|
A professional would, at some point, want positive criticism from an experienced photographer or colleague, or at least be able to show that the photography is of a standard that can he/she can make a living from.
An amateur (literally: "Lover of...") may just take pictures that please him/her. No need to go any further, really, but many - I think most - do.... so the next questions are: "Are they good enough to be on the living room wall?", followed by "Are they good enough to submit to (or win) a competition". Then we're into a situation where some advice is needed. Do we take advice from just anybody? No - we value the advice given by people who are, relatively, expert. These may be the chap at the local camera shop, the neighbourhood photo expert that's always got a camera with him, a school teacher if it's a student, or, in many cases, a judge in camera club competitions.
I'd agree, in principle, with Phil's sentiment, "If people are not interested in what others have to say about a picture, then why would it matter if they need to be a decent photographer themselves before they say it?"...... but I know of nobody who takes a picture and doesn't want somebody to make a (hopefully) positive comment. Look at all the stuff people put on Facebook - and all the "Great Photo" comments they yearn for - for some lousy snapshot taken with a thumb over half the the lens and the proverbial telegraph pole sticking out of Auntie's hat.
I'm thinking.....
"I'm a great snooker player.... no, I've never played anybody in a real game, and nobody has asked me to be on their club team, but I know I'm very good".
|