The flaw in all these schemes and rules (or is it codes of practice) for commenting on other's work is fine if you are a professional critic - in reality most are not. It's not just Photoforum - but other forums where "artists" share their work - contributors are upset if there are no comments, but attack anyone who dares to comment negatively. Maybe FB has it right ... there is a LIKE button but no more ... no hate, no boring, nothing else. Some people spend their whole lives (it seems at times) begging for those elusive LIKES as if it matters. I'd propose an alternative: Critic: "Your picture sucks, it's the worst photo, if you can call it a photo that's ever been shown in the gallery, the gun is in the wrong place, the highlights are blown out, it's blurred in all the places I want it sharp and sharp where you've over-used the unsharp mask. Horizon isn't level ... ete .... etc" Artist: "Thanks for taking the time to comment." Rob (not an artist) >----Original Message---- >From: michaelhughes7a@xxxxxxx >Date: 29/03/2014 22:50 >To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students"<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Subj: Re: Rendering Judgment on the Gallery > >Fair enough if you are in a debate, commenting on a text book, or some >other piece of writing since the author's position is explicit but with >a picture the artist's purpose or aim is implicit. > >Michael in Norwich > >You should attempt to re-express your target’s position so clearly, >vividly, and fairly that your target says, “Thanks, I wish I’d thought >of putting it that way > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: John Palcewski <palcewski@xxxxxxxxx> >To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students ><photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Sent: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 16:00 >Subject: Rendering Judgment on the Gallery > > > >Regarding the difficulty of commenting on members' photos in the >gallery, here's Daniel Dennett, a philosopher, and his ideas as to how >to "Criticize with Kindness." >He asks, “Just how charitable are you supposed to be when criticizing >the views of an opponent?” [Or a PhotoForum member's photograph!] >Answer: Compose a successful critical commentary: >1.You should attempt to re-express your target’s position so clearly, >vividly, and fairly that your target says, “Thanks, I wish I’d thought >of putting it that way. >2.You should list any points of agreement (especially if they are not >matters of general or widespread agreement). >3.You should mention anything you have learned from your target. >4.Only then are you permitted to say so much as a word of rebuttal or >criticism. >If only the same code of conduct could be applied to critical >commentary online, particularly to the indelible inferno of comments. >Read the whole thing here: >http://bit.ly/1dXpMd4> > >
