Are there (mental) standards for what images should be posted on NPN? Going by what people have said in comments and posts, some people are very serious about what they choose to post on NPN and others are not. Does any "standards" thinking that exists vary from gallery to gallery? And how could NPN maintain a reputation for quality images if there aren't those mental standards? I've been thinking about this a lot lately, especially with regard to the Avian Gallery. I've wondered what people think about this.
Posted by David Bostedo on March 3, 2011 at 10:57 PM
I disagree to some extent Steve. Perhaps someone will be trying something that for them is experimental and wants to know what others think. Or perhaps they know the shot has some short-comings, but have a particular piece or aspect they'd like critiqued. In those cases, it can still be a good learning experience for everyone involved, so I say why not post it?
Barbara, if I had mental standards, I wouldn't be a photographer!
I agree with Steve. Do your best, and post the ones you believe are your best. That's the standard to go by, in my opinion. If you try to conform to some preconceived (or imagined)standard, you'll be soon stuck in a rut which will restrict your ability to develop your own vision and style.
I believe most of us post images here that we believe are our best, and/or we post those images that we have questions about. There may be certain level of quality of the images posted on NPN, but it's a very subjective thing and is inherently difficult, if not impossible to quantify.
You will get the most helpful critique if what you post is what you consider your best work. If you a priori know something is wrong.. fix it, and then post. That way people won't get distracted by any 'flaws' you're already aware of, and you are more likely to get feedback about aspects of the image that you had not considered (and thus learn something).
I speak only for myself - but I don't post only my "best" shots - some are posted simply to share something unusual or different. Some may not be technically perfect, but all (IMO) have something to offer.
Others are posted to get feedback on improvements - so they clearly are not "perfect."
I learn and grow from every comment and suggestion, and will continue to do so.
Just post what you feel is worthy of sharing - "best" or not, and consider the suggestions for future improvement!
Sandy
I only post my worst shots. If i posted my best ones, i would be embarrassed by the overwhelming outpouring of job offers and movie opportunites, so i keep my best to view in the privacy of my own home.
I do a little of both. Probably 3/4 of the time I post shots I like and think are good images. Sometimes member comments reinforce my opinion and sometimes they don't. But occasionally I post shots that I know have both some technical issues and some strengths, just to see where the balance scales end up in the opinions of others. There are times when my evaluation of an image of mine is way off the mark - once I almost didn't post a particular photo in Avian because of a seriously clipped wing. That shot ended up with a Weekly Pick. Go figure...
I definetely post some images that aren't among my best....I like trying different things and they sometimese aren't all that well received. A couple of recent examples for me would be my one eyed redtail and a black and white barn owl.
...and thank you Stan for coming down to our level.
Posted by Richard Ditch on March 4, 2011 at 11:30 AM
You will get the most helpful critique if what you post is what you consider your best work. If you a priori know something is wrong.. fix it, and then post. That way people won't get distracted by any 'flaws' you're already aware of, and you are more likely to get feedback about aspects of the image that you had not considered (and thus learn something).
- Floris van Breugel
My thoughts exactly.
I don't post anything that has a technical flaw I've noticed (of course I don't catch them all). I post my best work to make sure it measures up to the best images from others; posting less than your best dilutes your work.
How can I criticize something in another person's image if I can't avoid it in my own work?
Once you have mastered the technical side of photography then the viewer should be able to concentrate on the subject and composition and how you present them.
I usually try to post my best shots, but, for example, my last post was an image of a Bittern being chased by a Crow. It is not technically brilliant, and it was a very long way away, but I wanted to post it as I have never seen it before, and I thought many other people would have never seen it. This is nature photography - and the image showed what happened in nature, rather than a set up shot. Not that I am against set up shots. I find them fantastic as it takes huge amounts of work to get the species to co-operate (I know from experience!). I also post images when I am considering entering them into competitions as I liek to hear other people's opinions of them.
Personally, I weigh a number of factors...color rendering, sharpness or blurring to tell the story, comp, .., etc....Each item should contribute to excellence, not harm the story of the photo. However, there are times when we cannot get the best shot...perhaps a blur, a flaw in the corner...etc. That is when it becomes tough to decide. If the composition is of a quality so rare ...so strong and unique...that it deserves sharing just to bring a smile in the audience...for that purpose, I am compelled to post it...for I know I may never get the chance again. Even though it may lower the bar on what others think of my technical expertise or my willingness to delete and try-try again.
This is a strange question Barbara, I'm not sure what your after with it. Are there a "standards" for images to post? This isn't a a judged art competition, think about it. As if someone has set standards that must be followed by all. Only your best, only your best that falls into the top 50% of your best, only shots that are sharp, only shots that are artistic with a slight hint of abstract and soft focus and maybe a touch of red in them. It shouldn't matter what you think others "may" think of your images "before" you post them, or even after for that matter. Your really making being a member here sound like work.
Brad, I think being a member here is amazing. I don't think it's work. I do think it's serious. All of my questions are always about making the most of my NPN membership.
Since this is a critique site and since one (note that I said one) of my goals is to develop the ability to create images that do appeal to people besides me, it does matter to me what others think of my images.
Having said that, I'll be more careful what questions I post.
Having said that, I'll be more careful what questions I post.
Barbara: Don't be. You're asking to improve your knowledge and not to be a provocateur. I for one enjoy your questions and appreciate your open minded attitude. I don't think Brad was being critical, just wasn't sure what you were after. I was in your shoes not so long ago and I learn a lot by not being self conscious about my ignorances. Within the past month I asked one of our members from India if they read left to right or right to left. Hey, some might have thought it a dumb question but if you don't know and want to know how else will you learn? >=))>
Posted by David Chauvin on March 4, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Keep on posting questions and images as you see fit, Barbara. Not everyone has to be on the same page or things will get boring quickly.
As a relative newcomer and one whose images leave a lot to be desired let me weigh in...this is just like the question that is too stupid is the one not asked....I realized that as I began my journey if I did not put my stuff "out there" I would never have a good idea of what others thought...and if pros and semi-pros find some merit in what I do then I must at least be on the right track..as long as you have thick enough skin to take the heat post away says I...you will never know otherwise.
I think it is definitely best if you work hard and become your own worst critic. Pick your own images to pieces and then whichever images remain are your best works. By being your own worst critic I think you improve as a photographer much quicker. Worst thing you can do is fool yourself into thinking you are a great photographer and most of your images are good/great. Tough to continue to improve with that attitude IMO.
Here is where NPN really helps you get better. Look at and critique others images with an open mind. And do this a lot. Find the really great images and understand why they are great and strive for that level. Post your best images and let others help you determine how good they really are. Learn from the critiques as people point out deficiencies that you missed or did not think were deficiencies, and thus improve as you go along.
Now, like has been mentioned, your best works will/should improve over time. But I always post what I think are technically sound and visually appealing images and learn and grow from the comments on these images. Just my 2 cents on this. Cheers.
Posted by Pat Sampson on March 5, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Barbara,
Post what you want so long as the content is gallery appropriate. It's your dime. What you post should be dictated by what you're trying to accomplish. There are no standards though unless Bill has been keeping them a secret from me. (smile)
I agree that posting your best images is probably the best way to go. But for me, I like many of my images that I don't consider my best. Part of NPN for me is participation, and interaction. So I like to post at least an image each week if I can. I don't get a killer shot every week so....
But I definately have different expectation for some images to do very well, and others to be recieved less enthusiastically.
I feel if I can't get the exposure right, at least in my mind, I don't post it. I have issues getting colors right more often than I'd like. Mostly i post for responses to an images aesthetic impact, and composition. I'm pretty satisfied with the technicals, but welcome any suggestions in that regard too.
So I probably post a few that could have been left out, but that's just me. If I only posted my very best, I wouldn't have many images to share.
Discussion
19 repliesI agree with Steve. Do your best, and post the ones you believe are your best. That's the standard to go by, in my opinion. If you try to conform to some preconceived (or imagined)standard, you'll be soon stuck in a rut which will restrict your ability to develop your own vision and style.
I believe most of us post images here that we believe are our best, and/or we post those images that we have questions about. There may be certain level of quality of the images posted on NPN, but it's a very subjective thing and is inherently difficult, if not impossible to quantify.
Just have fun, Barabara!
--P
Others are posted to get feedback on improvements - so they clearly are not "perfect."
I learn and grow from every comment and suggestion, and will continue to do so.
Just post what you feel is worthy of sharing - "best" or not, and consider the suggestions for future improvement!
Sandy
Sandy
(Edit for typo)
...and thank you Stan for coming down to our level.
My thoughts exactly.
I don't post anything that has a technical flaw I've noticed (of course I don't catch them all). I post my best work to make sure it measures up to the best images from others; posting less than your best dilutes your work.
How can I criticize something in another person's image if I can't avoid it in my own work?
Once you have mastered the technical side of photography then the viewer should be able to concentrate on the subject and composition and how you present them.
Oscar
Since this is a critique site and since one (note that I said one) of my goals is to develop the ability to create images that do appeal to people besides me, it does matter to me what others think of my images.
Having said that, I'll be more careful what questions I post.
Barbara: Don't be. You're asking to improve your knowledge and not to be a provocateur. I for one enjoy your questions and appreciate your open minded attitude. I don't think Brad was being critical, just wasn't sure what you were after. I was in your shoes not so long ago and I learn a lot by not being self conscious about my ignorances. Within the past month I asked one of our members from India if they read left to right or right to left.
Here is where NPN really helps you get better. Look at and critique others images with an open mind. And do this a lot. Find the really great images and understand why they are great and strive for that level. Post your best images and let others help you determine how good they really are. Learn from the critiques as people point out deficiencies that you missed or did not think were deficiencies, and thus improve as you go along.
Now, like has been mentioned, your best works will/should improve over time. But I always post what I think are technically sound and visually appealing images and learn and grow from the comments on these images. Just my 2 cents on this. Cheers.
Post what you want so long as the content is gallery appropriate. It's your dime. What you post should be dictated by what you're trying to accomplish. There are no standards though unless Bill has been keeping them a secret from me. (smile)
pat
But I definately have different expectation for some images to do very well, and others to be recieved less enthusiastically.
I feel if I can't get the exposure right, at least in my mind, I don't post it. I have issues getting colors right more often than I'd like. Mostly i post for responses to an images aesthetic impact, and composition. I'm pretty satisfied with the technicals, but welcome any suggestions in that regard too.
So I probably post a few that could have been left out, but that's just me. If I only posted my very best, I wouldn't have many images to share.