CHAT: THE BEST IN SHOW

[ABERS]

Just a couple of questions. I'm a little confused.

If you need advice on how to make your work better, how can you give advice to someone to do the same?

If you crave a critique of your work in order to improve it, why do you think you are able to reciprocate?

This what I can't get my head around.

[Beaux Reflets]

Just a couple of questions.

If you need advice on how to make your work better, how can you give advice to someone to do the same?

If you crave a critique of your work in order to improve it, why do you think you are able to reciprocate?

This what I can't get my head around.

I think the answer to your questions may be; The honouring in or to the fact of being in a constant open situation in learning while sharing any wisdom that others may find useful along the way.

[ABERS]

I think the answer to your questions may be; The honouring in or to the fact of being in a constant open situation in learning while sharing any wisdom that others may find useful along the way.

If you say so Andy. 

When Bailey tels me to sod off when I tell him how he can improve, I'll tell him that.

[Hinfrance]

Alan it would only make no sense if we were all at an identical level of skill, experience and competence.

Photographer A might be the best portrait photographer in the world, but lost at understanding landscapes, photographer B the exact opposite - clearly they can help each other whilst acknowledging that there are limits to their abilities.

Basic Ricardo - comparative advantage

PS, I get the impression that Bailey has always told people to sod off, regardless!

[Reinardina]

I'm happy to say that I liked a particular shot better than another one, and that I voted for the one which most appealed to me. Does that help someone? Doubt it.

A critique, to me, is mostly about technical aspects, of which I don't know enough, to be able to give any advice.

And the rest is 'in the eye of the beholder.' This is still my personal opinion of course!

We have all seen awe inspiring photographs that have won prestigious prizes; we have also seen photographs that did very well, and we did not/could not see what the fuss was about.

Pictures I put on line, often leave a lot to be desired. Sometimes I know this, and I just 'float' them to test the waters, sometimes I don't realise it, and someone comments or poses a question to wake me up, but most of the time I only find out much later, what rubbish I posted.
It's all a learning curve of a hobby I very much enjoy.

Now I'd better sort out my entry for this week's competition as I have a very busy time ahead.

[Beaux Reflets]

I think the answer to your questions may be; The honouring in or to the fact of being in a constant open situation in learning while sharing any wisdom that others may find useful along the way.

If you say so Andy. 

When Bailey tels me to sod off when I tell him how he can improve, I'll tell him that.

Personally I have often wondered what all the fuss is over David Bailey (I assume he is who you refer to) as there are many equally capable and talented photographers out there; I guess it is all down to taste and whether a image speaks something to the observer, and perhaps, a photographer being in a particular place with a personal style that suits the mood of the day.

That said, these days, I am unlikely to tell anyone who has already got a good grasp of 'writing with light' how they can 'improve' - and in general my comments bend towards artistic or compositional aspects upon whether the image appeals to me or not, underlining the fact that it is only always my personal opinion.

[jinky]

Sorry - not been around for a few days as I was away in the lakes. 10 is not too bad a field for here Alan. More varied involvement of late anyway. My views- I`m more likely to do an entry with a narrower theme set as I use it to challenge my grey cells. If i`d shot anything of wider value that week I felt worthy of setting in front of you all I would have done and indeed could have done but two issues.
Of my two sessions with a camera in the week:
1. Were family shots. I shared a few of on facebook as "here`s our news type stuff but wouldn`t have pushed them as my photography style / best comp entries as they were simple family snapshots.
2. Some I did as part of a pre-wedding shoot I really liked but as the client has not had them yet I don`t use  / share them anywhere.
Other tha that too busy a week to even get out and shoot as I was either driving/in company or sleeping 

Been in the lakes last few days and probably have some potential entries for this week and would have entered them last week if they had fallen then.
As for the critiques I see them as giving comment on how I might have seen/ shot / processed differently or how pleasing they were to other`s eyes not necessarily me saying that they weren`t good enough and how do I improve and sorry I put such crap in front of you. I have been guilty of posting the odd one not 100% about in an effort to support comp entries when they were light on the ground. As for the critique sometimes it will make me realise there is more than one way of seeing things that works and other times I might feel like saying thanks for the pointers but I prefer the way I did it. If comments are tactful and constructively given all should be OK. I`m useless on technical aspects / appreciation but I know what I like and happy to say so if asked.

[spikeyjen]

Just a couple of questions. I'm a little confused.

If you need advice on how to make your work better, how can you give advice to someone to do the same?

If you crave a critique of your work in order to improve it, why do you think you are able to reciprocate?

This what I can't get my head around.

If you need advice on how to make your work better, how can you give advice to someone to do the same?
I would think everyone has the capacity to say they think about an image, suggest it may be cropped or add their opinion. I don't have to be the best photographer in the world to offer support to another photographer. As the president of the local camera club, I do believe that I can assist another photographer to improve/ or feel good about what they have done. That also doesn't mean that I don't enjoy hearing what other people think or that I can't improve my own work

If you crave a critique of your work in order to improve it, why do you think you are able to reciprocate?
I don't crave critique, I'm just looking for a site where I get other people opinions, constructive feedback and I am able to support other photographers in the same way. I just mentioned that I enjoyed the 'up and down' option that another site provided.


This what I can't get my head around
I get the idea that my needs will not be met here and I think I will go somewhere else. I understand that this site has either had bad experience of 'support' or just doesn't want it.

[Beaux Reflets]

I personally think that Camera Craniums is and should be almost like the ' local photographic club' with the online forum aspect making the local a bit more Global; so I hope you stick around Spikeyjen.

[Reinardina]

So far there have only been words.

Why don't you give it a try: open en new thread, upload a photograph that you want improved/changed or whatever.
A shot that you've given your all, but still lacks something (in your opinion, others may disagree; it wouldn't be the first time!).

If you know what it is that you don't like about it, mention that and ask what people think, how they would have done it, is there something that would make it stand out better, lighting, point of view, composition etc.

And see  what you get, and if it helps you.

Several people have said they would not mind introducing the critique for above and below pictures in the competition and Andy has said he is always happy to mentor.

Don't get entangled in a web of words and let it strangle you, before you have tried the practical options.
Just give it a go.

The fact that it hasn't been done before, or was not successful in the past, does not mean it cannot be (re)introduced and become a runaway success.

[Graham]

Just a couple of questions. I'm a little confused.

If you need advice on how to make your work better, how can you give advice to someone to do the same?

If you crave a critique of your work in order to improve it, why do you think you are able to reciprocate?

This what I can't get my head around.

If you need advice on how to make your work better, how can you give advice to someone to do the same?
I would think everyone has the capacity to say they think about an image, suggest it may be cropped or add their opinion. I don't have to be the best photographer in the world to offer support to another photographer. As the president of the local camera club, I do believe that I can assist another photographer to improve/ or feel good about what they have done. That also doesn't mean that I don't enjoy hearing what other people think or that I can't improve my own work

If you crave a critique of your work in order to improve it, why do you think you are able to reciprocate?
I don't crave critique, I'm just looking for a site where I get other people opinions, constructive feedback and I am able to support other photographers in the same way. I just mentioned that I enjoyed the 'up and down' option that another site provided.


This what I can't get my head around
I get the idea that my needs will not be met here and I think I will go somewhere else. I understand that this site has either had bad experience of 'support' or just doesn't want it.

Can't really disagree with any of that (Apart from the last bit. ).
Like I said earlier, we could do with more like you, and by the same token, a few more like Abers (Or, at least, a bit more of the one we've got!).
                              Graham. 

[ABERS]

Sorry Spikyjen, none of my ramblings were aimed specifically at you, but all photographers who inhabit forums.

All I'm trying to point out is, that from practical experience there's only one person that can improve your work, that's you, by trying different approaches and doggedly sticking at it. There's nothing wrong in asking for help, and you can get it abundance here on CC, there are plenty of contributors to pitch in.

No one is infallible, a little criticism is good for the soul. My fiercest critic knows next to nothing about photography but I always take note of what she says about my efforts. Then when my prints are rejected it gives her the satisfaction of saying, "I told you so!", and if by chance I get an acceptance I can return the compliment.

Still that's married life for you.

[Oldboy]

Still that's married life for you.

You mean you had to get married before she would critique your work?   

[Reinardina]

Still that's married life for you.

You mean you had to get married before she would critique your work?   

Or did you marry her in spite of?

[DigiDiva]

Does she critique EVERYTHING?