The whipping post scares me

jkcashin

OK, I've been a dgrinner since July 2006 and I've never posted in the whipping post because frankly, it scares me. So I have been nagging a friend to join dgrin and he did... and where does he put one of his first, if not the first post? The whipping post! http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=82298

Anyway, I notice people posting in other sections asking for C&C. What's the difference between posting a picture in "People" and asking for C&C and posting that same picture in the whipping post? Is the whipping post just a more "tough" C&C request?

Jamie

Andy

Jamie, don't be afraid. We grow as photographers, much more, from honest, thoughtful, helpful critique:

Hypothetical Critiquer wrote:

Hi Jamie, I really love the overall shot here, the colors are gorgeous, and the scenery is beautiful.

Couple of criticisms: You've put the main subject (that really cool craggy old tree) dead center, and so my eye is visually drawn right to it, and I'm missing most of the rest of the photo. This might be a classic example of a rule-of-thirds composition, where if you adjusted your compo, the shot would be visually more appealing, and also work to give us juuuuust a bit more of that cool little stream over there on the left.

Your horizon line is not level - that's a huge distraction and this can easily be fixed in post processing (post in the Finishing School if you need to learn how).

Good job though, and this photo is good, and with a few changes, can be really good Keep it up!

So there you have it, a S*** Sandwich.

Isn't that much better than "nice shot!"

Jump in, the water's fine.

SloYerRoll

The main difference to me is the whipping post is only for my "A" game shots where I really want to put it to the test. Like the sticky says in TWP, it's your one shot for the photo editor of Vanity Fair. Are you gonna post your "do you think this works?" shot in there (paraphrased).

In any other forum I post in, I'd love to hear feedback (I always do) but I'm not asking you to really nit over the shot. If there's a little branch in the bottom left corner of the shot that you have to look for even after you point it out. It's not that big of a deal to me.

-Jon

DavidTO

Yep. The Whipping Post is for your A game, alright.

It's also the place where you post not looking for generic comments, or technical details on how to do such and such, but for in-depth critique. It's an opportunity for you to develop your own critical eye, as well, through your own critiques and reading the critiques of others.

Is the WP always spot on? No. It often falls short of the mark. But it's an ideal that is worth striving for, IMO. Show us your best work. Give us your best critique. Not just "it's soft" but how does the image make you feel? What does it say to you? What about the image supports that, and what distracts?

jkcashin

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I guess it's probably gettin' on time then!

I don't really share much on here of my own work.. I'm still not happy with it enough to share with everyone here, but Andys point that that's exactly how we grow really struck a chord with me. I'll just have to take the plunge then.

Jamie