[Leica] Searching -- Critiquing!

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca)]

Mark Rabiner offered:
Subject: Re: [Leica] Searching


>>>Ted I remember the slide show in Portland of the LHSA members. October 
>>>2002.
They shot some Agfa we gave them in their gift bags and we ran it real quick
and put them in trays. You and Sal were the narrators or judges. Normally a
camera like club just like the LUG people are less gung ho about the
photography thing maybe more into their "collections" as can be expected but
you and Sal DiMarco  just let these guys have it! Took no prisoners! Rung
them out to dry over the hot briskets! It was great to see for a change. A
few red faces but I think people were intrigued..
It can be frustrating all this mouth watering gear used in such a half assed
way. I think if a stamp collector got a pair of late breaking high tech
titanium tweezers he's be more adapt at using them than lots of the Leica
people I know know how to use their Leica gear. Its like they just got it
yesterday. 
It was great to see  I think a few of those guys got home and bought a brick
of film. Cellophane and all. Instead of the two rolls they always had in
their camera bag. And decided to be more in touch with their exquisite
equipment. Maybe even keep a lens or body long enough before selling it to
learn how to use.<<<<,

Good day Mark,
Yes I recall the Portland event..  :-) Rather cutting I believe! :-) Some 
folks came by later and privately offered a big thank you for opening their 
eyes to the errors of their photo ways. 
Sal and I quite openly took a "Show no mercy, take no prisoners" attitude. 
:-) What's the point of pussey footing and sweet talking about a photo that 
really just doesn't cut it? Certainly when the shooter's technique could be 
improved with a word or two from experience! 

Nobody learns how to make better pictures because:

1/ They can't take criticism about their work... Or praise as the case maybe.

2/ They take it as a personal affront about themselves. If a photog can't 
take it as comments about "their photograph only" then they shouldn't ask 
for comments and critique. Or as we see "C&C" welcome.

3/ Or worse?  "Who the hell are you telling me how take pictures?" I've had 
that a few times  :-) :-( That's when you quietly take the person to the 
side privately with the photo and explain the few things how he or she 
could've improved it. No point getting into a shouting or typing match.... 
"no body learns anything other than the combatants are both morons!"

4/ One should never make negative comments about a photograph unless you can 
come back with "WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT AND HOW TO IMPROVE IT!" 

In Portland we were all face to face in the same room much easier to 
converse. Here we have time delays and time of day that make a difference. 
Another thing, because we're on a list in many lands ... "when a critique is 
given to the photographer." 999 others can chip in with their versions, some 
of course agreeing with the original shooter and disagreeing with the 
"teacher - critique giver." In this case a verbal battle can occur and 
nobody wins. The good thing is... The LUG rarely becomes involved in this 
fashion. Thanks to the Saloon Keeper! :-) 

In the odd case I'll send a note off list to a photographer with a comment 
about the picture in question.... well OK in my mind their maybe a 
question... And I generally receive a pleasant return from said 
photographer. 

Onlist comments can be difficult at times. However on occasion we could use 
a few "show no mercy -- take no prisoners" comments. Not required very 
often, but there's always the danger of critiques crashing and burning that 
can hurt the conversation and camaraderie of the LUG.

BUT! And it's a very big BUT, whomever makes the "hard core" comment had 
better have a very good explanation on "HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER!" Or it's 
quite possible the gloves come off and?????????

cheers,
ted