...Through Mist...

Another shot of the boat Najaden that lies side by side with Halmstad

Castle (Sweden). The mist was heavy that day. No alterations has been

made except a little crop.

Honest comments are most welcome.

Regards,

Patrick J

I really like this scene. Well composed. You are privileged to have such subject matter to photograph.

-s

Thank you all so far for your fine comments! =) I love those misty days.. then im out photoing like crazy!

Cheers

Patrick J

A nice composition. The mist make a big sensation to the photo.

Regard.

RN.

To the one giving it 3/3.. Sad that you cant say why you dont like this image and what i could improve.. or is it that you wanted to lower the overall rate? Sometimes i wonder why i bother to upload things at all....

/Patrick J

I wouldn't worry about the 3/3. The whole rating system is BS. It is an insult to our intelligence. Can you imagine the opening of an art show at a museum where the artist is present and they unveil his latest paintings, and several members of the audience hold up big ugly cards with rating numbers on them? What a gauche insult that would be. They would be promptly escorted outside, wouldn't they? Think of that and it puts this sytem in better perspective, I think. If you want me to remove this post, I will, but I think it needs to be said. I like your work (and so do lots of the others here who took the time to view, enjoy, and comment on it).

Keep shooting and posting.

-s

You are right to 100% about this. Interesting part is that the person removed the 3/3. I shouldnt bother about it but i wasnt in a good mood when i posted that.. hehe. I dont want you to remove your post since i agree with you fully. Problem with rating systems is that those with most friends (on the site) often gets the best rates and/or most comments. Sometimes i see master works getting 1/1s and crap work 7/7. As long as the photographer knows that he/she is good i guess he/she doesnt bother much.. but if they are in the state of learning like i?m i guess it can be a dissapointment to sometimes get such bad rates on photos that you thought were strong.

Thanks for your input about this and your comment! =)

Regards,

Patrick J

Rare indeed will I dole out a 3 or less. The tough thing about critiquing for me is that in some images there will be attributes that are "cutting edge" so to speak. And then there will be other attributes in the same image that reduce it to what seems less than amateur. This is compoumded today with modern digi cameras that do 30 percent of the work with no help from the proud shutterbug.

And one last observation about critiquing: Since high-rez cameras are affordable by the general population and anyone with a bendable finger can push a shutter button can get a crisp image. Being impressed with the output far better than they got with the old Polaroid, the word "photographer" is broadened to include "shutterbug." Add to that the learning of a few buzz words "crop," "lighting" or "composition" (without knowing a thing about any of it, such people begin to "rate" images according to a lack of knowledge, on what is "cute," etc. Good images are rebuffed because they cannot figure why anyone would shoot a long row of mail boxes at a trailer park. But the cute kid with ice cream on the face gets high marks even if composition doesn't exist.

I know that there is a lot of good work on this site I have zero knowledge to allow me to rate. I would not know how to rate. Art is too broad....even within the scope of skill.

Such is life on the Net and particularly our wonderful PhotoNet.

Certo

PS: The above image is marvelous. Crisp and soft and nicely composed.

Yes.. you are right.. i take abstract shots as well and often get really low ratings on all sites on them. Best ratings gets nude female, cute cats/dogs/kids and landscapes! Nothing to do about it though for a site like this.. as they cant kick those that cant rate properly! hehe Its all about style and liking in the end after all...

Thanks for your thought about this matter!

Regards,

Patrick J

I agree with most of what you said. Regarding one comment, I have to throw 2 more cents into the discourse.

You say, "...and anyone with a bendable finger can push a shutter button can get a crisp image. Being impressed with the output far better than they got with the old Polaroid, the word "photographer" is broadened to include "shutterbug."

My opthamologist said something similar to me while making small talk during an exam. He said, 'now we have digital cameras, and everyone's an expert.'

Well, maybe, and maybe not. It might be better to say, 'everyone thinks he/she is an expert. I think a brain and some knowledge is still required to make quality photographs, and aesthetics has not changed, just the proliferation of shapshooters. Maybe we're saying the same thing. One of the reasons I acquired a couple of "retro" pro-digital SLR's is that they require the operator to learn in order to get anything useful out of them, and they are a challenge. But then, that's just me. What do you think, Patrick?

-s

I dont think the problem is the persons getting a digital camera thinking they are masters of photography but when these people critique others work... They dont try to see the Artistic side.. they only look at the motive and if its cute or "beutiful" they give it max points.. and if they dont understand it or see what its supposed to be they put very low numbers. Easist way to see thats this is the truth is to see which photos that gets the highest possible points and max viewers.. its the naked woman shots and "beutiful" shots. Nothing wrong with those two groups but i think the toplist would look different if only "pros" gave the rates.

Ive also noticed a trend on places like this to give their "friends" max points on every photo.. and even give super points to crap photos. I try my best to be honest when i give critiques and the best critique i get is when the person looking at it tells me what they like and dislike.. and if they see a change for the better.. they tell me.

Ive seen top photographers putting up fantastic art and gets 1/1 and be told to learn taking photos.. hehe.. no wonder many artists leave places like this. Imagine someone coming in to a art show telling the artist that his art is crap and that he should learn to take photos... i have a feeling he would get kicked out that show rather fast.

Regards,

Patrick J