| Author | Thread |
|
|
03/17/2007 08:14:22 PM · #1 |
Not sure if it is just with me, but I have the impression the number of comments are diminishing the past few weeks. For the current challenges, I just got 3 on both, altogether (1 for Circles, 2 for Grain).
Is this a result of some complains about the type comments being received (therefore scaring commenters away) or people just getting too lazy? |
|
|
|
03/17/2007 08:16:47 PM · #2 |
| It's just the subject matter. My circle entry only has 2 comments. My crossdressing one has 21. |
|
|
|
03/17/2007 08:22:37 PM · #3 |
| Plus there are close to 1000 entries. I'd be willing to bet people are being very selective on what they are commenting on. I've got 11 nice comments for my Time II entry. |
|
|
|
03/17/2007 08:29:49 PM · #4 |
Crossdressing is a commenters dream, relatively few entries so commenting doesn't seem overwhelming. I have 36ish comments in CD, not bad for a non-ribbon!
|
|
|
|
03/17/2007 08:56:38 PM · #5 |
the most comments I have received during a challenge is 12, and that was during a free study.
|
|
|
|
03/17/2007 09:05:58 PM · #6 |
You get comments one of two ways. One by having a very good score and two by stopping people in their tracks with something unique or controversal. Actually three ways, third already being mentioned which is if there are a few entries then more people are willing to spend time commenting on each entry.
Message edited by author 2007-03-18 01:06:34.
|
|
|
|
03/17/2007 09:47:32 PM · #7 |
you forgot the fourth way yanko, submitting something really, really bad will usually get lots and lots of comments too! :-)
|
|
|
|
03/18/2007 05:32:09 AM · #8 |
I've got 12 comments on my Circle entry and 15 on my Time entry so I was thinking the comments were going up, this is a lot of comments for me (both photos around the 6.5 mark).
|
|
|
|
03/18/2007 06:35:30 AM · #9 |
Personally I do leave FEWER comments and here it is why. For good pics (7 and up), what's the use of a silly comment like "Excellent!" or "Very nice!", especially from a beginner like me? It�s true, some entries are so good that I have to say something like that!
For bad pictures (those you would give a 1, 2 or 3), the time I would take to leave a comment is probably longer than they actually spent to take the shot. They are either done bad on purpose (so why waste my time?) or those who took them are beyond help. I know that the last part is debatable but I would like to see an example where someone got lots of 1s and then followed the advice given and started shooting nice pics. In some cases, 1s are given for DNMCs but usually the person who submitted that entry is quite convinced that the photo IS meeting the challenge but it is us, the voters who don�t get it � again, useless to leave a comment.
Now, for the rest of them, the 4, 5 and 6 (although 6 is not too bad) I am very selective as some people get offended if you say something negative. Everything you say has to come with a silver lining. I guess they really try to make something nice but you know, not everybody has the touch (I'm the perfect example for that, but I don�t mind the negative comments).
I like the post-challenge comments where someone is asking what was wrong with his entry and people comment on that. That is worth the effort of leaving a comment as it shows that the person is really interested in a meaningful feedback.
|
|
|
|
03/18/2007 06:51:47 AM · #10 |
I try to leave as many comments as possible, if I have the time as I would also like to receive comments on my photos. I don't agree that those that you give a 1, 2 or 3 vote to are beyond help. Don't forget, you're vote is YOUR opinion, not that of every other voter. Also, are there really that many photos that are so bad that there is not a single positive comment to make? For example, the composition might suck, the subject matter might be boring, but maybe the colours in the photo are attractive. If that is so, then TELL the photographer. I always try to make a positive comment with the negatives and I usually don't have to look too hard to find something positive to say.
IMO, the main reason for not voting is pure laziness. Comments like 'I don't want to be biased because I also have an entry', or 'the photo is so good there was no reason to comment' are just excuses. If I have a photo that is really fantastic (I wish) I would still like the voters to tell me because it would boost both my confidence and my moral. Think about it, how many times have you entered a photo that you think is just so-so but everyone else thinks is absolutely awesome? If no-one TELLS you they think it is awesome, you will continue to think it is just so-so.
Think I'm beginning to waffle now, but I'm sure everyone understands what I'm TRYING to say. |
|
|
|
03/18/2007 07:26:32 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by AGrigorof:
...For good pics (7 and up), what's the use of a silly comment like "Excellent!" or "Very nice!"... |
Good pictures should be what we strive for. They are models, really, fit for study, and, IMO, should be the first order of business, if we comment at all. And, I imagine,
such comments should reflect how the image affected us (facts!) and what, exactly it is about them that caused us to award it a high score. If we can't say more than "nice" or "excellent", wouldn't it also mean that we haven't looked and considered?
|
|
|
|
03/18/2007 07:29:30 AM · #12 |
I agree with  zeuszen. If something is 'nice' or 'excellent', there HAS to be a reason why we think this so instead of saying just a single word, spend a bit more time and explain what it is about the image that makes it 'nice' or 'excellent'. |
|
|
|
03/18/2007 08:12:29 AM · #13 |
I just want comments to have complete thoughts.
I can care less if I have 1, or 100 comments.
But, if a comment is to tell me that the composition sucks, or the lines suck, or the color sucks, I would appreciate proof of opinion. Otherwise, the comment and the commenter sucks, IMO.
|
|
|
|
03/18/2007 08:40:29 AM · #14 |
I was trying for awhile to leave comments on every picture I voted on or viewed, but it got so I wasn't meaning what I was saying in a lot of cases, and I was oh so repetitive. So decided to comment on those that deserved commenting on...i.e. those where I had something to say.
If a picture is outstanding... I try and convey why I felt it was. If it is bad, I try to tell that side of it too. Lately, I haven't been leaving a lot of comments. This is because I think they are nice pictures that I feel deserve the vote I gave it, or if I cannot tell why I like or dislike it. I know this is wishy washy in many ways, and for this I apologize.
But, if I were to basically cut and paste comments over and over again, just to leave comments, well... if it were my photo and this was going on I would begin to wonder how truthful the comment was.
I love this site and the vast majority of the comments I have read on many pictures. They are a learning experience for me, a digital newbie, and I have been soaking it all in. To me, to be getting 3 -10 comments that mean something compared to 100 that were of little or no value, well send me the few.
Mike
|
|
|
|
03/18/2007 08:47:30 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by American_Horse:
I just want comments to have complete thoughts. ...
|
I suspect people really don't want more comments, just better ones. They want a critique as opposed to a comment.
The problem with taking the time and energy with a critique is that they take a lot of time and the commenter never knows if the photographer is receptive to it up front.
If the photographer has checked the "I would like an indepth critique on my submission." checkbox then it should be indicated on the voting page. In this manner people willing to give critiques can both help the critique club and concentrate their efforts making comments where they know they have already been requested. That should help all the way around.
Message edited by author 2007-03-18 12:48:53.
|
|
|
|
03/18/2007 09:22:36 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by stdavidson:
If the photographer has checked the "I would like an indepth critique on my submission." checkbox then it should be indicated on the voting page. In this manner people willing to give critiques can both help the critique club and concentrate their efforts making comments where they know they have already been requested. That should help all the way around. |
I think this is a great idea!! I love critiques, it is the best way to grow. Being new to photography, I felt weird leaving comments, but did anyway. Some people didn't appreciate them, but I still tried to do my best with positive comments and critiques at the same time.
Not everyone wants comments though. A way to mark that on the voting page would be great! It would save the commenters time so as not to leave comments where they are not wanted. |
|
|
|
03/18/2007 09:49:24 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by WriteHeart:
Not everyone wants comments though. A way to mark that on the voting page would be great! It would save the commenters time so as not to leave comments where they are not wanted. |
I 100% agree with this - I think it would be great to toggle the comments/no comments on or off. There are sometimes when I would really rather not have comments. Not trying to be arrogant, just sometimes the score is enough to know whether you are along the right lines or not. |
|
|
|
03/18/2007 09:53:11 AM · #18 |
You may not want comments when your score is really bad...but you won't know why people don't like it or find it not well-done if they don't comment on it....IMO!
Message edited by author 2007-03-18 13:53:28. |
|
|
|
03/18/2007 09:54:09 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by WriteHeart:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not everyone wants comments though. A way to mark that on the voting page would be great! It would save the commenters time so as not to leave comments where they are not wanted.
You may not want comments when your score is really bad...but you won't know why people don't like it or find it not well-done if they don't comment on it....IMO! |
|
|
|
03/18/2007 10:02:31 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by kje83:
You may not want comments when your score is really bad...but you won't know why people don't like it or find it not well-done if they don't comment on it....IMO! |
Most of my comments on the bad shots have never been marked helpful. I think that most of the truly bad pictures come from people that just enter to enter and then are never seen from again. So they don't care about comments.
The ones that want the comments to help, like myself, are probably in the middle of the pack. And most people don't bother with a comment when giving a score of 4, 5, or 6. So I think Steve's "I would like an indepth critique on my submission" idea is a good one. |
|
|
|
03/18/2007 10:13:24 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by kje83:
You may not want comments when your score is really bad...but you won't know why people don't like it or find it not well-done if they don't comment on it....IMO! |
Right, but shouldn't you be allowed to choose whether you receive comments or not? You shouldn't be subjected to them if you don't really want them. True you may not learn, but you also don't learn from some of the comments left anyway. As somebody earlier said, comments like "excellent" or "nice shot" don't help much, especially if you have a lower score.
I also think Steve's suggestion of "I would like an indepth critique" is a great idea.
Message edited by author 2007-03-18 16:12:51. |
|
|
|
03/18/2007 11:28:34 AM · #22 |
Ah now this is a brilliant idea...let the critique check box be reflected on the voting page. I sometimes ramble on and on about an image, but have no idea if it's welcome or not..would be great to pour my energies where they're actually wanted.
Originally posted by stdavidson:
Originally posted by American_Horse:
I just want comments to have complete thoughts. ...
|
I suspect people really don't want more comments, just better ones. They want a critique as opposed to a comment.
The problem with taking the time and energy with a critique is that they take a lot of time and the commenter never knows if the photographer is receptive to it up front.
If the photographer has checked the "I would like an indepth critique on my submission." checkbox then it should be indicated on the voting page. In this manner people willing to give critiques can both help the critique club and concentrate their efforts making comments where they know they have already been requested. That should help all the way around. |
|
|
|
|
03/18/2007 12:10:41 PM · #23 |
I think making the critique box visible is an excellent idea, and I am all for it. It's possible the site counsil will say this is only for the Critique Club, though, and don't want to mix things up.
What if there is a comment preference, either on the user's profile or for every entry? Such as:
- open for any type of comment
- take comment only if nice
- don't care for comments
These are just lame examples, but you got the idea...
(edit for spelling)
Message edited by author 2007-03-18 16:11:23. |
|
|
|
03/18/2007 01:59:03 PM · #24 |
I have three entries at the moment. I have 423 votes and 7 comments including:
i dont get it..... oh wait, i do but i still dont like it
and:
Isn't this too much in one title?
The rest do not mention technical eliments or sugest tips to improve.
I would like to know why my shot is not liked and comments like the above just leave you feeling deflated. Should the title be marked down if it is not part of the shot, as in the postcard challenge.
I think it would be a great idea to have a comment toggle as I know I would use it and it would help me to concentrate on comments to others who want them too. |
|
|
|
03/18/2007 02:35:32 PM · #25 |
I don't think "revealing" the critique club comment request is very useful. Many people just check it reflexively. Others, like me, never check it; in my case, not because I am not interested in good critiques but because I am aware that critique club gets overloaded and I figure a lot of people need/want them more than me. But just because I don't add my image to the CC list doesn't mean i don't welcome/encourage all comments you are motivated to make.
R.
|
|
