The perils of getting photography advice online.
It's not often that I feel compelled to write an article like this, but given the poor form of some photographers on a Whirlpool forum recently, I feel the need to comment on the dangers of asking the opinions of other photographers online, especially in forums.
I was recently involved in a forum topic whereby the vast majority of the photographers continued to insult and ridicule the work of another photographer. In my opinion this is incredibly poor form, especially when it is followed by big naming yourself.
Photography is many different things to different people. There is no right or wrong answer. Some people specialise in landscapes, some in portraits, and others in fine art. What pleases one viewer may disgust or inspire another. It is not a photographers role to defame the work of another. By doing so they discourage creative expression and exploration. Knowingly, or unknowingly I believe photographers who engage in public bashing of other peoples work damage the institution of photography.
So for those of you who might question your own work, I would highly recommend that you stay away from photography forums and search for advice in teachers, friends and family. Online photography forums are nothing more than machines of compliance channeling photographers into bland and predictable normality. Most of the members are not there to help others, rather it would seem they are there to beat down the competition.