Constructive critique can be awesome in helping us grow, whether its a hobby or our job. I'm sure I wouldn't be where I am in my photography if I hadn't received the critique I have. In fact, I feel like I should solicit more but I'm not managing to post often. At Clickinmoms photography forum we have (amongst many subforums) two different ones for sharing photos called "Picture Share" and "Serious Critique." Picture Share's description is "Share your photos! This is a non-critique area." Serious Critique's description is "Post your images here for straightforward, intense critique by fellow members. Please see the RULES (stickied) on requesting and providing critiques. Comments that are not helpful/constructive will be deleted." Furthermore there has been much discussion about what makes critique constructive. CM even published a digital magazine on the topic a few months ago. There were a lot of examples such as . . . non-constructive critique -- This is beautiful! constructive critique -- The depth of field you chose makes the flower really pop! @lmccandless I strongly vote yes for a critique forum. I don't care if it's open but if it's more likely to happen by making it private or invisible, then I'd be willing to log in or sign up for it.
I have definitely had help from other scrappers here, among others @MrsPeel ,@cfile ,@carilyne ,@AnneofAlamo ,others too in big or small ways, with hints, remarks, new ideas, links, inspiration , and even page long explanations ,all were welcome,-all were helpful . I do think though that if we do have a forum then it should be closed to people who does not wish to use it, and only asked for opinions should be aired. I do belong to a British site, were most members are super nice and supportive, but sometimes the forums "smoke" with resentment, and the mods have to close the threads. I would hate that to happen here.
I am thinking about @michelepixels comments on critiquing photos. I have taken several photography classes and we always critique and learn how to make things better. Totally agree with that. Often, when I look at a scrapbook page, the first thing I notice and critique are the photos. However, in photography there are some pretty traditional, accepted rules about composition, lighting, focus, etc. Has scrapbooking progressed enough that there are "rules"? I know a lot of the rules of photography and graphic arts design apply, but scrapbooking seems to be a much more subjective hobby, a breaker of the rules (if there are any). Does anyone have a blog post or something of the scrapbooking "rules"? I know I could probably learn from reading them.
Jenn McCabe did that with her planner spread this week too! Like Cynthia, both were amazing of course!
Actually, around 2009 I took a couple of classes online with titles like "Design Principles of Scrapbook Layouts." The rule of thirds applies to scrapbook pages too, for one example. But rules are not laws and both photography and scrapbooking are subjective. When we critique we're not telling the person they did right or wrong. We're telling specifically what we liked or disliked about the photo, our ideas for why it "works" or doesn't, and perhaps suggestions for possible improvement. All of which is to be taken or disregarded by the artist depending on his or her own intentions. It always helps me to hear specific comments others say about my work. Sometimes I agree. Sometimes I don't. Often someone says something I hadn't even considered and I learn. I'm away from home at the moment but later I'll find that old notebook and share the "10 Design Principles."
I found it! It was interesting to review. I haven't pulled out this notebook in years! I wrote about it in a new post because it seemed like it might better stand alone. Here's 10 Design Principles of Scrapbooking.
I'm not so sure that I could criticize anyone's layouts. Everyone has his or her own style. My style might not be your style and vise versa. My layouts are never perfect, so I don't think it would be fair for me to say if I don't like a layout. I am, however, open to someone telling me that there is a typo on one of my layouts. Because it never fails that I find typos in every book that I print.
I do think we're using the wrong terminology here - criticism really does have a negative connotation, I definitely look at this potential venture as a "feedback" or "teaching" opportunity.
totally agreed... although, if we're going with "feedback" or "teaching", is there a specific definition that pulls it away from the existing "learning pad" we already have? food for thought...
I'm talking more about our conversation here. If Laura decides to add a forum like this, I'm sure we can come up with a name for it
A couple of you mention drop shadows. I was so lucky that Cynthia @MrsPeel saw potential in me way back in 2010 when I started. I was using like 20 kits per layout and didn't even know shadows existed. But she took a chance and said, "you know, your scrapbook pages are really good. Let me teach you how they can be even better..." And I was open to learning. I don't take criticism well, but she came from a place of friendship. She an amazing artist (as you know, if you know her,) and I have learned so much from her through the years. I am SO glad she spoke up!!
Just an idea: maybe to kind of "force" participants to be vested in the constructive aspect of constructive criticism, everyone who participates has to submit a layout to be critiqued. That way, as well as receiving feedback, you also get to practice giving feedback as well (which I think would help people to be able to look at their own work critically). I also think it would play into the reality that most of us are self taught, not really "experts," but we all still have something to offer others.
Hmmm, I'm on the fence as to whether I would join in with this or not... I really would like to improve as a scrapper and I received some great feedback when I asked for help with clustering earlier this year. But I don't know if I would be comfortable asking for general critique; I agree that scrapbooking is very personal and everyone has their own style.
I will try make this as short as possible.... but I could write 4 or 5 pages about my being unsure about this, unless, like many of you have proposed , is a very closed, private thing.... To me, art, any form of art, is a VERY subjective thing. If you know me, you may be tired of hearing the Jackson Pollock thing: some pay over half a million dollars for his paintings, I wouldn't pay a penny. then there is the Brazilian country music: I LOVE it- some of my musician friends think I'm crazy, that is a taki, horrible thing that is not "music" (even though is the music style that sells the most in the country) What I like & love, you may not, and what you like & love, I may not.... My dad's mantra: The only absolute thing is life is that all is relative....
This made me giggle a little because it brought back the management book I had to read in a long ago position: First Break All the Rules!
Again I want to stress that I'm not talking about the artistic side of an LO, since that is all up to personal taste. I'm really talking about placement of elements, use of techniques, shadowing and so on. The technical stuff. I'm loving some of the ideas people have. There need to be guidelines and it should be optional. And it should be asked for, preferably with an existing LO that the requester uploads. Sounds awesome to me! And also again, I do understand that not everyone wants this. I totally get that. Thanks again for all the comments and ideas. I love it!