|
DiannaM:
I joined this site looking for something more interactive and honest. I've been a member of another site for years but I'm tired of playing the game with critiques... only compliments, no real help, suggestions, or dialog happens. When I saw FAR, the rating system, the guidelines for rating, and suggestions for reveiwing, I thought this is the site for me. I just want to find a site where I can learn and grow and help others to do the same. Well, so far I'm finding a lot of mediocre photography being rated very high, lots of praise in reviews but no helpful suggestions and the first dialog I tried to start I got repremanded. So I'm thinking I still haven't found what I'm looking for but I'm going to keep trying for a couple days and see what happens. I'm not trying to change anything you all do and appreciate, I'm just looking for a community of peers that have open and HONEST dialog about photography without worrying about hurting people's feeling. If this isn't it tell me now so I don't waste anymore of your valuable time. Thanks very much!
|
 April 9 at 4:07PM
|
| Pat Christensen: So sorry to hear your first few experiences were not good. This is a good site with some very good people and helpful but like all places each person is different. The rating system is what it is you take the good with the bad and make it work for yourself the best you can. Nothing is perfect even here, but it sounds like you have not come across the few that make that special effort and can help. I'd say hang in there be your own best guide and take the information that is helpful and the fluff leave to the side. There are many here with a varity of abilities. Honesty is important but crushing atistic abilities isn't needed or wanted. Hopefully things turn around for you and you can enjoy what this site has to offer artist with like ideas sharing thier talents. Wishing you all the very best :)Pat
|
|
April 9 at 9:34PM
|
|
| DiannaM: Thank you very much Pat. I appreciate you taking your time to try and help me and to make me feel welcome. Looking forward to interacting with you. Dianna
|
|
April 9 at 10:22PM
|
|
| Pat Christensen: I do as well, I will be checking out your works shortly Take care :)Pat
|
|
April 10 at 11:27AM
|
|
| Sam S: I am very new to this site as well. I know what you mean about honest critiques. I try to point out the good and suggest improvements. Some don't take it for what it is. I do not worry about others. I am here to improve.
|
|
April 10 at 8:55PM
|
|
David T Francis: Firstly welcome to the site - One of the things here is you will soon learn who gives the really good feedback (and by that I mean bad feedback too telling you where you can improve) and they are worth the time they take to give you reviews and to read their reviews. A couple here really do give me good feedback and comments which are really appreciated.
I also think you also learn by reviewing and commenting on other peoples pictures and being able to strike up some conversations with other users here to discuss our photography more.
To Sam S - there will always be some who do not accept ctitiques even when written honestly. If you can explain your reasons, then the vast majority accept them. I know I do and I want to know as well.
|
|
April 11 at 3:14AM
|
|
| icnpictures: I agree with all above, it is a good site with a large variety of people- some very knowledgable and helpful and some who do not really know much about the techniques to help you - they just see what they think is a great photo and and say so. Some are full of fluff and some are full of crap (haha) but still overall- there are several who truely want to help and will if you let them know you want it. Some people cant take/ or dont want corrective criticism and get offended when you give it, so I try to be careful and always find something good to say at least. It is all in the personalities and there are all kinds here. I agree with Pat- stick with it a little longer and I think you will like it! Cindy B
|
|
April 11 at 1:22PM
|
|
scarlettmonty: I agree with all those above Dianna. I'm very new to the site, and still enjoying the newbie glow of some very positive reviews. But have also had some very useful criticisms, that have really made me think hard about how to get out there and take the same shot again, only better. It's also a steep learning curve just reading other people's reviews, and digesting their various technical and creative suggestions. I find reviewing others' work incredibly difficult, partly because I don't feel I yet have the technical expertise to make proper assessments of images, and also because I just have never been comfortable judging the work of others. As a teacher I feel this all the time - assessment for me is a nightmare. When a kid has done everything they can possibly manage to complete a task I set, who the heck am I to judge whether the product is worthy/not worthy?
Hope you can find something worthwhile in your membership of this site.
|
|
April 14 at 8:52PM
|
|
| Daliant: Hi Diana, Welcome. yes there are aspects of the site that can be improved. I appreciate honest feedback and have found i have learned a lot from feedback from here. yes there are some who get miffed but those who truly want to learn will appreciate your feedback. I appreciate your comments on my pic. I am heartened to know that another member will welcome my honest feedback.
|
|
April 15 at 8:41PM
|
|
avmurray: To give a good review is very difficult. To give a fair rate even harder. I don't feel good when I give somebody a low rate, because I don't want to hurt their feelings. As you perhaps now I was the reviewer of the month, and was told by the committee that I often gave a 5 even when I thought something needed to be changed. I totally agreed, and I have therefore stopped giving 5 if I have comments about imrovements. I have done reviewing for 7-8 months, and it is still difficult. I agree that it is probably too many high ratings given, and it also gives the new members wrong ideas about how to rate a photo. I feel a bit guilty in that sence. One advice is to give a good explanation if you give a lower rate than 5. The worst I know is to get 4 when the comments tell me that it is an outstanding piece of work. Otherwise I think it is a good rule to tell what you find good in the image together with what you think can be improved.
:)Annie
|
|
April 20 at 1:22PM
|
|
| Jane Jenkins: Hi Dianna, You are a refreshing new member for this site. All your comments and those of others are quite valid. I used to make all sorts of suggestions to people until I ran into the ones that are petty and retaliate with negative feedback on my own pictures, which doesn't help either of us grow. I evolved into passing on reviewing those people's photos and concentrate on the ones that, like you, are here to learn and share. If I cannot give a 5, I usually skip the photo, unless it is someone I have developed a relationship with. Those are the people that welcome my input and are honest about my work as well. It's been a great experience for me and I have learned so much from others. Sometimes, what isn't appealing to me doesn't mean it's a poor picture - maybe I just don't understand what message they are trying to communicate. Goes back to your teacher reference about the student trying hard and who are you to judge less than stellar resuslts. For those photos, I try to find something positive to say without compromising my perception of the weaker areas - which probably puts me in the category of giving out too many 5s! LOL Anyway, I always appreciate honest feedback and any suggestions people make so that I can improve. Welcome. Jane
|
|
April 30 at 3:23PM
|
|
| HopeKids: Dianna, I reset the black point on the file sized for FAR and uploaded it again. I think it just replaced the existing file. It really did make a difference in the contrast. Thanks you for that. I also tried to adjust the exposure (I'd never done that before) by +.8 Gamma (I really don't know what that is, but it had a similar result. I discarded that and just went with your suggestion. Please review and let me know what you think. I'm more please. One of the complaints with the image is that big rock in the bg, but I don't think I can do anything with that. Thanks for your help and advise. Dave
|
|
May 7 at 12:14AM
|
|
| digitalscud: CONGRATULATIONS on your 'Irish Fern' WIN with a fantasic 41 votes beating my way behind in joint 2nd place with 'Forty Shades of Green' and 7 nice votes. I voted for you and left a long comment saying how wonderful and artistic it looked. VERY WELL DONE and good luck with the rest of your creative work! Have a nice weekend! Paul - digitalscud.
|
|
May 7 at 6:30AM
|
|
| digitalscud: A BIG WELCOME TO THE SITE and CONGRATULATIONS on all the great things you have achieved in such a short time. WOW! Paul - digitalscud.
|
|
May 7 at 6:31AM
|
|
| Leenie: Dianna - Congratulations! Also, please check my portfolio and look at the modified posting of my dogwood. Thank you for pointing e towards "curves" and "layers". Hope you like it better. Leenie
|
|
May 7 at 5:42PM
|
|
tinybynature: i TOTALLY agree. i have given honest reviews on the site and low ratings, thinking i am following the site guidelines, only to be told that i am to focus on the positive. i have also had people turn around within an hour of receiving a not so great review and bash one of my photos. i see photos on the first 3 pages of the listings that i dont feel should be there, never mind getting 5's. i will not mention names.... they know which ones they are.
i think it will be very hard to change the mentality on this site, but you never know. in the meantime, i will continue to say it the way i see it, as it is nothing personal, i just look at the photo.
i am learning too, and would also appreciate honest reviews and ratings of my work. if i dont get that, there is really no point in investing the time and energy here :)
|
|
May 30 at 5:59PM
|
|
| avmurray: Congratulations. Hot Rod Red was a worthy winner of the contest and well dserved. :)Annie
|
|
June 8 at 5:14AM
|
|
bosch2: Hi all,
New to the site, too. It seems to me, in trying to figure my way around this site, that you have to pump out a lot of reviews in order to make your own work more visible and open to being reviewed. That is unfortunate, because I do not feel qualified to critique the work of some very talented, and often, professional people. My primary purpose in joining was to learn, so I sure don't mind constructive criticism, but don't really feel like I should be giving it! I'll be hanging in there for awhile, too, but am looking for some continuing ed courses in my area and on line as well.
|
|
June 15 at 4:09PM
|
|
| DiannaM: Thanks to all the nice comments and support! I'm learning my way. Some won't like my comments but I'll continue to try to be helpful as it also helps me learn and why do this if we can't learn and grow together. To me the day I stop learning is the day I don't want to be in this world anymore. Learnings is like breathing... its necessary for ones good health and existence.
|
|
June 15 at 8:08PM
|
|
Kaluphotography: Dianna,
I just read your fustrsations and I feel the same way,
You have been an inspiration to me and I take what you say to heart.
I to want to be the best at what I do, and I'm looking for HONEST reviews and you have given me that. Thanks for all your support Lou
|
|
June 17 at 6:46PM
|
|
| DiannaM: Thanks so much Lou! I've enjoyed our communications and look forward to seeing you launch your dreams and aspirations. It's been a real pleasure. Dianna
|
|
June 19 at 12:47PM
|
|
| Babyboomer: I joined FAR 2008 for 6mths. After a 2yr break was considering coming back. After reading all the above comments I am pleased to find people out there who are like minded. I'm still considering upgrading... all the above comments addressed my concerns. Am very pleased to have found you all here. Thanks for your honesty. I will help me to make a decision and bite the bullet!!!
|
|
July 3 at 11:59PM
|
|
|
|
Up For ReviewStand Out PostsFor Sale
Shop with confidence. All art is sorted by the feedback that it received from reviewers. Find it on our listing and soon it will be displayed in your home or office.
Become A Fan