I love your benches Suzi - really!!!!

This subject of C&C seems to have cropped up in YOP just recently. I think the folks in here are very friendly and make their best efforts to help each other with their photography. I feel comfortable opening my photos up to constructive criticism and respect a lot of your opinions, otherwise I wouldn't ask for help. Trash me if you must but trash me with a smiley.

Thank you Bob, you wait till I am in the States, I will be on a bench frenzy

Bob I love your landscapes.

See we are sharing some forum love around xx

I used to be a portrait photographer Suzi but I live alone now as a simple hermit. "...I am a rock, I am an island. I touch no one and no one touches me..." Simon & Garfunkel

I'm the same Moon.

It depends what sort of mood I'm in and obviously whether I feel 'qualified' to comment on the picture or subject matter.

As with anything, I think you get a feel for how people react but I guess it's a case of giving an honest opinion and wording your crit in a way that it's taken as it's meant.

I don't always ask for it - but I always appreciate some feedback on my pics and (providing it's constructive) welcome negative just as much as positive as it's of more use !

Yep, I agree wording has a lot to do with how something comes across, when it is written

I have just tried to C&C Jack's bridge pics, as I know if I mess up and say something wrong he won't be offended

Same here ..some C&C's no problems, especially if it is something that I photograph a lot ..but people I rarely do so I find that hard

Also ...you have to be careful of peoples feelings, I would hate to be the person who put soeone off taking shots because of an ill placed comment

I would have thought we could have some simple pointers for C&C. If people want C&C then they should enable the flag in control panel or else invite it in their thread. If they want edits then they enable it in control panel or else invite it in their thread. Otherwise posters should only expect lightweight comment or none at all unless they are posting simply out of interest for others. I have posted some pictures that were not meant as anything other than maybe someone may want to see a location or else it's something I thought may interest.

I think though if people are going to give C&C then they should recognise there is an acceptable way of doing it and do it in the interests of educating the poster - assuming of course they have invited C&C. It's ok to tell me I have over-exposed a picture, but why, and where in the picture can we see that? Not only that, the recognised way of feedback in training people is often to sandwich in the negative with the positive if indeed positive is possible! People don't join this forum to be demoralised and put the camera away and give up. However I get the idea with my last two pictures not only are they technically rubbish they are also artistically crap. If that's the take on them fair enough...if I'd posted a third I probably would have the rope up over the joists in the garage by now Overall I would expect there is a will to keep this a friendly forum and helpful for most of us lowly self taught amateurs. I would hope nobody is deterred from posting useful and tactfully articulated critique and I for one am willing to learn about faults in my pictures if its done in this way.

I'd also like to comment on the artistic aspect. That is something anybody here can comment on, even the beginner. We all know if something works with us as a picture or not. What suits me may not be to someone elses taste. Likewise you will also have an opinion and it's not a bad thing to express this in a constructive way. I said before we could all stand in the Tate and argue all day about what is great or not. Too much foreground, not enough depth of field etc. is worth hearing about because we all learn from others opinions but the poster shouldn't assume their view is the only view and they are right.

I'd guess partly the catalyst for this C&C thread came about partly because of some posts relating to my recent pictures. To set some context I value the comments of the experienced photographers who have made the posts in that thread and respect the ability of many people within these forums. I'm definately not looking for praise everytime hence my points above to ask that people indicate they want C&C and secondly people who offer it do it in a constructive and educational way. However, I'll admit like many people the cutting comments strike home...

My final point is simply to anyone, enjoy your photography and remember there is a place on this website for all pictures and most of us enjoy seeing other peoples experiences besides the works of art. I was in a photographic club 30 years ago and it was spoiled by equipment snobs and a select clique of those who thought they knew it all. The serious amateurs were worst than the professionals. I haven't seen that snobbery here and it's important everyone enjoys their photography and this facility. I'd also encourage many of the people who view this website but don't post to come in and join in to increase the experiences and knowledge of all.

Oh well...just off to the garage...

BC ...Wow! never knew you could talk so much! xxx

Yes, it is partly because of your thread I decided to see how we felt about C&C, and what people felt was acceptable. As I think we have all agreed just saying lovely shot isn't helping anybody, but everybody has feelings too.

I hope you are okay with me doing this thread, it was honestly done with the best of intentions

I have confessed I don't like it when someones edits my pics, or just says it isn't any good. I want to be told why? but in a nice way please As I don't want to get demoralised, as I am a sensitive soul On the flip side if you like something I post , please tell me


Hey ! keep out of the garage and away from the eaves with a rope

For the record I did like your landscapes, I thought they were moody and had a brooding atmosphere xx

Yes have an opinion often...

Your thread had to be said sometime. There is so much praise but several people have said we need some learning...or some of us do.

I am moody and brooding...

You're great MS, I only know you through the forums and a few PM's but someone is very lucky... Appreciate your thoughts for others...

Shut up, you will make me blush