I have to say Ruth, that while the initial intent of the post was a rant, it's turned into something quite educational IMHO. I'm hesitant to critique except in circumstances, and I'm certainly critical of my own work. 

You're very right about the process of peer and mentor review being nerve wracking. Part of that is to remove the feeling of being precious about imagery. Being able to put yourself into your work, but be able to stand apart from it is terrifying. It makes me think of a painter friend of mine that loved to paint and hated selling his paintings! Lack of money eventually fixed that. 

The other aspect of review is the where. I used to fastidiously enter the SWPP competition every month. I stopped because, while it's nice to get the Gold, I didn't like the bulk of the winners and there's no review process to understand what they felt needed to be done to improve the image. 

I'm not really aware of any cliques as such here, but yes there are people that know each other and communicate off site as well. And others in the same area. While it has changed a bit recently, this site is based in N.I. and has a very strong northern membership. That may seem like a clique but it's because they know each other personally anyway. There's 4 or 5 Galway photographers here (1 model from Gort is about it in the model side), so of course we'll comment on each others work. 

I really do think that there need to be a critque mechanism on the site anyhow. Even just a forum. 

Hi Ruth

I have been there and done what you have done on this site, I wrote a similar blog a long time ago and was for leaving the site altogether, some of them very personal attacks on me indeed, and believe me when you have trained in a different field from photography and try to learn the art form afresh people can sure question your motives when shooting models and believe me these attacks are very hard to take and very demoralizing indeed.

But the one thing I would say some of the other constructive criticism leveled at my images wile they annoyed me (at the start) where quite correct and for this reason I am very particular of the images I post, not to shield me from criticism but to improve my portfolio, but you sure have to learn who to take it from and who not! , which I find easy have a look at someone’s portfolio (Not Professional or Amateur) and look at the standard of images , and all I can say is most of the ones that have replied to your post are worth listening to , in my option 3 or 4 of the best !  

There sure are some sinister comments makers on here but some very very good photographers whose brains are well worth a picking and words are well worth listening to.

Sure I know I have an even longer way to go than you and most others but I sure am grateful for the knowledge gained from this site!

Martin

wow, i am amazed by the response to my rant. and really appreciate all of you taking the time to write some lenghty comments.

i feel i should clear up a few points raised...

my
blog was prompted by many different attacks on my work and my
individual style of shooting. now, i can handle a lot of shit thrown my
way, to wuss out with this emotional blog is not common for me. ( if
someone else had posted this blog, i probably would have the same
reaction as Thorston)

and I am all for constructive criticism, i see it as the best tool for learning, I have faced hundreds of public crits
over the years, they were terrifying but essential to my education. i
also work for a press agency and in there if you cant handle the
criticism and your work isn't up to scratch then your out, simple as
that.so I'm well used to this big bad business.

I am still
learning in this fashion game, i may have a qualification, but what i
learned in college was limited to fine art photography. i recognise
that i have an immense amount to learn about the fashion photography
industry, and was hoping to extract as much advice and knowledge from
this site and other photographers as i could...

but my
experience has been less than pleasant. differentiating between
constructive criticism and downright negativity can be hard at times...
but unfortunately I'm faced with the latter more times than not on this
site. i tend to agree with Ger that there is a clique-ish element to this site... i guess its natural in every community.

i
respect other photographers opinions and criticism as we all read from
a different perspective...something which makes photography eternally
intriguing. i would love to continue to communicate with you all
through this unique site. And i think the best way for me to do this is
to ignore those folk who cannot behave professionally.

Once
again i apologise for my inappropriately emotional rant. And I'd like
to thank all of those who sent me some lovely kind messages...

oh and Tim, I agree, my language is verging on the "girlie" side, but i am female. ;)

R

I have to say I love readiing these rants from time to time, as I find them very funny, as a Photographer you need to have a thicker skin, because as mention by others photography is very subjective, not everyone will like your work or view point, I'm with Thorsten for not commenting on peoples work unless I know they can take critiques, unfortunitely by posting this many will not want to make a helpful comment in the future as you may take it the wrong way and feel you have to post about it.

I have been a member of folio from the start, I can honestly say that I don't feel there are many cliques, there will be those who chat and shoot together often, but thats sometimes because they are from the same area, but does that make it a clique?

When someone leaves me a comment, I take a look at their work, to see the standard, which i will compare with my own, everyone can learn from critique, indeed everyone has to be able to take critique in the modelling industry, because if you end up working for a designer/publication you will need a thick skin, as these people will tell you if your work is good or sh*t.

Now I hope you don't feel that I am being bitchie (its such a girlie term) but I have looked at your portfolio, and to be honest I feel you have still alot to learn AS DO I by the way, infact I would say that everyone on folio 32 has room to learn and improve, so please don't get upset, as most photographers are not being bitchie, how will any off us learn if we only get comments like 'Amazing pic Hun' although nice to read, it doesn't help improve our work, just gives us a big head, which really isnt warranted most of the time,

thats my rant over LOL

tim

I guess since you're fully qualified and professional, you don't need to develop any more?


Now that could be classed as a bitchie comment !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ger

I really don't see what being qualified, nor professional has to do with anything? Your images should speak for themselves, so it shouldn't be necessary to try and justify your position. You need to take good comments with bad.. would you have started this thread if everyones said "WOW... your work is AMAZING??"

Fact is, it's not possible to create an image that pleases everyone and another fact is that constructive criticism is a very important tool to help develop your skills. Although, I guess since you're fully qualified and professional, you don't need to develop any more?

If you love shooting, then continue to do so. If you don't like critique, then don't post.. just enjoy the process of shooting.

Was this blog prompted by a comment someone left on one of your images or did someone make a jibe or orattack against you personally? If the former, then it once again reinforces the reasons why I and so many others like me don't bother with critiquing or commenting on the vast majority of images left on here. If the latter, then this is an issue you should take up with the site administrator or moderators.

As I've mentioned before, I now only comment on images from certain individuals. These are people that I know personally, or that I know have a genuine interest in other's opinions and don't seem them as a personal attack. In most cases these are also people that know that the comments I leave are left in good faith.

As someone who has had the benefit of a formal photographic education, you should know better than most that photography is as much about subjective vision as it is about rules and regulations and just because you like something, it doesn't mean that the next peson is going to like it. If this is something that you're not happy with, then perhaps photography is the wrong career for you. Then again, how many members on here can say they've had work published in national press (never mind on the front pages)? So you must be doing something right, right?

I have to admit, my initial reaction when I read your blog was to just say "Get over it!" I know that probably sounds harsh and uncaring but if you were in my shoe's you'd realise there are far more important things to be getting upset about (like where is next months mortgage payment going to come from!). If you're really passionate about your photography, then "negative and slightly bitchy" comments will just be like water off a ducks back. Whenever anyone leaves comments on my images that I may not be totally happy with, I try to detach myself from the image and ask myself if what the person is saying makes sense and in most cases it does and it gives me a new perspective on the image. Sometimes certain people that haven't got a clue what they are talking about leave particularly snide remarks, and I just tend to leave those comments there for others to have a good laugh at the person that left them.

I've been on folio32 longer than most and have often had people tear shreds off me. It hasn't stopped my enjoyment of the site because I don't take them personally. So, pull yourself together and have the courage of your convictions to keep doing what you do - there'll be a stronger you coming out the other side when you do.

- Thorsten.

Hey Ruth,

Hows it going well the big thing is not to worry F them all if u like the pics they are great thats the most important person to please u self and u are probably u worst critic.
I could not comment on u male model pics because the whole male model thing does nothing for me.I do not like all u stuff but I do like some of it in particular the lydia ones.

this site as in all clubs is full of clicks u either in or out,any way try being a motorsport photographer the stupidity u will here from so called professionals will make u throw up stupid comments like OH its a pic of a car why did u not go into service and get people working on the car the human side ????????? or why did u not pan it  or a car does not get that height off the ground u must have used photoshop GRRRR.

Do u own thing and if u make money at what u love doing  well u are one of the luckiest people in the world F the begrudgers.  

I had a day off one time and covered a charity golf thing I was taking pics of 3 lads going out with Mick Galway a few years back when one of the other 3 players said he is not the real photographer the real photographers are comming later !!!!! and he lives 100 yrds away from me .but revenge was sweet my friendly neighbour wanted a pic of himself but could not ask me so another guy came to me looking for a particular pic.
He paid dearly for his stupid comments.    

Still most people are nice except for the odd day thats windy and all the nuts blow in.

Ger

Smile through it all girl  or they will drive u nuts