Should we keep the Critism Section?

[lucian]

I think the tag or a statement requesting a critique would be appropriate and do awy with the redundant critique section.

I also think if you're going to critique, especially a negative one, it should be constructive and state why.

"It's a great photo and I like it" usually is enough. A negative critique should be supported with reason.

[Jim Victory]

Ok! Heres my view of this.

Every forum I have ever been on you subject yourself to review when you post a pic. I understand that some people think this may scare a new person away but if they want to learn they have to allow their work to be reviewed.

I don't like the phrase "Constructive Criticism" but prefer "Constructive Suggestions". If you choose to tell someone that something is wrong with their shot you need to provide them with a way to improve it.

Telling someone their shot is good when your thinking it is not, just to spare their feeling, doesn't help them improve as a photographer. It is the way you make a suggestion that can run someone off. Be honest but not demeaning.

I think the critique tag would be helpful but I think it should be used by those who are not ready to be critiqued. How about " No Critique Please"

[sbug_adam]

constructive suggestion.. brilliant! i like that idea.. but i can pretty much go anyway..

Adam

[Abel]

great info... i like the No Criticism tag better, i think there may be less of those used than the Criticism tag etc..

the city specific sections will stay, the main purpose for those was so that we can list our favorite photo op locales in each given city. say for instance if someone if comeing to houston for the weekend, they can go into the houston section and see what local houston photogs enjoy shooting. this way it cuts down a lot of guess work for the traveling amateir photog like me! hehe :)

granted the city specific sections should be cleaned up a bit, ill work on that as well

[gpgyo]

Sounds like decisions we can all live with. This forum has become a second full time job for you!

Thanks,
Greg

[jeffkohn]

I think there is a difference between just sharing photos versus asking for in-depth critique, so while a separate forum may not be necessary (I admit to not always checking it), I do think a tag or at least a critique request in the message text is a good idea if you really want critiques. Personally, I'm not going to do an in-depth critique unless it's asked for, because

1) Some people may not want to hear what you don't like a photo, maybe they just have a shot they thought was nice and want to share it. Maybe they're just looking for some positive reinforcement (ie, "Nice Shot" replies).

2) It could be that it's more of a snapshot/record type photo that wasn't carefully composed and set up, but they're sharing the image because they felt the event/subject was something that might be of interest to others. For some shots, composition and such is really not the point.

3) Writing an in-depth critique and analyzing things like composition, lighting, etc takes some thought and effort, something I'm not going to do if it wasn't asked for and maybe isn't even wanted.

[Craig Wilkins]

I think as long as Posters Show RESPECT & Kindness all is good.

But as we Grow & Grow we will in time get a few of the see my 3 posts that I photo shopped for 3 weeks & see my 1222 coments on how everyone but an admin or mod's work sucks!! Sad but true.

hmmmmm, Legend behind there own eyes.

Now me I figure ok there opinion but to someone who just got the nerve to post a picture there proud of that is not"Technically correct" <--- yeah like I know what that means :D

could be a tad inclined to be run off.

[Aoide]

I see the Criticism forum is gone, but what is the final decision on the tags? Is it tags if you want criticism or is it tags if you don't want criticism?

[Abel]

well well go with no critique section (since its already gone hehe) and just leave everything else up for NICE criticism...

harsh bad mouthing etc will not be tolerated... that is something we can do without...

thanks