Do you like this idea?

Question

No, it's not another picture! What started out as a simple photo in support of an answer turned into a rather interesting discussion.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnDTSIyhKUEZPXAqlPqcnRDsy6IX?qid=20070808230302AAXPXHF
Is that something we might continue here? Community Guidelines say, "Don't use Yahoo! Answers as a soapbox to vent your frustrations, rant, or otherwise violate the question and answer format. If you prefer to have discussions or chat with others, please use one of Yahoo!'s other community services, such as Yahoo! Groups," so I'm not sure how well they would receive this kind of activity. I mean, technically, this would be a discussion and a forum might be better.

Would you like to share photos for critique and pointers or is that too much like work for those of you who do this for a living? (I know how that can be and that's why I am over here so much and rarely visit the Dental section any more.)

But what do you think?

Yes, Antoni, I am noticing that the section is settling out in strata with like minds seeking their own level. It might be nice to serve as a resource to newbies, but Yahoo! isn't paying anyone a dime to run this service for them, so I say that we can turn it to our own benefit.

I am sure that there ARE existing forums - probably hundreds of them - on the internet that cater to exactly this sort of thing, but in a way it would be amusing to hold these discussions right out here in public view and see what kind of response someone who doesn't have a clue (HA!!! Often, that's me!) might have to say.

I hardly feel any guilt at all when I don't tell someone how to "put just one color in a black and white photo."

Antoni, one of my recent replies to a request for critique was to say, "My mother taught me that if I can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all." There were already 2 or 3 answers above me that laid it out and said that the snapshots pretty much sucked, so I wasn't being cruel. I thought about deleting my answer after the fact, but for some reason I didn't...

I mean, I think I know enough to have an appreciation for what I don't know, but you can't start at the very beginning with everyone who asks if their picture is any good.

If I think someone has a good eye but needs to improve their technical skills, I used to tell them so, but from now on I think I will refer them to you for your judgement on that topic. ;-)

Answer 1

I like the idea. Critiqueing could work, if it was 'Here is what I tried to convey ...', or it was something like a lighting problem. All accompanied by an image or images(s). Keep it to an ask/answer format.

It wouldn't be work for me. The images I take to earn a living are different than those I do for myself. Those are the ones that I would be interested in.

It would be a change from teen somethings who can't formulate a question, can't write it and (sorry, almost started ranting). Nothing ventured ... I'm up for it.

Vance

Answer 2

I think it would be a great use of YA. There are critique forums on photo.net, but they are mostly ruined by the anonymous point rating system.

I like the turn YA photography section has taken in the past few weeks. I don't see how asking how we like a picture could be a violation, after all, there are hundreds of people who ask the same question every day. And there's no law that says a response has to be "OMG, it's perfect, you have the eye", or some such drivel.

I say go for it. I have to go to work now, maybe I'll post one later!

Answer 3

YES YES YES

i dont use caps often Dr Sam

We should and there should be more of it, I noticed a question I answered about lens cleaning where i said use a microfibre clothe the other pros agreed with me and some (rude word) answers use windex and gets best answer?

i dont think people should be able to hide their questions and answers

While you have given me the opportunity:

to the questions like how do i become pro or i got the eye what now?

i usually answer go and study photography, this tends to annoy people - one person always says you dont need any schooling and yet on their profile they say they run classes?

there are heaps of great pros didnt goto school thats true, they did have to learn at sometime - still study isnt it?

anyway yes we should be forum more like

thats why i ask questions i already know the answer to, to get some good info out of the other people who know the answer also-

the how do i make one colour the rest black and white are ok for some but theres so many talented people here like Ace, evan, ben, you, Diva, kevin, karl and more (sorry i missed you) - i just like to read how clever they are, I get alot of stick but its for the good of all

so how about some of you clever ones asking some good photography questions - i try to do my part, go on spent five points


EDIT: The topic of the question is whats important, i had Karl and Kevin and Ryan answer me lately and they are selective, so great questions and they will come?


Critiquing is a funny one, it should come with a qualification of age and experience,

sometimes a pic is so bad i wonder if its a joke or the person is 6 years old and stole mums camera, so I'm not likely to answer its lacks depth, composition needs work, poor light source blah blah because the askers wants - they are so pretty you have the eye or something?

but your stuff and ill go to it now was great - as in discussion value etc, so congrads to you

Answer 4

I too like the idea, maybe on a flickr group. I would like to photos from members that answer frequently here.