Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:35 pm
At the risk of sounding like a smart *^& I think there's been a lot of generalization on both sides of this argument. Think that you've got to look at where anything anyone says in critique is coming from (get a thick skin)...and then go from there. People learn in differing ways too...some in groups..some from mentors...some by reading...some by being challenged and some by doing stuff themselves..eh? Myself...I'd rather comment on how something makes me 'feel' or think...especially after thinking about this (over the past while). Like Mikes ships going to the scrapyard seems sad...almost have a life of their own ships do..and think Mike has a sense of that in his photos of them...or of the tough life of working in the coastal industries...or some of Seans people shots sometimes speak to me of alienation in the technological world and how alone we all are. Or many of you others that I've seen photos from. I've gone to school...I know the rule of 3rds...the laws of perspective (well I made a fool of myself of that on lens properties when challenged - but I learned something from it) etc. etc. but I don't feel comfortable imposing my rules on others..especially if I don't understand what they are saying..or if they are saying something...On one hand if I poured my soul into 2000+ pics..it would be all poured out...and on the other hand if I do take an occasional shot that has real meaning to me and someone 'only' sees the clone or crop factor....I might find that very superficial... Yet if they helped me in any way to convey my intent I'd probably feel differently. I've only become really intrigued with photography as of late...and I'm not very good at it...not where I'd like to be... If I say the equivalent of WOW it's 'cause your photo is making me 'feel' something or think some way maybe I never thought before. Like I said before...you've gotta think and be very careful where someone is coming from in being critiqued or doing the critique. I think that's the important thing...and anything further I can say is redundant to what already I've said...and probably already is