Is it better to lie, or should you tell the truth?

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

I can't tell you the number of times this topic has been brought up; at events, in the chat, on couches and at dinner... both to me and over heard from others, so now I'd like to put the question to the community, When someone has bad photos, do you tell them the truth, or do you lie? Lying is easy, and it's the "nice" thing to do, but no one learns from having smoke blown up their ass. Telling the truth and offering constructive criticism can make you seem like a bad guy, but in the long run, isn't it better?

Let me give you some examples;

"Model" contacts established, published photographer and asks to do TF shoot. "I'm a good model, I've done pro shoots, I'm very pretty". Model has one or two shoots, and is not very good. Should the photographer (who DOES do TF on occasion) just tell her "sorry I don't shoot TF" or should he tell her she really needs some more practice and might want to work with other photogs and then come back to him? Photographer sounds like an ass, but it is the truth.

"Photographer" contacts established, published model and asks to shoot her TF. "I'm a photographer, I've done 100s of shoots, I have a cannon point and shoot". Photographer's photos are bad. Should the model tell him, "I'm sorry, I don't shoot TF" or should she be honest and tell him he needs to work on his craft, get a better camera and some lights, learn to use photoshop. Model sounds like a b****, but it's the truth.

"Model" or "Photographer" submits photo to calendar/ magazine/ website. Photo was taken in the bathroom or at home on the bed. Photo is bad. Do the companies ignore it, write a polite "not what were looking for" response, or write back saying that it does not meet their standards, and explain why.

"Model" or "Photographer" upload photo to forum asking what people think. It's a bad photo. Do you tell them it's great/pretty/awesome or do you tell the truth, offering ways it could be better, and risk coming off sounding like a know it all a****** or b****?

The nice, polite, PC thing to do here is lie or ignore. But how can anyone learn if people don't tell them the truth? However, if you tell the truth, you run the risk of sounding like a mean, know it all, ass. And possibly upsetting a few people. However, someone might take what you say to heart and it might help them become better in the long run.

So PL, what do you think? Lie or tell the truth?

[Auburn Hills]

I tell the truth.  Just like everything else, some things may not appeal to me, but other people love it.  So, when I am viewing pics I try to keep an open mind for different styles and look at the lighting, poses, etc.  If I'm asked for critique I will say what I like and what could be tried differently to take an "ok" pic to an amazing shot if its not already. 

I want people to be honest with me.  I don't want to hurt any feelings or discourage anyone from doing something they enjoy.   I think gentle honesty is better than a lie. 

 

 

[The Trousseau]

I don't see why telling someone, "No thank you," is lying.  I often have young ladies want to model for my clothes and it doesn't seem right to tell them why they can't.  I just tell them I chose someone else, or they aren't exactly what I am looking for. 

When people put photos up on Facebook and such, saying, "what do you think?"  I assume they want people to tell them it is great and I move along quickly.  If they put something up and say, "I really want to learn from this, please tell me the good and the bad, I am ready for it," there is a difference in degree of honesty to me.  The person who assures me that they really do want an honest opinion might get it, the person who seems to put it up and says, "What do you think?" as an afterthought doesn't seem to really want it.   This goes with my thinking that my time and opinion are worth something.  I don't give opinions and critiques out on pictures unless I really want to.  And when I do, it is done with thought and care.  I don't want to waste my time, essentially teaching, someone, unless I think it will be welcome. 

I am a firm believer in tactful honesty.  You don't have to be a jerk to be honest. One can usually find something encouraging to say to someone.  Even when you can't, though, a simple, "I am sorry, but I don't think it is very good," goes a lot farther than listing sixteen things wrong with the piece.  If they then ask what you don't like, one or two ways to improve are a lot more helpful than giving them too many things to think about at once. 

[John at My Favorite Pinups{★}]

it depends on the audience...

I get submissions for My Favorite Pinups from time to time and if I don't like them I'll most often just not use them or say it's not really my style

The main reason it takes me so long to post on My Favorite Pinups is I pick thru a ton of pics to find what appeals to me, and sometimes I'll spend a week going thru one models pics to pick the top dozen shots.

I'm not an expert by any means, but I know what appeals to me.

If it's a new model I'll try to be helpful and point out where I think improvements can be made, but never in a public forum.

BUT if I get pressed on it I will be brutally honest.

If someone I know and respect I will come right out and say what I see

like if Roxy asked what I thought about a pic I'd say it straight up and more importantly explain why I think that way.

[DanO]

This is a common issue photographers face when they post on some of the forums. On one hand you have folks wanting an honest critique so they can improve, at the other end of the spectrum are the people that post wanting their ego stroked! Any photographer that wants honest critique unusually will ask for it so that the viewing audience knows they truly want help. If they do not state such I do not comment unless it is truy something spectacular!

Now on the flip side is how people give a critique. I have usually seen things such as; it sucks, bad picture, etc but unfortunately it is not a good critique unless specifics are discussed such as the fill light is to weak or the photo lacks contrast. Only if specifics are given and usually accompanied by information on how the person critiquing the picture would correct the problem is it worth anything. Critiques are not meant to offend but rather teach and inform, to take on this responsibility is a serious endeavor and should not be done without considerable thought ad intent to help the person asking for an honest evaluation.

[John at My Favorite Pinups{★}]

I'm not photographer technical so I'd fail at a lighting discussion... but what someone like me can give an opinion as to what I'd like to see

a smoothed out seam here, different shoes there, nail polish here, etc etc etc

I'd think that would be beneficial information

[Tifa DeLeone]

Unless someone ask for critique I don't see the point in giving it to them.

There are VERY few people who welcome it and know how to take it.

I've been a model for years and if I would send a request to shoot with them a simple "no thank you" is just fine.
It tells me that I don't have the look they are interested in, or want to shoot the stuff I want to = they don't see a point with us working together. Fine by me, and I don't put too much thought into why.

I'm even one of those that don't get upset if I get a yes/no at all. I'm in contact with so many people all the time from designers, magazines and photographers I really can't keep track. If I don't hear from anyone I just drop it.

I know people get very upset when then don't get a reply and I think people need to relax more.

If that person wanted to work with you you'd get a reply. If not and you really really want to, wait a month/6 months and send them another email (update your work in that time of course).

Not sending a quick reply might feel like rude, yes I agree. But not everyone is shooing all the time and not check their email account they set up for these shooting requests.

OK getting OT now but sometimes people need to chill and not take a no so serious! :)

If people specifically say "please critique my work", do it.

But, something you consider to be amateur might be someone best work yet.

People want to know HOW to improve their work, not that they NEED to improve it so make sure you have the time to say something constructive if you are going to give someone critique.

[MissRoniG]

I think it's best to be honest. With that being said, it all comes down to how it's said. Of course some people may not want to hear the truth. If you are asking for input be prepared to hear some things you may not like, if you are modeling or a photographer you need to have thick skin. Just because someone may not like your work, there will be someone that does. I have a goal of doing my first ever pinup shoot this year and believe me when I say I will want honest feedback on how to improve.

[Natalia Skye{★}]

 personally want people to critique my work. I havnt posted photoshopped pics because I thought it was better to see the fresh face they are working with and work but this makes me think different. Roxy you are right how can we learn if we aren't  told the truth. Id rather put my girl panties on and have my feelings hurt a bit and learn to fix what I've done wrong. Thanks for posting this!