Quote Originally Posted by Todd Patten
Now, one more minor gripe. I do not want to come off like another poster on this board who can be perceived as aloof, but there have been some really sub-par images here recently. Many with little thought and creativity that appear more as snapshots than as an attempt to hone skills. Am I wrong in this perception? Honestly, I don't want to tackle a critique on these images as all I can do is attack them for being lackluster.
When I see an image from someone who seems to be wanting to improve (anyone who posts in Critique that is) that has a lot of faults I try to pick out one thing that can be easily be improved and is a technique that will also help the persons shooting on all their shots - something like "just before shooting, look all around the edges of the viewfinder and check that there isn't needless stuff in the frame". A person who is just trying to figure out how to make their pictures more than just snapshots doesn't need someone going off on them because there shot needs lots of improvement. Give them suggestions in small, attainable bites. They may also be pretty shy about posting what they already feel is not worthy and posts like this one, berating their efforts, don't help either. I know my skills have improved a LOT due to this site and theirs will too over time.