The vast difference in viewing numbers from popular gallerys to the quieter, less popular is a surprise to me. When I read a photography magazine or view an internet site, I generally look at most of the images provided. That is not the case here it seems.
Anybody care to give their view of specialization as opposed to general interest in all subjects?
My view is that I could get better more quickly in any given area if I concentrated only on that area but that I love photographing all aspects of nature so much that I don't want to do that. From time to time the "jack of all trades, master of none" thing does float through my mind, though.
Charlie, I do specialize in bird photography for a rather simple reason, that is where my passion and focus is. That doesn't mean I don't photograph other things though I rarely post in the other critique forums on NPN or look at the images posted in them. Mostly I "wander" into the other forums instead of going straight to them.
I think what surprises me most, Barbara and Mia, is that with the "all photos" listed at the top of the list under the heading "Galleries", most members do not seem to use that selection and go directly to a specific gallery they consider their speciality and therefore bypass all else that is posted here. Am I the only one who feels there is actually a competition of sorts between galleries?
Am I the only one who feels there is actually a competition of sorts between galleries?
Hi Charlie: I do not see any competition between the galleries at all. While I'm a moderator in the Avian gallery, I spend a lot of time perusing the "All Photos" option so I can see many different kinds of images. I enjoy shooting, and creating many different kinds of images. The thought of a competition between any of the galleries simply never crossed my mind. I see people with passions in different areas exercising their love of photography.
When I first joined and began to actively participate by posting in the forums I used to select the "view all photos" option but as time went on I used it less because my primary interest and passion is for bird photography. I don't really see a competition between the galleries on NPN just members passionate about the area of photography they prefer going to those galleries.
I always use All Photos and I think people would love that if they used it (if they have time and any inclination to try it), but I don't think there's a competition between galleries.
Leave me throw out another thought as part of this question. As a hypothetical: a new member joins and is interested in "wildlife" photography primarily. That member posts photos hopeing for critique so as to improve his skills, since he or she has heard about the great critique here at NPN. He or she notices that their photos do not get many critiques at least not as many as some of the more active galleries.. Their benefit from NPN is less than if they change speciality.
Now I'm not suggesting that all specialities are equal, I believe they are not. With so many members only viewing their particular speciality there are so very many accomplished critiquers that never even see this new members work.
Jim, I believe has run a very good, and with my limited knowledge, I'd say by far the best photo critique site on the internet and his methods I feel have proven themselves by the success of this site.
Could it be better if more members, viewed more members work? I believe it could.
Hit me with you disagreements if any. I love it.
Thanks NPN for being what I need and hope I'm not too much of a PITA.
There are times when a member is new that I go to their gallery and look at the other photos they have posted that are posted in other galleries because by seeing some more of their work I can get a more well-rounded idea of their skill level and their interests and that can help me critique their avian images better. But, that doesn't mean I comment on the images they have posted in the other galleries besides avian. I also do that with members who have been here longer but not as frequently as newer members.
It is my humble opinion that NPN has the best Nature Photography Critique forums, I know I learn as much from giving critiques as I do from getting them and I don't know if I say that often enough.
I'm primarily an avian photographer but I shoot and view a wide spectrum of nature and even non nature subjects. I rarely visit the landscape, flora, wildlife or macro galleries - mostly because I don't have enough time to view and carefully comment as much as I'd like in Avian.
I don't think the galleries compete with each other, and I would have never even thought of such a thing if you hadn't mentioned it.
Finally, I think your hypothetical new member disappointed in the amount of feedback received in a gallery needs to work harder to obtain feedback, learn from the comments being made on other images, and begin critiquing other images to learn what works and doesn't work in other people's images.
I consider myself primarily an Avian photographer, but sure will and do shoot anytghing that strikes me. I can't travel as often now as i have in the past, so I'm happy that I am interested in macro and flora - potential subjects as near as the backyard and at Safeway!
Seems there are hoards of new members since January, and , while I still choose "All Photos" I honestly can't even come close to commenting on as many photos as I'd like. I only have a small amount of time avalable, and it is now spread out over way more images.
I don't see any real "competition" between Galleries. Rather, I think many people never leave their chosen Gallery to even see what else is being posted - a shame, imo.-
Sandy
Posted by Brian Gatlin on July 28, 2011 at 11:08 PM
Charlie, I certainly don't see a competition between the galleries. I go to a specific gallery (avian) because that's what I'm interested in shooting. I don't have enough time to comment on all the Avian images, let alone other galleries. And I don't think that people posting in less active galleries are missing out on my input--I wouldn't know where to begin in those subject areas because I haven't spent the time thinking about them that I do with bird photography.
I check out the weekly pics, but other than that don't often visit the other galleries. There's amazing work being done in all of them--I know that much--but I wouldn't know where to begin critiquing the techs of a landscape shot.
I strongly agree with Rich Ditch's last paragraph too, about how to get the most out of this site.
I'm glad I participate in a very active gallery, but that's not why I chose my specialty. I'm a completely obsessed birder, and photography is just one expression of that.
Posted by Kent Staubus on July 29, 2011 at 9:42 AM
I like and will try a wide variety of photos, but as for specialization I consider myself a night shooter. And winter. Not many people out taking photos at night in the Dakotas and Minnesota, LOL.
Kent in SD
Posted by Lorna Taylor on July 29, 2011 at 10:33 AM
I mostly photograph flowers but I love all sorts of other photography as well. I log on to the main site and stroll through the most recent posts for the last few days . I usually pop in to the other galleries when an image catches my eye. As far as a biased for a type of photographers images I don't think so. I only know a handful of images by sight belonging to certain photographers and sometimes am surprised that the images belong to someone completely different. I think mostly Charlie that our online time is limited and we tend to stick to the galleries that are similar to the images we shoot ourselves rather than a competition . I agree with Brian (There's amazing work being done in all of them--I know that much--but I wouldn't know where to begin critiquing the techs of a landscape shot. ) I appreciate the other galleries and comment from time to time on my over all impression of the images but would not dare to comment on technique as I have very little knowledge of those styles of photography. I think you may be over thinking the whole picture a little as Richard said ( I don't think the galleries compete with each other, and I would have never even thought of such a thing if you hadn't mentioned it.) Participate where you can Charlie and enjoy the other galleries. At best I only get five minute bursts in my day to stroll through the many sites and galleries I feel inspire my work but I will try to make sure I pop in on other galleries a little more Charlie.
Posted by Charlie Baugh on July 29, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Lorna, you hit on the reason for me feeling somehwat different about viewing the "all photos" view of gallery. I'm retired and forget that so many of you have much more limited time than I. I was coming to see this with many of the others comments even before your post. We are in mid summer activities which is taking so many to other activities also.
Thanks all for a spirited interplay. We are fortunate to have this site for our photos AND conversation.
Well, of course you want the gallery you post to and invest time in, to do well, so there is competition. The only gallery I visit is the Weekly Challenge which is for dedicated omnivores. I find it to be the most interesting. I have found that regular galleries are highly redundant, but I do click on "all photos" once in a while. Out of curiosity, how do you rank the galleries in terms of popularity? There are a couple of galleries I have never visited. I probably should have a look. Is there an entomology gallery?
I consider myself an all around photographer, but I do focus on certain subjects based on my current job/project. I have noticed that some people post images that are obvious Close-Up images in the landscape section, I suspect they do this so more people will see their work and get more critiques and comments.
Charlie - I really don't see any competition between galleries - I like them all, but I spend 90% of my time in the landscape gallery. I do use the All Photos galleries at times, but something has to really catch my eye before I comment on it. I probably shoot 90-95% landscapes, but I enjoy the flora gallery, photo art gallery, and occasionally other galleries as well.
I had a very wrong idea of how most members used the galleries. I started right away viewing "all photos" and (wrongfully) assumed most everybody did. A group for entomology would be fine for me but the macro and close-up works fine too, if only there was more interest in bugs.
Yes, Carl there are many images posted to galleries that IMO are not the best or most appropriate one for their subject. I said something about compitition and it is that sort of thing that led me to believe that some stick togeather in a gallery they are most comfortable (for whatever reason) and it does sometimes deny the appropriate gallery that much attention. Perfection is only in the minds of imperfect people.m
I must withdraw the comment about compitition between galleries. Wrong word of course.
Well, of course you want the gallery you post to and invest time in, to do well, so there is competition. The only gallery I visit is the Weekly Challenge which is for dedicated omnivores. I find it to be the most interesting. I have found that regular galleries are highly redundant, but I do click on "all photos" once in a while. Out of curiosity, how do you rank the galleries in terms of popularity? There are a couple of galleries I have never visited. I probably should have a look. Is there an entomology gallery?
- Robert L Potts
Wanting a gallery to do well because you post in it doesn't translate to "there is competition" IMO. I see each gallery as serving its own constituency and I'd prefer that they all do well so that NPN does well. As they say, "a rising tide lifts all boats."
I don't understand what you mean by "the Weekly Challenge which is for dedicated omnivores."
"regular galleries are highly redundant." Redundant in what way? Redundant with what?
"Out of curiosity, how do you rank the galleries in terms of popularity?" I don't rank them. But I suppose you could use any number of measures:
- number of people who post in a gallery
- number of views an image receives before dropping off the first page
- number of comments an image receives ...
- alphabetically
Discussion
19 repliesAnybody care to give their view of specialization as opposed to general interest in all subjects?
Charlie
Charlie
Hi Charlie: I do not see any competition between the galleries at all. While I'm a moderator in the Avian gallery, I spend a lot of time perusing the "All Photos" option so I can see many different kinds of images. I enjoy shooting, and creating many different kinds of images. The thought of a competition between any of the galleries simply never crossed my mind. I see people with passions in different areas exercising their love of photography.
When I first joined and began to actively participate by posting in the forums I used to select the "view all photos" option but as time went on I used it less because my primary interest and passion is for bird photography. I don't really see a competition between the galleries on NPN just members passionate about the area of photography they prefer going to those galleries.
Now I'm not suggesting that all specialities are equal, I believe they are not. With so many members only viewing their particular speciality there are so very many accomplished critiquers that never even see this new members work.
Jim, I believe has run a very good, and with my limited knowledge, I'd say by far the best photo critique site on the internet and his methods I feel have proven themselves by the success of this site.
Could it be better if more members, viewed more members work? I believe it could.
Hit me with you disagreements if any. I love it.
Thanks NPN for being what I need and hope I'm not too much of a PITA.
Charlie
There are times when a member is new that I go to their gallery and look at the other photos they have posted that are posted in other galleries because by seeing some more of their work I can get a more well-rounded idea of their skill level and their interests and that can help me critique their avian images better. But, that doesn't mean I comment on the images they have posted in the other galleries besides avian. I also do that with members who have been here longer but not as frequently as newer members.
It is my humble opinion that NPN has the best Nature Photography Critique forums, I know I learn as much from giving critiques as I do from getting them and I don't know if I say that often enough.
*edited because I need spell check
I don't think the galleries compete with each other, and I would have never even thought of such a thing if you hadn't mentioned it.
Finally, I think your hypothetical new member disappointed in the amount of feedback received in a gallery needs to work harder to obtain feedback, learn from the comments being made on other images, and begin critiquing other images to learn what works and doesn't work in other people's images.
Seems there are hoards of new members since January, and , while I still choose "All Photos" I honestly can't even come close to commenting on as many photos as I'd like. I only have a small amount of time avalable, and it is now spread out over way more images.
I don't see any real "competition" between Galleries. Rather, I think many people never leave their chosen Gallery to even see what else is being posted - a shame, imo.-
Sandy
I check out the weekly pics, but other than that don't often visit the other galleries. There's amazing work being done in all of them--I know that much--but I wouldn't know where to begin critiquing the techs of a landscape shot.
I strongly agree with Rich Ditch's last paragraph too, about how to get the most out of this site.
I'm glad I participate in a very active gallery, but that's not why I chose my specialty. I'm a completely obsessed birder, and photography is just one expression of that.
Kent in SD
Thanks all for a spirited interplay. We are fortunate to have this site for our photos AND conversation.
Charlie
Yes, Carl there are many images posted to galleries that IMO are not the best or most appropriate one for their subject. I said something about compitition and it is that sort of thing that led me to believe that some stick togeather in a gallery they are most comfortable (for whatever reason) and it does sometimes deny the appropriate gallery that much attention. Perfection is only in the minds of imperfect people.m
I must withdraw the comment about compitition between galleries. Wrong word of course.
Charlie
Wanting a gallery to do well because you post in it doesn't translate to "there is competition" IMO. I see each gallery as serving its own constituency and I'd prefer that they all do well so that NPN does well. As they say, "a rising tide lifts all boats."
I don't understand what you mean by "the Weekly Challenge which is for dedicated omnivores."
"regular galleries are highly redundant." Redundant in what way? Redundant with what?
"Out of curiosity, how do you rank the galleries in terms of popularity?" I don't rank them. But I suppose you could use any number of measures:
- number of people who post in a gallery
- number of views an image receives before dropping off the first page
- number of comments an image receives ...
- alphabetically