Suggestion for new feature on Galleries Critique

There are times when I view a photo and did not feel like writing a critique but would still like to give a quick feedback in the form of thumbs up or some form of scoring. I wonder how many of you feel this feature is worth having. With a scoring system, we can even have a viewer's weekly pick in addition to the weekly EP's.

Im against it personally. But mostly cause id get too many thumbs down (dang Russian judges...)

I'm against it personally, the critique forums are just that, an area for critiques.

A thumbs up or down doesn't tell me any thing other than the person likes or or dislikes it. Not why they like it or not, what flaws they might see, or helpful solutions or suggestions that I can use to make the next image better.

The critique forums are valuable tools that we can use to advance our skills. If I simply wanted a thumbs up or down I'd show my images to some one who knows nothing about the skills, techniques, exposure control, effort or equipment that it takes to achieve a high quality image and just wants to see a "pretty picture", they seem to give thumbs ups or downs quite easily.

It'd increase the quantity of feedback, but decrease the quality of the feedback. Sure, there would still be some very helpful critiques being given, but there'd probably be fewer of them overall. There is value in forcing people to articulate their thoughts in a comment, rather than letting them take the easy route of just clicking one button without much thought.

One thought-out critique is more helpful to me than ten impersonal ratings.

"One thought-out critique is more helpful to me than ten impersonal ratings."

I heartily agree!

Quality of critques/comments, over quantity, is as good for those making the comments, as well for the image maker who inspired them.

The present system works very well, in my opinion; let's keep it.

-P

I personally learn from written feedback, and am not after simply # of comments. I'd rather have 2 thoughtful comments than 30 impersonal "thumbs".

I see no value in having a thumbs-up or thumbs-down option. If we like a photo or have constructive comments, and fif we find this site valuable, we should be willing to contribute 30 seconds to write a comment.

I also feel for the newer people here, if this option existed. Written comments will take into consideration that this might be a person very new to photography with a photo that is not so good, and give constructive comments and encouragement. A simple thumbs-down from people would be a very UN-helpful and very DIScouraging thing.

I'm happy with the way the forum is set up now.

Sandy r

Gary,

There's really no reason why one couldn't simply respond by writing "thumbs up!" as their comment. But I think what you're saying or asking for is a rating system. I think that's fine for sites like Flikr and photo sites like that, but I think the value here at NPN relies more on the personal and constructive feedback folks receive. Nothing necessarily wrong with a rating system, but I'm guessing most folks value the written comments rather than an arbitrary rating system.

Thanks for posting,

Lon

I agree with all the comments above and that the present system works very well. Of course I much prefer written comments and I have personally learnt a lot from them in the very short time that I have participated in NPN. On the hand I have also seen a few photos in the galleries with 40+ views but not a single comment! which gives 0 feedback. There are rating systems in other sites such as Flickr but I like to think that the audience on NPN has more photographically 'educated' eyes. Anyway I am suggesting a supplementary system and not something to replace the current system.

Thumbs up to all the other comments.

There is another side to the commenting coin. Writing comments forces you to carefully evaluate an image to determine what you like or don't like about it and how it might be improved. This is a very valuable skill. You can apply these evaluation skills to your own images when you're looking through the viewfinder. I often think writing comments sharpens one's photographic skills more than reading others' comments.

Cheers,
Mark

Gary,

You can always just leave a Smiley or a Sadly (I made that up) and go on to the next image.

Gary, while the numerical ratings and the thumbs are where the rest of the world is heading as communications race from sound bites to icons, NPN is a pleasant refuge for the traditional critique, where people can reflect and comment on photographic art. Suggest that we preserve the traditional.

Bill Brennan

I too like the more thoughtful approach to this forums critiques. There is way to much talent here! I have learned a great deal from the thoughtful critques here even when they were tough but kind. If it aint broke, well... you know!

Gary, as Youssef wisely noted,
" You can always just leave a Smiley
or a Sadly (I made that up) and go on to the next image."

In this sense, the system you suggest is already in place.

As far as an image with 40 views and 0 responses - that has also received a subtle rating and thus some feedback. I personally LOOK for images that don't have many comments and try to say something constructive and encouraging.

Having to verbalize a critique is very valuable, as it makes us consider the elements of the photo, and then we learn ourselves about composition, light, subject placement, and all else.

After you're here a bit longer, I think you'll see the value in all this.



Sandy r

I agree with Sandy ,It would lose the" SPECIAL" there is on this sight where you get critique because thats what we want TO LEARN we know the photograph is good (when we post) as the level here is very high ,What we dont allways know is how others see it

...a Smiley or a Sadly (I made that up) ...

I believe that should be a "Frowny" Youssef, but I kind of like "Sadly"...