Challenge Question - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

01/28/2011 11:36:32 AM · #1

Hey guys. I was wondering if you can send a pm to a user explaining them something about your photo. I'm asking that because i got a comment that's kind of telling me that my photo is a DNMC and it's not. I think that the user just didn't get the photo and I'd like to explaine it.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

01/28/2011 11:42:57 AM · #2

You can, but it's a personal judgment thing. Make sure to be polite and diplomatic, and don't expect them to change their vote. If you come off as argumentative, it won't likely help matters.

If your entry did not register with them as fitting the challenge, they may very well have understood your connection, but did not agree that it fit the topic. Best to treat it as a casual conversation, or just wait until the challenge is over. It's a judgment call, for sure.

RainMotorsports

Nikon D60

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

01/28/2011 11:43:28 AM · #3

EDITED to the frozen land and back.

Nothing explicitly forbidding it apparently in the voting and challenge discussion rules. I would think you couldn't do it during a challenge.

Message edited by author 2011-01-28 11:48:50.

jeger

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/28/2011 11:48:49 AM · #4

"08. Everyone is misinterpreting my photograph, and therefore they are voting wrong

It is your job to communicate your message to the viewer through your photograph, and to a lesser extent, through your title. If the viewers are unable to figure out your message, it is you who have failed. Not all photographs need to have a message; they can be open for interpretation. But if there is a particular message you are trying to communicate, your photograph is the medium in which you communicate."

10 Things you should know about DPC

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

01/28/2011 11:50:17 AM · #5

I have had one case where I responded to a DNMC comment on this entry in "Industrial":

The commenter felt the sign on the building was the only thing that made this industrial. I could not understand how this could NOT be seen as an industrial location, especially with the machinery that was out front. Turned out to be a cultural thing. The commenter lives in a country where such structures are used for everything, including dwellings. The point is, I was not trying to get a vote change out of him, I was just very curious about how he perceived my entry.

Ductyl

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Canon

01/28/2011 12:46:49 PM · #6

I have both received a PM from someone I left a comment for, and sent a PM to someone who left a comment on my entry during voting.

In the former, the user was answering a question about location that I posed in my comment. I didn't really expect an answer via PM, but I was happy to learn the information.

In the latter, I received a helpful criticism from a member about the quality of my photo. I contacted them with some theories about why it came out that way, and how I'll try to avoid it next time, hoping they would point out if I missed something more obvious. ;)

In both cases it was a matter of post-vote information, and not vote-revision information.

Also, it is considered by some to be in poor taste to send PMs about an in-voting entry, so be warned. Personally I don't mind at all if people contact me about my comment during voting, but be aware that not everyone shares this mindset.

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/28/2011 01:04:34 PM · #7

Your post should be required reading for new members, Jonathan. A popup window you must click on and agree to before you're moved to the "join now" button.

As a somewhat prolific commenter, I don't have a problem with someone PM'ing me to answer a question I may have posed in my comment (ie. where is this, WHAT is this?). And don't necessarily have a problem with being contacted to clarify my comment (although I'd prefer such messages to be sent after rollover). I know I can be a bit obtuse at times. But I really, REALLY hate it when someone writes to argue with my interpretation and tell me I'm wrong, or to point out all the things I missed which are clearly there. ESPECIALLY during voting. I used to answer those PMs, but now I just ignore them. If you have to explain a joke...

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

01/28/2011 01:54:03 PM · #8

Thanx for the answers guys. I don't want to send a pm to the user and argue about the comment. I just want to explain to him/her the concept of my photo. Also, i don't do it cause i want him/her to change the vote. :)

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

01/28/2011 02:08:16 PM · #9

Originally posted by chris23:

I've PMd people during voting, but extremely rarely. And I usually say something like "This is intended for information only, not to try to get you to change your vote."

smardaz

01/28/2011 02:15:30 PM · #10

Originally posted by chris23:

and THIS is why I click the box "hide my name on comments until the voting is over" under the preferences. That way I can comment away and if I inadvertantly (or purposely) offend someone they can't scream at me right away. And often times they forget by then anyway.

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

01/28/2011 04:22:15 PM · #11

I didn't want to scream at anybody. As i said, i wanted to explain the concept, not for the vote. :)

kleski

Canon EOS-7D

01/28/2011 06:56:16 PM · #12

Originally posted by chris23:

I didn't want to scream at anybody. As i said, i wanted to explain the concept, not for the vote. :)

Then you should wait until the voting is over. For every commenter you get saying DMNC there could be 5 or 10 not saying it but voting that way. If you need to explain your concept do it in the "Photographer's Comments" section of your photo. This gives everyone a chance to see why you felt this photo met the challenge.

This one had several that commented that it didn't meet the challenge so I wrote my viewpoint so others could see my vision.

MargaretNet

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS

01/28/2011 07:09:38 PM · #13

Originally posted by kleski:

Originally posted by chris23:
I didn't want to scream at anybody. As i said, i wanted to explain the concept, not for the vote. :)

Then you should wait until the voting is over. For every commenter you get saying DMNC there could be 5 or 10 not saying it but voting that way. If you need to explain your concept do it in the "Photographer's Comments" section of your photo. This gives everyone a chance to see why you felt this photo met the challenge.

I think using Comments is a great way to put down your thoughts and explanations about the image. When voting is over you can modify them. During voting you can only add new comments. I have started doing this feature recently and I like the approach.

I personally hate to be contacted during voting and do not display my name any more. I burnt my fingers badly when I had a different view than the author. It is just not worth it.

smardaz

01/28/2011 09:22:19 PM · #14

Originally posted by chris23:

I didn't want to scream at anybody. As i said, i wanted to explain the concept, not for the vote. :)

i am sure you didn't, but believe me, it happens

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/28/2011 09:37:38 PM · #15

Originally posted by chris23:

I didn't want to scream at anybody. As i said, i wanted to explain the concept, not for the vote. :)

Hey Chris. Even if you do it with smiles and in the best and nicest of ways, you are still questioning the commenter's opinion, and when it comes to subjective stuff, you cannot tell someone else they are wrong, no matter what words you use. The best way to clarify your position is indeed, the photographer notes. It always makes a great story for everyone to read after rollover, and no ones feelings get hurt. Not everyone is going to understand your work. And that's part of the party as well.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/28/2011 09:46:52 PM · #16

Originally posted by tanguera:

Originally posted by chris23:
I didn't want to scream at anybody. As i said, i wanted to explain the concept, not for the vote. :)

Hey Chris. Even if you do it with smiles and in the best and nicest of ways, you are still questioning the commenter's opinion, and when it comes to subjective stuff, you cannot tell someone else they are wrong, no matter what words you use. The best way to clarify your position is indeed, the photographer notes. It always makes a great story for everyone to read after rollover, and no ones feelings get hurt. Not everyone is going to understand your work. And that's part of the party as well.

However, I understand the frustration with this approach: the feeling that, realistically speaking, the people who made these DNMC comments will not return to the image after voting, will never see the photographer's notes, will never be open to "enlightenment" (and I use the word humorously).

It's SO hard not to reach out and try to explain, SO hard. Every now and then I've done it myself, usually when I feellike I "know" the person commenting and can get away with initiating some give-and-take. But it HAS backfired on me in the past, and I very rarely do it anymore.

R.

ambaker

Google Glass Google Glass

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

01/28/2011 10:30:53 PM · #17

If a commentor asks a serious question, I will answer during a challenge. If it is something along the lines of, "What were you thinking?", or "Do you really think this meets the challenge?", then I leave it alone.

I don't mind if someone replies to my comments. However, unless it points out a real mistake on my part, I am unlikely to change my score.

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/29/2011 01:05:09 AM · #18

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

And that's when you send a PM to the photographer. After the challenge. At that point a constructive exchange can take place.

Citadel

Nikon D7500

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/29/2011 01:55:52 AM · #19

Originally posted by tanguera:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:
However, I understand the frustration with this approach: the feeling that, realistically speaking, the people who made these DNMC comments will not return to the image after voting, will never see the photographer's notes, will never be open to "enlightenment" (and I use the word humorously).

It's SO hard not to reach out and try to explain, SO hard. Every now and then I've done it myself, usually when I feellike I "know" the person commenting and can get away with initiating some give-and-take. But it HAS backfired on me in the past, and I very rarely do it anymore.

R.

And that's when you send a PM to the photographer. After the challenge. At that point a constructive exchange can take place.

Its funny but I think after the challenge is over we're also a lot less defensive about our images too. I also find that comments after voting take place are a lot less critical and sometimes (though not always) more useful. I think once the challenge is over you can get a lot more honest, constructive feedback in general.

Now if you low-balling troll-clowns are listening can someone tell me why the hell my current challenge entry is barely floating above a 5? lol. See! I should ask after the challenge... :)

Message edited by author 2011-01-29 01:57:01.