This isn't going to be a rant or a guide or anything like that. It's just some musings inspired by a couple of things I read today.

In terms of critique, is it something that you're actually looking for when you submit to dA or can you take it or leave it? By the time I've gotten a picture to the point where it's finished and I'm putting it online, I'm perfectly happy with the way it looks or I wouldn't consider it finished. So I'm generally not after critique although I don't mind if people offer it, as long as they don't mind that I'm happy with my work as it is.

What I love in terms of comments is advanced interpretation. I love to read about what my pictures make people feel, what they remind people of, what emotions they stir up, stuff like that. If looking at one of my pictures inspires someone else to try a similar technique, I love hearing about it (especially if I get a link to the picture they took). I often describe my techniques in detail so that other people can understand what I did and use those techniques themselves in their own work. I don't feel remotely precious about the way I work.

I am also happy to get comments that aren't full of detail and description. Sometimes I submit stuff that is deep and meaningful, and it's lovely to get deep and meaningful comments about those pictures. But sometimes the stuff I submit here isn't serious. I'm not saying it isn't created with artistic intent, but there isn't always a lot to say about a cute picture of a kitty or a glamour portrait of a pretty girl. And that's fine with me. "I like it because the kitty is cute" or "I like it because the model is pretty and it's a good photo" are acceptable comments in my opinion. A comment like that says that you enjoyed the work and it says why, without needing to use complicated language or write an essay.

Critique is great if people ask for it and want it, and there are loads of tutorials and news articles floating around dA about how to give it (I've written a couple myself), but it's not always strictly necessary. I'd rather have a short comment from someone saying they like something I've done than have that person not comment at all because they can't think of any complex to say. Do you guys feel the same about that or would you rather ONLY have detailed comments?

I know it's kind of the done thing to say that you post work here to get detailed critique from everyone who watches you so you can improve your art, but do you ever just post something because you're proud of it and want to share it, regardless of whether people leave one line comments or huge detailed critiques or simply fav/collect your work as a sign that they love it?

If you've got an opinion on the subject, share it with me. Share it with each other. Talk, rant, vent, enthuse, whatever. Speak your mind. Be honest. Say something.

Ps. *PhotoLust's August journal is up, thanks to =neolestat and *Norrin-Radd who kindly donated subs (when I couldn't afford one) so that PL could have pictures in it's journal again. Love.