Camera Labs

I have noticed that there is many requests from people to ask for critique on their photos.
It seems to work in various degrees, sometimes critique isn`t provided, sometimes it is, sometimes its constructive and sometimes its not.

I know that sometime I feel uncomfortable, as I don`t know how people react and I don`t want to offend someone. Also I don`t always look at all photos, I simply don`t have the time or inclination to do so. I can appreciate that a lot of effort has gone into getting some shots, but when they are spread all over the forum I find it hard to pick them out specifically.


Is it possible to maybe put all photos that people really want critique on in one thread or one part of the forum. Ie a "critique" subsection.

Anyway I just think that some discussion on this may be worthwhile, at least it may clarify what people expect from critique. Also people providing critique may be more inclined or feel less restrained to do so?


Or do we leave it just as it is?

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Good idea, a `C&C` section could work well, especially for beginners like myself, especially if someone is asking directly for help/tips, rather than just praise. (not that there's anything wrong in appreciating a good image, but the lines tend to get blurred between them imho)

Like yourself, I don't have quite as much time as i'd like to comment on every pic + don't feel I have the experience yet to make suggestions/critique the more experienced posters.

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

Good suggestion; I support it

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Canon DSLRs: 5D Mark III, 7D
Canon lenses: 17-40/4L, 24-105/4L, 24/1.4L II, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 100/2.8L Macro, 70-200/2.8L IS, 100-400L
Other stuff: Canon 580 EX II, Canon 430EX II, Velbon Sherpa 600R
Apple: MacBook Pro 15", iMac 27", iPad III, iPhone 4S, Apple TV

My deviantART

Always a good idea...I'd support it. A little description for newbies to let them know that its a place to get critique - honest, blunt, straightforward...and to the critiquers, it can still be kept friendly and non-insulting (usually the mix I go for: blunt and honest, but friendly and uninsulting).

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Justin Miller
Sony DSLR-A580 / Sony 18-250mm / Minolta 50mm F1.7 / Sigma 30mm F1.4 / Tamron 10-24mm / Tamron 200-500mm / Tamron 90mm F2.8 macro / Minolta 300mm F4 APO
Sony NEX5N / 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 / 55-210mm F4-6.3 / Pentax K adapter / Konica K/AR adapter / bunches o' Konica & Pentax lenses!

Galleries:
http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg

well idea is on the spot, but the thing is that it might get crowded section fast, if people ask for c&c often, if it lives it should have limits on how often do you get to ask for c&c..

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nikon d90 --->af-s dx 18-105mm; tamron 90mm macro

add me up on:

flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakica/

deviant art:
http://tbensic.deviantart.com/

----:>bakice ce vladati svjetom<:----

bakica, if it gets crowded & busy, it'll be because help is needed. Folk won't HAVE to reply if they don't want.

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

can't argue with that

my only concern is if people start posting all their photos there since they want comments, even if they don't actually need critic to improve their work, know what i mean?

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nikon d90 --->af-s dx 18-105mm; tamron 90mm macro

add me up on:

flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakica/

deviant art:
http://tbensic.deviantart.com/

----:>bakice ce vladati svjetom<:----

Yeah, having a re-think, I know where you're coming from.

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

Any new idea is always positive, will the critique be of a personal preference from each response, what makes a good photo and will the criteria be that it is good enough to go in any magazine?

e.g If the recent photo of the couple kissing in the Vancouver riot was not there, it would have been just another shot but it made it world wide. I'm all for the suggestion as I've learnt so much from the forum.

Cheers

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Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

It is a good idea, but it may just get too much traffic, and the other sections would lose a fair bit. There's no perfect balance, is there...

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

maybe that could happen, but I imagine that people will still post in the various topics, as not everyone is looking for critique. ie take the duck or feathered friends thread or photo of the day. Plenty of positive feedback, great for sharing but not a huge amount of critique in there or asked for.

It would be nice to put photos that someone specifically wants critique on in a spot where it can be easily found and commented on.

Maybe just a sticky "critique thread" could be enough, I just thought I start some discussion on this as more and more people had posted pics and asked for critique and non or very little had been offered.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Where did we stand on this? I for one long for a critique section or sub-section. The photo gallery is nice and organized, but is this the purpose of it? I love cameralabs, but its only downfall is the lack of objective critiquing in my opinion. Gordon? Thoughts?

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Trevor Harris

Nikon D200
SB-600
YN-560 II
YN RF 603 x 4
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
Nikon 50mm f/1.8

I will wait for the section where we can ask for advice. Sounds like a good option to me.

SUNR15E

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D300s - MB-D10 - 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 - 50 mm f1.8 - 360AFD - bottle of water - and a kebab...


Find me SUNR15E, on Flickr.

Or find me on facebook SUNR15E PHOTOGRAPHIC

Critique is always a good thing no matter how good a photographer anyone else might think they are

It's also an invaluable exercise for the critiquer (is that a word?)

I think one of the barriers is that folks don't know how to give critique. What would be really cool for all is to have an accepted forum critique formula or template, a series of headings to provide structure for folks to provide feedback too

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Canon EOS 550D (with Magic Lantern)
18mm - 135mm Kit Lens, 50mm f1.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
430EX II Flash with Phottix Strato Wireless Tigger Set
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with 496 Ball Head. Gorilla Pod SLR
Canon Powershot A720IS with CHDK and intervalometer script. Pentax Optio W90

My Blog - http://www.ianganderton.wordpress.com

I have been reading critique in a monthly oz magazine, even the so called expert seems to contradict himself on different photo's where I had a different view.

Does this mean that our personal perceptions/likes will always determine the outcome of any critique. Having said that, critique on the forum is interesting which I read and find some very useful reminding me what I should be doing.

There is no reason now why members cannot critique posting if they are inclined to do so, personally I like it.

Cheers

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Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.