Successfully giving constructive criticism (aka "CC") can be a difficult task to accomplish, but it is very important to go about this task in an appropriate way, and there is certainly an appropriate way to go about it.
Constructive criticism is criticism or advice that is useful and intended to help or improve something, often with an offer of possible solutions.
Constructive criticism is criticism or advice that is useful and intended to help or improve something, often with an offer of possible solutions.
Here are five tips to giving constructive criticism in an appropriate manner!
1. Never Give Uninvited nor Public "CC"
Approaching someone with constructive criticism that has not been invited or giving constructive criticism publicly can be humiliating and hurtful to someone. It is important to only approach someone without being asked if that is a mutual agreement between you and another person. It is also important to avoid giving "CC" to someone publicly (i.e. their Facebook fan page) to avoid humiliating them or upsetting them. Don't forget that all of their fans (including their clients) see your comments!
Approaching someone with constructive criticism that has not been invited or giving constructive criticism publicly can be humiliating and hurtful to someone. It is important to only approach someone without being asked if that is a mutual agreement between you and another person. It is also important to avoid giving "CC" to someone publicly (i.e. their Facebook fan page) to avoid humiliating them or upsetting them. Don't forget that all of their fans (including their clients) see your comments!
2. Begin "CC" with a Positive Comment
It is important to plan a thoughtful and positive approach when preparing to give constructive criticism. When giving a positive comment, this will often soften the potential sting of the criticism and open the ears and eyes of the person receiving it. When they have seen that you are able to recognize something they have accomplished well first, they will be more willing to accept your opinion in areas to improve.
It is important to plan a thoughtful and positive approach when preparing to give constructive criticism. When giving a positive comment, this will often soften the potential sting of the criticism and open the ears and eyes of the person receiving it. When they have seen that you are able to recognize something they have accomplished well first, they will be more willing to accept your opinion in areas to improve.
3. Avoid Emotional Triggers
It is important to remember that as a photographer, we are emotionally attached to our work! We love what we do! When giving "CC" on someone else's work, always remember that every word you communicate to them may affect them emotionally, as well.
It is important to remember that as a photographer, we are emotionally attached to our work! We love what we do! When giving "CC" on someone else's work, always remember that every word you communicate to them may affect them emotionally, as well.
4. Offer Suggestions for Improvement
When giving "CC", of course the most important factor is to share potential ways to improve! Anyone who really desires to grow in their field are open to learning to new ways to improve their work! Give ideas and share how you may have done things differently.
When giving "CC", of course the most important factor is to share potential ways to improve! Anyone who really desires to grow in their field are open to learning to new ways to improve their work! Give ideas and share how you may have done things differently.
5. Timing is Everything
Be respectful of timing during the constructive criticism process. If you begin to discuss someone's artwork with them, be prepared to evaluate whether they are ready to hear further "CC' or how in depth they are ready to receive. Be gentle and constructive!
Thanks to Julie Paisley Photography and Spanki Mills Photography for the great photo below!
Be respectful of timing during the constructive criticism process. If you begin to discuss someone's artwork with them, be prepared to evaluate whether they are ready to hear further "CC' or how in depth they are ready to receive. Be gentle and constructive!
Thanks to Julie Paisley Photography and Spanki Mills Photography for the great photo below!
Xoxo,
Great reminders on CONSTRUCTIVE criticism!
nice saying :)
Good reminders. We are a community meant to build one another, not tear down. Bullying happens all too often. Thank you for your thoughts :)
Thank you for the reminders and for some people an education on what CC really is. A much appreciated post.
Great advice. I think often times people offer unwanted CC I love the idea of artists sticking together. ;)
so true. thank you for posting this!
Oh, man...These should be rules in some of the photography groups I am a part of. So many times people give criticism when it hasn't been invited, and some people want to criticize so badly that they actually get angry when someone didn't want criticism and simply wanted to be excited about a shoot. We could all stand improvement, and a lot of us want to help...but we forget that there is a time for criticism and a time for none.
Great post! So many need this reminder on a daily basis. We are photographers and should all stick together!
Great advice! I think cc is much more accepted when it's started with a positive comment.
This is such a slippery slope because many times people post for CC and really dont' want it so anything that is said is met with defensiveness. I try to be as nice as possible but have gotten my head handed to me so many times for being honest, that now I choose to keep my mouth shut. These are all great reminders.
This is a great post. Thank you so much for writing this. So few of us remember that criticism should be about building up and not breaking down.