Unsolicited Photo Critiques and Online Etiquette

I came across a post in a Facebook photography group recently asking for comments on a blog post. The topic said “Photographers Should be Criticized.” The notion in the post and in the Facebook discussion that followed is pretty simple. If you post something online, he feels you're subjecting your work for public critique.

I don't agree with this premise.

Critique is a useful method to learn and grow, not only as a photographer. It helps with writing and other creative endeavors. I've received welcome critiques from photographers better than I am. They helped me refine my photography and improve.

There is a very key difference between a consensual critique and an unsolicited photo critiques.

Providing an unsolicited photo critique creates a good chance of wasted effort. Your effort may come across as insulting, or simply be lost on someone who isn't ready to learn the lesson you intended.

The author of this post seems to think that a critique needs to be scathing, as he refers to “being blasted” by criticism.

I disagree.

Joe McNally is a master at conducting a critique. I attended a couple of his workshops and a daily critique of your photos is part of the process. Each morning, we gathered to show our photos before the entire class while Joe observes and comments.

He was never abusive or blasted anyone. Instead, he had an amiable way of asking what you intended and offered advice about how you could approach your shot, improve with a different technique, etc. If he liked your photo, he told you.

Joe is gracious with his praise and critique.

Everyone Receives Criticized. Here's How I Deal With It.

Occasionally, I receive unsolicited photo critiques on my photos shared online. The way I handle it is rather low key. Assuming the comment isn't abusive, I simply thank them for their input. If it's over the top, I ignore the criticism completely.

When I engage in something that I don't want in the first place, then it just grows and ends upon being a bad experience for everyone.

So my advice is simple. Don't feed the trolls.

About a month later, it seems that the author removed the post. Maybe he received criticism he didn't like.

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