How do you successfully solicit comments?

06/11/2005 11:08:33 PM · #1

I've been with the site now for a few months and have found a wealth of knowledge and some very gracious experts who are willing to share their opinions. My question is how do you successfully solicit feedback on your works-in-progress so as to elicit not only comments, but also constructive criticism?

Understandably, people are busy and have more pressing issues to address than critiquing other people's work, but I've tried asking for feedback with relatively little result. Please don't get me wrong either - I've learned a TREMENDOUS amount on this site and there are wonderfully generous & patient individuals here who are more than willing to share their knowledge and trade secrets. I look forward to logging in every day. I also always try to comment on any shots posted when I'm online - and I've noticed that some other members do that as well - but I'd love to know if perhaps I'm doing something wrong in the manner in which I ask or if there is perhaps another forum for soliciting feedback on "works-in-progress".

Suggestions? Thanks for any & all comments.

Jimmy

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/11/2005 11:12:47 PM · #2

B&B -- either begging and bribes, or offer a free stay at a B&B ... : )

Seriously, the only proven ways are to post an image which inspires comments (i.e. is very good), wins a ribbon, offends a sizable group, or is an examplar of some controversy (like should some image have been DQ'd).

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/11/2005 11:13:58 PM · #3

LOL - I'll take that under advisement... Thanks! :D

nico_blue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/11/2005 11:14:06 PM · #4

how do you usually ask for comments? I think potentially the best way is to start a thread in forums/indivudual photo discussion, at the very least you will get people to look at your stuff.

if you have a specific question or request for someone pm works very well. Post a few thumbs of photos that you will like commented in this thread and i'll personally comment on them.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/11/2005 11:17:05 PM · #5

Originally posted by nico_blue:

Well, don't put them here, or we'll have to change the category of this thread.

Why don't we keep this as a discussion of methods for getting more comments, and you can start an Individual Photo thread as suggested.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/11/2005 11:18:53 PM · #6

Originally posted by nico_blue:

how do you usually ask for comments? I think potentially the best way is to start a thread in forums/indivudual photo discussion, at the very least you will get people to look at your stuff.

Or sometimes not ... : )

But here's one if you have time.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

06/11/2005 11:19:46 PM · #7

I suggested a while back a way to increase comments received and given. I set up a thread that you just put the picture in [no replays or comments] and I set up a thread called Q&A about the Picture thread. My goal was to have a single thread that people could post their pictures for comments. But to post a picture you needed to comment on a picture. That way everyone wins. Then the Q&A thread would be where you could ask questions. Well is was kill quickly, even had someone say I was over stepping my boundaries [or something like that]. But I thought it would be a good solution. It would minimize the amount of picture commenting threads and put them in one place. By having to comment on a picture to post one, everyone would be involved that wanted to be.
Since that time I have posted very little for comments.

Message edited by author 2005-06-11 23:21:00.

nico_blue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/11/2005 11:22:29 PM · #8

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by nico_blue:
how do you usually ask for comments? I think potentially the best way is to start a thread in forums/indivudual photo discussion, at the very least you will get people to look at your stuff.

Or sometimes not ... : )

But here's one if you have time.

haha! shhhh

It has been unscientifically proven that to get more views you should put your photos in the nude gallery. Comments are tougher.

06/11/2005 11:25:21 PM · #9

Thanks - and not to sound like more of a whiner than I already have - LOL that's not my intent - but I do post shots under the Individual Photo Discussion category and frequently only get 1-2 responses (sometimes none). That's the impetus for my question. Either my shots aren't worthy of comment (which I can understand and I HOPE that's not the case, but it may be) or perhaps I'm not asking in the right way.

I've seen other Individual Photo threads that have garnered significant feedback (albeit some that have received very few responses as well). I was just trying to zero-in on any tips to generating multiple responses.

I'm a novice compared to most people here, but I have already learned a significant amount from others on this site and just want to make the most from my available resources. :-)

Thanks!

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/11/2005 11:29:38 PM · #10

It helps to post when there's a lot of members logged-in, and they are not frantically finishing voting or uploading their last-minute entry.

It's OK to bump you thread once (or maybe twice) if you happened to first post it during a low-participation time.

06/11/2005 11:29:59 PM · #11

Scott's approach seems to make sense to me, but I'm sure that there are "established norms" here that may make that type of solution cumbersome or impractical. I guess I'm just trying to open a can of worms regarding feedback. I feel like I provide it (even if it's from my novice's eye) as frequently as I see it asked, and I'd just like to discover any hidden secrets for eliciting the same. :-)

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/11/2005 11:30:40 PM · #12

Cool - Thanks GeneralIE.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

06/11/2005 11:33:38 PM · #13

another way to get comments is to give them. lots of them. and you'll probably find that you get more and learn more from the ones you give than from the ones you get...

justine

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/11/2005 11:45:15 PM · #14

I agree. You give comments, you get comments. This applies to general photos and challenge photos. It encourages folks to get out there and comment.

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

06/12/2005 12:06:47 AM · #15

Getting comments is a real treat! Giving them is a lesson in what to look for, even if not an expert.

I've been very successful in doing critique trades if I'm onilne for awhile. I'll say I'm here for an hour or whatever....for every critique I get, I will return the favor and critique one of the commentor's shots. I usually try to do the return critiques right away, as the comments come in. I usually get between 15-25 critiques with this method, although I am trying not to use it too often.

It has introduced me to some wonderful shots and portfolios of the commentors that I would have otherwise not seen.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/12/2005 12:13:02 AM · #16

Actually, the most effective method so far was to announce a challenge where only those with more comments given than received were eligible to enter. People were commenting up a storm then ... : )

06/12/2005 12:14:12 AM · #17

That sounds cool! I would definitely qualify too... :-)

HBunch

HP PhotoSmart 315

06/12/2005 12:15:47 AM · #18

I think that if you ask for comments on particular photos, it may be worth your time to leave your OWN comments in the details section of those photos. It really is difficult sometimes to comment on photos where you don't really know the photographers intent with the photo. I noticed on your eye photos that you didn't indicate what you were trying for. I personally will still comment, but know that a lot of people refuse to take the time to comment on a photo where the photographer did not even take the time to comment themselves. Does that make sense or am I just babbling?