A quote from an Amazon review of a particular photography book:
As listless and lackluster collection of photographs as any I’ve ever seen. The author appears to believe that one needn’t possess talent (which he doesn’t) to make photographs, one has only to talk a good game.
One of those books that angers me to my core, a work of profound hypocrisy.
~The Lying Thief
From time to time, I’ll have a look at photography how-to books. I’ll read the glowing comments as well as the ones that are not so glowing. I’ll read the 5-star ratings as well as the 1-star ratings. Usually, people seem to be quite civil in their assessment of a particular work. If they gave it 1-star, they will indicate why and give their opinion. I’m cool with that. Every once in a while, though, you’ll find someone who, instead of pointing out the deficiency of the book, in their opinion, will engage in an ad-hominem attack of the author, for seemingly no reason, or none that I knew of.
I wonder if this same person would have the nerve, gall, cajones to say the same thing in person. Doubtful. On a personal level, I rather admire those who have completed a book, or any other long term project that, whether or not they put it before the fickle, public eye. It is quite a task in and of itself, just to get it done. No matter the book, though, there are the detractors. Sometimes, the reviews might be 99% in favor, but there is just no pleasing some people – no matter what you do, someone can find fault with it, and that’s just the way it is, but what has become of decency and politeness?
It’s so easy to hide behind a veil of anonymity and spew forth their particular brand of bitterness. In the case of this book, I own it. It was an interesting read, though I didn’t find much that I didn’t know, if anything. It was a good book for beginners, in that respect, I might have given it 3 of 5 stars.
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My thought when I read comments or reviews like that is, OK, a$$hole, let me see YOUR work!
I think there is value in constructive commentary, but agree that when it becomes nasty and vindictive it loses all credibility. It amazes me that people feel the need to even say those things, let alone take the time to write them. I think that says much more about the person making the comments than the thing they are commenting on.
Like you, I feel that anyone who has the persistance to stick with a long-term project like a book deserves a certain amount of credit just for the effort. And if a reader doesn’t agree with the value of said book, I think there still needs to be a certain amount of respect that the writer took the time to write what they wrote. Like art, perceived value is subjective, everyone is entitled to their own opinion but need to understand that just because they didn’t like something doesn’t mean that no one else will.
Tom Dills recently posted..August 2012 Wallpaper
Good point, Tom. I do wonder of those who write these types of comments have ever done anything, or are they just looking for a book to show them how to become and ‘expert’ overnight.
People have always been critics but now they have a platform in which to be heard (or read). Personal opinion means nothing unless you know and respect the person giving it. I’m not likely to believe Ashton Kutcher endorsing Nikon cameras but if you have recommended them I’m more likely to believe you because I have seen your work (and respect it) and the actual photos from the cameras. Heck, you can’t even trust popular opinion anymore since it’s skewed towards the 18-30 crowd.
Cool picture by the way. Bird on a bench.
ken bello recently posted..Still Waters
Well, Ken. Benches aren’t just for people you know!
It was kind of cool the other morning, so this guy decided to have a seat on the bench and catch some rays!
I know what you mean about respecting the work of others and trusting them more; That certainly works for a more experienced person. But, thinking about less experienced people heading the word of those who probably don’t even have clue … well – I don’t know. I guess popular opinion is skewed towards those who have or are willing to spend the money.
The review you quote is vicious, and has no content except the wish to attack from hiding.
On the other hand, there are a lot of reviews that are really insightful, even if somewhat negative, written in a constructive manner, so that you get to know both the good and the bad.
And then there are the funny reviews, such as for “Denon AKDL1 Dedicated Link Cable” at Amazon, which I appreciate even though these reviews have no factual content either (except if you read between or behind the lines).
Juha Haataja recently posted..Chanting blessings in Finnish and Swahili
I agree, Juha. I like reviews that tell the not-so-good side of the product, as well as the funny ones. However, the type mentioned in this post is seriously of no use and I wish that Amazon would remove such reviews, or not approve them.
The political websites and the usenet forums devoted to photography are also prime examples of what you are talking about.
I haven’t been on usenet camera forums in years, wonder if they are still debating the Bayer vs. Foveon sensors?
Bill McDonald recently posted..Peaceful coexistence
Comments like that reveal more about the person who left the message than the author or photographer. Some people haven’t grown up and still need to tear others down to give themselves a little boost.
Mark recently posted..Accumulations of self
Yeah. I would imagine that this was some teenage or early 20-ish kid trying to be a badass – anonymously. Cowardice.
I compliment anyone who has put in the time and effort to create art whether that is a sculpture, a novel, poem, a photographic book, a gourmet meal, etc. I know there will always be those who think they are valid critics, most lie hidden under rocks. I feel a critics goal is to offer suggestions to help along artists rather than degrade them which says more about the critics ego than the artist. I wonder if there were critics when prehistoric man painted images on cave walls.
Monte Stevens recently posted..10 Shots
I agree with you, Monte. I know the difficulty in even putting together a small book, or project, let alone something that took someone a year or more to put together. I’m sure that after the birth of the first artist, there came the first critic shortly thereafter.
The ease of being to put vicious personal attacts out there for all to see via social networking, or product and book reviews reveals a basic flaw in our society – lack of maturity and empathy. It doesn’t matter who the person was that placed this “review” – they no doubt got a kick out of seeing their bitterness in print. I’ve seen more hateful stuff than this, and it’s a sad testament to our lack of taste and civility.
Nice image, by the way…
John recently posted..Waiting, waiting, waiting