"Categorize" Photo of the Month?

[smoke665]

The best time to nominate is the day you see it!

It can be time consuming to go back to find what you liked at the end of the month. The end result is fewer nominations of good work.

Yes and no. I generally log in early of a morning on my tablet which makes it more difficult to nominate, but I also find that there are times when I like to go back and revisit an image before nominating.

 

[smoke665]

OK. I'll send it on up. I haven't tried with mine.

Found a quick workaround on the URL problem in my tablet. I can click/hold>Open image in new tab>copy image link in new tab>paste link insert image, URL. Works with embedded images from Flickr https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54799584652_e0a6ae9482_b.jpg

 

[terri32 3]

Yes and no. I generally log in early of a morning on my tablet which makes it more difficult to nominate, but I also find that there are times when I like to go back and revisit an image before nominating.

Whatever works best for you to get nominations in, which is what matters here.

 

[DanOstergren23]

PS Weary of photo-dumpers+chronic drive-by low/no comment image posters. Your views???

Respectfully, I think sharing photos, or "photo dumping" as you call it, is the point of the image sharing forums, and encouraging people to do so will only serve to boost participation. As opposed to complaining about the number of images one might share in their own threads, or being blatantly disrespectful in response to folks making new threads, sharing their images, or accidentally posting in old threads, which I believe these things are directly causing a decline in participation here. I think it gives the impression of this place being unfriendly and unwelcoming.

 

[smoke665]

Respectfully, I think sharing photos, or "photo dumping" as you call it, is the point of the image sharing forums, and encouraging people to do so will only serve to boost participation. As opposed to complaining about the number of images one might share in their own threads, or being blatantly disrespectful in response to folks making new threads, sharing their images, or accidentally posting in old threads, which I believe these things are directly causing a decline in participation here. I think it gives the impression of this place being unfriendly and unwelcoming.

On the other side of limiting photo dumping or the number of images in a post, is that it encourages more viewers/comments. You'll find this to be the case in most Photography oriented sites including those on social media like FB. We live in a click/scroll world, and if I see a post with a large number of images I'm likely to scroll on by. On a dedicated photography site my belief is that i want to post what I consider the best of the best. I tend to expect others to do their own self critique before I view it. Sorting through a hodge podge of images IMO discourages viewers from offering serious critique, resulting in meaningless "likes".

It's a fine line between respect and critique, I would agree that there's no reason to cross that line and be disrespectful. Critique by others has mellowed some over the years, in the past it could be brutal. At the same time it's important to understand that TPF is a place of learning, valid critique helps one improve. Those on the receiving end should accept it with equal respect regardless of if they agree or disagree.

I also agree with you on the reincarnation of Zombie threads. I've accidentally contributed to them in the past, before I learned to check the OP date. Truthfully I dont know of a good solution.

 

[DanOstergren23]

On the other side of limiting photo dumping or the number of images in a post, is that it encourages more viewers/comments. You'll find this to be the case in most Photography oriented sites including those on social media like FB. We live in a click/scroll world, and if I see a post with a large number of images I'm likely to scroll on by. On a dedicated photography site my belief is that i want to post what I consider the best of the best. I tend to expect others to do their own self critique before I view it. Sorting through a hodge podge of images IMO discourages viewers from offering serious critique, resulting in meaningless "likes".

It's a fine line between respect and critique, I would agree that there's no reason to cross that line and be disrespectful. Critique by others has mellowed some over the years, in the past it could be brutal. At the same time it's important to understand that TPF is a place of learning, valid critique helps one improve. Those on the receiving end should accept it with equal respect regardless of if they agree or disagree.

I have seen you make thoughtful replies in image sharing threads that contain 10+ images before, making note of which images you like or dislike and giving well thought out reasons for your opinions, more than once and as recently as this Summer. The number of images didn't seem to be a problem in any of those instances. Why all of a sudden is this now a bad thing? It never was before in the 12 years that I have been a member of TPF.

I can see your point if the photos are being posted in the C & C Gallery where someone would absolutely be looking for serious critique, and members are expected to focus on only one or two images for the sake of giving serious critique. In that case, yes self critique is actually the expectation, as well as discretion on the number of images being presented.
In the image sharing boards outside of the C & C Gallery, respectful criticism is welcome and encouraged, however the entire point is to share our images in those image sharing boards. Self-criticism isn't required in the image sharing boards. In the image sharing boards (not including the C & C Gallery) no one is required to only post one or two photos from a series just because a couple of members only want to view just a few photos instead of a series. The forum itself imposes a limit of 15 attached images to a post, so honestly anything within that limitation shouldn't be a problem, and anything beyond that can have exceptions. I can recall only one time where I shared more than 15, and it was a collection of photos from a cross-country road trip. Many people enjoyed and commented on the photos, while one person in particular had a conniption over the number of photos I was sharing in my own thread documenting the road trip, while he made no comment whatsoever about the photography, and that same member has gone on to do the exact same thing in multiple other people's image threads. He then goes on to complain about a lack of participation on TPF. Criticizing people for sharing a collection of photos in an image sharing board, rather than even commenting on the photography itself, is off topic and rude. Discouraging members from sharing their images like this is counter-productive to the goal of wanting more participation in the forums. No member should have to take abuse from others for sharing more than a few photos. As a matter of fact, sharing full collections has been a regular and encouraged practice here for the 12 years that I have been a member. I still share full collections and folks still respond to my threads despite them containing more than just a few images.

No one is required or expected to comment on every image sharing thread for any reason they want, including if they think there are too many images, but they are at the very least expected to stay on topic and be respectful. Before I'm accused of going off-topic, these replies are in direct response to what was brought up and asked in the original post of this thread.

I also agree with you on the reincarnation of Zombie threads. I've accidentally contributed to them in the past, before I learned to check the OP date. Truthfully I dont know of a good solution.

I have seen recently some very disrespectful replies to people who accidentally post in old threads, and I don't think that should be tolerated at all. Regarding what to do about people reviving those threads, we can at least agree that not being blatantly disrespectful towards those people should be the bare-minimum.

On a similar note, I have also seen some very disrespectful replies to people creating new threads in the "Just for Fun" forum, specifically on the very first page of Post an image of yours related to the one above it. Once again they are very counterproductive to the goal of encouraging more participation here, despite that very same person claiming there isn't enough participation on TPF.

If someone claims to want more participation from members on TPF, that person should start by being friendly towards other members on TPF, instead of discouraging image sharing and creating an unfriendly and unwelcoming environment on a very regular basis. Ironically we now have this thread, where the topic is simultaneously claiming to want more participation while also discouraging participation.

 

[smoke665]

I have seen you make thoughtful replies in image sharing threads that contain 10+ images before

Said i would "likely" scroll on by, didn't say I would on every post, especially if I'm familiar with the person in question. In previous years there was much more in depth critique, it takes time to effectively consider an image. With larger sets the there's less in depth time available.

In the image sharing boards outside of the C & C Gallery, respectful criticism is also the expectation, however the entire point is to share our images in those image sharing boards.

Respectful conduct by the OP or those responding is always a requirement, disrespectful comments, flaming or those intended to create arguments should be reported. That said, it's also important to realize that once past the basic technicals of an image you're into opinions, and opinions differ. Doesn't make one right or wrong, just different. Just like our difference in opinion on sharing I have always differentiated TPF from other social media sites as a place for sharing more serious work in the pursuit of learning. I would take one valid critique over a hundred "Likes" any day - different opinion.

Self-criticism isn't required in the image sharing boards.

No, but isn't the ability to do so just as important as other skills. How else will you learn to see your weaknesses. I've seen your improvements over time, you didn't get there by not recognizing where you needed improvement. To my knowledge there is no limit on the number of images you share in a post, if that's what floats your boat have at. Myself I prefer to post only what I consider the very best of my set - different opinion.

 

[DanOstergren23]

That said, it's also important to realize that once past the basic technicals of an image you're into opinions, and opinions differ. Doesn't make one right or wrong, just different. Just like our difference in opinion on sharing I have always differentiated TPF from other social media sites as a place for sharing more serious work in the pursuit of learning. I would take one valid critique over a hundred "Likes" any day - different opinion.

When you say that we have a different opinion regarding valid critique over likes, are you inferring that I prefer likes over critique? I have never said anything like that.
I am not disparaging valid image critique here and never was.

No, but isn't the ability to do so just as important as other skills. How else will you learn to see your weaknesses. I've seen your improvements over time, you didn't get there by not recognizing where you needed improvement.

Sure, self critique is a good thing and comes with time and experience. Is this forum not for all experience levels?

Funnily enough I actually do understand that I improved by recognizing where improvements were needed, as well as from critique. Like I said, I am not against respectful critique, and my replies here have never been about what constitutes respectful critique. They are about the way particular members treat others for accidentally posting in old threads, or leaving comments like "8, seriously?" and making other disrespectful comments about being weary of oversharing in other's threads because they think someone put too many photos in their own image sharing thread, or saying things like "Should last about a week. Seriously?" because they don't like someone's idea for a thread in the Just For Fun board. I have not been arguing against image critique here (self critique or otherwise), I support it. I am pointing out behaviors that I see as contributing to the waning participation on TPF.

To my knowledge there is no limit on the number of images you share in a post, if that's what floats your boat have at. Myself I prefer to post only what I consider the very best of my set - different opinion.

I just don't think that just because someone posts more than a few images does not mean they don't feel that those photos are the very best of the set. I would actually argue that most of the time they are sharing them because they do feel that those are the best in the set.

Myself I prefer to post only what I consider the very best of my set - different opinion.

I'm not sure why you are inferring that we don't share this in common. I have always shared what I feel are the best of my photo sets.

 

[smoke665]

When you say that we have a different opinion regarding valid critique over likes, are you inferring that I prefer likes over critique? I have never said anything like that.

You're reading more into my comment than I said. We have differing opinions on the number of images to post in a single post. As to "Likes", I said " I would take one valid critique over a hundred "Likes" any day", never said you, but there are those out there that feed off likes.

. I am pointing out behaviors that I see as contributing to the waning participation on TPF

Participation decline has a variety of issues. With forums and social media in general, the anonymity tends to bring out bad behavior. That's why members are encouraged to report those types of behavior to the Mods for oversight, before things get out of hand. Also online as in real life there are some things that are better just skipping on by. Not every perceived infraction or offense requires a response, and the "Block" feature takes those who continuously cross the line out of my feed.

I'm not sure why you are inferring that we don't share this in common. I have always shared what I feel are the best of my photo sets.

Again I was referring to myself. Just like you its my opinion, my choice, nowhere did I say you have to mimic me.

 

[snowbear113 45]

. . . and the "Block" feature takes those who continuously cross the line out of my feed.

or "Ignore" as it is labeled here.

 

[DanOstergren23]

You're reading more into my comment than I said. We have differing opinions on the number of images to post in a single post. As to "Likes", I said " I would take one valid critique over a hundred "Likes" any day", never said you, but there are those out there that feed off likes.


Participation decline has a variety of issues. With forums and social media in general, the anonymity tends to bring out bad behavior. That's why members are encouraged to report those types of behavior to the Mods for oversight, before things get out of hand. Also online as in real life there are some things that are better just skipping on by. Not every perceived infraction or offense requires a response, and the "Block" feature takes those who continuously cross the line out of my feed.


Again I was referring to myself. Just like you its my opinion, my choice, nowhere did I say you have to mimic me.

I must have misread your words then, my bad.