tramsey Loc: Texas

OK, give me a minute while I get on my soap box.

I was looking through the threads tonight at the excellent photos. I got to thinking about all the time, patience and expense put into a photo. A while back I tried 'still life.' I thought that since it didn't move focus would be a given and the rest shouldn't be too hard; I mean I have two eyes I can see what I like and what I don't like. If I don't like what I see, change it, how hard could that be? I found out it is very difficult, you have composition and lighting and other things that come into play more so then with other photos. So I moved into portraits. So what do you have to watch for here other then lighting and composition? So I tried it and it became very obvious to me what I was seeing, wasn't what the camera was seeing.
The list goes on with landscape, macro, etc, etc and etc.

So you spend all the time and gain all the experience it takes to create an excellent photo and post on the forum. What happens? You get over a hundred people that look at it and only about ten that say anything at all. To me that's rather disheartening.

Does anyone else feel this way?

OK, I'm getting off my soap box now. Who's next??

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

I think most people on this forum are just like you and I where they come here to ask questions, find some handy tips and be inspired by the photos we take. Most are no better or worse in their craft and so when you ask them to judge your entry they may feel they do not know enough, be experienced enough, or of course be 'qualified' enough to say anything to help.

If you think this through then, be honored that one-hundred people took a look at your photo, most likely to learn something to better themselves. The ten that do reply then are either the adventurous, the advanced or the ones who feel they have something to say. Remember too not everyone knows how to express themselves through words as well as they do through their photos and therefore do not always know what to say.

It is human nature and I wouldn't worry about it too much about it.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Yes it can be disheartening, especially if you see a technically inferior shot get a million nice comments.
But .......Do you take photos for you?
Or do you take photos for everyone else?
I have sold photos that I thought were very ordinary.
I have had ones I thought were excellent get hardly a look.

My advice - shoot with your heart, and to hell with the world.

Singing Swan

I understand how you feel and I too feel that way sometimes, as I participate in a couple of threads that can just move right along sometimes and I feel nobody ever looks at what I post. But, the OP on the threads recently said there were some six thousand posts, but over sixty thousand views....so somebody looks at what I do and I'm not here for accolades anyway. I joined to make my photography better, improve my knowledge of cameras and equipment, to improve my graphics and photo manipulation skills. I have succeeded at most all those things, AND other people have seen my work besides my family. For me it's a win win situation.
I'll make sure from now on when I take the time to look at the things you post that I also take the time to say something as well. I'm not qualified at times to give constructive criticism, but sometimes I might. You always do good work and I look at it a lot. I'll do better to let you know that more often.

PAB20 Loc: From Louisiana, but now live in Florida

I like your response St3v3M. I'm not experienced enough to make any sort of comments on photos. I do comment if I like them, but don't comment if it's not to my liking, or what I would do to the photo be it post processing or composition. I let the experienced photographers do that.

findlekind Loc: Canada, west coast

Criticism is an extension of all art. It's not enough to to simply say "interesting", "beautiful", etc.

Real criticism involves in addition to a passion for the art involved, a knowledge of history and technique. Most folks haven't involved themselves deeply in these things for whatever reason. I think it's essential! A knowledge of history at the minimum.

A good place to start may be "Criticizing Photograghs an Introduction to Understanding Images" by Terry Barrett. Maybe available at your library. Lots of interesting stuff there.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Please don't be offended if I don't comment on your photos. Its not that I don't like them; my problem is time. I try to at least look at them all then go back to the ones that I have made a mental note to comment on and if I still have time then I will go back and comment on the ones I haven't gotten to. I just can't get to them all.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I usually look at the title and only look at those that I prefer to check out. Personally I don't make comments unless I feel it is deserving a nice word. But I've seen many really bad images that I say nothing because I don't believe in BSing the person by telling them I like it when the image isn't good. I feel it's better not to say anything at all. I don't single any people out - just the title of the thread.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

There are LOTS of reasons that images don't get comments...time, inclination, expertise, a whole host of reasons...

The 'hog is just like real life....you'll see great images get slammed and really lame ones get praised like they are a long lost Ansel Adams image...

Personally, sometimes I skip commenting because I just don't have the energy to fight off the "self appointed forum sheriffs" who feel like anything but encouragement is an insult to the poster, and take it upon themselves to give me a verbal reprimand for slight they perceive.

Only a fairly small percentage of 'hoggers can ingest direct specific criticism without taking offense or being defensive....sorry to say...so it's disheartening both ways.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Tramsey, what's wrong with ten people telling you how great your photo is?
SS

jrb1213 Loc: McDonough GEorgia

If I like a photo I go back to it several times, and if I commented on it I go back to it every time someone else comments on it . This adds to the total viewing numbers, but its still only one person with multiple views.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Several ways to get pages of comments on this forum. One is to take an exceptional photo. Another is to form friendships on the forum. Every time someone post a comment on your photo make sure you tell them how wonderful it was for them to take the time of day to leave a comment. Go to their post and leave positive feedback also, no matter if the photo is good or not. Do this everyday for several months and before you know it a slightly average photo that is even slightly blurry and even to dark to really make out will get 10 pages of owws and ahhs. By now you rarely ever use your camera because your on line making friends and haven't really improved your photography skills, but it no longer matters because you get pages of positive feedback for an average at best photo.

young Loc: California

Don't take it so hard - every day I'm on UH, but don't have time to comment on each one. However, I appreciate all those that post, and have learnt so much from even the non-photographic forums.

jrb1213 Loc: McDonough GEorgia

True macro forum here on UHH seems to be the exception to this. Many will tell you the painful truth. Few will praise a weak photo.

buffmaloney Loc: Indiana

Wait! There are photographs here? :P