Reactions to photographs...

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-Ray

The black and white version is very dramatic, things that stimulate our emotions are bound to get our reactions sooner.
 
The "thanks" button is not Facebok-ish at all, in my opinion. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears that the beef against the "thanks" button is that it somehow makes it easier for people in this forum to not post any comments, but rather, just click the "thanks." This argument is only valid if the poster wants to receive comments regarding what he/she wrote or the image that was posted. IF that's the case, the poster really should say so. Inserting a "C&C welcome" or "C&C please" is painlessly easy. However, the expectation that people SHOULD comment on other people's posts seems a little over the top for me, unless of course the poster is asking for it. "Thanks" means exactly what it says. I am thanking you for taking the time to post the comments or images that you posted. It doesn't necessarily mean that I'm in love with the photo you took. Or with what you wrote.

Personally and generally, when I post something in this forum or any other forum, it's because: (1) I have something that I thought was pretty cool to share with others; or, (2) I have an issue or question that I would like to get a response. I personally don't expect any responses when it's reason (1), even though it's great to get affirmation that a photo that I took was nice. When I post because of (2), I do hope for responses.

People who participate or visit this forum (or any other forums) have different levels of commitments (so to speak) to the forum, different needs, wants and expectations. Some folks are just lurkers. Some folks just want a question answered. Some folks are committed to growing the forum. Some folks just want to look at nice photos. We can't and should not just assume that everyone should post comments, or have the time (like I sometimes have) to spend hours posting stuff here.

Food for thought.
 
My only advice here, because I have wondered as well being a member of many photography groups, is to shoot what you want, how you want, processing it in any way you feel necessary or desire and displaying it in a manner that is satisfying to you and letting it go from there. Group dynamics are different depending on where you are, individual preferences vary as well, trends come and go and unless you are really looking to work this so that you can develop a business you shouldn't put too much into the 'likes' or comments or whatever input that others give you. They are not a true indication of your skill nor should they affect the pleasure you feel on capturing the perfect exposure.

You need to be happy with what you are doing and to alter what you do to 'please the crowd' in any network or social scene is to work a constantly changing and fickle dynamic. "Maddening". We all want to be recognized, appreciated, that's normal but once you start questioning yourself [and believe me as a member of MANY groups, I have], you are admitting that you will change, if you 'need to' to get that recognition. Or perhaps you'll even leave in which case I agree, better to move on that be assimilated. It's better to be recognized for your individuality than your ability to follow the crowd because in the end you still can't please everyone.

And really sometimes as BB said it is just a matter of the time you posted, the season [like this one is busier], how involved you've been.. there is no single variable. Imagine changing your whole philosophy of photography based on the holiday season being too busy to garner the recognition you feel is acceptable.. the season ends [or trend etc..] and where are you? You've over thought it. You could be shooting bobble head dolls with instant film through a holga that you taped a Nikon lens to and now everyone is shooting horses with clown costumes on. "Maddening".

So I guess this is my be yourself and just enjoy what you do blurb.. If you are looking to make a business of it I am sure there are professionals here that can advise you, otherwise just have fun.
 
I second what Isoterica said (and she said it well!). No one gives a sh*t about my pictures but I don't take pictures for anyone but myself. It is what I do to relax and have fun and be creative, and explore the world that I see and make sense of it. I'd lose that if I did what someone else "liked".

Put another way, I don't play to win, I play for the love of the game.
 
Interesting thread.
I am neutral/ambivalent about the thanks button.
I am guilty of missing images I would like because there are simply so many in this and other fora that I end up cherry picking by thread title/gear used.
For me I respond most to strong composition and tonality.
 
So I guess this is my be yourself and just enjoy what you do blurb.. If you are looking to make a business of it I am sure there are professionals here that can advise you, otherwise just have fun.

And you are absolutely right. I have been caught up in the wanting to be recognised and appreciated loop... often. But as I said in an earlier post, I keep wondering if the shots are actually bad shots. There seems to be a lack of confidence on my part. on one or two other forums I get absolutely NO comment at all, for the same shots as provoke a response here... so your words are true, you cant please everyone, and shooting for fun and enjoyment is what it ought to be all about. I guess thats why I left my local photography club... it was all about competing in local, national and international competitions and that way I think for some of us (speaking of myself of course) leads to gross disappointment.

So... WTH, I'm just going to shoot for fun and enjoyment and keep posting because sometimes, somewhere, some people like my stuff. If others don't.. oh well...

Wise woman, you are!
 
You need to be happy with what you are doing and to alter what you do to 'please the crowd' in any network or social scene is to work a constantly changing and fickle dynamic. "Maddening". We all want to be recognized, appreciated, that's normal but once you start questioning yourself [and believe me as a member of MANY groups, I have], you are admitting that you will change, if you 'need to' to get that recognition. Or perhaps you'll even leave in which case I agree, better to move on that be assimilated. It's better to be recognized for your individuality than your ability to follow the crowd because in the end you still can't please everyone.

And really sometimes as BB said it is just a matter of the time you posted, the season [like this one is busier], how involved you've been.. there is no single variable. Imagine changing your whole philosophy of photography based on the holiday season being too busy to garner the recognition you feel is acceptable.. the season ends [or trend etc..] and where are you? You've over thought it. You could be shooting bobble head dolls with instant film through a holga that you taped a Nikon lens to and now everyone is shooting horses with clown costumes on. "Maddening".

So I guess this is my be yourself and just enjoy what you do blurb.. If you are looking to make a business of it I am sure there are professionals here that can advise you, otherwise just have fun.

Exactly, I post what "I" see and like...to thine own self be true
 
IMO, the "thanks" system should be removed because it encourages being passive. On top of that, it's not like the thanks or rep system I've seen on other boards, where one gets the rundown on their control panel. So one has to go back to the post and so on and so forth. I'd be in favor of removing the thanks system if it encourages actually connecting with one another, rather than just being passive and not being bothered enough to speak to one another. The other system even encourages more interaction between users, especially when a comment doesn't fit on the forum.

Ouch. I'd rather still have the thanks system. Realizing it's almost the only way I react, I'd be forced to actually write "thanks". It's just I was raised with a complete freedom in asking questions, but a strong slant that my answers have to add significance or be noise (if I recall, the exact words were "after you have spoken, it must be different from before"). So to all my thanked people, please add more pics so that I can enjoy them and learn what I like.
 
The "thanks" button is not Facebok-ish at all, in my opinion. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears that the beef against the "thanks" button is that it somehow makes it easier for people in this forum to not post any comments, but rather, just click the "thanks." This argument is only valid if the poster wants to receive comments regarding what he/she wrote or the image that was posted. IF that's the case, the poster really should say so. Inserting a "C&C welcome" or "C&C please" is painlessly easy. However, the expectation that people SHOULD comment on other people's posts seems a little over the top for me, unless of course the poster is asking for it. "Thanks" means exactly what it says. I am thanking you for taking the time to post the comments or images that you posted. It doesn't necessarily mean that I'm in love with the photo you took. Or with what you wrote.

I really had no idea that's what it was for. Then again, even if that is what the button is for, I'm not sure I agree with that purpose. I guess when I see people clicking the "like" button all over facebook and much of this is done for no real purpose, I am marginalizing why people click on "thanks" here, and I know I shouldn't. But then again, I don't know the exact purpose for it either. Just based on all the posts in the forum, it appears that each member has their own way of interacting with the forum and use the tools differently from each other. There is no established "etiquette", so each member uses their own. One of the pitfalls with each member using their own etiquitte, or way of posting and commenting to the forum, is that comments or the use of the "thanks" button is going to be viewed through the eyes of the individual's established etiiquette.

For example, my own etiquette:

For Images posted: If I like it, I comment and say why. If I don't, I'll comment and say why. Sometimes I won;t do anything for threads not labeld with "W/NW".

For Gear talk, critque, ideas..etc: I will post and comment. Sometimes I will use the Thanks for a +1 if I agree.

I feel personally that doing a thanks on an image is me being lazy, so I don't do it.

Where things get confusing is that I am looking at this as how I use the forum.

The problem is, some people really take the time to look at posts and and use the thanks button. That is their etiquette and way of using the forum.


I hope this makes sense. Everyone has a different way of using the forum and it gets confusing at how others use it. We shouldn't take anything too personal, IMHO, because many times, its just a matter of misunderstanding, and how people use the forum.
 
+1

:)

I use the +1 as well. But I don't see it used here as often as the Formula 1 forums.

I really had no idea that's what it was for. Then again, even if that is what the button is for, I'm not sure I agree with that purpose. I guess when I see people clicking the "like" button all over facebook and much of this is done for no real purpose, I am marginalizing why people click on "thanks" here, and I know I shouldn't. But then again, I don't know the exact purpose for it either. Just based on all the posts in the forum, it appears that each member has their own way of interacting with the forum and use the tools differently from each other. There is no established "etiquette", so each member uses their own. One of the pitfalls with each member using their own etiquitte, or way of posting and commenting to the forum, is that comments or the use of the "thanks" button is going to be viewed through the eyes of the individual's established etiiquette.

For example, my own etiquette:

For Images posted: If I like it, I comment and say why. If I don't, I'll comment and say why. Sometimes I won;t do anything for threads not labeld with "W/NW".

For Gear talk, critque, ideas..etc: I will post and comment. Sometimes I will use the Thanks for a +1 if I agree.

I feel personally that doing a thanks on an image is me being lazy, so I don't do it.

Where things get confusing is that I am looking at this as how I use the forum.

The problem is, some people really take the time to look at posts and and use the thanks button. That is their etiquette and way of using the forum.


I hope this makes sense. Everyone has a different way of using the forum and it gets confusing at how others use it. We shouldn't take anything too personal, IMHO, because many times, its just a matter of misunderstanding, and how people use the forum.
 
This discussion exemplifies why I appreciate the SC forum - all the comments have been reasoned or humorous. Thank you everyone for not spiralling into negativity.

My two bits, I view SC as more of a discussion forum centered on the latest sc cameras - valuable information that I have learned to digest to reduce the GAS consequences.

It is a pity that the SC forum isn't more photocentric but I understand it takes time from a committed few which is always difficult and not fair.

But just to stir the pot , https://www.photographerslounge.org/f14/suggestion-reaction-photographs-5150/#post51169
 
And you are absolutely right. I have been caught up in the wanting to be recognised and appreciated loop... often. But as I said in an earlier post, I keep wondering if the shots are actually bad shots. There seems to be a lack of confidence on my part. on one or two other forums I get absolutely NO comment at all, for the same shots as provoke a response here... so your words are true, you cant please everyone, and shooting for fun and enjoyment is what it ought to be all about. I guess thats why I left my local photography club... it was all about competing in local, national and international competitions and that way I think for some of us (speaking of myself of course) leads to gross disappointment.

So... WTH, I'm just going to shoot for fun and enjoyment and keep posting because sometimes, somewhere, some people like my stuff. If others don't.. oh well...

Wise woman, you are!


Good for you Sue! I got so depressed as a new photographer that wasn't getting the kind of response I expected let alone advice, I almost walked away from it all. Instead, I bolstered myself up and I walked away from the group that was giving me an unhealthy, unhappy attitude. Now that doesn't mean I never envy someone's talent or feel that something I did should have gotten noticed but.. basing what I do on what I actually like to do rather than jumping through hoops trying to be seen doing other things.. I am much more satisfied. I am currently not interested in competitions either. Maybe one day I will be. As for the gear.. G.A.S happens-- though I have found it keeps me motivated. Cleaned off my counter top to do the Ricoh unboxing photos LOL!

As for the Thanks button it is better than the Like button. Thanks is thank you for posting this. Like infers Like me back. It's all apart of that FB scene which I do not involve myself in. Thanks is a-ok :)
 
I view SC as more of a discussion forum centered on the latest sc cameras

I haven't been around SC that long and my memory may be less than accurate but I have the impression that when I first signed up SC was a lot less about gear and a lot more about images - indeed, that's the main reason I signed up.

The focus on gear is probably inevitable given the growth of the CSC sector an the introduction of many new serious compacts.

I realise a lot of people are interested in photography gear and regularly pick up new cameras but as one who isn't and doesn't I have to confess that I do tend to skip over much of the gear talk now that I no longer feel obliged to look at it.
 
I think we could all sense your happiness while usiing the Q. ;)

Seriously, I think most of it is random sampling. Folks go right to the seasonal image thread because it's, well, seasonal, and the one of that woman resting with the provocative bag is a great street shot. I went to find the bridge shots, which I had not seen since I don't frequent the monochrome thread as much. They were, as advertised, technically excellent shots, but I suspect they simply weren't viewed by as many folks. In addition, many folks like street photography and that "lomography approach" has prepared us all for that hasty, overprocessed look:

Lomography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In another forum I frequent, there is a similar thread going on about the prevalence and origins of that overprocessed look. I remember reading when the Q first came out that some thought that the Q was the high end camera for the lomogrpahy types.

Edit: Here's a better Lomography link that gets more to the heart of the argument:

Lomography

Many of the "neo-lomography" cameras are those featured on this forum.
 
I haven't been around SC that long and my memory may be less than accurate but I have the impression that when I first signed up SC was a lot less about gear and a lot more about images - indeed, that's the main reason I signed up.

I realise a lot of people are interested in photography gear and regular pick up new cameras but as one who isn't and doesn't I have to confess that I do tend to skip over much of the gear talk now that I no longer feel obliged to look at it.

That's my sense too, and I tend to find I look at the forum far less now that there seems more focus on equipment ... all communities evolve of course, but I do feel the whys and wherefores (and fun) of images and imagemaking are easily lost in the whirl of how great the latest camera is or how much greater the next one will be ...
 
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