I'm not afraid of the truth. However, I regret that I couldn't get across my points to you, even after so many examples.
In my few postings, I've tried to explain:
a. That in many cases, people who are "sharing" pictures are not looking for "comments" per se, yours or anybody elses', they really want to share their latest pix, whether it's from a CS TL model shoot, pix of their kids, colleagues, dogs or cats, etc.
b. That not all "comments" are created equal. You can go several levels in giving comments. Pointing out the obvious flaws (eyes not equal size, hair messy, over-PS, etc) is very basic, doesn't help the poster much. Offering basic suggestions (crop like this, crop like that, nitpick this and that) is just a small increment, still doesn't help much.
To give a valuable critique takes so much time and energy it's unbelievable. You have to have the poster's growth as a photographer at heart. You have to criticise not because you want to point out his flaws, but because you want to help him improve. You have to show him what he did well, what he did not, what he could have done, how that could have improved the pix, perhaps even suggest a whole new way of doing things, etc.
You have to guess what he was trying to achieve and his level of development before you can even begin. And like student said, even then it's not always certain that you should impose your standards on someone else.
Eg. you may be a classical photographer who follows the rule of thirds, use warming filters all the time, maximise DOF, use tripod, etc. while the poster may be a totally different creature following a totally different path. How could you give a relevant critique in such a situation?
For these reasons, genuine and valuable critiques are rare, which is why we lament the poor quality of the C&C forum.
c. That when people do want comments (eg if they post in C&C forum), how you comment can affect how people react to you. You can give criticism nicely or harshly. You're getting certain kinds of reactions because of the way you phrase your criticisms. You have a right to say what you want, but if it creates negative reactions, only you can decide if it's worth it.
You could ask yourself, apart from complaining when people put up lousy pix, is there any other reason for your comments? By pointing out that hair is messy, etc., does it add value to the poster? Is it just to express displeasure at someone who is putting up such a lousy pix that you want to vomit?
I come across a lot of pix I don't like in CS. They suck, to put it baldly. If I posted "It sucks" on every pix I don't like, I would not have time to do other things in life, like go to B&S forum. Plus, I know that not only might I create unhappiness by saying "it sucks" all the time, it makes me appear arrogant and all, and most importantly, I know I'm not adding any value to the poster with such terse comments. Since I don't have the time or energy to write a useful critique for the poster, I refrain from posting and move on. The poster doesn't need me to tell him it sucks. Sooner or later, either others will tell him, or he will realise when he sees better work. And in any case, saying "it sucks" is not going to stop more lousy pix from being posted, now or in the future.
Live and let live is not a bad principle. See something you don't like? Move on to something you like. Life is short.
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Freedom of expression exists, but so does Newton's Third Law. It's not about how others dictate or restrain how you should behave, but about whether you want to pay the price for your behaviour, and what reactions you will get from others when you behave in a certain manner.
Your choice.
This is my last post on this issue. I'm tired already. I have never commented on any of your pix, neither have you on mine, so hopefully we have no axes to grind with each other.
Wai Leong
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Deadpoet said:
Actually, using your logic, you claimed that my comments create angers, bad feelings in others, I can also say, some of these pictures posted really "sucks", they are offensive. If I advocate that these picture should not be posted, would that work?
Posting pictures is portected under the freedm of expression I cherished. Some of te sugar coated "nice" comments are very offensive in nature, but it's the poster's right to express themselves as they see fit, nomatter how much I don't like it.
Your Geylang example does not serve your purpose. It's the photographer's right to take the picture at Lor 8, however, the photographer has to be aware of risk he is taking. His rights to take picture is never in question here. His health maybe. Likewise, are you suggesting that my health maybe in question if I am only being honest and straight forward here in CS?
The price to pay to exercise my freedom of expression is, if I do not exercise it, I am relinquishing my rights and allow others to determine what and how I can express myself. The price is too high to pay.
I have a question for you. Why are you so afraid of the truth?