Some NPN members say they don't particularly enjoy looking at nature photos of a type they don't shoot. If you go by the comment/lack of comment issue and some of the post-to-comment ratios (which I realize is not the same as viewing, but a lot of the views are from other people, not NPN members), some NPN members don't enjoy looking at nature photos even of the types they shoot other than their own.
So, do you think there many people in general who like looking at nature photos? I looked for a poll about that but didn't really find one. And do you think non-photographers like looking at nature photos more than photographers like looking at nature photos other than their own? I wonder if we're all just contributing to the crushing load of information and images available via the internet now.
Posted by Peter Conway on October 10, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Barbara, I think your questions, regardless of the answers, reinforce my view that I should shoot for myself and let the rest fall where it may.
Peter
Posted by Barb Pflaum on October 10, 2011 at 12:25 PM
It's been my experience in my life that people who are interested in nature photography show the most interest in nature photos. People who are interested in art and other types of photography also show a lot of interest, but not as much as photographers that specialize in nature. Then there are some people who just have no interest in photography or any kind of art. Regarding people on the forum who don't view a lot of photos here, they may just look at the thumbnails, but only view and comment on some of the photos, because they don't have enough time to pay attention to them all.
I don't see images and information on the internet as being a "crushing load". I really enjoy the internet and all the opportunities it provides to see what other photogaphers are doing and to get information about all kinds of things.
I think is general most folks like to look at a pretty nature photo when it’s presented to them. On the other hand I don’t think most folks will take the time to seek them out.
As for the photographers, there are all types and it’s tough to figure’em out.
Darn photographers…..
I like to look at other people’s nature photos, especially from folks who are way better than me and have a lifestyle that affords them the adventures that few of us can enjoy.
I don’t think there is a crushing load of the good stuff.
Posted by Nancy de Flon on October 10, 2011 at 4:39 PM
I agree with Richard, especially about looking at photos by folks who are better than me and thus from whom I can learn, so that's why I make a point of subscribing to or "following" blogs etc. by guys like Richard Bernabe, Ian Plant, Bret Edge, etc. But having said that, I also enjoy viewing photos on NPN and offering what I hope are helpful comments; I just wish I had more time for doing that. Darn day job....
Posted by Charlie Baugh on October 10, 2011 at 6:05 PM
I have not doubt, Barbara, that as a member becomes very good at producing high quality images many of them, like we less skilled, wish to view the finest of posted images only. I suspect your questions here are based on what I had in mind in an earlier topic, that being how to get some more attention and critiqueing for the member still building skills and sometimes doing less than appealing images.
I have often seen a posted image that I had an opinion about, but felt that my skill was significantly less than I know other members have and held back because I hoped they would respond.
Perhaps just by posting topics like this from time to time will encourage the skilled among us to help out the growing ones.
Charlie
Posted by John Tobias on October 10, 2011 at 7:43 PM
I greatly enjoy seeing the nature photography of others. One reason I joined NPN. Not only can you see what others use. For example I bought a telephoto lens after seeing images taken with the same lens by other photograpers,(also because it got good reviews). I have enjoyed watching Barbaras' photography advance. And, consider the animal photographs which have been shared by photographers in more remote regions of the planet. If others do not like seeing other peoples work, it is their loss IMHO.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on October 11, 2011 at 2:43 PM
Last month, NPN had 1,079,027 page views generated by 64,694 unique viewers, of which 656,634 of those page views (60%) were in the IC galleries.
That's a lot of people surfing in to enjoy nature photos!
Posted by Paul DeCesare on October 11, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Barbara, who did you poll? Call my house, we go bonkers for beautiful shots of this planet. It's the subject matter that got me into photography. Sure, there are lots of Flickr galleries of urban artists trying to "express themselves" or whatever, but when I've sold a 4-foot canvas wrap for several hundred $$, it's of scenes like mountain sunrises in the southwest or twilight at the Grand Canyon, not a Barbie Doll with a tatoo leaning up against a dumpster in an alley behind a rock club.
Ask any of the ones Nancy listed or even Marc Adamus or especially Alain Briot and ask them what the interest factor in landscape imagery is like. Don't worry, you're in the right place, the whole reason NPN exists is to support shooters who avoid the banal glut of image overload, who rather contribute extremely fine quality images to this world, images that display the beauty of creation and the care and concern to be good stewards of it while we are here. There's quite a huge audience for that thankfully!
Discussion
9 repliesSo, do you think there many people in general who like looking at nature photos? I looked for a poll about that but didn't really find one. And do you think non-photographers like looking at nature photos more than photographers like looking at nature photos other than their own? I wonder if we're all just contributing to the crushing load of information and images available via the internet now.
Peter
I don't see images and information on the internet as being a "crushing load". I really enjoy the internet and all the opportunities it provides to see what other photogaphers are doing and to get information about all kinds of things.
As for the photographers, there are all types and it’s tough to figure’em out.
Darn photographers…..
I like to look at other people’s nature photos, especially from folks who are way better than me and have a lifestyle that affords them the adventures that few of us can enjoy.
I don’t think there is a crushing load of the good stuff.
I have often seen a posted image that I had an opinion about, but felt that my skill was significantly less than I know other members have and held back because I hoped they would respond.
Perhaps just by posting topics like this from time to time will encourage the skilled among us to help out the growing ones.
Charlie
That's a lot of people surfing in to enjoy nature photos!
Ask any of the ones Nancy listed or even Marc Adamus or especially Alain Briot and ask them what the interest factor in landscape imagery is like. Don't worry, you're in the right place, the whole reason NPN exists is to support shooters who avoid the banal glut of image overload, who rather contribute extremely fine quality images to this world, images that display the beauty of creation and the care and concern to be good stewards of it while we are here. There's quite a huge audience for that thankfully!
Jim, that's very encouraging.