How to properly critique on images?

[Canonised]

Master john, please tell what kind of cert is required, in your mind, to certify a pro photographer?

CS Academy of Fine Critics ...:think:

 

[johnlim]

Master john, please tell what kind of cert is required, in your mind, to certify a pro photographer?

That's my question to the pro & self-proclaimed pro, Isn't it?:bsmilie:

If the self-proclaimed pro can call themselves pro, what makes them think that others cannot call themselves a pro? Isn't that IRONIC?

They are calling themselves pro, and when they see others who may be junior to them, who also like to join in the trade to become a pro, they will deny their credibility. That's why I asked, "What cert do they have that empower them to take such a position.:think:

 

[johnlim]

No. You can give honest and truthful comments/critiques, but please be constructive. For example, you can quite easily reply as follows; "to me, the photos lacks sharpness and the WB is off". That already tells TS that the photos are not very good, and at the same time suggesting how to improve them. Surely that is more constructive than comments like "photos suck/are crap" or "taken with DSLR? (in a mocking tone)" ?



By all means say what didn't work in the photo, why you didn't like it. It is possible to give honest feedback without sounding rude. e.g. "Photos do not work for me at all". Better still if you can be constructive and give specific suggestions how to improve the photos. Just implying that he is a lousy photographer won't help him much.



There is really no need to denigrate CS by implying that it is not a "real photography" site. CS caters to wide range of members of differing skill levels and interests. And the wide range of photos posted in CS attest to that. Chit Chat (aka Kopitiam) is only a minor part of CS, not its main focus. May I suggest that you reflect on how your comments to TS have helped him progress to the next level? IMHO, constructive criticism is more helpful any day. There is a difference between calling a bad shot "good" (sugarcoating) and giving serious and constructive pointers how to improve the bad shot (critique).



Then why did you target your comments at TS? They come across as personal attacks IMHO. For example, mocking him by asking if the photos are taken by DSLR, and that a handphone camera can take better pics is tantamount to saying that he is a lousy photographer, which is a personal attack. Instead, you should comment on the photos instead, what worked, what didn't, and what *specifically* TS could have done to achieve better photographic results. For example, "the photos lack sharpness, you could try increasing iso speed next time or shoot with a faster lens" etc. Or, "The WB is off for all the shots IMHO, I suggest you adjust the WB settings with more blue and less red for this kind of lighting condition."



As mentioned above, be polite, honest and constructive without getting personal.

cheers,
z.

That is the spirit. :thumbsup:

 

[KNIGHT ONG]

I agree with Sion, John Lim, you are THE MAN, the TRUE MASTER, THE PHOTOGRRAPHER among us merely snapshooters.

Please show us the truth, must go buy the camera you use.

You are the Man ... :bsmilie:

Didnt know this thread moved faster then any others for the past hours .. :sweat:

 

[catchlights]

I know of some people print namecards, than go to motor show, pc show whatever show as long got models in the show.

take pictures of all the female models, maybe pose with them to take a shots, give the models namecards, ask for contacts.

later post alot of photos of the models in the show in clubsnap, and everyone comments "pro shots!" here "pro shots!" there.

so maybe this is better way than get a cert to become a pro.

 

[Sion]

If you think you are one, so be it. But others may not think you are good enough to be called a pro, right?

Is there a cert to verify you a pro?

I've got a cert from Tua Payoh Secondary School Camera Club that says:

"The holder of this certificate is a competent dslr user of Auto Mode"

That's a Pro endorsemnt Si Boh?

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

I know of some people print namecards, than go to motor show, pc show whatever show as long got models in the show.

take pictures of all the female models, maybe pose with them to take a shots, give the models namecards, ask for contacts.

later post alot of photos of the models in the show in clubsnap, and everyone comments "pro shots!" here "pro shots!" there.

so maybe this is better way than get a cert to become a pro.

you got their namecards?

maybe got write something like Professional Event Photographer.

 

[Errz]

I've got a cert from Tua Payoh Secondary School Camera Club that says:

"The holder of this certificate is a competent dslr user of Auto Mode"

That's a Pro endorsemnt Si Boh?

wor.. got cert, now u can give photography courses liao also. and give out cert to whoever complete it. :thumbsup:

 

[Canonised]

A DSLR is not a pro camera. Everyone can use one.

3 yrs ago when I had my 10d, people would say "Whaaaa, you so pro ...." .... and NOW even with a 30D most ppl would not make such a comment.....
instead you need to hold a 1D, then people would say, "Whaaaaa, you so pro ...." :dunno:
Guess in 2 yrs' time, u need a medium format to get such comment again ....:bsmilie::sweatsm::sweat:

 

[catchlights]

You are the Man ... :bsmilie:

Didnt know this thread moved faster then any others for the past hours .. :sweat:

DP is the blockbuster. lol

 

[madmacs]

There are many ways of saying a picture is not good, or that it is bad.

In fact, those 2 terms will suffice, why do we have to take it a step further and say that it is crap, when the word itself is particularly offensive? Objective critique does not go all the way to destroy another person's ego. Nor does a constructive person.

The difference between a good critic and bad critic - one appears to have the intention of helping the poster learn, the other appears to have the intention of putting the poster down. It is not a matter of sugar coating one's statements per se, but rather, choosing your words properly. I am sure that if you were a newbie who didn't know how to use his camera, you'd appreciate someone telling you what is wrong, in a mild manner, instead of just telling you that PICTURES SUCK! CRAP! HAHAHA!

Personally, I do not really care how someone tells me what he thinks of my photographs, so long as it is valid and he has good intentions and the proper knowledge with where he's coming from. But not everyone is like that, and I think we should all remember to walk in another person's shoes before making hurtful statements like that.

i agree with what you say. unfortunately some folks think that to critique a badly taken pic they need to resort to harsh words and put the person down. if the someone starts speaking harshly and loudly to you, you would most likely switch off and not listen to what the person is saying.

when someone posts a photo for critique they are usually looking for constructive feedback so they can improve. its very sad that some take it as an open invitation to put a person down. if you have nothing constructive to say about a photo, it is not a crime to just keep silent and let others do the talking.

 

[Sion]

wor.. got cert, now u can give photography courses liao also. and give out cert to whoever complete it. :thumbsup:

Give a chop on the forehead for $25 per head lagi faster.

You want?

Lesson One:

'Warm palms first before press exposure button." :bsmilie:

 

[blazer_workz]

I've got a cert from Tua Payoh Secondary School Camera Club that says:

"The holder of this certificate is a competent dslr user of Auto Mode"

That's a Pro endorsemnt Si Boh?

U no need cert one..just show ur infamous shot can liao..:bsmilie:

 

[johnlim]

A lack of emotional intelligence. They do not know how to relate to others.

 

[TMC]

A lack of emotional intelligence. They do not know how to relate to others.

care to show where you got the idea that digital can do better than film? coz for the last few years up till now, all that I have heard/learned is that digital still cant be equal to film.

 

[catchlights]

you got their namecards?

maybe got write something like Professional Event Photographer.

I don't have, cause no chance for me to be there.

maybe even have "Professional TFCD for female models" on the cards.

 

[mcn]

tell me about her infamous shot peace

U no need cert one..just show ur infamous shot can liao..:bsmilie:

 

[jeanie]

i thought this thread topic was dicussed to death before?:dunno:

the way to properly critic pics is to say only the good things.
occasionally, can be replaced by using thumbs up icons.

 

[madmacs]

well, i dunno if u noticed... there are some pics which i think u will deem '****' but yet there are people saying its beautiful... so ya... alot of 'flattery' involved...

anyway, everyone have different views of each image... and some people have different tolerance to type of comments given to them. I believe that you could also move on, the infraction given to you is not a serious one.

Well, just go comment on other pictures, just take note on which type of comments you can post to the poster. And well, peace prevails.

personally i thought picasso's paintings were...erm...crap. ;p but thats only my view. lots of other ppl think the paintings are valuable :bsmilie:

 

[jeanie]

personally i thought picasso's paintings were...erm...crap. ;p but thats only my view. lots of other ppl think the paintings are valuable :bsmilie:

hey, you cant use the word 'crap'

jeanie's personal infraction given.