----- Original Message ----- From: "Kostas Kavoussanakis"
Subject: Re: 21 Ways to Improve Your Photographs
Seeing as I dump PAWs and PESOs, seldom comment and have deservedly very low photographic self-esteem (amd thus there is nothing in it for me), can I ask why you care? Even if one's motives are shite, surely if they have a point, one may want to listen.
There are many ways to word a critique.
The writer can ask why the person didn't choose a particular camera angle, why they chose a particular film, suggest they alter the contrast range of the paper (or file), suggest the dodge this element or burn that one in.
The helpful critique attempts to get the photographer to open his or her eyes to other possibilities, to get them thinking of other ways to see.
It doesn't matter how it's worded, any critique that suggests a change to the image in any way is the person doing the critique telling the photographer how he or she would have presented the subject differently.
"Perhaps you could try burning that corner down a bit" is exactly the same as "I would have burned that corner down a bit". The semantics differ, but the concept is identical.
At least that's how it is in my world. It seems do be a different world to the east of me though.
William Robb
