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DPChallenge Forums >> Current Challenge >> PLEASE , Someone tell me why NO ONE will comment
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Showing posts 76 - 76 of 76, (reverse)
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 10/16/2005 10:27:15 PM · #76
I think every answer to your questions lies within this answer [EDIT: With the exception of reiterating "Really listen to what is being said here!!!]...
Originally posted by Britannica:
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 2005-10-16 22:29:42.
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