PLEASE , Someone tell me why NO ONE will comment

10/14/2005 10:28:24 AM · #26

LOL saintaugust!!
queanbeez, I really can understand anyone's reluctance to comment on a "bad" photo, but I honestly think we HAVE to, otherwise why try to learn here? All I ask is to be honest with your critique and tell the reason you scored it a one or two! Am sure if you think about it, you usually can find the reason and be able to express it gracefully! If not gracefully, at least without being rude. As in "YUCK" is not a critique or a viable comment, it is just being rude. However, a comment of "IMO your lighting is so bad that the photo loses all meaning to me" may seem harsh to some, it is an honest opinion and should (and would be by me and most others) be taken as such. If I was doing something on purpose with the lighting I would feel I missed getting the point across, and if it was just bad lighting, I would understand. But if, after receiving that, I still thought the lighting was okay, I have the choice of laughing at your comment and ignoring it. That to me is the primary reason for doing this. In that, I may be wrong, of course, but it IS my primary reason - to LEARN from my mistakes!!

Jacque

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

10/14/2005 10:35:43 AM · #27

Originally posted by olddj:

Wow, something is being missed badly here. I - really, honestly - do not "worry" about the ones and twos, I just want to know WHY so I can correct the problem IF (and I did say IF) I agree it is a problem. Why do so many people insist that it is the number I am upset about?? It is not. To me, giving out a one or two without comment is saying " See, I have power, I can try to make you feel bad without fear of reprisal!"
If this is now, or is to become a true LEARNING place, the extremely low scores not only SHOULD be commented on, but maybe it should be made a requirement to comment on any one or two vote? I did not come here just to make myself feel great about my pics, do NOT need this (or any other online site) for that. I came here to LEARN!! If you cannot see and understand that, I do feel sorry for you.
Jacque

text

not everyone reacts this way, some people take it too personally..when people comment they don't know who is receiving the comment..try the forums for specific feedback.
I personally don't care if I get feedback on 1's or 2's at all..I don't find that is how I learn, from simply people's tastes..technically I can always use a few pointers, but mostly I learn from trying, and reading tutorials etc...I am not sure what I can learn from someone who sees things in terms of a 1 or a 2..don't think I would respect their opinion unless I saw it that way myself..people who give a 1 don't look to see what you are trying to do, nor do they take the time to see what is good in your shot..how would that help?
if you read studies on learning, and especially involving the arts you would realize that students/learners benefit most from CONSTRUCTIVE criticism..someone giving you a ONE or TWO is not interested in that. If you are not getting feedback, look at the shots you like, look at the feedback they are getting, and try to learn from them..ask yourself what feedback you would give the shot. Scores and feedback will only let you know what others like/dislike..rarely will you get technical feedback, when you do enjoy it.
This is a LEARNING place, by virtue of being exposed to a variety of styles, and incredible opportunities to explore your craft.
I am a better photographer now than when I joined, adn I find I care far less about scores etc. as I gain the confidence to shoot what I want, and am constantly becoming more technically skilled..that for me is true learning.

Apple iPhone 5

10/14/2005 10:47:03 AM · #28

Originally posted by jhonan:

Originally posted by EddyG:

As a point of reference, the rules specifically state "While voting, users are asked to keep in highest consideration the topic of the challenge and base their rating accordingly." So you should be asking if it meets the challenge first and use that as the most important factor in deciding your ranking...

Yes, I know. I read the rules as well.

Okay, I've thought about this some more.

A photo could meet the challenge precisely; for example, a shot of four black dots on a white page for 'rule of thirds', or a wall painted in two different colours, with the dividing line perfectly positioned on the golden mean for 'colours'... These shots would meet the challenge, and would be technically flawless.

But, for me, they are just not *interesting* - So should I give them a 10 for meeting the challenge and being technically okay? - Or should I give them a 5 for not being interesting to me?

At the same time, I'm not going to score very highly something that doesn't meet the challenge, no matter how much it interests me. My point is that the shot has to interest me first, *before* I stop long enough to consider the other two points (whether it fits the challenge and whether its technically okay)

Who doesn't click first on a thumbnail that looks interesting when they start voting? :-)

olddj: Whatever about your challenge entry, your thread appears to be getting enough comments!

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/14/2005 11:08:54 AM · #29

jhonan, thanks for asking, am all the way "up" to three comments now, almost 200 votes and three comments LOL. All three mention the title, and trying to be honest with myself, can understand all three. Most of the time I let the photo tell me the title, and I really am proud of most of them - I post a lot of titled pictures on one site. This time I got the title first and fit the photo to it. Will NOT do that again, LOL, though I still feel the title, while not perfect, fits. And, as I said in a previous post, early this morning - my time - I received a GREAT, well thought out comment, one of the best I have seen. Do understand most people will or can not spend that much time on every photo, but oh, how I wish we could!!! LOL

Bucket, I can see your point, but I have to, at least for myself, disagree. If I did not want to know the faults of my pictures, I would only post where I get almost 100% good replies, and I do know of such places. I post here to try to understand everyone's view and why they see things the way they do. If I get a one or two, that is THEIR right, even if I strongly disagree. But with that right - to me - is a responsibility to explain to the person WHY you thought that the photo was only worth that. Looking at other's work (which my wife and I do almost every day here) and reading do only so much. If I interpret something wrongly or see something completely askew, I want to know that is your reason. NOT really difficult, hurts sometimes? SURE DOES, but the old saying no pain, no gain I find true here. I am only (and all too) human, love to hear how great my stuff is, but I am also smart enough to realize everyone sees things differently and probably dumb enough to want to know why? LOL In any case, thanks for your response, though I do disagree, I had to think about it before I answered, and that in itself is a great thing!!

Jacque

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

10/14/2005 11:16:00 AM · #30

Originally posted by jfriesen:

I've had 8 comments a majority of which are good and something good then they point out something bad and my score goes down everytime I check it.

Dude, now seeing this guys username really tripped me out for a second...seeing my name is J(ason) Friesen. I was worried I had been leading a double life while I was asleep.

OK, back to your show. BTW, I am trying to do a 100% comment challenge for Personification, but I'm only 60 comments in, so everybody should get at least one comment...and they are more than 2 words. Just don't get mad at me.

10/14/2005 11:18:30 AM · #31

I totally understand your point..and can see how you might benefit from other people's insights. I think anyone who gives you a 4, 5 or 6 might do just that..it is the ones giving out one's and two's who i don't believe would really offer you much...unless you are at a beginning stage, and really need to learn the basics...otherwise their vote alone indicates a dismissive viewing. I don't disagree that you can learn from seeing how others view your shots..it can be healthy. I have had some wonderful comments that helped in this way..none were from the one or two voters though.

Rikki

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/14/2005 11:19:56 AM · #32

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Dude, now seeing this guys username really tripped me out for a second...seeing my name is J(ason) Friesen. I was worried I had been leading a double life while I was asleep.

Ahhhh! So the mystery is slowly unraveled! You are leading a double life Doc!!!

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

10/14/2005 12:02:27 PM · #33

Originally posted by jhonan:

So should I give them a 10 for meeting the challenge and being technically okay? - Or should I give them a 5 for not being interesting to me?

I understand completely where you're coming from. I was just emphasizing that the thing that makes DPC different from all the other online photo competition sites is the weekly themes... you need to capture an image that hits the voter over the head with the obviousness of how it meets the challenge while at the same time being an interesting picture. And most people don't get that.

Too many people think they can shoe-horn an image into a challenge with a title or some other weak association to the challenge... and then whine about their poor scores in the forums.

David.C

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/14/2005 01:25:18 PM · #34

Originally posted by olddj:

... To me, giving out a one or two without comment is saying " See, I have power, I can try to make you feel bad without fear of reprisal!" ...

IMO, that is taking things way too personally. ;)

---

As far as comments go, it's all about interset and attention. A photo is a communication -- doesn't have to be a significant communication -- but it is a communication. Like any other communication, it must first gain the attention of the recipient. If it is not interesting, no attention will be attracted -- and it will be ignored. Nothing is going to change this -- forcing comments will just have the effect of the image being ignored with 'cookie cutter' comments that have no value at all.

It is easy to comment on what is liked about an image -- it is right there in front of me and easy to inspect. It has gained my attention and interest -- no problem saying something about it. Saying something interesting is another matter entirely. :D

The technically bad images are also easy to comment on -- as is discovered by anyone that misses the DOF on a portrait and blurs the tip of the nose, is a bit too dark, has grain or heaven forbid sensor dust. They will have no problem knowing exactly what the viewer didn't like -- they will have lots of comments all saying the same thing, and likely something they knew about before posting the image. Again, I have no problem finding something to say about these images -- because whatever is wrong with it has my attention.

The middle of the road shots are nearly impossible to comment on -- if the image has nothing of interest to capture and hold my attention it will not get a comment from me. It is hard to find something to say about something that is not there. Sure I could give a lot of 'no interst' comments, but the lack of a comment says the same thing. Being asked why something is not interesting is the same as asking me to create something that isn't in the image (but that I might be interesting if it was) and then complain about it not being there. That line of reasoning goes off the deep end very quickly and doesn't help anyone for one simple reason; as soon as the discussion turns to what isn't there instead of what is -- the discussion is no longer about the image in question.

The end result of all this is 'no interest, no comment' -- and me leaving a comment telling you it is not interesting is not very interesting. ;) It also doesn't add anything the mass silence isn't telling you.

To get more comments, make your images more interesting. I know, easier said than done -- but that is the learning part of the site. Take a weekly challenge and make an interesting image based on it. As has been said, a successful image has to hit the viewer over the head with the challenge topic -- but also with the subject of the image.

Capturing the attention and interest of the viewer is done by first having an easily identified subject and framing lines, curves, balance and all the other things that make up a composition. The lines of the composition lead the viewers attention, the balance moves it about the image -- but all of it directed at bring the viewers attention fully onto the subject. The subject is what the attention is to be focused on -- it doesn't hurt to have an interesting subject, but a quick look at the Mundane, Simplicity or Everyday Objects challenges will show it is not vital. An interesting subject captures attention by itself and is easy to make a good image of (see this thread for discussion), but an uninteresting subject can be made interesting with superior use of compositional elements.

Don't dwell on negatives -- they only lead to more negatives. It is far more useful to concentrate on adding interest to future shots than trying to find out why the current one is lacking.

David

Message edited by author 2005-10-14 13:46:27.

Dim7

Canon EOS R

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

10/14/2005 02:10:16 PM · #35

Don`t even try to understand voters,just be happy!!
Neil

scamp

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

10/14/2005 02:51:20 PM · #36

It would be nice if when voting there was a drop-down menu with general comments that could be selected such as:

photo too dark
does not meet challenge
bad compostion
....and more

This would help people get more of the critques and/or general information they are looking for if people don't have time to actually write a comment. People are generally willing to comment on the nice photos, but it takes too much time to comment on the ones that you may vote between 1-4. If it was just a drop-down menu that a general comment could be selected I think more people would do it. Anyway, just a thought! :o)

10/14/2005 03:22:45 PM · #37

well the why no comments is answered in the "what do you think.." thread isn't it...
left you a comment on one of your shots olddj...

Olympus 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Zuiko Digital Zoom

10/14/2005 03:47:24 PM · #38

LOL Bucket, yeppers, think you are correct, will not stop me from commenting though, LOL!!

Jacque

LadeeM

Olympus E-410

10/14/2005 04:00:49 PM · #39

I am getting 3.64 on my Personification entry with 11 comments - 10 that say does not meet the challenge, and 1 that they like it. I guess I'm happy to know that that is why they are voting me low, however if they thought about it, my photo does meet the challenge. I think I'm getting the brown, but you know what? I love my photo ... it is one of my favorites.

KarenNfld

10/14/2005 04:03:48 PM · #40

Originally posted by olddj:

It is all right to tell me you think I cropped it badly, it looks pink on your monitor, the sun is blocking out the object , WHATEVER you see, PLEASE tell me.
Jacque

Jacque, according to this thread:
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=285808

you complained when I left you a comment (mine was the comment about the colours being washed out). You said it was the WORST comment you had gotten on that image. Well, that was my opinion, that was what I saw as soon as I saw your photo. I did not score it 1 or 2, in fact I did not even score it below a 5. So what is it you want, do you want honest comments or don't you?

I am very new to this site but I have commented on a lot of photos in the past few challenges. If I think the colours are washed out, the focus is off or the composition not flattering, I will say it. I will also comment if I think the photo is excellently composed, is clear, etc. I comment on the good and the bad.

I have gotten private messages from people when I have left comments during the challenges. Most don't agree with me and they seem to be lobbying for a higher vote (not even knowing how I voted for it in the first place!). I do not respond to those, I rarely change my mind, and I don't want to get into an arguement with anyone over my comments.

So maybe people don't comment because they don't want to be bothered with people who complain, whine and try to convince them to vote higher. Just an idea, just my opinion.

10/14/2005 04:06:11 PM · #41

LadeeM, glad you see it the "correct" - in my opinion - way. Love the art of photography, especially your own, but try try try to improve every chance you get!! And also glad you understand why - in this challenge anyway - some are scoring you low. Do not know your pic, but I was/am PROBABLY one of the 10. Sorry

Bucket, you leave a comment under your own name on one of my old entries? Or on the present one? Cannot see your name anywhere is why I asked!

Jacque

10/14/2005 04:09:28 PM · #42

In your profile, click on comments received and you will always find your most recent comments.

edit:not including present challenges

Message edited by author 2005-10-14 16:10:00.

10/14/2005 04:16:43 PM · #43

Double thanks, bucket, much appreciated info for both the photo and the use of "my profile".

Jacque

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

10/14/2005 05:00:07 PM · #44

Originally posted by KarenNfld:

Originally posted by olddj:
It is all right to tell me you think I cropped it badly, it looks pink on your monitor, the sun is blocking out the object , WHATEVER you see, PLEASE tell me.
Jacque

Jacque, according to this thread:
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=285808

you complained when I left you a comment (mine was the comment about the colours being washed out). You said it was the WORST comment you had gotten on that image. Well, that was my opinion, that was what I saw as soon as I saw your photo. I did not score it 1 or 2, in fact I did not even score it below a 5. So what is it you want, do you want honest comments or don't you?

I am very new to this site but I have commented on a lot of photos in the past few challenges. If I think the colours are washed out, the focus is off or the composition not flattering, I will say it. I will also comment if I think the photo is excellently composed, is clear, etc. I comment on the good and the bad.

I have gotten private messages from people when I have left comments during the challenges. Most don't agree with me and they seem to be lobbying for a higher vote (not even knowing how I voted for it in the first place!). I do not respond to those, I rarely change my mind, and I don't want to get into an arguement with anyone over my comments.

So maybe people don't comment because they don't want to be bothered with people who complain, whine and try to convince them to vote higher. Just an idea, just my opinion.

Stagolee

Kodak Easyshare C180

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

10/14/2005 05:24:56 PM · #45

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Good catch Karen! Very enlightening read - thanks for sharing that. Makes me think of the most memorable line of the movie "A Few Good Men" - you know, where Jack Nicholson says "You can't handle the truth!". ;^)

Originally posted by KarenNfld:

Originally posted by olddj:
It is all right to tell me you think I cropped it badly, it looks pink on your monitor, the sun is blocking out the object , WHATEVER you see, PLEASE tell me.
Jacque

Jacque, according to this thread:
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=285808

you complained when I left you a comment (mine was the comment about the colours being washed out). You said it was the WORST comment you had gotten on that image. Well, that was my opinion, that was what I saw as soon as I saw your photo. I did not score it 1 or 2, in fact I did not even score it below a 5. So what is it you want, do you want honest comments or don't you?

I am very new to this site but I have commented on a lot of photos in the past few challenges. If I think the colours are washed out, the focus is off or the composition not flattering, I will say it. I will also comment if I think the photo is excellently composed, is clear, etc. I comment on the good and the bad.

I have gotten private messages from people when I have left comments during the challenges. Most don't agree with me and they seem to be lobbying for a higher vote (not even knowing how I voted for it in the first place!). I do not respond to those, I rarely change my mind, and I don't want to get into an arguement with anyone over my comments.

So maybe people don't comment because they don't want to be bothered with people who complain, whine and try to convince them to vote higher. Just an idea, just my opinion.

Very good catch !!!!!

No comment is a comment in itself.

10/14/2005 05:56:53 PM · #46

You have to be kidding me, I hope, that was the worst I received, it was GOOD, but it was the worst. What I was trying to say is that NO ONE had left a bad comment, wow, this is incredible to me!!

Rikki

10/14/2005 06:05:00 PM · #47

If leaving a comment saying the colors are washed out are the worst comments you've received, hang on to your seat. I've received far worse than that. Try this for size for this image.

This image is poorly executed. Dirt!

If you want people to be brutally frank about your images to make you improve as a photographer, I suggest not being too emotionally tied with your images. Take images because they please you. People are entitled to their own opinions and they might differ from yours.

If you ask for comments, be happy to receive them... good or bad.

10/14/2005 06:12:23 PM · #48

"Vent time, my entry into comp colors has received 7 comments, the WORST is: NICE, meets the challenge but seems a little washed out, others include *removed reference to specific entry*."

That is the entry where I "complained" about the comment, if someone could tell me where I complained about the comment, I would really like to see it, I capatilized WORST to let you all know that it was NOT bad, then since it says NICE to begin with, I cannot see where anyone would even think I thought it was bad, wow, talk about taking something out of context!! IT WAS APPRECIATED< marked helpful, double wow!! But it was the worst of the ones I received! THAT was the point, no bad comments received!!

Jacque

10/14/2005 06:23:20 PM · #49

Originally posted by rikki11:

text

I personally don't understand why anyone would be happy to get a poorly thought-out comment such as the one you received..i like getting comments, but am not happy good or bad. Bad comments aren't necessarily ones where the person doesn't like the shot, rather ones that have been given no real thought, or are petty...I am not hurt nor destroyed, but personally would rather not hear from or associate with people like that.
.so quite simply I don't agree.