By jazzcaster/Eric (8,610) 
on July 25, 2009 11:05:10 PM CDT
I am one of those people who walks up to a dirty window, I mean really dirty, and peers through, trying to see what is on the other side. If I can make it out - tell what it is, I don't worry too much about the condition of the window. Before I met my wife, I didn't clean windows.
My wife, on the other hand, routinely cleans the windows in the house. She is more focused on the window, me more on the scene beyond.
Did I also mention that I love analogies? They are almost always flawed and imperfect, but they can be a powerful way of getting a point across when the listener understands the limited nature of the analogy.
So let me rant a little while about what I believe a critique of poor photography should accomplish and why I occasionally give an unhelpful rating to thumbs' up critiques of bad photos. People who submit blurry cat photos or harshly lit snapshots of their grandchildren for critique have the approach to photography that I have to dirty windows. They see the subject and not the presentation - a favorite cat or beautiful grandchild - and are attempting to share their subject while completely oblivious to how bad a job they did at photographing it.
For the sake of everything that is good, please don't encourage further unthinking snapshots by telling the photographer how cute their cat or grandchild is. Don't be afraid to break out the two red thumbs and give a critique that details how bad their photo really is. But, and this is important, don't insult their cat!
If the entire image is out-of-focus, tell them. Don't just pick out one minor detail like the very OOF arm of the rocking chair that the cat is laying in and then give them one green thumb for encouragement. Even if they get the darned cat in focus on the neutral-color, carpeted stairwell, don't be afraid to give just one red thumb. Seriously, look at your critiques. If you have never given a red thumb, why are you here? Do you only critique images that don't really need it? Don't you have anything to offer beginning or very poorly skilled photographers?
I have given many red-thumbed critiques and had the photographer delete the image. Yes, it can be frustrating. I've even critiqued the same image again when subsequently submitted (BTW that always merits one lower rating IMO). But if we continue to encourage very poor photography with green thumbs, well, we will continue to see the same people continuing to submit very poor photography.
End Rant.
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From johnl/John (3,797)
on August 6, 2009 12:47:17 PM CDT
Well said. I agree with you. So many times (and I also include myself) we will post photos of our kids, dogs, etc because we are in love with the subject and feel that the photo warrants posting because of it's content. On the other hand if I shoot a photo of a rock on the sand - I try to make sure my composition, lighting, DOF, etc is as good as I can get it. A rock on the sand will not stir up in the hearts of viewers a fondness for the subject. At that point - all people look at are the points I used to take the shot (composition, light, etc). When I take a photo of my 6 year old when he is doing something "cute" I don't worry much about composition, lighting, etc (focus yes). When I shoot photos of him in his "Sunday clothes" at a predetermined location with a nice background and wonderful light - then yes I try to make the photo as technically good as I can. SO - I think critique should be handled on two different levels - one for snapshot types photos and one for those that are being presented as a photography - not a snapshot. My 2 cents.
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From convolvulus/David (3,016)
on September 3, 2009 7:42:22 PM CDT
Hi Eric I absolutely agree with what you are saying and there do seem to be a largish group of people out there that think that any sort of less than wholly positive comment (however deserved) should be given a negative rating.
I think that possibly if someone wants to give a negative rating to the critique they should maybe say why (more than 15 words or it doesn't count) as I get particularly annoyed if I get a negative rating from someone who doesn't say why and especially if they have posted no critiques or photos.
I really ought to have got past the points thing by now but it still does seem to matter. If I post a shot I wouldn't be happy if it got a negative rating. But I do post negative critiques myself, particularly if they say it is some sort of class assignment (they want you to be honest don't they? Oh, no they don't) I do think that the points system is part of the problem though. If you did away with negative scores and maybe scored photos from 1 to 6 that might be better
I could go on at some length
Dave
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From rbourne520/Randall (35)
on September 20, 2009 7:01:18 PM CDT
My favorite saying is this: "Good will always be the enemy of Excellent! If it's good then it's good enough." If someone thinks an image is good then why improve it? If others tell someone their image is good then he/she will never strive for excellence. I may think an image is good but if someone tells me it's not at least tell me why and give me some pointers because I want my photography to be excellent. That's why I'm here as well as all of your are here too.
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From rrayfield/Robert (53,466)
on October 25, 2009 9:57:21 PM CDT
Oh how I wish there was a zero thumb rating available . . . it's perfect for so many shots that don't touch me. On the other hand, if you really want to help someone become a better photographer keep in mind that you catch more flies with honey that with vinegar!
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From scottg/Scott (2,944) 
on November 1, 2009 9:59:34 PM CST
For me, more important than the color of the thumb is the message. And a tone of impatience or ridicule in some critiques does not help anyone. A 1TD by definition is "1TD: Uninspired and uninteresting." I think members who post on PhotoSig have seen something that inspired them to such a degree that they decided to post their photo. They were inspired but the end result does not convey the message to the viewer. So is it a 1TD, or a 2TD hit head with hammer critique? More important is the advice, suggestions on how to improve.
This may be a generic thing first seen in the days of the Roman Coliseum after the gladiators combat was over.
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From oheyhurricane/Juliana (364)
on November 13, 2009 4:06:06 PM CST
It makes so much sense, because, in their mind-
anything that has to do with their grandchild or puppy is beautiful. So they get the satisfaction of what people that see an emotion from a beautiful picture get with just seeing their dog. Just because they see things differently, i feel obligated to give them a thumbs up for having the courage to believe it deserves a critique.
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From laurainga20/Laura (382)
on January 4, 2010 9:44:37 AM CST
I agree. As for myself, If I dont think a photo is that good I just move on to the next. Im not going to take time to tell someone I dont like their picture. I was brought up to not say anything if you dont have something nice to say, so I leave my comments for the pictures I really like. I wish some people on here would do the same.
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From vonprond/Franz (18,069)
on January 6, 2010 5:51:19 PM CST
Laura, if everyone followed that course of action nobody would learn anything. I have gotten most help on this site from those who provided me with an honest critique that showed me where I was going wrong. I am so grateful to those who took the time to explain things to me when they obviously (and often understandably, with hindsight) didn't like the photo!
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From nwickliff/Nakean (1,605)
on January 9, 2010 10:25:31 AM CST
Do people actually read what the thumbs mean? I have to say I've been guilty of never using the thumbs down. Think about it...."Uninspired and uninteresting"...well if you don't comment or critique the photo isn't it saying just this! How do you help someone make a photo more interesting or inspiring if it starts from nothing? 0 times any number is still 0!
My major qualm is when an experienced photosigger critiques a photo they will never appreciate. IE: if you don't like HDR's then don't comment on them saying you don't care for HDR's but especially don't like this one. If it's a subject I'm not fond of I move to the next photograph. Would you want a seasoned whiskey drinker or a sommelier critiquing your beloved wine?
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