There has been a reasonable discussion in another thread entitled "Afraid to Give Negative Comments" somewhat related to this posting.

In this thread, which can be as short as the energy on the topic, I pose the simple question:

• Is there a difference between a Negative Comment and a Positive Critique?

Please consider whether the outcomes are equal in your response. Examples are invited.

Of course there is a difference between a negative comment and a positive critique.
A negative comment in my opinion is: "Nothing does it for me in this image" "This image sucks"
Comments of a positive critique would be, "What a beautiful image, too bad it is grainy" then you can follow with offering them the neat image that is freeware online. It works like magic.
Thanks for posting this Rob.
JuneBug

Is the glass half empty, or is the glass half full?

Its a pretty similar case here. Looking just at the basic terminology! In my own definitions i would describe them as follows.

Negative Comment the half empty pessimist... breaking it down, the negative here is obviously something we consider a downside or personally dislike about an image. it would seem to imply that it is left simply as just a comment like 'i dont like the borders very much'

Whereas a Positive Critique the half full optimist.. would be best described in the same way, the word postivie isn't in direct reference to the image.. there is something still negative we consider a downside or personaly dislike about an image. However here we turn the negative into a positive by offering suggestions (Critique) on how we would improve things..'i dont like the borders beacause they interupt the flow of the image, perhaps you could soften the edges, or reframe it with a complimentary detail work within the borders'

So while a negative comment informs you on that persons likes and dislikes, a critque can teach you something, or point out something you might have overlooked being so close to your own images... to change an image with the aim to improve!

personally, if the glass is half full, I will be looking for someone to acquire me a full glass.

This discussion has cooled off a bit so please let me blow on the embers a bit because I think there's more thoughts to discover.

Allow me restate the question from two perspectives.

••Intended Outcome "A"••
Where the party providing the comment is interesting in promoting their personal opinion more than improving the quality (short term or long term) of the image, the skills of the artist and standards of the site. This is of course hypothetical and not commonly evident on this site. Within this Intended Outcome; is there a difference between a negative comment and a positive critique?

••Intended Outcome "B" ••
Where the party providing the comment is not interested in promoting themselves, have personal confidence not measured by negating others works or efforts. In this condition to objective is to encourage the artist, offer guidance and instruction on ways, means and techniques to improve their art while supporting the energy required for rework, rethinking and continued development. This is, of course, commonly displayed by parties on this site. Within this Intended Outcome; is there a difference between a negative comment and a positive critique?

I hear sirens...did someone call the fire department lol;-)

Darryl, ...the fire department came .. all that was left was the foundation and a buncha sticks the kids used for roasting marshmallows ...so they left claiming another rapid response.

;)

Rob

I strive to leave outcome B and also recieve it. I prefer to call it constructive critique. This is deep...not so rapid and I forgot the wieners;-)

I like and welcome the substitution of Positive Critique with CONSTRUCTIVE Critique.

Restated title now to read "Negative Comments vs. Constructive Critique"

Thanks Darryl,

Rob
*tosses you a marshmallow, toasted to your liking*

Any burn't ones left over?

Romane:
*digs around the coals to find the two marshmallow bricks that fell off the stick earlier*
*attempts to place back on stick, breaks tip of stick*
*frowns*

Rob

<kicks dust with toes> Aw. But they're the nicest bits.

<shuffles off, sniggering> hehehehehe

The outcome of the naturally desired "Intended Outcome B", which is what I personally strive for, depends on the receptor to *some* degree. In any case it's intended as constructive critique. You seem to suggest though that one should dance around people on ballet shoos providing only cotton candy comments. ^_^ The maturity of both the commenting party and the receptor will influence the outcome. God help us if both fail. :P

I'm just asking the question.

However, you raise a great point. There is a shared responsibility between the sender and the receiver.

The question, though talked around .. has not been answered. Is there a difference between a Negative Comment and a Positive (or Constructive) Critique within the intended outcomes provided (and there may be more .. these are just illustrations)?

I think that if you accept my addition of the shared responsibility, then it's not easily determined as an objective fact (or similar). It's more of a subjective thing. Like the beauty of art lies in the eye of the beholder so will the potentially positive, constructive critique be viewed as good or negative depending on the recipient.

I thought June answered it:-)

Hehe... Yep. She did.

I think she did too. I need to get a taller monitor.

If I was to summarize .. It would look like this.

1. I should stop once June weighs in. *wink*

2. That, if given the choice we lean in the direction of the objective shown in Outcome B.

••Intended Outcome "B" ••
Where the party providing the comment is not interested in promoting themselves, have personal confidence not measured by negating others works or efforts. In this condition to objective is to encourage the artist, offer guidance and instruction on ways, means and techniques to improve their art while supporting the energy required for rework, rethinking and continued development.

3. That there is a shared responsibility in the dialogue between the sender and receiver. We teach people how we want to be treated and the comments that we want/need and appreciate. If people like candy floss .. they can send a 'thanks for the floss' comment to invoke more. If they receive candy floss and they just don't like it ...it's nothing that a PM wouldn't fix.

Does that about cover it?

Oh yes.. and we discovered that Romane likes his marshmallows burnt.

yup. thank you *bows*

Good job, spammer! You dug up a thread that actually has something positive to say.

Spoomonit = Seagull

Every once in a while people fly into the site, spend enough time to realize that it is valid and that there's something "good" going on. THEN - without posting any images of their own or providing any positive contribution, assume a Seagull's attitude and starts crapping on the pristine.

So - best not to feed Seagulls as it tends to attract more and reloads their bomb-bay.

They continue for a while, eventually tire and leave for more fuel elsewhere.

*returns to enjoy the views, with my umbrella ready*

Yup. Some "seagulls" though, come back. Is it a special gullible kind perhaps? My umbrella had it's share of crap, now it's changed to a sniper rifle. Bring it on... It's full of stealth mojo. I´m silencing the h*ll out of them. Or not. ^_^