Take it like a man (or woman)
By Jim Stephenson
14 August 2007
Nobody is a perfect photographer.
I'll probably get kicked in the teeth, but I actually don't like some of Ansel Adams' photographs.
I know!
Blasphemer!
My own favourite photographer was Robert Capa, a man of intense bravery and a massive sense of adventure, but maybe not of superb technique (he did have some excuses - namely being shot at, bombed and thrown out of a plane when he was snapping away).
The point is that no-one is above criticism, and everyone could stand a little improving.
The introduction of comments to jpgmag is bloody brilliant. Potentially.
Really, its a great idea.
The whole website is pretty much built around peer review and the idea of voting and comments allow people to back up a "Yeah!" or "Nah" with some reason, some words and maybe (gasp) some suggestions for getting more "Yeahs!" and less "Nahs" in the future.
We could all stand a little improving.
The problem is that since the introduction of comments, the few well-written and constructive comments I have seen have been received with a general sense of "bugger off" and/or "leave me alone". Which is a real shame, because a polite little note saying "maybe you could tweak this and omit that" can really help you pick up on something you may miss and make you think more next time you have your camera in hand.
I'm not advocating a war of words against photos you don't like. Long, rambling rants featuring numerous personal insults directed at the user. Politeness is key here. In more than one case I've seen a piece of constructive criticism followed up with a responding petit detrimental comment.
So next time someone suggests something useful, I urge you(!), listen to it and pay attention. It might just help you out - it could even be the difference between your next photo disappearing into jpg obscurity or it getting you a cool hundred bucks for a published photo!
Isn't that what we're all looking for after all?
A cool hundred bucks coupled with a dose of personal growth?
We could all stand a little improving.
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