For those who keep track of such things....

I have to share this. I have been working really hard on commenting. I know the quality versus quantity position, and yes, I say usually just what I like, but I try to be specific in what I like. I have actually now made maybe eight or 10 suggestions, too. But I've been working really hard to catch up because of my initial "I can't believe how amazing NP and NPN are, and I have to do this 24/7 even though I can't really because I have to work" posting of I don't know how many images to soak up your feedback before I really got started on commenting.

So now I have reached FOUR comments per post, and am starting to work on five, and then I will keep up after that. To all the moderators, I take your desire that we have a 5:1 comment-to-post ratio very seriously, and I really understand why you want that. Everybody needs and wants the comments or else they wouldn't be posting here. And I learn a great deal from carefully viewing such a wide variety of images. I find it pretty awesome to have the opportunity to comment on nature photography images.

So thank you once again to NPN and to the moderators for maintaining this forum for us to share and learn through posting and commenting.

Don't spend your time calculating how many comments you have made vs. how many posts you have made (especially when starting out it's not accurate because it includes all of the response comments you make on your own images).

Often times when people join NPN they have a glut of photos they want to post and get feedback on and the number of images posted vs. comments made is out of whack - but given time you will become more discerning in what you post and spend more time commenting. My "ratio" has steadily climbed over time.

I understand, Luke, but I have to keep track of it to remember to not let too much time go by. I need the push. But, yes, I'm already becoming more discerning in what I post and am not deciding not to post a pretty high ratio of images that I would have posted in the past (believe it or not). I still have a lot of first-time situations and images that haven't happened yet, so I will still have firsts and thus not great posts of all kinds because I need the feedback. But generally speaking over time I am posting less.

Hi Barbara, it's is great to hear you understand the importance of people also posting comments and that your own post to comment ratio is improving! You seem to also understand that commenting, or rather image critiquing, actually helps you to become a better photographer yourself! And at the end of the day that is what we all strive to be. I (and I am sure with me all the other moderators) appreciate your thanks to us.

I'm delighted Barbara.

I'm on the "back side" of that formula right now. Our dial-up connection is so abysmal (2.8k downloads) that most photos take 3-5 minutes to open. I just don't have the time in a day to review photos any more, so I rarely post my own. I so believe in that formula and the philosophy behind it, it's the only way I can continue to "play ball."

Barbara: The "guidelines" are nice but don't get too hung up on it. When I was at your stage I did make a lot of comments (some of them pretty lame) but I did so to hone my observation skills. It was a discipline that made me examine an image more critically than just noting if I liked the subject or pretty colors. When I'm in town I comment on every Flora image not just out of a sense of responsibility as a moderator but to continue my education. So far I haven't tired of it and I hope you won't either. You've certainly been a great addition to Flora and I look forward to your continued growth. >=))>

My suggestion Barbara, is to strike a good balance of posting your own and commenting on others images. I say, do pay attention to your ratio. That way you can get an understanding of what you are doing. To me commenting has always paid the most dividends in learning to be a better photographer. Look, pay attention to details, and then apply to your own work, both in the field and in post-processing. Also, don't be afraid to say what you feel about an image. IMO just providing "pat on the back" comments does little to help the person whos image you are critiquing become a better photographer. After all the galleries are critique galleries and the person posting is inviting comments. Keep up the good work.

Sit down Barbara, take a deep breath and don't make such a big deal out of the "ratios" as if they actually mean anything as to what is right or wrong. Numbers and ratios are not what makes NPN an OK place. Lots of people may have alternative motives but might have exactly 5:1 "ratios". Find the purpose of nature photography for you and comment in that way and if your "ratio" is 1:23, no big deal at least you will learning through self awareness and not trepidation.

Thanks so much, everyone! I think there are real differences of opinion among you all about this as about pretty much everything, which is awesome, but especially awesome to read what you all have to say.

Barbara,

I think there are many here who have appreciated your efforts - not only in taking, absorbing and applying advice and tips you've received here, but also in your own comments and critiques of others. As already mentioned, there is much to learn by not just offering your opinions on things, but what one learns when having to think about why they like an image, what works or doesn't work, etc.

While there are many who will use the comment:post ratio as a benchmark... I know I use to... but what is so much more important is one's engagement and participation. It's been said countless times here; "pay if forward," "you get what you give," "what goes around comes around," etc. etc.

Like Brad says... relax and take a breath. Do what you enjoy doing and the let the rest fall in to place.

Lon