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I Read the Comments


 

I’m guessing this is a man.

Julia Jackson McCready if you can’t handle reading a bit of constructive criticism, maybe the web isn’t the place for you.

It wasn’t criticism of me, by the way. I objected to a bit of arrogant upsmanship on the Howard County Eats page on Facebook.

It all began with this post:

I had the pleasure of taking product photos for Maiwand Kabob (columbia square location specifically) and I’ve been eating here consistently for years. One of the best local spots you can count on! From the kabobs, to the gyros, to the starter plates like the veggie samosa.. all the way to their desserts. Awesome ownership and reliable quality. Check it out!

What followed were a collection of quite appetizing photos. (I’ll add them in here if I can get permission from the photographer.) I love Maiwand to start with, and the photos just plain made me hungry.

However…Take a look at the very first comment:

Food looks good. The photos were shot with too shallow DOF and highlights are blown. Was this your first attempt at photographing food?

Really? The first thing you think of is how to make someone look bad?

My response, after taking a deep breath:

No. Just no. Be kind.

The comeback:

If you can’t handle reading a bit of constructive criticism, maybe the web isn’t the place for you.

I thought a minute about what was at the heart of my objection.

Did the original poster ask for professional advice? Is this a group for professional photography critiques? No.

My point was not well received.

Nor did I ask for your opinion. Hope your evening gets MUCH better!

Oh, well. I’m happy to say my evening did get much better because I walked away from this thread and didn’t look back. *

Until this morning, of course. I replayed the exchange in my head and wondered yet again why there are some people who just love to come along and trash someone else’s creations/enthusiam/ideas. It’s all about the upmanship, isn’t it?

Remember when I wrote about The Ick? This definitely gives me The Ick.

Have a great Monday and, for heaven’s sake, be kind. 



*To his credit, the photographer took this unasked-for critique much better than I did. 






Comments

  1. Julia A. McCreadyMay 18, 2026 at 4:23 AM

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