No, I'm not telling anyone what picture "should be made." I'm only suggesting that there may be other ways of interpreting the scene. The idea of these commentaries is to explore the photograph, discuss their potential and possibilities, look for other ways of seeing and expressing one's self. The discussion process will bring out many ideas from any number of people, and while the comments may be directly related to a posted photo, they really encompass a broader range, for the next time someone looks at a scene they may do so with a different vision.
As for my resisting what others say about my pics, the cable car shot or others, that's once again so much bullshit from you. I read and consider every comment, and, had you been paying attention, you'll have noticed that I acted upon a comment that Gonz had made which I thought was valuable. And even if I disagree with a comment or suggestion, or say nothing, (such as cropping the photo differently) I often go back to the image and see what it looks like with the suggested changes. Sometimes I'll incorporate those changes in the final print, sometimes they'll be posted here (such as when Bruce suggested a different (wider) crop for my pic "The Conversation." The idea is that comments should generate discussion. Had, for example, I and others not commented on John's pic with suggestions, John may not have explained the scene and his thoughts to the extent that he did. By so doing, he's influenced my thoughts not only about his photograph, but how I may interpret some of my own work. It's this openness and willingness to share different points of view that make the PAW/PESO thing so valuable to many of the photographers here. It's no different than a group of photogs getting together over a dining room table and discussing their prints - which many photographers do. They want and need feedback, and look for just the thing that you're disparaging. Shel > [Original Message] > From: Graywolf > This points up a problem with critiques here on the list. So many times what happens is people tell you what picture they would have made instead of commenting on the picture you made. I find it interesting because Shel is telling you what your picture should be saying after resisting, rightfully, others doing the same about his cable car shot.
