Do we take critqiues a little too personally?

Do you think photographers can sometimes take comments about their work too personally?

I guess it's only human nature - getting a negative comment about something you've done can be a bit hard to swallow no matter how thick skinned you are

Yes it can Azz! but thats why I joined this site! to get help and advice. sadly it isn't as forth comming as it used to be.

I havent/wouldnt - but then I know myself my piccies are rubbish - though at the end of the day everyone has room for improvement in anything they do - if someone wanted to give me advice on a picture I had taken - why they didnt like it - what I could do next time to get a better shot ect I would be greatful for them taking the time to do so.
You cant just be told the good all the time, if people dont point out what they think could be improved on then hows the person taking the pictures going to know what to change/try next time. Practice makes perfect, and if you have new things to practice from advice given from other members it can only be a good thing!

If someone takes it to personal I would guess its probs because their happy with the picture themselves and dont see they have room for improvement, or need advice as to what could be improved - therefore shouldnt really be asking for a critqiue.

Admittedly I have pride in my photos. One out of every 50 I take meet my personal standard to be posted. Again, I admit my eyesight isn't very good. I was born with a stacked deck against me. I've been wearing heavy prescription lenses for 55 years, since age 6. I've begun using Vibration Reduction lenses and a new camera with an electronic horizon level indicator. I can relate to Phil because I have severe arthritis, so bad at times that it hurts to simply push a shutter button. Still, I do the best that I can.

What gripes me is a new forum member, with under a dozen posts, criticizing all the folks on here who's photography I respect. This person comes across as if they think their shit doesn't stink.

As far as comments about my photos, bring them on. They're opinions, so I may or may not agree. Furthermore each of us here has a different idea of what makes a good photo. I like handheld available light portraits that may be a bit grainy. The natural warm color shift is appealing to me, and after all is said, I'm the final judge.

I've been on YOP for years now and I like the folks here. Sure, some very good photographers have come & gone but that's their choice always. I call YOP my home forum.

Well, photography is personal, as it's your view of the world, but if you put your stuff out there, you got to be prepared for the good and the bad comments. Otherwise the images might as well just sit on your HD, while you pat yourself on the back, telling yourself you are a photographic genius

With Mr Finney, you don't develop with nice shot comments all the time, but it "feels" that on here that is what a lot of people want, or that is what is expected.

Photographic Genious?

That scares me

Azz: Yes, I do think people take criticism too personally. But there are two sides to every coin. I have seen photographs on here that, whilst a good idea, have some basic mistakes, the most common of which is sloping horizons, and I include myself in that statement.

It is very difficult to see your own mistakes in your photography and it takes a forum such as this for people to view your work with fresh eyes and point out your errors. Personally, I welcome criticism - it makes me strive harder to achieve the perfect photo, (something I doubt I will ever achieve).

Similarly, I will be inspired by photos that I see on here together with the critiques.

Bob: Are you really trying to say that new members should only have an opinion on a photograph after they have served an apprenticeship of so many posts? If so, how many posts would you like to see before somebody comments - 50, 100, 500?

For Heaven's sake, get real. This is a public forum and anybody who has joined this forum is as much entitled, as a member, to reap all the benefits as any other member, irrespective of the posts they have made, whether you admire the photography they are commenting/critiquing on or not.

The only exception to this is somebody who uses the forum for spamming.

The bottom line is, if you don't want critiques, then say so.

I do I am sure ha ha.

But I am trying to get better at tasking criticism, I feel if a 'bad critic' rolls off your back you can't be really passionate about the photo in the first place.

But I am trying to curb my replies to the critic if 'bad' or what I consider 'bad'.

Just read that back and it sounds like a jumbled mess lol. Hope you can get my drift.

Well I get your drift Jols. Of course critiques can, (and frequently do), hurt. Photography is such a personal, emotive subject that any critique is going to verge on the personal.

I have posted photos, that I have thought were very good, on other forums, only to have them absolutely slated - devastatingly so. However, I have taken on board what has been said and improved my photography.

What I think people need to be able to decipher from critiques are comments about how to improve a photograph from the comments that merely states an opinion.

I agree that comments can be couched in reasonable terms, but at the end of the day a poor photograph is a poor photograph, in your view; which is the operative phrase.