New Constructive Critiques Guidelines

[Abel]

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Please note these are still are work in progress and as soon as theyre finalized they will be sent to our entire memberbase.
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I would like to ask that you take a minute to read our new Guidelines I have written below in regards to Constructive Critiques here on TPF.


Guidelines for Receiving Constructive Critiques:

1. How to Ask For Constructive Critiques
Select the CC: option when posting a new thread in order to let other members know that you are looking for a Critique of your photos.

2. All Levels Welcomed
Everyone from the very beginner to a seasoned professional photographer is welcomed here on the forum so no matter what level photographer you are feel free to ask our members for a Constructive Critique on your photos. You can learn so much from our members here if you just ask for advice. Please do not feel intimidated. That is NOT what TPF is all about.

3. Photo Quantity Limitations
Do not post more than 3 photos in a thread for critique. Choose your absolute best 3 shots of the series and post those. Posting more than 3 shots per thread will only hurt your chances of getting an honest critique since critiques do take time.

4. Be Open
Have an open mind when receiving critiques from members. Members here have all sorts of background, training, experience and such and if you're asking for feedback on your photos, and members are taking the time to give you that feedback the least you can do is to have an open mind in regards to what it is they're recommending. You don't have to take their advice but at least listen to it, consider it and appreciate it.

5. Don't Be Rude
If any of the given feedback is not for you then simply do not act on it. Under no circumstances are you to be rude if you do not agree with it. Comments like "I meant to shoot it that way" or "That was the look I was going for" may be taken as if you're defensive of your work and my only turn off potential critiquers of giving you honest reviews in the future. If there is something you shot a specific way on purpose feel free to explain yourself as to why it was you wanted that. That will help inform members of your thought process. Always be courteous to those that have invested their own time to helping YOU become a better photographer.

6. Don't Get Discouraged
Every photographer has room to grow. There is no one photographer that knows everything and that shoots everything perfect. Having said that just remember that we're all trying to better ourselves and if you're posting a Critique thread then it's obvious you're looking to get better. Don't expect ton of pats on the back, you're going to get some honest feedback. Also don't be upset if you have 40 thread views and only 1 critique. Critiques are more of a time investment to the person GIVING the critique versus for the person ASKING for the critique. Give it time and be appreciative.

7. Don't Get Your Feelings Hurt
There will be some critiques that you may take personally but you should know that critiques are just another photographers opinion. If you receive something that you totally do not agree with and/or that upsets you do not be discouraged and refuse to post any more photos in the future. As I have said there are many styles aof photographers here on TPF and their style may not fit your style and thats completely ok. Just be nice, thank them for their time and don't dwell on it. In other words if someone upsets you don't pack up your toys and go home. We're all adults here... this isn't elementary school. We are only trying to help you become a better photographer which is the reason you posted the Constructive Critique thread to begin with. Right?


Guidelines for Giving Constructive Critiques:

1. What Threads Do I Offer Constructive Critiques To?
When browsing any of the sections within the main Showcase Section you will notice threads that will have a CC: prefix in the title. These threads have been posted with the intent of receiving a Constructive Critique. All other threads noted with a NC: prefix are seeking No Critiques and are just being posted to share their photos although general commenting is fine. Detailed critiques are not to be given on those threads.

2. All Levels Welcomed
Everyone from the very beginner to a seasoned professional photographer is welcomed here on the forum so you will see a wide range of photos submitted for critique. Remember that no matter what you are asked to remember where it is that you came from and that everyone was a beginner at some point so please keep that in mind when giving a Constructive Critique.

3. Be Professional and Courteous
When critiquing posted photographs, please do it in an adult, considerate and professional manner. Do not insult the photographer or simply state "it sucks" or "read the manual" etc. Those types of comments are not welcomed here on TPF at all. If you can not be professional and courteous in your critique then simply do not leave one. Let other members that can leave the critiques. This process is to be Constructive and Positive for all those involved.

4. Tell The Photographer What You Do Like
Take a minute to cite to the original posting photographer what you do like about the photograph right out of the box. This positive reinforcement will inform the photographer the aspects that they are doing right in your mind. This is a major help in becoming better because the photographer will be made aware of what he/she is already doing well.

5. Tell The Photographer What You Would Tweak & How
If there are things that you do not like about the photograph don't bluntly say "I hate (fill in the blank).." etc. Tell them what it is that makes the photo less impactful to you, then explain why and then offer up a suggestion as to how to modify it in order to make the photo better. In other words be mindful of how you give your critiques and such in order to help the posting photographer understand more about what your critique is and less about you ripping into them. Those hurtful, blunt, ripping of a photographer does no good in our community whatsoever.

6. Be Respectful
I have asked that photographers that are asking for Constructive Critiques be respectful of those giving the critiques and I also ask that those giving the critiques are respectful of those asking for them. We're all here because we have a passion for photography and its a great gesture in order to help others become better at what they do.

[donlfaulkner]

Thank you, Abel, for all you do.

[Everett Quintana]

Originally Posted by donlfaulkner

thank you, abel, for all you do.

+1

[tertius]

I really like the way things are going around here! It is nice that things are in the open air now and this is a great improvement on the site.

[RKDauph]

Abel,

I appreciate this effort, thank you. I have two questions though;

I recently posted many photographs from my daughter's Lacrosse team game and asked for ways to improve my, new to me, sports photography. How do I separate asking for general advice verses a constructive critique? Should the 3 photo limit apply?

In another thread I posted some fun images from a colorful clown session just to share and did not specifically ask for constructive critique. Should the 3 photo limit apply?

In both cases I was, and remain, open to comments and constructive critiques. Is the intent to prohibit/restrict comments on the photographer's style, the technical aspects of composition, lighting, etc and general impressions unless specifically asked for by the original poster?

Again, thanks for the Forum.
Ray

[peeker]

Thanks Abel for the guidelines. In a prior work life, I use to teach managers and salespeople the difference between constructive criticism and positive feedback. Here is a quick summary:

Definition of
Constructive - the quality of serving to build or improve
Criticism - usually the word implies the expression of disapproval

So Constructive Criticism is a building up in a disapproving way....

Instead, we used the term Positive Feedback. It's connotation is already better, although the question is always, how do you give positive feedback when there is a deficiency? First and foremost, the feedback is given on the performance, not the person... so the performance is deficient, and could be competent. Much better than the person is deficient.

Three ways to give positive feedback:
When the performance is deficient - Correct the performance up competent with suggestions on how it could be competent.
When the performance is competent - Build the performance up to proficient with good to great suggestions
When the performance is proficient - Reinforce the performance stating why it is of expert quality and stretch the person to teach others, or to maintain the proficient behavior

Just food for thought.

[J Eddington]

I wish that we had a third choice. why? I may not need a critique, but am open to one anytime. So now people may feel they HAVE to CC so my feelings don't get hurt.:)

[Nikonfan]

Scott, that sounds like good advice that can be applied to many areas of life

[Nikonfan]

4. Tell The Photographer What You Do Like
Take a minute to cite to the original posting photographer what you do like about the photograph right out of the box. This positive reinforcement will inform the photographer the aspects that they are doing right in your mind. This is a major help in becoming better because the photographer will be made aware of what he/she is already doing well.


Great rule!

[ronocnikral]

my 2 cents....

on one hand, we have people complaining they don't get any comments. on the other hand, those who do, complain about the comments they receive. generally speaking of course.

so...what will more rules bring? my thoughts are either good job and unhelpful C&C, or just further the dearth of comments.

for me, i may only have a few minutes during a break at work. i use that break time to offer someone a suggestion for improvement. since i'm short on time, what i write may seem short and rude. they throw a hissy fit. now the mods will come down on me with the rules. seems like a thankless thing.

just pointing out another view.

and i'm with janice, i would rather people ripped my photos apart....

[rab3rd]

There is no reason you cant be short to the point and nice...

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

There is no reason you cant be short to the point and nice...

it's a bit of a fallacy to imply it wouldn't be "nice." the issue is, what i believe to be "nice" (male, works with males, engineers) is not what others interpret to be "nice. " under the "guidelines" above, we have to say something positive. what if in my few minutes i don't see something? how does that get interpreted? under these guidelines, i'd opt out of giving C&C. i'm just one person, not even a blip on the tpf radar. ymmv.

questions are rehtorical, i don't really care what your responses are.

[rab3rd]

I didnt mean to imply that your responses arent nice, I guess I should have said "there is no reason one cant be short, to the point, and nice" but since you dont really care what my responses are I will just leave well enough alone.


Sorry for offending....

[ggeen]

First let me state that I like the guidelines. Second, Ron I rarely if ever found your comments to be rude. Lastly, a text medium like a forum is a really tough place to give and receive critique. Body language and voice inflection that one receives during personal conversation makes up a large portion of the interpretation. We lose that in the text medium. That is why I like the idea of starting off the critique with positive feed back.

Also, the artist state of mind when reading the written critique plays a large role in how it is interpreted. Again, a good reason to start off with a little positive reinforcement.

For the last seven years I wrote policy documents for our corporation. Let me tell you, when I wrote a rule that another did not like, it was brutal. Thick skin is the order of the day. If I'm going to put my work out to be critiqued, then I had better put on another layer.

Abel, thank you for your work. I know it is not always easy nor fun.

[Abel]

the whole point of having these guidelines is so that people understand that you can give a critique without being a total tool about it and scaring off members from every wanting to post or even come back to TPF to begin with.... plain and simple.

thats all.. if there are members that cant give a honest yet courteous/professional/respectful critique then their critiques are not welcome since theyll do more harm to the community as a whole... not cool.