valuable 3s - or how we can exercise to learn from our neightbours

Thanks to <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/4062848"> Ben S.

Initiative (Five) </a>, I have been lately browsing more and more portfolios and

realized there are *thousands* of extremely valuable images that we just don't

see becouse posted months ago and never got to trp: <i>Images so fine that can

define photographer's style and approach to photography</i>

<br><br>

here is the idea: why dont we all commit ourselves <b>to comment 3 valuable

images of a portfolio - plus a brief resume on the portfolio itself</b> each

time we log in. I have been doing this exercise from some time now, i have

<b>found new friends</b> thanks of it and i <b>have learnt more than my initial

expectations</b>.

<br><br>

Here is an example of 3 picks on a portfolio plus a final statement:

<br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/4750149">Pick One</a>

<br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/4756155">Pick Two</a>

<br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/4759271">Pick Three</a>

<br>

<a

href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/member-photos?user_id=2135378&include=all#portfolio">Final

Statement</a>

<br><br>

For what above, i commit over the next to month to select 3 valuable images on

other people's portfolio every time I log in the site - if 10 people will follow

the same commitment here.

<br><br>

<b>JOIN ME!</b>

<br><br>

sidenote: this is Ben S. Five's idea with a twist: finding a common liasion into

people's portfolios - so credit to Ben for Starting it all.

Guiseppe,<p align="justify">

Since I try to give importance to critic/comments sharing, it sounds like a very good idea for me but I fear that doing this each day ones logs in photo.net will be a bit heavy, I'm personally on PN almost every day. Limit this to once or twice a month could be easier for many of us.<p align="justify">

 

I had the honour you did it lately on mine and I'm grateful to you. Without joining you, I'll nevertheless try to find inspiration (write good critics/comments is as much difficult than take interesting photos) to participate to this experience but I don't feel able to do it each day I log in. Wish you'll understand me : )<p align="justify">

 

<i>PS: looks like you forgot to choose *HTML* on mine</i> ^_^

Yann... your objection sounds reasonable... so i will count into the initiative anyone that commits himself once a week - and hope this is not too much consuming for you and many others. I also hope to be able to count you into as first guest with this adjustment.

Please count me too! Although it's bit difficult for me to find out time to critique your way once per week, but I'll try to that atleast once per month. And, as Yann has mentioned, it's true that 'write good critics/comments is as much difficult than take interesting photos'. :)

 

Best wishes!

 

:)

ok then... we are in 2.. and to all the others, c'mon commit yourself at least once a week, it is a painless 10 miniutes work, but it pays off. :-)

I've been the object of a number of Yann's critiques, and I can asssure anybody who receives one, that he is among the most able commentators on Photo.net; a man who pays extraordinary attention not only to to detail, but also to composition and other matters of import to a photographer.

 

I've learned that when Yann critiques, it is important to pay attention, because I have yet to disagree with anything he's written. In fact, though he has yet to reach his metier as a photographer, he's one of Photo.net's leading lights as a critic -- giving lie to the notion that one must be a stellar photographer with a huge and high-rating portfolio in order to write critiques that are 'important'. He actually might have a future as a photo critic.

 

Yann's commitment above is important.

 

I also agree to write critiques as time permits (not every time I log on, as I'm pretty much always logged on, but at least every time I post, which is nearly daily).

 

Often for critiques, I choose what may be the very poorest image -- something posted obviously by a beginning photographer who hasn't yet got much of a clue, but who needs encouragement, but still needs to be told that he has not done a good job, and the trick is to say that with tact, in a 'constructive' way, so that it doesn't hurt feelings overmuch, and also points out how to make and post photos that don't repeat the intitial errors -- in other words to take a beginner and hold him/her metaphorically by the hand and say 'here, let me help you' with with respect (no snideness, condescension or sarcasm -- this site is not for that).

 

Everybody needs help, and I often got lots of that (and still do) whenever I asked for it (and sometimes when people just sensed something was amiss with my posts for which I thank all of them when they stepped in to help when I was a new member) I think more members could help by keeping that spirit alive.

 

John (Crosley)

so can we count you in? later i will create a page in which everyone that agrees to the commitment is listed.

I like the idea very much. I'll try to do it as often as I could....which I doubt it would be more than once a week.

 

Best of luck.

 

Cheers

 

M.H.

Although I am a rank amateur, I would be willing to give this effort a try. My critiquing skills are basic, but may help some on the beginner level. One thought I would add to this effort is when you are visiting a portfolio and believe that this photographer might be a valuable addition, we could invite them to join the group. It might also be worth first checking their recent critiques to see if they are constructive or not.

Thanks for the credit Guiseppe, but its more than I deserve, as the Five idea grew out of a collective sense, and has been furthered by many.

 

The original Five group made a commitment for a month to comment on a certain number of photos every time we logged in, and since then have been acting in that spirit, but without any specific commitment. That's worked best for me given other responsibilities in my days. If you don't mind, I'll support your idea in that same spirit.

 

I have been around here for awhile, participated in numerous forums, bought equipment, read articles, etc. -- even had a pic or two in the TRP (ya hang around long enough and anything can happen) -- I have found that the most satisfying experience is the exchange of honest, constructive ideas on posted photos with others. I've learned an enormous amount from doing so, and developed some valued virtual relationships along the way. Its well worth the time.

 

So -- the more initiatives the better! Every picture is worth a thousand words! Be a mate commenter! Give to receive!

 

And long live the willingness of many to give the gift of a critique.

. . . and Giuseppe, feel free to call me Bne.

Great Idea Giuseppe! Count me in! I'm just a beginner, so my critiques obviously won't be the most knowledgable. I will most likely comment on other amateurs' photos and portfolios and give encouragement, and share with them some of the great things I have learned here on pnet. :) I'm not sure how often I will be able to comment, as I am starting school next week. :( But I will try to do it as much as possible.

 

Megan

and 8 with me.... we need 2 more to go... any volounteers? C'mon guys, this is a nice idea, give it a spin, dont stay on your own.

by the way....

 

Ben, Megan, M.H., Yann, Pulok, Robert, John... welcome all on board.

How about whoever that wrote the critiques add a link to the page of the member here so others can view them as well...just in case they were interested?

 

This can make this tread a bit more interactive maybe.

 

Cheers

 

M.H.

That would be an excellent idea Misha, like i did abouve with the example selection, anyone could leave a link to the 3 images and to the portfolio statement so that anyone interested can read it.

<br><br>

i am preparing by the way a separate page like Ben did for five to have a common place where we can find each other... will post the link.

<br><br>

but we are still 8 (with me)... anyone else willing to join?

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/4880672">here</a> is a link to a discussion page we can use as reference for all those who are willing to partecipate to this experiment.

<br><br>

we are still short of 2 partecipants... anyone willing to try?

this is another example:

<br>

<ul><li>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/4683942">pick one</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/2313837">pick two (warning - it may be disturbing) </a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/4729434">pick three</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/member-photos?user_id=888636&include=all#portfolio"> Final Statement</a></li>

</ul>

<br>

Overally it took me 20 minutes to scroll the portfolio and make 3 representative picks, and consider this is a HUGE portfolio from a professional... so anyone willing to try can expect not to exceed this time.

<br><br>

<b>doing this excercise is simple and takes relatively few time, but gives you the opportunity to study deeply other people's work and learn and find also new friends</b>

<br><br>

give this inititative a try.

Hi Giuseppe and everyone, I think that's a very good and valuable idea in the same line as the great Ben's Five which was a really successful one. Count me in please, but I also can't promise much more than one or two portfolio critiques per month as nowadays I don't have that much time on my hands.

welcome alexandre, 2 portfolios a month are already good exercise.

<br><br>

whenever you want to comment a portfolio, if you are willing to let us know, you can post your ideas <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/4880672"> here </a>, Megan, that has just joined us, has already done so, and i will be doing so in the future....

<br><br>

so.... anyone else willing to try? everyone counts!

Glad to see you there Alexandre (I didn't comment on yours for a while... you could be my next target! ;P).<br>

This experience sounds as good as Ben's five!

Thanks Yann, but Five belongs to everyone, I just pick up the mail now and again.

i am interested as well. i look forward to honest and instructive criticism and hope to be able to give the same in return!

You are welcome Lucius...<br><br>

here is the <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/4880672"> public page of the initiative </a> where you can post a link to the portfolios you comment on (if you want to, it is not mandatory)... see you there... and i am adding you to the list tonight.

You are welcome Lucius...<br><br>

here is the <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/4880672"> public page of the initiative </a> where you can post a link to the portfolios you comment on (if you want to, it is not mandatory)... see you there... and i am adding you to the list tonight.