Giving women extra praise?

Rather than hijack another photographer’s thread, I thought I would start a new topic. Many individuals who post on NPN are clearly being kind and encouraging to new photographers when they post images for critique. However, in the thread for a recent image in the landscape gallery, a photographer stated that he gave another photographer, whom he thought was a woman, “…more praise than he normally would, wanting to encourage (her) growth” with the implication that the extra praise was because he thought the photographer was a woman.

If someone is posting an image in a critique forum, giving undue praise simply because the photographer is a woman seems patronizing. Is this a common practice?

While I do not post much in the NPN critique galleries, I do seek out feedback on a regular basis through other avenues. I certainly hope that I do not need to take other people’s comments on my photography through the, “Well, she is a woman…” filter.

Thoughts?

I found the thread and read the comments, and he further stated that it was because he felt there was a predominance of men in the landscape photography area, so I just wanted to make sure people had that information in consideration of this, whatever they think about it.

I have not felt that any comments, good or bad, that I've received here have had anything to do with gender.

More broadly, in reading comments on other people's images, I have not noticed a difference in comments given to people because of gender.

I would agree with Barbara. I've only been around since '05, but I can't remember seeing any instances of gender bias. I do believe there is bias at times for newbie photographers, issuing encouraging more than severe critiques, but honestly, I think this is as it should be. NPN is not only just for critiques, but for learning and support too. As people's photography matures, so do the critiques.

Sarah, I find no bias. I have no issue with giving praise to encourage another individual; as long as it is not false.

Bill Brennan

Sarah,
Most people are mature, hopefully photographers perhaps more so than others.
Don't let this episode tork your jaw too much.
You are committing a logical fallacy by lighting this candle.
FYI it is the logical fallacy of composition. Just because one person may have been patronizing does NOT mean that others are the same.
Life goes on; live it and don't take things personally.
the fisch

Hmmm. When I critique I usually do not even know, or at least pay any attention to the photographer's gender. Never even thought about it. I would not know how others feel.

I've never felt any bias in my 8 yrs around here. My brain does not even register male or female when I give a C and C.
Sure wuld like to see a lot more women around, though!
So, glad you're here!
Sandy

Growing up with no sisters, I certainly had a lot to learn from women. I learned it from our daughters, my wife, and now our granddaughter. Together they have taught me a lot, lessons that were in fact long overdue. Do I treat women differently than men in reviews or elsewhere in life? No. But the women in my life have changed to way I relate to men. And I'm better for it.

Awesome, Hank. Two thumbs up.

Thanks, Hank.

I haven't noticed any bias in comments either.

I dont think theres a bias, but im all for encouraging more women nature photographers on here--Mars needs Women--so does NPN!

Hi Sarah, I looked at your web gallery and your photos are beautiful. They truly have a mood catching artistic quality that speaks volumes for the photographer.

Hi Sarah,

For me, this falls into the "name" bias category. For a truly objective forum, all posts should be anonymous. In my opinion, depending on one's name - comments could potentially triple and vice versa. It doesn't happen often, but a woman with an attractive avatar certainly could garner more attention in forum dominated primarily by males. It's just human nature. Let's face it - these forums aren't completely objective.

Michael

It doesn't happen often, but a woman with an attractive avatar certainly could garner more attention in forum dominated primarily by males. It's just human nature.

In a photography forum? No, no, no, no, no. That would be unbelievably poor taste.

Edited to add that it's a good thing our photography doesn't depend on how attractive we are, male or female.

I've been sitting around the NPN camp fire since 2002 and I have never seen any gender bias, nor have I ever seen any post that would be considered harmful in the current context. This is a credit to the high level of maturity of NPN members and the management of NPN.

--P