how do you decide what to post? doubtless, those digital aficionados among you generate thousands of images per year. because we choose the slow lane, us film users produce tens or hundreds of images per year. But still, a choice must be made.
What do you post here on NPN? How do you decide? Those for which you want processing input? Those which you consider to be your best and wish only for the praise, beer and accolades from your fellow members? What proportion of your best work do we never get to see? Why, in fact do you post at all?
For me, I confess that it is a whimsical process. I save my best (at least, that is, according to my eye) for an annual portfolio; what i post here includes some of those but deciding on any day what to post is entirely whimsical. What about you?
Stuart, your post is likely addressing the experienced photographers, but I'll answer as a beginner. I post on NPN because I'm learning and need help. I do post my own best, but for that best I still need input for not just processing but everything. For somebody in my situation NPN is pretty amazing.
Hi Stuart
I'm not a frequent poster, but I post when I have uncertainty or ambiguous feelings about a photo, to tap the talent at NPN and get feedback from the practiced eye of others. It's often quite helpful.
And, of course, occasionally I may post something I'm proud of, just to show off, which lately hasn't been that much.
Posted by Mark Stahlke on August 27, 2012 at 1:45 PM
Barbara's comment is applicable to everyone, not just beginners. By accepting critique of one's best images, one's "best" gets better.
On most site you just post your pics and see what happens.
Here, you get varying opinions.
As much as anything, I post just to see what other photographers think.
Mostly (all three so far) are works that I happen to like, for one reason or another.
Its interesting to hear what kind of a chord we strike in other viewers.
Posted by Richard Ditch on August 27, 2012 at 7:04 PM
I post for multiple reasons, as I suspect others do as well. I post to be part of the community here at NPN. I post to share images that I like of subjects that I like. I post the images that I think demonstrate my best work at the time - at least one reason for this is to demonstrate competence so that my comments on other images and answers to questions have some foundation in ability and knowledge. And, yes, I like getting positive feedback from anyone who likes my images.
actually, barbara, i don't think that i was referring only to experienced photographers - but everyone!
on a slightly different look at this is that trying to write critiques/comments on others' photos is really useful, I have found, in honing my ability (well, of what ability I have) to SEE images/compositions as I walk with my camera in hand.
Posted by Kent Staubus on August 28, 2012 at 8:22 AM
Sometimes I'm just showing something because it's different, sometimes I wonder if the shot is too "weird" and is only interesting to me. It all depends, I guess.
Kent in SD
Posted by Dan Roberts on August 28, 2012 at 5:50 PM
One thing I've learned about myself is that I'm a poor judge of what others think of my photos. So I typically post what I consider to be my best from a content standpoint, not necessarily best technicals. In doing so I'm seeking others' perspectives in hopes of improving my insight as to what appeals to others. Clearly from my own perspective, I like what I like because I like it and that's enough. But in the context of trying to generate marketable images, gaining that insight from others has value. The technical advice that gets posted is useful but can also be obtained by reading various sources or by reading critique of other peoples' work. But there is no substitute IMO for qualitative/artistic critique of one's own work.
Stuart, This is an interesting topic.
I see everyones images and read the comments on them more that I post. I almost check images on NPN every night. I have learned a lot from this. And I post some of my best or good images just to get your comments, this is my reason to post and I come back to read them. I see how many viewed and how many posted a comment. I would like to see more comments.
Last year one of the NPN member (sorry I don't remember the name now) hit 10,000th comments. Good on him.
I appreciate members effort for commenting. I will be very happy to read constructive comments on my images from any NPN members.
Posted by Stan Rose on September 4, 2012 at 11:33 AM
I generally post my 'best' but also post those i want feedback on, or undecided about. One thing i do adhere to is to only post my very latest photos--i dont dig in my archives the way many others do, seems counterproductive since i want to move forward, not back.
Discussion
11 repliesWhat do you post here on NPN? How do you decide? Those for which you want processing input? Those which you consider to be your best and wish only for the praise, beer and accolades from your fellow members? What proportion of your best work do we never get to see? Why, in fact do you post at all?
For me, I confess that it is a whimsical process. I save my best (at least, that is, according to my eye) for an annual portfolio; what i post here includes some of those but deciding on any day what to post is entirely whimsical. What about you?
I'm not a frequent poster, but I post when I have uncertainty or ambiguous feelings about a photo, to tap the talent at NPN and get feedback from the practiced eye of others. It's often quite helpful.
And, of course, occasionally I may post something I'm proud of, just to show off, which lately hasn't been that much.
Here, you get varying opinions.
As much as anything, I post just to see what other photographers think.
Mostly (all three so far) are works that I happen to like, for one reason or another.
Its interesting to hear what kind of a chord we strike in other viewers.
on a slightly different look at this is that trying to write critiques/comments on others' photos is really useful, I have found, in honing my ability (well, of what ability I have) to SEE images/compositions as I walk with my camera in hand.
Kent in SD
kent, i also go for "different" in that whimsical selection process.
I see everyones images and read the comments on them more that I post. I almost check images on NPN every night. I have learned a lot from this. And I post some of my best or good images just to get your comments, this is my reason to post and I come back to read them. I see how many viewed and how many posted a comment. I would like to see more comments.
Last year one of the NPN member (sorry I don't remember the name now) hit 10,000th comments. Good on him.
I appreciate members effort for commenting. I will be very happy to read constructive comments on my images from any NPN members.