Anyone using, or even considering a move to, 500px?

Don, will do. I'm 500px.com/ollithomson

Peter, I agree that the whole emphasis on points and ranking is off-putting but I think you only have to take part to the extent that you want to. There is also a more traditional comment system and following and 'friending' system which is closer to the Flickr model.
 
I'm not crazy about the ranking system.
It keeps the editors off the hook. For me, most of the high ranked images are very commercial. Nude woman, time exposures, pretty flowers etc. This is not helping the community as a whole. Anyone that follows me, I follow. I try to support their efforts. At first glance, the image library might seem intimidating to younger shooters, regardless of their age.

I'm going to suggest on my blog for anyone on my list to support everyone else by voting for each others images. Maybe then the tide will turn.
Don
 
Sorry guys. To show you just how rotten 500 is, some of you are touting for followers here to support you!!!! :tongue:

That just sucks. Photography should be about the art, the skill and pleasure; not a bloody beauty contest where you have to tout for support. If you want to do that, sell your work.
 
Alf it's free up to a point. You can always sign up for the free version and give it a go before deciding whether to hang around or upgrade. That's what I'm doing at the moment.
 
I'm with Peter on this one, I'm afraid. I vote for pix I like, not just because I like the person posting them. We all have stuff that people may not like, or want to vote for, and I think thats perfectly OK. I haave the same issue with redbubble where its a case of you comment my stuff and I'll comment on yours. If you dont, then nor will I. I can't go there. I comment on what I like, I vote for what I like even if I don't always comment, and I'm not getting into a voting match just to make it to page 1. If that's what some of the incumbents are actually doing, then it sucks...and its also a waste of time.

[end grumble]
 
I don't really know 500px well enough to know for sure how the whole voting/commenting/favouriting works. If it works anything like getting featured in flickr's "Explore" section then far less weight is given to feedback received from contacts than from strangers. The other option if you're looking for acount activity is to use the tried-and-true method of adding 5000 people as contacts and hoping that at least a fraction of them continue to follow your images without receiving anything back in return. I've been added as a contact more than a few times on flickr in this manner.

Usually when I log onto flickr at night I start by looking through my contacts recent images for stuff that I like but some days I just want to do my own thing and if it becomes a chore it's no fun anymore.
 
I'm with Peter on this one, I'm afraid. I vote for pix I like, not just because I like the person posting them. We all have stuff that people may not like, or want to vote for, and I think thats perfectly OK. I haave the same issue with redbubble where its a case of you comment my stuff and I'll comment on yours. If you dont, then nor will I. I can't go there. I comment on what I like, I vote for what I like even if I don't always comment, and I'm not getting into a voting match just to make it to page 1. If that's what some of the incumbents are actually doing, then it sucks...and its also a waste of time.

[end grumble]

Thanks.

I will put in some defence for Redrubble. I have used the site but not posted to it. Redrubble is really orientated towards selling of images although they tried to build up the communities bit to compete with other sites. As a selling site, it is OK but everyone I know that has been using it has now found the returns are not worth the effort. The main reason being there is too much on the site and it isn't always the best quality either.
 
Thanks.

I will put in some defence for Redrubble. I have used the site but not posted to it. Redrubble is really orientated towards selling of images although they tried to build up the communities bit to compete with other sites. As a selling site, it is OK but everyone I know that has been using it has now found the returns are not worth the effort. The main reason being there is too much on the site and it isn't always the best quality either.

I now stay with redbubble in case I want to buy something, myself, either my own or someone else's. I know at least for my own its cheaper to get it printed and framed/laminated locally but I just never get round to it. RB makes it easy. I am still in some groups and following a few people, but I dont visit as often as I used to, and really... will probably gradually withdraw and just do the buy for self thing. I've never sold anything, nor do I expect to, my stuff isn't *that* good. But for me, sure.

I agree about the general quality too. I see a lot of stuff that could be considered "nice" but nothing outstanding, lately.
 
I'm not crazy about the ranking system.
It keeps the editors off the hook. For me, most of the high ranked images are very commercial. Nude woman, time exposures, pretty flowers etc. This is not helping the community as a whole. Anyone that follows me, I follow. I try to support their efforts. At first glance, the image library might seem intimidating to younger shooters, regardless of their age.

I'm going to suggest on my blog for anyone on my list to support everyone else by voting for each others images. Maybe then the tide will turn.
Don

I agree with Don.

I just went through their "editors choice" and "most popular" -- the word "sterile" comes to mind. Also, lots of DOF tricks and super-saturated colors to my eyes. Almost like looking at Playboy, and thinking that's what a real woman is like -- instead, it's overdone, no grit or life, maybe even airbrushed! Am I the only one?
 
No, you are generally right. The popular stuff though is generally uninspiring, though there is a little more variety and some good stuff in the editor's choice section.

I've found the trick is to find something you like then trawl through the comments section, especially those that are a little more detailed or look up the 'friends' of the photographer you like. That you you might find something else you like. I've found some great urban photography that way.

On the whole though a lot of it is landscape cliches and soft porn.
 
No, you are generally right. The popular stuff though is generally uninspiring, though there is a little more variety and some good stuff in the editor's choice section.

I've found the trick is to find something you like then trawl through the comments section, especially those that are a little more detailed or look up the 'friends' of the photographer you like. That you you might find something else you like. I've found some great urban photography that way.

On the whole though a lot of it is landscape cliches and soft porn.

Is there any EXIF data viewable on 500px?
 
Back
Top