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DRGSin

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As a newby to this site, Ive been spending alot of time in this forum lately and truly appreciate all that I have learned. Its disappointing to see my thirst for knowledge quenched by the inappropriate, untimely and unsolicited negative comments that pop up every so often. Im of the belief that if you dont like whats playing, change the channel. So if you dont like a particular thread topic then move on. I agree that theres even something to be learned by negative critiques, but IMO nothing is gained by negative comments. So, I propose that we keep this thread open to those that read a comment or a thread, and feel the need to be negative, demeaming, or even nasty. Instead of responding in that particular thread, enter your comments in this one, without referencing the origin of your angst. This way, youve vented, weve read it IF we have chosen to, the thread has maintained its integrity and the poster has learned something from his work/comments without feeling "battered". Plus...it might be fun to read rude comments as they pertain to nothing.
 
Ha ha..Yea, its nice to see some of them weeding themselves out of here. Perhaps a Good riddence thread is in order! They could sign it on their way out.
 
Very nice, but I have a counter-suggestion. How about you just don't read things that you don't agree with. That way those of us who are neither perturbed by nor afraid of dissenting thoughts can continue to enjoy the plurality of ideas that comes from folks being able to express themselves (for the most part) freely.

Just a thought. :-)
DRGSin said:
As a newby to this site, Ive been spending alot of time in this forum
lately and truly appreciate all that I have learned. Its
disappointing to see my thirst for knowledge quenched by the
inappropriate, untimely and unsolicited negative comments that pop up
every so often. Im of the belief that if you dont like whats playing,
change the channel. So if you dont like a particular thread topic
then move on. I agree that theres even something to be learned by
negative critiques, but IMO nothing is gained by negative comments.
So, I propose that we keep this thread open to those that read a
comment or a thread, and feel the need to be negative, demeaming, or
even nasty. Instead of responding in that particular thread, enter
your comments in this one, without referencing the origin of your
angst. This way, youve vented, weve read it IF we have chosen to,
the thread has maintained its integrity and the poster has learned
something from his work/comments without feeling "battered".
Plus...it might be fun to read rude comments as they pertain to
nothing.
Click to expand...
--
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Kabe Luna

http://www.garlandcary.com
 
Kabe Luna said:
Very nice, but I have a counter-suggestion. How about you just don't
read things that you don't agree with. That way those of us who are
neither perturbed by nor afraid of dissenting thoughts can continue
to enjoy the plurality of ideas that comes from folks being able to
express themselves (for the most part) freely.

Just a thought. :-)

...>
--
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Kabe Luna

http://www.garlandcary.com
Click to expand...
Personally, I read them, think about what an idiot that person is and move on. It seems that you have missed the jist of my discussion. Its not the dissenting thoughts or plurality of ideas I speak of, I welcome those. Its the sharp attack that has no value other than to degrade or demean or in some perverse way, to make the originator feel better about himself. An example, from another thread...A poster displayed some pics that obviously needed critiqueing, which I assume the poster seeked. Someone sounded off by saying...and I paraphrase here, these are horrible, look like theyve been shot with a camera phone. I fail to see the "helpfullness" of such a comment...care to enlighten me as to what other "idea" Im afraid Ive missed with such a comment? Where's the dissention? Im not talking about conflicting points of view. Since I believe Ive explained myself sufficiently, I wont debate you back and forth-you may have the last word, if you so choose. And, as has been said...Have a nice day.
 
LOL. Youre right...and Im not even remotely making an attempt to put a stop to it...Im simply providing a forum for them to use. LOL
 
I agree with the ignore part, but I've seen many threads that start off with info I am interested in become a tit-for-tat between two members and the subject vers off into outerspace and the information content drops to zero.

I guess I was also disappointed that the Cookie Monster thread is so darned long...over 134 respondents. We just can't help wanting to weigh in...Like my comments here.
--
Ken Eis
 
is not to lead a photographer or other artist to a solution (art by committee, anyone?), but to harvest reactions to the artist's work and, where relevant, understand the reasons for such a reaction. It's up to the artist to know precisely what he's trying to accomplish in his work and whether or not a bit of criticism has any validity for that work. If you've never actually participated in a formal critique (real artists in a real space gathered to discuss one anothers' work). The positive nature of a critique derives not from the tone of the responses, but from the fact that the artists whose works are being critiqued are objective about those comments and aren't personally assailed when someone has an atypical and/or unflattering take on their work. Folks here like to ask for critique, but I'm not sure most understand what they entails. I agree that occasionally comments can err on the side of denigrating the artist, but overwhelmingly criticism here, even if negative (which does not mean inappropriate or invalid) remains focused on the work itself.

Personally, I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with saying an image is "horrible" or "looks like a cell phone snapshot" as that succinctly conveys the viewer's perception of the image. My work has often been called snapshots, which I don't consider denigrating, particularly when intimacy and spontaneity are precisely what I've tried to achieve.

IMO, one shouldn't ask for criticism, especially on an open forum, unless you're mature enough to distinguish between what's germane to your work and what's not from among the deluge of unmitigated responses you'll get.

--
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Kabe Luna

http://www.garlandcary.com
 
...invective. What's more, if a post is going to be offensive to someone, it's likely going to be so from the beginning. One need not continue through several lines of a post, becoming ever more agitated/discomfited/whatever-the-response, before deciding it has no value to them and abandoning it.

Technically, I know what you're saying, but practically I get the feeling you know what I'm saying.
Dave Chambers said:
Kabe Luna said:
Very nice, but I have a counter-suggestion. How about you just don't
read things that you don't agree with.
Click to expand...
Call me pedantic if you like, but just how are you supposed to decide
whether you agree or disagree with a comment without reading it ???

--
Dave (Sgt. Pepper), Epsom, England.
http://www.pbase.com/davecq

Click to expand...
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Kabe Luna

http://www.garlandcary.com
 
"Personally, I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with saying an image is "horrible" or "looks like a cell phone snapshot" as that succinctly conveys the viewer's perception of the image."

--Of what use would that comment be? Thats not a critique. Explain to me what makes it horrible, and what contributes to it looking like a snapshot, so I may learn. If youre not interested in teaching or explaining, then youre of no use-so dont comment. Let me attend one of your "sit-down critique sessions with your friends and associates and when its my turn to comment all I'll say is...that sux, oh horrible, pathetic, etc... Tell me youd encourage me to attend another. And tell me your peers would ask you to invite me back.--

"My work has often been called snapshots, which I don't consider denigrating, particularly when intimacy and spontaneity are precisely what I've tried to achieve."

--Youre not seriously equating the two, are you? I can almost guarantee this guy wasnt trying to shoot a horrible picture--
 
DRGSin said:
"Personally, I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with
saying an image is "horrible" or "looks like a cell phone snapshot"
as that succinctly conveys the viewer's perception of the image."

--Of what use would that comment be? Thats not a critique. Explain to
me what makes it horrible, and what contributes to it looking like a
snapshot, so I may learn. If youre not interested in teaching or
explaining, then youre of no use-so dont comment. Let me attend one
of your "sit-down critique sessions with your friends and associates
and when its my turn to comment all I'll say is...that sux, oh
horrible, pathetic, etc... Tell me youd encourage me to attend
another. And tell me your peers would ask you to invite me back.--
Click to expand...
...unless I know the person making the comment and his/her qualifications, such a comment would have little value to me, and indicate that further such comments from the individual should be taken with a grain of salt. UNLESS, it's pretty apparent what qualities about the work are horrible and/or of cell phone snapshot quality. For instance, if you presented a dark, atmospheric portrait and someone complained "looks like it was shot in a coal mine," would that be unduly harsh or incomprehensible? It all depends. Either way, if I want a comment elaborated upon, I'll ask for clarification, not complain about lack of it.

And, yes, I'd welcome you back as long as you wanted to be involved.
DRGSin said:
"My work has often been called snapshots, which I don't consider
denigrating, particularly when intimacy and spontaneity are precisely
what I've tried to achieve."

--Youre not seriously equating the two, are you? I can almost
guarantee this guy wasnt trying to shoot a horrible picture--
Click to expand...
More often than not, the person making the snapshot comment–certain I can't have wanted to make such casual-looking photos–is making a fair effort to be disparaging. So, yes, I am roughly equating the two.

Anyway, on this we can agree to disagree.

--
- -
Kabe Luna

http://www.garlandcary.com
 
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