It's been mentioned by many (including myself) that people do not leave comments pointing out flaws or suggesting improvements because they are afraid of hurting someone's feelings or have had poor response to having been honest in the past (flaming pm's etc.).

To that, I'd like to suggest when people upload, they are allowed to select the level of critique they would like/are capable of receiving.

"Be gentle with me" - Low
"I can take it" - Medium
"Pin the tail on the donkey" - High aka Hit me with your best shot.

I do not think there should be a "none" category as it would defeat the purpose of this site which is to help artists stretch and grow in a community atmosphere.

1) .. only praise today, thanks
2) .. say what you want, I like it
3) .. spank me, I've been bad

*kicks Baby Big Ears*

your #1 is DISQUALIFIED. go find something else that says "okay, you can point out flaws… but only one or two @ a time and nicely"

*retches @ the idea of a critique level that says "just tell me how lovely this is despite any obvious flaws".*

ugh... now I gotta get that taste outta my mouth. °_°

I think people should take it whatever strength it comes in really so long as its a valid criticism. perhaps you could modify your request though and ask for critique in particular areas such as technical execution, originality/creativity etc.

yes Phil… but you qualify for "Pin the tail on the donkey"… and not all people do, and I get that. If you can't take it @ all, this is likely not the site for you, but asking for a level that can be semi-comfortably dealt with is not a bad thing I think.

I would also hope that as people went along, they would gradually start asking for higher levels as they became more cozy in the ability to take, accept, and review their own art.

Sometimes valid criticism no matter how well meant is too much for someone trying out their wings if not done right.

Also, with all the levels you suggest, adding the method of improvement if so desired for those that are/aren't capable of such improvements. Otherwise, these improvements can or cannot be accomplished by the artist.

This is a fantastic idea! mayne makes a good point about adding method of improvement to the mix as well.

Perhaps they could be...
1.) "Be gentle with me, I just want to be creative and have fun" - Low
2.) "I can take it, I want to be creative but also learn something" - Medium
3.) "Pin the tail on the donkey, I really enjoy being creative and want to improve in anyway possible" - High aka Hit me with your best shot.

1. .. the sun shines out of every pore of my being
2. .. monkeys fly out of every orifice of my body
3. .. humility oozes from every crevice ..

*snicker*

Thinking about it, I believe Phil does have a point to a certain extent. Long time members should definitely move from at least the "low" to "medium" levels. Perhaps as an enforced change after a designated number of posts? 'Cept of course that will require yet more code re-writing… Uh… I dunno how… who's volunteering? 8•P

I also like Mayne's idea of asking specifically for creative or technical feedback, although I don't think either should be left out. We're artists (even though I don't post much… I'm workin on it… I swear), and if we don't technically know how to accomplish something, we should be open to someone explaining how to achieve it. Same goes creatively (composition, colors, etc). The fact that we may not have the necessary tool probably means we should find some way of acquiring it if we're going to grow and expand and get better.

I have had on my images , for quite awhile now under the description...comments/critiques welcomed here. That is my plea to help me better my photography. It just isn't happening and I know I am not that good...lol. Another button to select when uploading probably isn't the answer IMHO.

Perhaps we should have uploads only once or twice a week? It's all so transient - rush through, obligation to vote etc, that we just don't have the time? I must say I (as a newcomer) would also welcome (and do when it happens) critiques of my images. I almost feel however that when the image is on page 50... it is old news and beyond comments.

I agree Kate that when it hits beyond page 3 etc. the comments decline unless you are on a friends list! The other way your image would generate comments is in the voting booth. I also think that limiting uploads would be a beneficial move to allow time for all of us to be able to slow down and see what is in front of us instead of trying to get images ready to upload or creating new ones etc.
You might put that idea the feature bloat/ bug squash thread if you haven't already. ;=)

I'm sure I already posted this somewhere... but it's a natural progression that as the site gets older and attracts more members, upload limits will have to be decreased so that the "New images" gallery doesn't become overwhelmed. Who remembers the days when there were no limits at all... seems hard to imagine, now...

When I joined, the limits were quite generous and I remember everyone crying "foul" when new limits were imposed. I agree Sam, that there are way too many images to even begin to view them let alone properly comment on them. It is overwhelming. I can only imagine what it is like for the mods who sort, archive, delete, move, perm & do what you do so good... :(

I have also been thinking that the speed of new images has overtaken my capacity to appreciate them. I am not an "every day" user, due to work commitments, but I would like to see a 'less is more' approach myself. I know that voting x 10 prior to uploading has made me much more selective about which images I upload, which is a good thing, I think. I would be happy to reduce my uploads if it makes the "site workings" better.

I like animan's original suggestion. It helps those who might want to submit a critique as well as protecting the feelings of the person whose work is at issue. It's a waste of time for anyone who wants to help by carefully analyzing a work, to have it only result in an attack that disregards what has been said. As so many have mentioned, there just isn't enough time, so providing a "sensitivity to criticism" indication with a submission would benefit all.

I like the original suggestion as well. I think it leaves a good balance. I don't know about it being on every picture, but perhaps on the poster's overall account, it would be nice.

well, im like that, i dont like being mean, but it would be nice to know peoples tolerance levels.

www.renderosity.com already does this. They have 3 options: 1. Both Critical and Non-Critical Comments are Welcomed 2. Crittical comments are prefered for the improvement of the image 3. Non-crittical comments are prefered. In my time there I see most choose option 1, and I like it.

If you don't want to hear peoples suggestions then why should you. If you see an image that to you is a piece of garbage but they have good light then either say You have some good lighting going on or say nothing at all. I post and look in the CGI field an when looking at any cgi image you must remember if it's good or bad someone probably spent hours/days/weeks making it and they feel good about it. I belive that to become a good artist you must accept that lots of your work is just going to suck period. At the same time there is nothing that kills the motivation and demoralizes you more than putting you all into an image and then getting a comment that suggests you change the whole image because the poster is to "kind" to just come out and say "its ugly."

Kicking this to the top for LynEve. *wink*

10/07/10 . .12 hours on. . Post deleted,on reflection.

I can not recall ever having deleted a post but decided it best to delete this one. It was tooooo long and I have had suggested to me (correctly) that there was room for misunderstanding and misinterpretation.
Sincerely
:) LE

Hmmmm...

I shall henceforth conclude my posting missives with: Critique me, beat me, curse me til I'm blue and then love me til I beg the moon to rain. Or some such. What about: Tips welcome. Worship remunerated? When I get the wording right, it'll be t-shirts and fridge magnets for everyone!

Dear God, can Verena really be dead? I am disoriented.

I love you all. Don't die on me.


Clarification: Since I splattered this up right after LynEve's post, I'm now worried it'll be taken as some sort of swipe at her - not at all my intention. This was a self-absorbed reflection on my still being 6 years old and running home to Caedes with my crayon-on-foolscap so it can go on the giant refrigerator door. Critique away, I'm just endlessly proud of getting the red crayon out from under Wally even though he bit me. Now and then, I suspect I'm not alone in this sophisticated orientation toward life, art, and Caedes. Et cetera.

How about taking a different tack on this issue, Mimi's comment that she invites critique but still doesn't get it got me thinking. How about some way of those of us who DO take the time to make thought thru critiques (At least some of the time.) being linked to those who WANT critique on every image, every time? A different version of the usual friends process. A list or something that a person can put themselves on that says "I want genuine critiques and am happy to listen to and contribute to mature debate on my images." Then those of us who want to be part of that can go to that list and know we are "friending" ourselves to someone who wants the in depth stuff and has said so publicly. hmmmm, then I guess you'd still need to remember which of your friends wanted it hot and heavy and which only wanted gentle stroking, so that takes us back to the self categorizing idea 1) let me be happy but uninformed. 2) let me feel happy but informed. 3)I'm happy to weep as long as I learn and grow.
Peace,
Mikel.