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Discussion Board -> Desktop Wallpaper, Art, etc. -> Receiving Constructive Criticism 101

Receiving Constructive Criticism 101

+animaniactoo
08/19/10 5:51 PM GMT
Constructive Criticism - What is it?

In almost every case it is a genuine attempt to help. To let you know about something they think can be improved or would improve the image so you can be better - even if you're pretty damned good right now.

Constructive Criticism - Tips on peeling aside the personal gut reaction.

1) Remember that art is subjective. This means that it is "seen" differently by different people. Because people are unique, they appreciate different things. A group of people may appreciate similar things, but each one is an individual reaction. Even if 2 people like the same curve, they may like it for different reasons. The same things apply to what people don't like about a particular image or composition.

2) Your time and effort is not being dissed. While you may have put a lot of time and effort into something, the only thing that matters is the final result - what OTHER people can see. So they may not know that you spent an hour cloning out the pepsi can and adjusting the sky color just right - they know what they see - that there's a weird line in that one area that doesn't look quite right to them.

3) Take a deep breath. It is not a judgment on your entire or even partial worth as either a person or an artist. It's an opinion on this one image, and probably one or 2 aspects of this one image, not the whole thing. An artist is known by the entirety of their works, the good, the bad, the what was I thinking, and the magic pieces all together. If it helps, review Point 1 again.

4) Be generous. People aren't always great at phrasing things, so if it rubbed you the wrong way, the benefit of the doubt lets you to think that they didn't mean to insult you, they just didn't say it the best way. You never know - it might even be true!

Constructive Criticism - What to do with it.

1) Consider it. What WOULD happen if you followed the advice?

2) Try it out if you can. Get a good visual look at the difference it would make.

3) Decide. Now that you've given it consideration, do you agree with their opinion or not? If you don't, okay, no big deal. They didn't get "you". Review Tips Point 1. If you do - you've gained something valuable in your particular bag of tricks.

4) Be civil about it. "Interesting, I don't agree but thanks for the opinion". "Thanks, I'll try that out!"
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One man sees things and says

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::LynEve
08/20/10 1:54 AM GMT
Constructive Criticism - What to do with it.

1) Consider it. What WOULD happen if you followed the advice?

2) Try it out if you can. Get a good visual look at the difference it would make.
______________________________________________________________


This is such good advice and I am sure it is often followed, but we never get to see the results.

We have do have a 'Rework' gallery - specifically for reworks done by other artists.

A section for self done reworks I think would be very useful - where we could display our new versions and also give credit to those who made suggestions. At present there is nowhere to do this and we can not resubmit images unless major changes are made which alter the image considerably. Sometimes it is just a small adjustment or change that tips the balance from an average effort to something much more worthwhile.

Also folk would be more inclined to make suggestions if they had the opportunity to see the results. Everyone would benefit, the original artist, the advisor and those who observe.
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The question is not what you look at, but what you see ~ Marcel Proust
+mimi
08/20/10 3:58 AM GMT
Hi GE :o)....great idea....put that in the 'feature bloat,bug squash' forum. That is where *caedes sees ideas of others!

And you are correct that the current "Rework" gallery is for the reworks that someone else did one your image, not that you did!
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~mimi~
.catweasel
10/12/10 9:21 PM GMT
Perhaps if people don't like a particular picture they should simply ignore it. Much easier and simpler in the long run.
What we dinosaurs in the U.K. refer to as "good manners."
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"A word to the wise is infuriating." Hunter Stockton Thompson (1937-2005)
::third_eye
10/12/10 9:48 PM GMT
Or... If you can't take the heat..

Keep in mind you (generically as well as individually) are posting images on a publically accessible site. Gotta be ready for any and all opinions offered, as long as they're offered civilly.
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=Samatar
10/12/10 11:03 PM GMT
Catweasel: one of the reasons many people post on sites like this one is to receive feedback which they can use to improve. It would be to the sites detriment if this didn't happen. Manners are fine, but how is anyone supposed to improve if no one gives them honest critical feedback...
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-Everyone is entitled to my opinion-
.catweasel
10/12/10 11:21 PM GMT
Samatar: You say everyone entitled to your opinion. Have you ever considered that others might be entitled to their own opinions, which may differ from yours?
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"A word to the wise is infuriating." Hunter Stockton Thompson (1937-2005)
noahnott
10/12/10 11:38 PM GMT
I like to eat watermelons.
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.catweasel
10/12/10 11:46 PM GMT
Excuse me!
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"A word to the wise is infuriating." Hunter Stockton Thompson (1937-2005)
+purmusic
10/13/10 12:56 AM GMT
Definitions of good manners on the Web:

Courtesy: a courteous manner. (wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn)

The treatment of other people with courtesy and politeness, and showing correct public behaviour. (en.wiktionary.org/wiki/good_manners)


Sarcasm does not seem to fit the above proffered definitions.
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=Samatar
10/13/10 1:08 AM GMT
I won't add anything further, except to say that constructive criticism is an important part of this site and this is clearly spelled out in the code of conduct, part d, as follows:

"Critiques of people's work should be constructive and if possible informative and supportive. If you don't like something, say so and then tell how it could be improved."

So, not just my opinion...
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-Everyone is entitled to my opinion-
::Akeraios
10/13/10 1:44 AM GMT
If anyone feels the need to constructively criticise, please visit my gallery! Most of the time I'm reduced to guessing what the C-Index means.
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There are few situations in life that cannot be honourably settled, and without any loss of time, either by suicide, a bag of gold, or by thrusting a despised antagonist over the edge of a precipice on a dark night. -- Kai Lung
.zunazet
10/13/10 3:02 AM GMT
Yes! Please tell me how to improve!!! Or at least what you see that could be better or different. I may not have thought of that!
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People aren't going to remember the things you do. They're going to remember how you made people feel. Be kind, gracious, and appreciative. Dan Winters - Photographer.
::coram9
10/13/10 8:17 PM GMT
Most of the recent comments on my pictures have been congratulations on having a title that matches the image. Is it just me, or is this the equivalent of spelling your name correctly in an exam?
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"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs." Ansel Adams - Please look at other images in my Gallery.
::LynEve
10/13/10 10:02 PM GMT
I would take it as a compliment. A good image stands on its own merits regardless of title but if the image adequately portrays what you intended to convey (as indicated in the title) then I see that as a good thing.
You could overcome this by simply naming images "untitled" ,or give it a number :) and leave the viewer to take their own interpretation of its deeper meaning which may or may not be obvious.
e.g. "Fern" is a description which is self explanatory, given your image is of a fern, but "Auguries of Innocence", together with the narrative also included adds to the understanding of the image for the viewer and makes a complete package. The latter would be worth congratulations.

:) LE
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My thanks to all who leave comments for my work and to those of you who like one enough to make it a favourite. To touch just one person that way makes each image worthwhile. . . . . . . . . .. . . . "The question is not what you look at, but what you see" ~ Marcel Proust
+animaniactoo
10/21/10 5:45 PM GMT
Okay, I'm a few days late to the discussion (anyone want a pair of teenagers?), but I wanted to address this.

Re: "if you don't like it, skip over it" - Please review Tips #3. Seeing something that could be improved about an image does not mean that they didn't like it.

Re: "good manners" - is what is defined by a *particular community* as good manners. It is a sociological function of people who agree what specific actions mean in order to determine whether or not someone intends offense. This is sometimes the reason for "culture shock" - things that a natural expression of caring and community in one area, are defined and "read" differently in another. In order to know which is which, one has to take the pulse of the community and the cue of others around them.

a la - When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

In this particular community, leaving information that may help an artist improve their work is considered good manners. It has been established by the creator that this is so, AND upheld by several other members of the community who wish to receive such feedback.

Therefore it is NOT good manners to complain about people doing it, and it is NOT easier and simpler to abstain from performing a function that several members post here specifically to receive.

Not everyone will like this - their choice. But because it IS considered good manners and acceptable behavior in this community, those who voluntarily choose to post here and be part of it need to accept they may receive Constructive Criticism as a function of this community.

How to handle that if you want to stay but CC bothers you? Please review the opening post. 8•)
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One man sees things and says
::tigger3
12/02/11 3:04 PM GMT
Hello Cat, I think the code of conduct is not followed by all of the mods! so can the members be expected to follow it.
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Nature in all her glory is my uplift on life and so is my love of photography. sandi ♪ ♫
+animaniactoo
12/02/11 3:27 PM GMT
Some things got out of line a while back, but the comments that I have been referred to recently have all fallen within the CoC.

They were not designed to be inflammatory, nor to personally insult the artist, and as such, while blunt, they were totally within the bounds of the CoC. Could they have been phrased better? Perhaps. But what they were is acceptable by the standards of this site. It hasn't been seen around here much lately, but such bluntness did used to be par for the course, and is a large part of why I created this thread - to encourage its return and the ability to handle receiving it.
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One man sees things and says
+animaniactoo
12/02/11 3:29 PM GMT
Also, again - if you feel that there is any moderator who is violating the CoC, please pm *caedes, or send him an e-mail @ caedes@caedes.net
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One man sees things and says
=Samatar
12/02/11 10:03 PM GMT
Please show me where in the COC it says that you cannot point out the flaws in someones image.

The problem I see is that members have been coddled by others for so long that they beleive every image they post is a perfect work of art. So when someone even mentions the possibility that it might be improved they take it as an insult, rather than the genuine suggestion for improvement that it is. And the culture that has developed on this site means that people are now afraid to leave anything critical on anyones work for fear of a backlash, not just by the person who's work they are commenting on but by a whole bunch of people who rally to their "defense". It's a great shame...
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-Everyone is entitled to my opinion-
+purmusic
12/03/11 4:45 AM GMT
Pretty sure all's fair in love and constructive criticism..

... 'cept that of saying; 'yes, those pants make your butt look big'.
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.J_272004
12/03/11 11:11 PM GMT
I agree with Sam.. thing is if you don't get constructive criticism how can you expect to improve?? even the best photographers and artists are criticised (eg. media reviews)... I think I'd personally rather be offered suggestions on how to improve otherwise the work will always be the same standard.

It's a shame that people won't leave constructive comments, don't know about anyone else but when I've read comments that do have suggestions it's helped me to.. but.. I guess some ego's just can't accept they are not perfect.. so sad really
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MY GALLERY ........... "You are not alive unless you know you are living." Amadeo Modigliani
mindmelt
12/05/11 8:24 AM GMT
im not an egomaniac ill tell you what i think if your honest with me of course im still learning myself.
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