First Impression vs Technical Discussion

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Archive 2008 · First Impression vs Technical Discussion

Steady Hand
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p.2 #1 · First Impression vs Technical Discussion

My belief is that Impressions style image discussion has several positive benefits for the forum community.

Over the last 60 days or so since I started posting my "Impressions style" threads here, I have received numerous PMs and emails from people who have commented that they enjoyed reading the impressions as they saw a different approach to discussing photography. These comments are based on 47 Impressions threads posted so far.

Some said it caused them to "think" about the posted image in a different manner. And a few said this helped them "think" about their own work in a different way...with positive results and better understanding.

Some stated they enjoyed participating in the discussions too.

Another point: Several people commented that they were "lurkers" who found the Impressions threads as a friendly or open way to discuss a photo without having to defend their technical credentials or technical experience. A few said the Impression they left was one of the first or one of the very few comments they ever left on any type of image post.

So...I think some of the goals I had are being met by this different style of image discussion.

It is bringing some new people into the discussion of images and participation on the forum. It is also proving to be a "non-threatening" type of discussion of the imagery and seems "open" to all levels of photographic skill or experience. I think those are good things.

Once again, I encourage everyone to try an Impressions style thread with one of their own images. It can be very interesting to look at the image by focusing on the intent and the emotional impressions while putting the technicals aside. Seeing how others "see or feel" the image can be very valuable and often fun.

Jul 16, 2008 at 05:20 PM

T-bone1
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p.2 #2 · First Impression vs Technical Discussion

Gotta add this, too, as a testament to impressions.
Recently took candids for a co-worker/friend wedding. The hired photographer produced outstanding work, and they were very happy with the package they received.
However, I am thrilled that their favorite shot was one of mine. It is the one she uses for her computer wallpaper at work, and the one they are having enlarged for hanging. The real kicker: I converted to black/white and used selective coloring on the boquet! I KNOW how most folks here react to that. Impressions matter, because I'm certainly not technically astute!

Jul 17, 2008 at 02:48 AM

Burk Young
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p.2 #3 · First Impression vs Technical Discussion

Great topic dug up once again from the bowels of FM...

There has seemingly been a surge of some back and forth comments in several posts... It is GREATLY appreciated when you post if you let us (at least me) know what you are looking for... just a laugh, C&C, impressions?

Anyway I try to give what is asked for... impression, C&C, or if they dont ask for anything maybe I give a general kudos but some folks seem to get upset when they post something without asking for C&C and folks give it assuming thats what they wanted...

Anyway been thinking about this for a bit and clicked on this discussion through Steady's post and thought I would revive it.

Dec 02, 2008 at 04:48 PM

Y_vdm
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p.2 #4 · First Impression vs Technical Discussion

Hum, interesting discussion, like a meta-view, especially because it is on the people photography forum.

When I post a picture to this forum, it's a way to "test" how the picture works, and to enhance my skills. A bit like hanging the picture on a wall of a gallery.

Imagine to be the artist exposing his creations in a gallery and anonymous listening to the visitor's comments. Comments about "impression" are the most valuable, because his artistic intentions, but comments about technical and/or composition are also interesting to get why it works or not.

And that's the point : the best comments (steady provides a lot of those) are the comments explaining why the composition or technical faults produce an impact on the impression. If I look to my first pictures and to the ones that I try to create now, I have to thank many of the forum contributors, because they helped me, with comments on the technical aspects to improve the way I can express an impression.

By the way, seen from here, in Belgium (small country in Europe, between France and Germany), the opinions from US photographers on my pictures are highly interesting because most of the time, based on a cultural related point of view.

I'm unhappy that my English (my mother language is French) is so bad that I can't explain to other posters why their pictures works / don't works for me but I try sometimes and I hope it helps.

Dec 02, 2008 at 09:03 PM

Burk Young
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p.2 #5 · First Impression vs Technical Discussion

Votre anglais est beaucoup de mieux que mon français, un de mes bons amis qui je havent vu est un peu plus tard de Belgique et j'ai utilisé pour aimer les discussions sur les impressions basées culturelles, non seulement d'art mais des choses de vie.

S'il vous plaît excuser le français de ceci traduction en ligne, mon est si vieil il n'y aurait pas d'autre espoir de votre peut me comprendre.

That being said it helps a bunch :-)

Dec 02, 2008 at 09:47 PM

Steady Hand
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p.2 #6 · First Impression vs Technical Discussion

Y_vdm wrote:
Hum, interesting discussion, like a meta-view, especially because it is on the people photography forum.

When I post a picture to this forum, it's a way to "test" how the picture works, and to enhance my skills. A bit like hanging the picture on a wall of a gallery.

Imagine to be the artist exposing his creations in a gallery and anonymous listening to the visitor's comments. Comments about "impression" are the most valuable, because his artistic intentions, but comments about technical and/or composition are also interesting to get why it works or not.

And that's the point : the best comments (steady provides a lot of those) are the comments explaining why the composition or technical faults produce an impact on the impression. If I look to my first pictures and to the ones that I try to create now, I have to thank many of the forum contributors, because they helped me, with comments on the technical aspects to improve the way I can express an impression.

By the way, seen from here, in Belgium (small country in Europe, between France and Germany), the opinions from US photographers on my pictures are highly interesting because most of the time, based on a cultural related point of view.

I'm unhappy that my English (my mother language is French) is so bad that I can't explain to other posters why their pictures works / don't works for me but I try sometimes and I hope it helps.

Votre Anglais est tres bien!

Easy to understand and very clear.

I enjoyed reading your POV on this issue and believe the "Gallery Wall" example is a good one.

Having had an art gallery exhibit with many images literally "on the wall" and exposed to thousands of visitors, I heard all kinds of comments.

The ones that went: "I wonder what kind of paper he uses?" were not as fun to hear as the ones that went, "This is so beautiful and grips me in my heart for the emotion I see."

You mention the cultural differences too. I am glad you brought that into this discussion too. One of my big goals is to better understand how cultural differences affect our perceptions of simple things. Hence...one of my reasons for my own "Global Impressions Project."

Dec 02, 2008 at 10:08 PM

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