Photo Critique Websites

[noumenon]

Which are the big photo critique forums?

Thanks,
Philip

[byhff]

www.fredmiranda.com is good

[noumenon]

Thanks, nice site!

I remember seeing one before which appeared to have a lot of posters and a rating system so people could vote on how good/bad they thoughts the shots were. There was some sort of kudos you got for voting too. Ring any bells?

[stigmundfreud]

why?

[noumenon]

stigmundfreud said:

why?

I'd like to get a broad spectrum of balanced responses to my images. Not just "wow, great shot bud". I want real feedback so I can improve. There is always room for improvement.

A rating system will also give me a better idea of what will sell (not just what I like!).

[stigmundfreud]

I very much doubt there is a website out there that will do that for you. Find a few photographers you respect and seek their opinion rather than randomness on the net.


ETA you are your own best critique

Edited by stigmundfreud on Saturday 11th April 12:46

[Gemm]

noumenon said:

I remember seeing one before which appeared to have a lot of posters and a rating system so people could vote on how good/bad they thoughts the shots were. There was some sort of kudos you got for voting too. Ring any bells?

ePHOTOzine?

[noumenon]

Not quite, the rating was visible for the image before opening. It was also a mostly black site (much like dpreview).

[Bob_Defly]

Try entering the competitions on DPChallenge, the style that is liked there is pretty specific but the constructive criticism will give you pointers as to what (if anything) you are doing wrong.

[mikee boy]

Pistonheads? Start a thread and post some pics and we'll be happy to knock the crap out of them give them an honest critique.


Digital Photo Challenge is a great site if you want your ego bashed. If there's anything wrong you'll get a critique and a low score.

However, it's not a critique site specifically, but you get a decent critique if you ask for one. As a registered user it's free, and as a member there's a small fee.

Be careful of anybody saying your photos are great or rubbish, they may not know what they're talking about.

[CarMac]

stigmundfreud said:

ETA you are your own best critique

Edited by stigmundfreud on Saturday 11th April 12:46

Completely agree with the above statement.

Photography is VERY subjective. Something does not have to be 'perfect' in terms of technique to be good. What one person will find good, another will not. Some of the top pro photographers produce technically rubbish pictures; ones worse than some of the stuff I've binned!!!

No offence to anyone on here but, any photo comments from online photography forums should be taken with a pinch of salt!

[mikee boy]

CarMac said:

stigmundfreud said:

ETA you are your own best critique

Completely agree with the above statement.

Some of the top pro photographers produce technically rubbish pictures; ones worse than some of the stuff I've binned!!!

Possibly because they don't listen to other people's opinions. Personally I get a lot from the opinions of others. I don't agree with all of them but some are excellent, honest and impartial.

I disagree that people are their own best critique, particularly when they get emotionally attached to a shot they've taken. There are some real arrogant b'stards who think they're brilliant and ignore the sensible advice of others. If you appreciate critiques and are open to the possibility that some of them may be incorrect, the I think any critique is useful in improving your photography, regardless of the source.

[stigmundfreud]

you do art for yourself not for others

[stigmundfreud]

mikee boy said:

CarMac said:

stigmundfreud said:

ETA you are your own best critique

Completely agree with the above statement.

Some of the top pro photographers produce technically rubbish pictures; ones worse than some of the stuff I've binned!!!

Possibly because they don't listen to other people's opinions. Personally I get a lot from the opinions of others. I don't agree with all of them but some are excellent, honest and impartial.

I disagree that people are their own best critique, particularly when they get emotionally attached to a shot they've taken. There are some real arrogant b'stards who think they're brilliant and ignore the sensible advice of others. If you appreciate critiques and are open to the possibility that some of them may be incorrect, the I think any critique is useful in improving your photography, regardless of the source.

OK but when you put stuff out there how do you guage if the critique is valid or not? DPReview dont make me laugh, that place is like a local camera club only worse. I would only ever advise seeking critiques from people who you respect, people who shoot a similar style to what you are after not to a bunch of internet anonimites.

My posting here is a perfect example, I have my view and my belief and I am telling the OP what to do. My personal opinion is that you dont take photos or make art for others you do it for yourself first and foremost - again all in my opinion. If there is something you are not happy with you seek advice but personally I feel that advice should be on the technical side.

[noumenon]

I'm tempted to post here and see what you folks think.

Watch out for a new thread shortly!

[mikee boy]

stigmundfreud said:

OK but when you put stuff out there how do you guage if the critique is valid or not? DPReview dont make me laugh, that place is like a local camera club only worse. I would only ever advise seeking critiques from people who you respect, people who shoot a similar style to what you are after not to a bunch of internet anonimites.

My posting here is a perfect example, I have my view and my belief and I am telling the OP what to do. My personal opinion is that you dont take photos or make art for others you do it for yourself first and foremost - again all in my opinion. If there is something you are not happy with you seek advice but personally I feel that advice should be on the technical side.

Stiggy, I think we're generally in agreement. It's impossible to tell somebody their composition is wrong, but easy to suggest they might not want to use auto White Balance if their picture looks strange because of it. The technicals are the most important parts of a photo and if they are incorrect it can ruin the central message. I tend to critique, and get critiqued, on technicals where they are detracting from the picture. It doesn't mean anybody should listen to me because they don't even know me, but I've learned a lot about lighting from the generosity of strangers. I've never had anybody tell me the artistic side was wrong, but I have had excellent technical advice, and a lot of it from photographers I really respect having seen their work.

I agree that DPR is a waste of time for critiques (but good for equipment reviews). I was talking about DPC and I'd recommend it to anybody.