Posted by Todd Caudle on November 21, 2010 at 11:57 AM
I'm shocked! Our unanimous decision to not have a RMNP IC gallery seemed like a no-brainer -- still does -- but I'm surprised other forums didn't come up with similar arguments against their own IC gallery. RMNP rocks!
Now I want Jim to teach me how to post a topic without the reply-to-topic box. Jim used it for good, but I would use it for pure evil!
Posted by Jack Garrett on November 21, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Looks like we are the Lone Rangers Todd. I still want the option to post and critique here....maybe we could have both options....or maybe they aren't gonna give us a choice.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on November 21, 2010 at 1:09 PM
And we are apparently the most active.... could there be a correlation ??
Posted by Paul Wegemann on November 21, 2010 at 1:18 PM
I'm just glad they asked us and didn't force it on us. My hat is off to Jim for that.
Posted by Todd Caudle on November 21, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Ditto Paul.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on November 21, 2010 at 2:41 PM
I figure sooner or later the RMNP group will come around.
I think the other RG are finding their comfort zone with their IC galleries, and a few of them look pretty active.
Todd, moderators and admin can close topics, which disallows comments. I posted the thread in question not to start a debate, just as sort of a FYI type of thing.
Posted by Morris McClung on November 21, 2010 at 3:16 PM
I noticed some discussion on the PNWP gallery to the drop-off of participation and the question posed as to whether the members thought it was because of the IC addition or the members only rule. I have not noticed a decline in activity on our forum, and hope it continues it's level of acitivity. It is a joy to be on this forum!
Posted by Craig Myers on November 21, 2010 at 4:03 PM
The option was not given to the CANP membership for discussion. The announcement of the new IC gallery and its purpose appeared one day and it was fait accompli.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on November 21, 2010 at 6:01 PM
Craig, it looks like the CANP group has figured it out and is having some fun posting photos in the CANP discussion forum - example.
They have some great shots in their gallery too.
Posted by Jack Garrett on November 21, 2010 at 8:03 PM
I like the status quo and would not want to be forced into any forum that I could not reply to or engage in discussions.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on November 21, 2010 at 8:09 PM
Jack said;
I like the status quo and would not want to be forced into any forum that I could not reply to or engage in discussions.
Edit - I now understand what you're saying.
As an FYI, before we installed a single RG IC gallery, I contacted the RG moderators with the proposal and gave them the opportunity to respond. This was not done in a vacuum.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on November 21, 2010 at 8:37 PM
I'm also a member of the Midwest NPN forum and tried to argue against the IC gallery. I used similar arguements that I heard here. I lost.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on November 21, 2010 at 9:06 PM
BTW, we'll be installing another new feature for the IC galleries this week. On the Post a Photo screen, there is currently one drop-down menu to assign the photo to a gallery. The update will include two menus, one to select a "main" gallery (Avian, ESS, etc.) and a second to select a regional group IC gallery. This way, the photo can be concurrently posted in 2 galleries showing all comments from both galleries. You can select to post the photo only in a main gallery, only in a RG gallery or in both.
This will be useful for those photos that you wish to have considered for the Weekly Picks recognition. Though photos posted in the RG IC galleries are not eligible, this feature will allow you to post in 2 galleries without having to upload the photo twice or having it appear twice in your My Photos/Personal Gallery.
Another benefit of this feature is that it will give greater exposure for the regional groups. When a member posts a photo, they will be aware of the RG IC gallery selections and perhaps prompt them to visit and participate in a RG.
There is tremendous opportunity for all to better integrate the RGs into the "NPN mainframe" while still allowing the RG to have "their own flavor." I know for a fact that nature photographers from around the world log in to this forum just to see what Todd Caudle is up to.
In the big picture, I truly believe that having your own IC gallery will only help grow the group and create a greater awareness of your collective work and effort.
Posted by Jeff Hackett on November 21, 2010 at 9:54 PM
Amy,
Being a former midwesterner I vistit the MWNP forum and read your arguments. By the time you replied the koolaid had already been drunk.
Posted by Jack Garrett on November 21, 2010 at 10:37 PM
Color me confused. Bottom line here Jim..are the discussion forums going away or staying?
Posted by Chris Rice on November 21, 2010 at 11:16 PM
So I am not sure why I am allowed to post in here anymore, but I would like to add some input, however irrelevant and/or dismissed it may be.... In my opinion, the consensus among the RMNP group to refuse the critique galleries appears to be counterintuitive. Of course, this is something I pushed hard for as I am a big proponent of critiquing, and the value of a good critique. There are many out there that appear to think that this activity would take away the social aspect of the forum; interestingly enough I believe they are two discrete things altogether, correct me if I'm wrong.
So, it's really kind of a bummer that it's come to this, as I think that this type of forum/critique platform is incredibly valuable. Those of you that know me personally are aware of my interest in the photographic arts and galleries, etc., so you know how annoying I can be!!!!!!
Well, it's time to sign off and think about the future of photographic arts, which is always something that facilitates long-winded discourse. So if anyone wants to waste some time bullshitting about this cathartic art form let me know....
Happy Thanksgiving everybody.
C. R.
Posted by Todd Caudle on November 21, 2010 at 11:51 PM
I believe they are two discrete things altogether, correct me if I'm wrong.
Shouldn't that be distinct?
Posted by Anil Rao on November 22, 2010 at 1:25 AM
> I know for a fact that nature photographers from around the world log in to this forum just to see what Todd Caudle is up to
I do miss seeing Todd's photos in ESS. So yes, I occasionally come to this forum to check out his work and those of the many other talented photographic artists who only post here.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on November 22, 2010 at 6:06 AM
Jack asked;
Color me confused. Bottom line here Jim..are the discussion forums going away or staying?
They are absolutely, positively staying! The new IC gallery would be in addition to this forum. Take a look at the other RG and see how they are utilized - the IC gallery for posting photos for critique and the forum for everything else.
In review, the benefits of having your own IC gallery;
1. Gallery software that was designed from the ground up for the display of photos (big thumbnails, 1200 pixel upload option, etc.)
2. Your photos will appear site-wide in the All Photos gallery
3. The ability to use all of the IC gallery software functions, including (a) email notifications of comments by photo; (b) designation of the photo to your Personal gallery; (c) designation of photo to the Nature Prints gallery (sell prints of your photos to NPN's 100,000 monthly unique visitors and (d) as described in my previous response in this thread, the ability to concurrently post your photo here and in one of NPN's main IC galleries
As I stated in my previous post, I think the benefits of having the separate IC gallery substantially outweigh any of the potential drawbacks previously discussed in this forum (which IMO may have been a bit over-stated).
Posted by Todd Caudle on November 22, 2010 at 10:37 AM
HA! Good one, Jim. And I don't even think you were talking about my photos!
Posted by Jim Erhardt on November 22, 2010 at 12:20 PM
Todd, what else could I possibly be talking about?
Posted by Stan Rose on November 22, 2010 at 8:41 PM
my brain hurts...
Posted by Todd Caudle on November 23, 2010 at 12:43 AM
So, that's what you're calling it now, your brain?
Discussion
22 repliesNow I want Jim to teach me how to post a topic without the reply-to-topic box. Jim used it for good, but I would use it for pure evil!
I think the other RG are finding their comfort zone with their IC galleries, and a few of them look pretty active.
Todd, moderators and admin can close topics, which disallows comments. I posted the thread in question not to start a debate, just as sort of a FYI type of thing.
They have some great shots in their gallery too.
Edit - I now understand what you're saying.
As an FYI, before we installed a single RG IC gallery, I contacted the RG moderators with the proposal and gave them the opportunity to respond. This was not done in a vacuum.
This will be useful for those photos that you wish to have considered for the Weekly Picks recognition. Though photos posted in the RG IC galleries are not eligible, this feature will allow you to post in 2 galleries without having to upload the photo twice or having it appear twice in your My Photos/Personal Gallery.
Another benefit of this feature is that it will give greater exposure for the regional groups. When a member posts a photo, they will be aware of the RG IC gallery selections and perhaps prompt them to visit and participate in a RG.
There is tremendous opportunity for all to better integrate the RGs into the "NPN mainframe" while still allowing the RG to have "their own flavor." I know for a fact that nature photographers from around the world log in to this forum just to see what Todd Caudle is up to.
In the big picture, I truly believe that having your own IC gallery will only help grow the group and create a greater awareness of your collective work and effort.
Being a former midwesterner I vistit the MWNP forum and read your arguments. By the time you replied the koolaid had already been drunk.
So, it's really kind of a bummer that it's come to this, as I think that this type of forum/critique platform is incredibly valuable. Those of you that know me personally are aware of my interest in the photographic arts and galleries, etc., so you know how annoying I can be!!!!!!
Well, it's time to sign off and think about the future of photographic arts, which is always something that facilitates long-winded discourse. So if anyone wants to waste some time bullshitting about this cathartic art form let me know....
Happy Thanksgiving everybody.
C. R.
Shouldn't that be distinct?
I do miss seeing Todd's photos in ESS. So yes, I occasionally come to this forum to check out his work and those of the many other talented photographic artists who only post here.
In review, the benefits of having your own IC gallery;
1. Gallery software that was designed from the ground up for the display of photos (big thumbnails, 1200 pixel upload option, etc.)
2. Your photos will appear site-wide in the All Photos gallery
3. The ability to use all of the IC gallery software functions, including (a) email notifications of comments by photo; (b) designation of the photo to your Personal gallery; (c) designation of photo to the Nature Prints gallery (sell prints of your photos to NPN's 100,000 monthly unique visitors and (d) as described in my previous response in this thread, the ability to concurrently post your photo here and in one of NPN's main IC galleries
As I stated in my previous post, I think the benefits of having the separate IC gallery substantially outweigh any of the potential drawbacks previously discussed in this forum (which IMO may have been a bit over-stated).