually requested of us, that we start simple –Look at the image, and say what we see in it.
That approach gets one past the whole notion of “knowing how to critique/comment” as well as transcending the wide differences in experience/expertise that the group brings to the process. Then, it does one other thing, elegantly, I think; it lets me know what likely got across in the photo. That’s what I really want to know, basically; all else is tangential, is it not? I, personally and artistically, don’t need an assessment of my work or even an extensive analysis of the technicals, especially from a broadly diverse community like Flickr. What I need to know is more about what got through. Then I can use that info in one or both of two ways. First, I can know if the sum total of my technique/choices did or did not add up to my intent, and adjust/re-evaluate said technique if my image went astray or aground. Secondly, it can clarify for me what an image may be about, when I’m not even sure myself, but am looking for a clue from simple feedback.
That word is the key, for me: Feedback.
Anyone can offer that. Anyone can look at a work, assume that the photographer made choices to make the photo just as it is, and look for what they can see in the photo.
Your guidelines, Neil, can be just that.. guidelines to get started. When I am perplexed, at first, about what I’m drawn to or repulsed by or confused by in a photo, I just start with the simple “What I see is.. “, and that begins to peel the onion for me. Sometimes I even reverse my impressions of a piece, the further I get into looking at it… precisely because I am beginning to put my impressions into words –into clear communication– and because I’m choosing to become familiar with the image.
Maybe in that process, I’m learning more about what the photographer intended, or maybe I’m on a tangent, myself, that way; finally, though, the artist can take my feedback and combine it with the impressions of others and notice common threads. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not advocating that a consensus of opinion has the final word on a photo. I’m simply suggesting that if several people see the same things in a photo, then perhaps that says something useful to the artist, especially if it’s a surprise to him/her.
The BEST part for the Commenter is that the process of taking in a photograph to that extent opens up new possibilities for himself/herself. I gain from creating feedback for another’s work, in the long run.

(I’ll follow up with more.)
-Wayne

@Neil – Beautiful photos are a plenty everywhere by talented photographers but what you sets you aside is your willingness to educate and share your knowledge. Bravo!

I used to attend Photo Critique Sessions of our Photographic Society in my country of domicile. All the 3 instructors give critiques differently in their own style and content. One of them is very sarcastic and blunt but his session has the most partcipants. I like his sessions but some don’t.

I want to point out that no one way or one style of critique is correct nor are all the people would want to accept one way or one style of critique. Some like it brief and some like it with more content.

Anyway, thanks for your informative article. I like your your style of critique too. :)

Sahul

the one thing that I did not see mentioned (correct me if I’m wrong – it is late)….. TIME it takes. Yes I know you said it only takes 30 seconds (not for me – the beginner) but having a full time job, then take care of family, etc.. the time I have left I have to decide if I want to spend it on elaborate comments, or learning/advancing in Photoshop skill or better yet, go out and take photos.

I choose to take photos, and I use manual / raw and just shoot. And sometimes, I do what my husband does…. ’sharp intake of breath’, I shoot in auto mode, cuz if I stop enjoying it, I won’t pick up the camera.

Seriously, I will try to follow your guidelines for leaving comments, they are great tips. But totally understand everyone else and hope you guys know that I ‘lurk’ and do enjoy all your photos for whatever reason. :-)