Galleries - request for feedback

[Marcus Hawkins]

There have been some really interesting points raised here. Lots of food for thought. I understand the frustrations with the integration between the galleries and forums, particularly for new members. This will change. What does everyone feel about the current rating system? Is it a useful system for visitors to find the images other members rate highly, or not? Do you think the forum is the best way to showcase your best work as well as images you'd like critiqued, or would you rather keep these separate?

Marcus

[ap4a]

OP copied to here, from the "Why did so few members rate others images" thread, for feedback.

[ABERS]

There seems to be three sections amongst those that inhabit the forum.

1. Those that need/want comments and ratings on their pictures, the very fact that this thread is here is proof of the existence of this group.

2 Those that want a critique or help with their work, which is asked for mainly anywhere but in the critique thread.

3. Those that just post their work, hopefully for people to enjoy or otherwise.

I have no idea about setting up or running a web site, but would it be possible to have three distinct sections based on the three sections above.

It seems that the gallery is generally regarded as not fit for purpose and is generally ignored by most. Some may say the fact that there is some 88,500+ images on there disproves that statement, but I would suggest that because there is 88,500+ images on there that it is a disincentive to look through it.

It seems that there is an overwhelming urge to upload every picture that is taken on a day's outing with the camera, and that is now creeping into the specialist interest sections that exist.

I have made this suggestion many times, in order to avoid the overload of images that are now clogging up the galleries each poster is only allowed to post one image a day in each of the three sections.

If implemented, section 1 would cater fot those that crave comment and a rating and only images posted in this section would be eligible for that final accolade, POTD.

That's my two penwoth I'm off now have a few afternoon ZZZZZ's.

[KeithT]

One of the great disservices that digital photography has done for us, is to have websites proliferated by a lot of photographic rubbish, or as Alan gently puts it, by every image that has been taken on a shoot. The best critic of a person's work is the photographer who took it. To do that they should be brutally honest with their images and scrap those that don't come up to the mark, after making notes on why they didn't come up to the mark of course. Then they should spend time researching via books and Internet for possible remedies. I for one find it quite hard to critique anybodies work, unless there are genuine reasons for doing so (reasons that that are plain to see). One reason also, is the fear of upsetting the photographer, who may only be after praise and not critique after all. Three different sections would be a good idea and I don't see why it can't be done very simply within the current Forum Index...

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by Marcus Hawkins

There have been some really interesting points raised here. Lots of food for thought. I understand the frustrations with the integration between the galleries and forums, particularly for new members. This will change. What does everyone feel about the current rating system? Is it a useful system for visitors to find the images other members rate highly, or not? Do you think the forum is the best way to showcase your best work as well as images you'd like critiqued, or would you rather keep these separate?

Marcus

It would be useful if everyone rated images they looked at but not everyone does. Also its a bit slow sometimes when you click to look at most commented, highly rated or most viewed. The results take a while to load. Its handy to look at the shots in each category that have made potd.

I think the gallery is nice as a place to show larger numbers of photographs and its nice to have work critiqued in the forums. Although not everyone who posts work in the forums wants heavy critique some people just like to share their work with people of similar interests.

Karen

[F11]

To be honest Marcus I have only once tried to put a picture on the forum and found it quite difficult - not as easy as uploading to the Members gallery so gave up. Perhaps I was doing something wrong. I personally find the star rating system an excellent way of gauging other's interest and appreciation/non-appreciation in an image. I do believe, however, that members have a valid point in saying that it is not always that easy to know when one of your images has received a comment without a star rating. On the other hand, I'm sure there must be a way I am not aware of of calling back images that I have personally rated and want to find again. Possibly it is my lack of correctly navigating around the site that hinders this. My own view is that I would like the forums and the Members gallery to be separate.

[Lurkalot]

Originally Posted by Marcus Hawkins

There have been some really interesting points raised here. Lots of food for thought. I understand the frustrations with the integration between the galleries and forums, particularly for new members.
Marcus

And the moderators must find this particularly frustrating, or should I say I do. There's quite a lot that needs fixing regarding the integration. Missing navigation, separate profiles. Cookies expiring all the time, and getting logged out. Getting logged out when moving from various parts of the site, or performing actions.

Are you sure PR is not under a dictionary attack? or is there something wrong with the cookie settings?

oh, and only global moderators and admins can see essential stuff in the gallery needed to moderate it.

Originally Posted by Marcus Hawkins

What does everyone feel about the current rating system? Is it a useful system for visitors to find the images other members rate highly, or not? Do you think the forum is the best way to showcase your best work as well as images you'd like critiqued, or would you rather keep these separate?

Marcus

And back on topic,

Where's this going Marcus? Are you thinking of scrapping the gallery and do everything in the forum? And just use it for storage.

I quite like the galleries as a feature and the way that that section interfaces with POTY. I think it could be better organised with perhaps the highest rating aspect being on show when you first enter a gallery, plus notification when a comment and or rating has been made, thus generating more useful purpose.

Some thought in layout to encourage a competitive edge and communication would also improve things.

I have always assummed pictures posted in the Critique part of the forum request critique as part of the photographer's seeking opinion. And the specialist area a place to highlight your expertise

[kentlass]

Originally Posted by beauxreflets

I quite like the galleries as a feature and the way that that section interfaces with POTY. I think it could be better organised with perhaps the highest rating aspect being on show when you first enter a gallery, plus notification when a comment and or rating has been made, thus generating more useful purpose.

Some thought in layout to encourage a competitive edge and communication would also improve things.

I have always assummed pictures posted in the Critique part of the forum request critique as part of the photographer's seeking opinion. And the specialist area a place to highlight your expertise

I agree with beauxreflets on this as someone new to photography I do post in the critique section for feedback and help.

I occasionally look through the galleries but find them time consuming and confusing. If I see a photograph in the special interest forums that I like I will look to see if the poster has more work in the gallery but otherwise I tend not to go there.

I have not uploaded to the galleries, or the special interest threads, myself as I do not consider my work good enough [yet]

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by kentlass

I agree with beauxreflets on this as someone new to photography I do post in the critique section for feedback and help.

I occasionally look through the galleries but find them time consuming and confusing. If I see a photograph in the special interest forums that I like I will look to see if the poster has more work in the gallery but otherwise I tend not to go there.

I have not uploaded to the galleries, or the special interest threads, myself as I do not consider my work good enough [yet]

Go for it, I don't rate myself as having expertise in any area either. I only add photographs to the special interest forums because I am hopefully sharing with like-minded people and its where they fit. If you've got a street shot then add it there, my understanding is that you don't have to be a pro or expert just someone with an interest in that type of photography or someone who has a related shot to share.

Karen