Distasteful or art? (Warning - graphic photo)

[Mad Aussie]

When giving critique some important few words are "in my opinion". If your going to give a point of view you must inform everyone that you don't blatently think you are right and there is no alternative. Photography is as subjective and music, movies and just about any other artform and you must be careful you are not seeming to dictate your point of view.

We can all learn from critique but you must remember that the poster is the artist and when posting he/she has posted the image they wanted to show. The colours, PP, composition were all chosen by them because thats what they chose by artistic preference. You must remember this when giving good critique.

You asked what WE think. Not whether we care what you think. You got exactly what you asked for. The truth as we saw it. There is no right or wrong here ... just different tastes of your image.

AND, if you re-read my first comment which you can see is NOT edited in any way ... my first words were ... "In my opinion "

My opinion NOW ... is that you were too easily offended and have gone onto the defensive after hearing things you didn't want to hear.

Here's a tip ... if you can't handle what others think (which is only their subjective opinion anyhow) ... don't ask for their opinions.


I looked at those examples you put up ... dead gull , dead horse. Both black and white to convey the death more creatively and both taken from a more creative angle. Again, just my opinion ... but again ... you asked!

[Siejones]

You asked what WE think. Not whether we care what you think. You got exactly what you asked for. The truth as we saw it. There is no right or wrong here ... just different tastes of your image.

AND, if you re-read my first comment which you can see is NOT edited in any way ... my first words were ... "In my opinion "

My opinion NOW ... is that you were too easily offended and have gone onto the defensive after hearing things you didn't want to hear.

Here's a tip ... if you can't handle what others think (which is only their subjective opinion anyhow) ... don't ask for their opinions.


I looked at those examples you put up ... dead gull , dead horse. Both black and white to convey the death more creatively and both taken from a more creative angle. Again, just my opinion ... but again ... you asked!

Now we are getting offensive!

Yes black and white would make all the difference and nothing would have been said then. They are both from above...how's that more creative than my above shot? The slight angle.....oooohh I see

Nevermind....

[Mad Aussie]

Now we are getting offensive!

Yes black and white would make all the difference and nothing would have been said then.

Nevermind....

You have a thing with 'offensive' it seems. Obviously (in my opinion), you are beyond reasonable discussion and have chosen to elevate the discussion to places it need not have gone.

If you come here with preconceived views and inflexibility towards your images then why ask anyhow about them?

And making your image black and white may have helped a little but would not have satisfied my view that your image lacked creative composition.

[Siejones]

You have a thing with 'offensive' it seems. Obviously (in my opinion), you are beyond reasonable discussion and have chosen to elevate the discussion to places it need not have gone.

If you come here with preconceived views and inflexibility towards your images then why ask anyhow about them?

And making your image black and white may have helped a little but would not have satisfied my view that your image lacked creative composition.

Yes the slight angle change the "master" photographer eliot porter chose would have made all the difference.

Yes I am upset and offended because what I am hearing is just feable excuses for utter nonsence. Of coarse you wouldn't slate a renowned master photographers work but your excuses for comparsions are very very weak.

[Barefoot]

[Mad Aussie]

Put your popcorn away Barefoot I'm done wasting effort on someone who thinks they have nothing to learn and want to be abusive about it. I'd be better off going and making a website called www.onlymyopinionmatters.com for guys like SJ there.

[Siejones]

Put your popcorn away Barefoot I'm done wasting effort on someone who thinks they have nothing to learn and want to be abusive about it. I'd be better off going and making a website called www.onlymyopinionmatters.com for guys like SJ there.

At what point did I say that my opinion was all that mattered? Please note who gets offensive first and how much more offensive they are. This post as an example.

I give my opinions in return and you don't like it so go on the attack.

Well considering you live on this forum it's probably not wise not make an enemy of you so that's pretty much it for me on here I suppose. Shame really there are not many good forum's out there. It only takes one to ruin it for everyone.

[Mad Aussie]

Oh don't hold back on my account SJ. Trust me ... marko would (and will if he feels the need) reprimand me as quickly as the next person. No one is irreplaceable here.

I haven't attacked you in any way and you saying it, doesn't make it true seeing as my unedited comments are all up there for all to see. The viewers can see I tried to be reasonable and took time to explain myself. They can also see how you chose to twist my words for own viewpoint. I simply responded to try to further explain my viewpoint.

All this because you asked an opinion and didn't wish to be open about it. 3 opinions actually. 3 opinions out of however many frequent the forums here. Not sure reacting so quickly to 3 opinions is very productive but that's your call.

I didn't say I was trying to diffuse ... I said I wouldn't bother after seeing your childish reaction. If you choose to act like this I'm happy enough to oblige as you've seen.

In the end though if you feel your image is good then fine. Use it or sell it or whatever it is you intend to do with such an image. It's your image. I've sold images people thought were crap and the purchaser thought them wonderful. 'Subjective' as you said.

But don't come here and ask for an opinion and then get huffy because someone didn't like your pet or agree with your view.