Hi,
comments embedded.
Tuesday, May 01, 2001, 5:01:10 PM, you wrote:
> You know.... these are the kind of comments that will drive people away from
> contributing. I don't think we were asked as much to critique the
> submissions, as we were simply to comment on them.
what's the difference? After all, what is the use of feedback if it
can only ever be praise? Surely a sincerely held, and well argued,
negative opinion is better than any number of insincere positive
opinions.
> IMO this was a rather harsh response. If the shot didn't do anything for
> you, that's fine, but why rip it to shreds?
Sometimes an iron fist should wear a kid glove :o) I think Shel could
have made his points with a lighter touch, but I don't think he ripped
it to shreds. I've been attending a few workshops recently and his
comments wouldn't be out of place in those. But it is easier to listen
to criticism I think when you can see the person and read their
non-verbal language as well.
> I personally find it has merit. It instantly gives me a pensive, expectant
> feeling when I look at it.
Ah, but was that the photographer's intention? If so then the picture
was successful; if not then the picture has failed. Since we don't
know what the photographer's intention or motives were we cannot say
whether or not it is a successful picture.
Of course, each individual will react differently to any given
picture. I read a story somewhere (can't find the reference) about 2
critics' reactions to the same picture. One of the critics had a very
favourable reaction to the photograph, but the 2nd hated it, and was
almost violent in his reaction to it. It transpired that the 2nd
critic had spent time in a concentration camp and the photograph had
invoked his worst memories of that time.
That may seem like a very over-the-top thing to mention, but it makes
the point that as far as useful criticism goes, the feelings evoked in
the critic by the photograph are worthless.
Criticism is very difficult; Shel is at least trying to go beyond the
rather bland and innocuous comments that most other people give. If
and when I next submit to the PUG I hereby request to be reviewed by
Shel. And he can take the gloves off :o)
> It evokes some kind of emotion or wonder which
> good photography is supposed to do.
It's a matter of opinion what good photography is supposed to do (if
anything).
> The tracks in the picture also lead the
> eye through it, making me want to lean out a little to the left and catch a
> glimpse of the approaching train.
e pericoloso sporgersi!
Cheers,
Bob
> Tom C.
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