Thanks for clarifying, David, and for always thinking about how to keep critique alive on this site.
I can’t remember when I first joined—maybe around 2008 or so? It was before David was managing it. I remember that transition.
Back then, members would sometimes include the statement,“Please do not download and edit my images.” We also used to have a gallery forum, which was no critique, just presenting work. As noted when we abandoned the gallery, there are plenty of places to showcase one’s photography, and this is not that. Critique is what we’re all here for, but also community, and perhaps the latter is more important for some of us.
I think it’s a good idea to encourage those who find visual critique presumptuous to simply add “Please don’t edit my images” to their signature when they share an image. If I know they are uncomfortable with visual critique, I can just be descriptive.
I have stepped on some toes recently by assuming visual critique is always welcome. I had a good direct message conversation with the person after this thread popped up. I have a better understanding that not everyone is comfortable with visual critique. Last winter I called cropping screenshots of folks’ work both “my super-power and my toxic trait,” but I thought I was being funny by calling it a toxic trait. Now, I’ll look more carefully at what folks ask for and not go beyond that. It’s hard. I like playing with images. I just need to shoot more of my own
.
Here’s the thing: It’s okay if we all have different feelings about our work being altered. For me, even if I think an image is as good as I can make it, I share it here to make it and me better, and letting someone else flip, rotate, take into PS and do wizardry is okay. Seeing their results motivates me. I just want to learn. That’s what I’m here for. Of course, others are more advanced and don’t need the lessons I need to see images differently. We can specify what we do and do not want.
Any-hooo, I’m not sure any site changes are necessary, David. Just clarifying our own boundaries when we post is always good.
Thanks for this thoughtful discussion everyone.
ML