I have finished ascribing marks to the lastest round of stills, acting 
for the first time in the role of "panel judge".  I think there are some 
  very impressive entries and I am enjoying the process very much. But I 
feel a little queasy when it comes to making comments.  There has been 
some discussion in the past which suggests the importance of comments, 
but I suddenly find that I am questioning what the assumed purpose of 
the comments might be.  I find I try and indicate to the artist how I 
respond to the image, and what higher meaning I might glean from it. 
But then I grow embarrassed and opt for the obigatory superlatives.  Is 
there an agreed apon purpose for the comments?
-Jim ( jrc### [at] aolcom )

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Well when I read comments on my entries I'm looking mostly for some measure
of how much people liked the image, and suggestions on how to improve it. I
think the latter is very important, because it would be frustrating for my
image to not do very well but not have any constructive criticisms.

I try to write comments that have suggested improvements to the image.
Though I do worry that sometimes my comments must seem very negative.

"Jim Charter" <jrc### [at] aolcom> wrote in message
news:3DC### [at] aolcom...
> I have finished ascribing marks to the lastest round of stills, acting
> for the first time in the role of "panel judge".  I think there are some
>   very impressive entries and I am enjoying the process very much. But I
> feel a little queasy when it comes to making comments.  There has been
> some discussion in the past which suggests the importance of comments,
> but I suddenly find that I am questioning what the assumed purpose of
> the comments might be.  I find I try and indicate to the artist how I
> respond to the image, and what higher meaning I might glean from it.
> But then I grow embarrassed and opt for the obigatory superlatives.  Is
> there an agreed apon purpose for the comments?
> -Jim ( jrc### [at] aolcom )
>

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Jim Charter <jrc### [at] aolcom> wrote in message
news:3DC### [at] aolcom...


I think it is better to just suggest improvements than to specifically
mention the areas which need improvement. If someone gets offended by even
that, then he can go f__k himself.

I find a few of the images in this round very exciting and don't have a
problem saying that, either. Some people won't understand what the
excitement is about, but others will be happy to know that the many hours
which they spent getting even a small detail right were not in vain.

 -Shay

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Jim Charter <jrc### [at] aolcom> wrote in message
news:3DC### [at] aolcom...

Now that the voting period is almost over, I am looking closely at the
images for which I only gave a brief comment and finding *nothing* else
productive to say. It is hardest for me when the image looks as if it were
done in a very short period of time. I'm sure the person *knows* what would
make the image better, he just didn't have the time to act on that
knowledge. In that case, no suggestions are useful because the artist has
not yet had a chance to reach the potential of his own ability or
imagination. A lot of praise isn't really appropriate either, because the
image is still almost in concept form. I have been writing encouraging, but
unfortunately generic comments in these cases. Things like "Nice start" or
"Looks great so far."

 -Shay

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>Jim Charter <jrc### [at] aolcom> wrote in message
>news:3DC### [at] aolcom...

Hi, my 1st post here... :)

I agree with tek, I like the constructive feedback on my images, and in
return I try to make constructive comments on others.  I would *hope* the
artist realizes that those are based on my perspective, which may or may
not be coming from the same left field.

And if he doesn't and wants to take it personal, oh well.  From what I've
seen, most seem to feel the same.

The feedback from others is integral to the whole competition, and you
(should) be aware of that going in, so leave the thin skin at home.


RG - just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean everyone's not out to get me

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Shay wrote:
> Jim Charter <jrc### [at] aolcom> wrote in message
> news:3DC### [at] aolcom...
> 
> Now that the voting period is almost over, I am looking closely at the
> images for which I only gave a brief comment and finding *nothing* else
> productive to say. It is hardest for me when the image looks as if it were
> done in a very short period of time. I'm sure the person *knows* what would
> make the image better, he just didn't have the time to act on that
> knowledge. In that case, no suggestions are useful because the artist has
> not yet had a chance to reach the potential of his own ability or
> imagination. A lot of praise isn't really appropriate either, because the
> image is still almost in concept form. I have been writing encouraging, but
> unfortunately generic comments in these cases. Things like "Nice start" or
> "Looks great so far."
> 
>  -Shay
> 
> 
> 
> 

I swear I agonize over the comments I make and then when I go back to 
reread them I find that they are very general seeming.  I guess I try to 
bring some sense of how the image affects me personally.  But I have 
never been able to comment on more than about 1/3 of the images.  My 
mind just seizes up at some point.  I believe it is an integral part of 
the process of art if you consider the process to include the reception 
of the image by the viewer. But I try to bring an intuitive component to 
   the process and I seem to poop out at some point.
-Jim

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gonzo wrote:
>>Jim Charter <jrc### [at] aolcom> wrote in message
>>news:3DC### [at] aolcom...
> 
> 
> Hi, my 1st post here... :)

Thanks for responding

> 
> I agree with tek, I like the constructive feedback on my images, and in
> return I try to make constructive comments on others.  I would *hope* the
> artist realizes that those are based on my perspective, which may or may
> not be coming from the same left field.

Yes I need to be reassured of this as a commentor.  I try to keep my 
comments on the plane of meaning and art rather than technical issues 
but I hope they are in some way constructive.
> 
> And if he doesn't and wants to take it personal, oh well.  From what I've
> seen, most seem to feel the same.
> 
> The feedback from others is integral to the whole competition, and you
> (should) be aware of that going in, so leave the thin skin at home.
> 
Yes you need to thicken the skin for art in general and the web in general.

> 
> RG - just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean everyone's not out to get me
> 
> 

My boss used to say that to me a lot :/

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