IC galleries - include self critique?

I have always believed that the best way to get constructive feedback on any photo posted in an IC forum is to ask for specific feedback on the photo. Another way to do this is to have the photographer include their own "self critique" of the photo in the original post.

Do you think it would be benefical to require (or suggest) that the photographer provide their own critique when posting a photo?

I like it. It would be worth trying.

I already try to point out weaknesses or strenghts of the pictures I post and ask people if they agree or not. The bad thing about this is that I point people's noses on things they mightn't have seen, which may decrease quality of the critiquing process. Good thing is that I can get answers for specific things.

Basil

- - - I wasn't going to do this but maybe one last time,,,,,

What about also, or instead of, having the poster tell WHAT they were trying to do, or say, with their image, and then the viewers can say why they think it worked or not, and give suggestions as to what they would have done instead.

I like Paul's suggestion of having the photographer state what they are trying to convey in their photo. If they had a really good day and just felt like snapping a casual photo then that's valid, or another example could be, "This scene gave me an overwhelming feeling of death and chaos as I witnessed it, so I hoped to capture some of that despair in this photo." It helps the viewer give another angle to approach their critique as opposed to purely basing it off technique.

Paul and Richard, good points! Having the OP (original poster) do this gets the thread of critiques off in the right direction.

SOP for me, though all my posting has been over at TPN for the last year or so. I've always found reviewers to be very helpful. It works so well in fact, that I almost never post images simply because I think they are hot. Rather I post them because I want feedback on specific issues. Talk about useful!

For myself when I post if I have a specific thing I was trying to achieve I'll mention it in my post, but most times I like to let others formulate their own viewpoint without my bias introduced. Getting a fresh perspective allows me to see things outside of what I might have been obsessively focusing on. That type of feedback allows me to grow and improve.

In addition one thing I've found over time is that when I go out to take a photo I'll achieve a personal goal, but the overall aesthetic or image might be perceived differently. Learning what others like or gravitate to is a constant mystery. One of my weaknesses is that I'll think an image is great, but often my opinion is clouded by the experience I had in taking the photograph. For these reasons I like to leave the first impression and critique to others with out my influence.

I'm glad I read the comments first because I was going to say the exact same thing as Jim Goldstein. I want to know what the viewer sees, or what strikes the viewer as a strength or weakness. I don't want the viewer to see what I see; instead I want them to tell me what THEY see.

A few years back, in school, our literature teacher used so say that interpreting literature is not about what the author wanted to say, but what the book tells us, what message we personally take from the book. Agreeing with this, I think - as I stated above - that self-critique on things like technique and composition makes sense. However, when it comes to the meaning of the image, I doubt it. I think it would kill the the process of the viewer exploring the image & its meaning (which can be very different for each individual).

Basil

Thanks for your replies!

Here is where I'm going with this - I have written verbiage for the IC galleries to include above the "post your comments" text field. Currently it simply reads "Enter your comments below." I would like to change that to read as follows -

Enter your comments below. Please include comments on what you like about the photo and what you think can be improved. If the photographer has requested specific feedback, please be sure to provide it;

I think this suggested verbiage will serve as a reminder to post thoughtful critique.

On the "Post a Photo" screen, there is no verbiage at all. Here is what I propose -

Enter information about your photo below (equipment used, location, any special technique, etc.). If your are seeking specific feedback on any aspect of the photo, be sure to request it;

I think this suggested verbiage will provide some guidance to the OP on the kind of information to include with their photo, and hopefully, help them get the type of feedback they are looking for.

Comments?

Sounds good to me.
Thanks Jim.

I like your proposed changes Jim, although many all ready do this, it will be a good reminder for all of us, as well as encouragement for newer members.

As always Jim, right on, right on, right on!

No harm with the proposed wording... anything that helps

Pointing out a specific problem with the photo and seeking advice on how to solve it is very helpful. I look for suggestions that I can apply in the field and I read the feedback others get because they help me too.

I think it is good to self critique; to look at one's work objectively and see its faults and good points. I believe as we progress in our photographic excellence we learn to self critique the image while the image is still in the viewfinder. (Another good reason for the tripod.) That goes beyond "that looks pretty good to me" and then click the shutter kind of thinking. Too many times I have been too hasty and discovered things I never noticed before afterwards. In a nutshell I guess I am saying, apply what you learn at NPN.

I like the suggested new wording, Jim. I believe I have already been following those words already.

Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada

OK, new wording in place. Thanks to all for your comments!