Wondering if it is just my imagination, but there sure seems to be a large lack of comments in the avian gallery lately. Not complaining, but just disappointed. I post there to get critiques and lately much of it feels like a one way street. I try to comment on between 6-10 other photos when I post as well as comment many times when I don't post...not sure many people comment more than they post. Wondering what other people's thoughts are?
It seems that there is a lot more activity there than Wildlife - I've never understood the lack of commenting in wildlife (which, when it does show up is reserved for big cats or other African game for the most part).
Luke, I agree that wildlife has always received less comments, but they also get a lot fewer posts. If you look at the first page of avian, the first 15 images or so, have mostly 1 or 2 comments. Tis has happened a few times over the last few weeks from what I have seen.
Lately, the lack of comments don't seem to be limited to just avian or wildlife, but for most all forums. I've seen this before, and it usually cures itself given a little time. Given the fact that I learn much more from giving a critique rather than receiving one, I've never understood people's reluctance to share their thoughts and insights.
I think there are a lack of comments in all the galleries I have noticed ,I think seeing as spring has finally arrived many are out shoot and soaking up as many photo ops as possible !!! I think once we shake of the winter and make a mad rush in to something to finally shoot again things will slid back to normal and you will see many great posts and comments !
I've noticed a great decrease in comments in general, in all Galleries, over the last couple of months.
I believe part of it is the large influx of new people in response to Jim's challenge to bring in new members. I think many of them may feel reluctant to comment, even thoiugh we try to make them feel welcome and their thoughts valuable. Many also may be posting images that themselves might get fewer comments.
That, accompanied by the fact that it is SPRING and most of us try to get out shooting as often as possible and have less computer time.
Hopefully, this all will self-correct.
My perspective -
Jim, you crack me up ...yes that helps! Personally I am seeing a lot more new people on the forums and wonder if that has something to do with it. I remember when I was new, I was hesitant to comment. I thought I didn't know enough and was certainly intimidated by this crowd of great photographers. Only thing we can do is encourage them to comment and let them know everyone's comments mean something and matter. Sometimes the novice even more, because they are more like a viewer that would buy our work and would see things we don't.
Not only do I see a lack of comments in Landscape (which is standard especially in M&N), I also see a lack of postings of some of the "names" that have always posted. Maybe it is spring or maybe just people moving on or entangle in everyday life issues.
I have noticed the same thing and I'm mostly paying attention to Landscape of course. I'm also thinking along the same thoughts as Eva. It's not just a drop off in comments, but a drop off in image postings in general. At least in Landscape/ESS, I know because I watch the gallery daily (yeah, I'm still here!) and of course make weekly picks too. Just recently there was less than 100 images posted for the week. In times past, say up til the end of last year or fall time, we're talking 200+ images every week in the busiest gallery on NPN.
I know I haven't participated much or posted any images - and I'm glad Marc is back from his travels, but at least for me it's a LIFE issue AND I simply haven't been out using my camera and burning film. In fact I've been out ONE time since last November. Sad, but true.
Anyway, I agree with Bill C. also, that slow times like these come and busy times will return. So post and comment away, encourage the new folks and kick some of us "old" folks in the butt a little.
I know I go through spurts of posting and/or commenting. Especially since I'm not a full-time photographer, sometimes other things pile up. And, it is definitely spring
Means not only outside 'shooting' but also doing yard work...etc, etc.
Another thought - may have more members, and we also have more galleries & forums! For example, I posted to Photo Art but that meant I didn't have time to post to something else.
I'd like to think, too, that NPN will be 'self recovering'.
Kurt- I am a guilty one! Being new to the Avian Gallery I am hesitant to comment since I am also new to Bird photography and trying to learn first before giving my critique. But, I do agree with you that views are still there but comments are down significantly.
Thanks for the comments guys....Bob, you are a very talented photographer and have a lot to offer in my opinion. Even being new to bird photography, I still value all your feedback and I would bet others do as well. You see things that others that have doing it too long might not, because they might be so stuck on their own opinion or particular style...believe me, your thoughts are definitely valued.
Being that I only really started taking my photography seriously last September, I joined my first photography critique forum last November, but by March of this year I got to feeling similar thoughts to yours Kurt, insofar as I was investing a great deal of time each day adding comments on other people's posts (even if only a few words of sincere encouragement, being that I'm still learning a lot myself), but only a very small percentage would reciprocate by commenting on mine.
Seeing as the main reason why I joined the board in the first place was in the hope of learning from feedback offered, I felt the best thing to do was go in search of a second board, and the best one I found was the NPN. While I still participate on the other board, I do so less frequently than before, but compared to that the feedback I've been receiving on the NPN for the most part has been simply fantastic, though I suspect in part this is because I also invest a considerable amount of time trying to add comments on nearly every post I see, at the very least on every thread I see posted up by someone I recognise as having been kind enough to share their thoughts on one of mine.
In summary Kurt, while I completely relate to what you're saying, if you saw things from my perspective you'd probably also be thinking how lucky we are to get as many response as we do - LOL ;^)
P.S. This is probably the only comment I've posted today on the NPN, as I was out most of the day shooting Indian Rollers then spent the rest of the afternoon and evening with my family. It's coming up to 11 pm my time and our daughter's sleeping over with friends, so if I know what's good for me I'd best make this my last comment for today and go share some special time with me wife ;^p
My excuse is that I have been on the road traveling the last three weeks. We have hit all of the National parks in southern Utah and went through northern AZ. We were camping most of the trip and away from internet. Hoped to get some Antelope Canyon images, only had this morning, when we woke up, wouldn't you know it, cloudy. We are in Durango. CO tonight, Black Canyon of the Gunnison tomorrow. Home the end of the week.
Discussion
18 repliesI believe part of it is the large influx of new people in response to Jim's challenge to bring in new members. I think many of them may feel reluctant to comment, even thoiugh we try to make them feel welcome and their thoughts valuable. Many also may be posting images that themselves might get fewer comments.
That, accompanied by the fact that it is SPRING and most of us try to get out shooting as often as possible and have less computer time.
Hopefully, this all will self-correct.
My perspective -
Sandy
Sandy
I know I haven't participated much or posted any images - and I'm glad Marc is back from his travels, but at least for me it's a LIFE issue AND I simply haven't been out using my camera and burning film. In fact I've been out ONE time since last November. Sad, but true.
Anyway, I agree with Bill C. also, that slow times like these come and busy times will return. So post and comment away, encourage the new folks and kick some of us "old" folks in the butt a little.
Lon
Means not only outside 'shooting' but also doing yard work...etc, etc.
Another thought - may have more members, and we also have more galleries & forums! For example, I posted to Photo Art but that meant I didn't have time to post to something else.
I'd like to think, too, that NPN will be 'self recovering'.
Seeing as the main reason why I joined the board in the first place was in the hope of learning from feedback offered, I felt the best thing to do was go in search of a second board, and the best one I found was the NPN. While I still participate on the other board, I do so less frequently than before, but compared to that the feedback I've been receiving on the NPN for the most part has been simply fantastic, though I suspect in part this is because I also invest a considerable amount of time trying to add comments on nearly every post I see, at the very least on every thread I see posted up by someone I recognise as having been kind enough to share their thoughts on one of mine.
In summary Kurt, while I completely relate to what you're saying, if you saw things from my perspective you'd probably also be thinking how lucky we are to get as many response as we do - LOL ;^)
P.S. This is probably the only comment I've posted today on the NPN, as I was out most of the day shooting Indian Rollers then spent the rest of the afternoon and evening with my family. It's coming up to 11 pm my time and our daughter's sleeping over with friends, so if I know what's good for me I'd best make this my last comment for today and go share some special time with me wife ;^p
See you tomorrow :^)
I noticed the same thing in thought it was kind of odd over the past few weeks