Always find something to praise, before you say something critical and if possible try to find something else to praise to end on a positive note. Anything else should be ideally sandwiched between encouragement. False praise isn't helpful, but there usually is something that was done well. Find it.
When the time comes to point out things one might do different, often a question is better than a statement. Instead of "This doesn't work because the subject is too centered." a better way might be "What would you do differently if you took this photo again?" Rather than the instructor themselves being the one that's negative, with questions I try to guide the student to the conclusion that I am looking for them to understand with a series of questions. Often the student very well may realize the mistake and come right out with, "It's too centered." Then you have the perfect opportunity to guide one to a given conclusion without telling them. Either a digital crop or the old fashion L's that can be used to show the difference and the light goes on without it being threatening, harsh or personal.
What I have found is that if the student is able to do that for themselves, it serves as additional encouragement to keep working to get better.
lea murphy <lea@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Beatuful, Herschel, and spot on.LeaOn Jul 16, 2007, at 1:41 PM, Herschel Mair wrote:Criticism is like a razor. One slip and you've lost a photographer. It's responsible for more creative casualties than anything I know.Especially that double edged cut-throat cunningly named "CONSTRUCTIVE" criticism.....Constructive encouragement is more likely to bring out the best in a person.As teachers, if we want our students to grow the seed of creative power within themselves, we can only inform, nurture, encourage and support. They'll learn that what they see is not only valid but special, unique.They will come asking for the technical stuff soon enough. You can't work with all those dials and numbers and not get curious.We are not short of Ansels or Henris or any of the Westons.. God knows one of each is a sufficiency in this world. "Enough is as good as a feast"I especially don't want another Herschel Mair out there.Creativity is like a wild but very timid animal hiding in a dark cave. We need to lure it out into the light with tenderness, care and caution. One wrong move and it'll dart back in and never come outa there.herschelHerschel Mair
Head of the Department of Photography,Higher College of Technology
Muscat
Sultanate of OmanAdobe Certified instructor+ (986) 99899 673
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