SPC FAQ

1.  What is the SPC?
The Seoul Photo Club is a club for people who are keen on taking, sharing, thinking and talking about photos and photography in Korea.  We’re always looking to improve our photography through  giving and accepting constructive thoughts about members photos.

2. I want to join, post and view photos, and I have some things I would like to discuss. Where can I find the SPC Flickr group?
You are very welcome to join us and you can find it here.

3.  It’s called the Seoul Photo Club, so do I have to live in Seoul?
No!!  Though you should live in Korea (we do have members who used to but no longer live in Korea).  However, all pictures posted to the Flickr group pool must have been taken by you while you were living in Korea.  Of course, where you currently reside doesn’t preclude you from partaking in any discussions.

4. What are the posting rules on the SPC Flickr group?

1. Submit one photo.
2. Then comment on the two previous photos in the pool.
3. You can submit another photo once two photos from other people have been published.
4. Rinse and repeat.
5. It’s OK for members to remind others about commenting, so don’t get grumpy if someone tells you to make comments!
6. Be honest and critical when commenting. ‘Nice photo’ is not very constructive
7. See below

5.  Hey, why are the posting rules for the Flickr group so tough?
This is a common question, and sometimes a complaint, and in all fairness the rules do seem a little strict compared to around Flickr in general. When everyone who posts to the SPC places a constructive comment on the two immediately previous pics, everyone is guaranteed a useful comment. We like to think of the SPC as a place where one can get useful feedback on their pics – positive or negative – unlike most of Flickr where you get ‘nice photo’, ‘Wow, I like it’ or some sort of sparkly graphic. Those comments are good for the ego and everyone appreciates them, but they give you no food for thought and don’t help your photography much.
As a result, we have to be a bit thick-skinned around here sometimes as negative criticism sometimes hurts a bit, but I don’t mind as long as someone is being constructive with it. The flip side is that when you get good feedback from members here, you can be especially pleased because you know people have put a lot more thought and consideration into your picture and their reactions to it.

6. I don’t feel comfortable posting pics to the SPC pool because….

• I can’t think of anything to say about other peoples photos.

Just have a look through the pool and at the kinds of comments that other members make. Often, even if you can’t think of something technical to say you might talk about how the picture made you feel (the kind of comments people usually appreciate most anyway..). Some technical areas that are often commented on (for good or not-so-good) are exposure, composition, color, processing or light. Sometimes you might choose to agree or disagree with other members opinions. You will find the more you comment, the easier it becomes.

• I see many excellent pictures and I’d be embarrassed to post mine.

I think most people go through this everywhere on Flickr, so you are in good company. Actually, not only do members in the SPC post pictures they are proud of, they often post pictures they aren’t certain of too. They do this knowing that perhaps the photo isn’t the best, but wanting the opinions of others. Don’t forget too, this isn’t just about photography, it’s about photography in Korea. We’d love to see where you’ve been and what you have seen through the lens.

• I’m worried that people will put negative comments on my photos so people will think I’m not a good photographer.

Members in the SPC play nice. People are fair with their comments and negatives are always handled tactfully and balanced with some positives. After all, you’ll be commenting my photos too, right??

• I’m already a great photographer and I don’t want some chump sullying up my precious comments thinking he can give me advice I don’t need, it doesn’t look good in my awesome photostream, I can’t take criticism, and well… I would lose face in front of my fans.

I feel sorry for you.