Why????

treeman

treeman

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Mark
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Is there a reason why people don't comment on photos, after viewing them, when there put up for critique and quite clearly labeled as to what they are?

I can understand some people clicking a thread when the title is misleading and you're not sure what the subject matter is (bird togs please note!), so it ends up being a pic of something you're not interested in.

I put a nude pic for critique a few weeks ago, NSFW

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=167297

it has been viewed 1,147 times, with only 11 comments! less than 1% commented.

I would like to think on a photography forum that we're all above the sniggering when it comes to nude pics, but I'm seriously beginning to wonder! Considering my average view rate on threads that don't mention nude is about 100, surely it can't be that the only reason the thread has high view rates and no comments is because the title say "Nude" in it?

The picture in question is nothing special by any means, it's just a bit of a landmark for me. I don't think it falls into "too crap to bother critiquing" category, but maybe I'm wrong :shrug:

All I was after was some constructive criticism, so I can learn and move on.

So just out of interest, why don't people comment in pics ??
 
Could be because people who aren't members clicks count as well, when they look, also some people just look, and don't feel able to give criticism, or comments, In fact I myself have never commented on a nude or glamour as I don't feel able to as I have never done N or G shots, but would look and read others comments
 
For me some times I look at a photo and think its OK but not bad nor a WOW photo and find it hard to say much about it.
I am not saying yours is but that’s how I find some photos.
I know it would be good to add some view as to what is good or what is not working but some times I find nothing I would say.
Not very helpful answerer I know but that’s how it is for me some times.
I have also had photos with out comments but that’s life.
 
Sometimes there is just nothing to say that hasn't already been said.
 
Yeah it's true, and sometimes it feels like spam and pointless to post only a few words, but I always try to make myself do it. To be honest - and I do not wish to cause offense with this - I think sometimes people would rather not critique negatively when they dislike a photo so just do not pass comment at all. Perhaps the photo is not appealing to others. I can't view myself now as I'm at work but I would do. Also, in that particular area of the forum, I think you are going to get a lot more views with no replies purely by the nature of it being a nude photo...i.e. just out to view nude women in a non photographical nature if you get me.
 
I'm someone who doesn't often put comments up because I'm relatively new and the only thing I can think of is I like it or I don't. And I don't necessarily think its very constructive - so like my mum says - if you don't have anything useful to say then don't say it!!!!
 
Yeah it's true, and sometimes it feels like spam and pointless to post only a few words, but I always try to make myself do it. To be honest - and I do not wish to cause offense with this - I think sometimes people would rather not critique negatively when they dislike a photo so just do not pass comment at al
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That's a fair comment, but I was hoping as fellow togs, we all know criticism improves your work, good or bad.

I think you are going to get a lot more views with no replies purely by the nature of it being a nude photo...i.e. just out to view nude women in a non photographical nature if you get me.
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Maybe you're right, but I'd have thought though that there was far more titillation out there on the big wide web. Shame if it's true though :shrug:
 
Nothing irritates me more then people that post their own stuff and only reply to their own threads and give nothing back to the rest of us here. What you are experiencing though happens to us all, it is just the way it is and so just grin and bear it I say. There will always be lurkers and it is only them that are missing out ultimately by not getting involved, I was a little worried about joining in at first but it is fun when you do and as a consequence I have met some great friends off here.
 
I often click into view a photo, but feel unable to leave crit as it just doesn't interest me. It's quite hard to tell with people without actually clicking in first. Birds.. if you don't find them interesting you don't click in... same with trains, planes and automobiles!
 
I only comment if I think I have something to add to the ongoing discussion - unfortunately I often just find the images so atrocious that words fail me...
I just haven't the heart to keep saying "this is ****: give up photography and take up accounting instead..."

It wears you down, being the bearer of such disappointment, day-in, day out...it crushes the soul, it really does...
 
funky_snowhead said:
I'm someone who doesn't often put comments up because I'm relatively new and the only thing I can think of is I like it or I don't. And I don't necessarily think its very constructive - so like my mum says - if you don't have anything useful to say then don't say it!!!!
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I agree with this. I'll look at photos to get inspiration or to see what works and what doesn't, but I don't know enough to be able to critique one way or the other. I'm pretty sure that posts that just say "I like it" aren't as useful as posts that say "I like it / don't like it and this is why..." Hopefully as I get more experience I'll be able to add more comments, or maybe I should try and comment as I see it and risk getting tutted at by the more experienced!
 
out of interest how are you viewing the amount of hits?
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In your statistics, you have to look at "posts by you" not "threads by you". So you need to post a new topic then post at least one reply to it yourself, so it appears in the "post by you" option. Easy :thinking:
 
I find it hard to crit anything due to a lack of experience in such matters of technical and lighting adeptness etc. I tend to like, or not like work posted. So i leave the crit to those who can offer more.
 
Arkady said:
I only comment if I think I have something to add to the ongoing discussion - unfortunately I often just find the images so atrocious that words fail me...
I just haven't the heart to keep saying "this is ****: give up photography and take up accounting instead..."
.
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:agree:
 
I can relate. I have posted two threads in the past two weeks with photos and have only recieved on comment on one thread. But on the other hand when I post for advice I get lots of responses which is good :D swings and roundabouts I guess :shrug:

But yes its a bit disheartening when you are dying for feedback and not getting any.

Vicky.
 
11 coments isn't bad at all. Check the unanswered posts section, stuff from the 1st still without comment.

The best way to recieve crit (not just 'great shot' comments) is to give it. That way the people who you have offered crit to should hopefully spot your posts and return the favour :thumbs:
 
There's always THIS thread :D
 
Arkady said:
I only comment if I think I have something to add to the ongoing discussion - unfortunately I often just find the images so atrocious that words fail me...
I just haven't the heart to keep saying "this is ****: give up photography and take up accounting instead..."

It wears you down, being the bearer of such disappointment, day-in, day out...it crushes the soul, it really does...
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Interesting point, having posted more than my fair share of crap though, don't you think that we all have to start some where? If people don't bother to post any crit on these images, how can those just starting out for example ever hope to improve?
 
Speaking for myself, i check out other photos to see if there is anything to be learnt for myself, when it comes to giving crit i tend to not participate as my lack of knowledge could leave me with egg on my face.
 
My idea of what is a good photograph and yours may be very different doesn't mean either of us is right. It is for that reason I very rarely comment on other peoples work.
 
I look at many more threads than I comment on.

Why? Well partially its time!

But some subjects I don't feel qualified of offer useful crit: Glamour, motosport even birds other than 'great shot' :) But, if the mood takes me and I have time I'll at least say that.

11 comments on a busy fast moving forum like this is good - many of mine die thread death after 1 comment and a reply by me saying thanks :D

I would also have though (perhaps) that the glamour section has a much higher proportion of views to comments than others for some reason..but I may be wrong :D?
 
Submitters should say something about it themselves, they ought to put it in some kinda context, give some background about what it is, what its for (if anything), what was the intention and how they feel about it.
Its all well and good posting "here's one, what do you think" but often the only things worth stating are the obvious.
Ok some things are not obvious to everyone, but offering your own thoughts about the image you produced, is more likely to trigger a response than nothing at all.
 
Arkady said:
I only comment if I think I have something to add to the ongoing discussion - unfortunately I often just find the images so atrocious that words fail me...
I just haven't the heart to keep saying "this is ****: give up photography and take up accounting instead..."

It wears you down, being the bearer of such disappointment, day-in, day out...it crushes the soul, it really does...
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I'm not sure I'd go that far, but it does annoy me when a picture is posted and the title is "some picture - does it work?" without the poster offering their own critique. I just feel that if you're going to post a picture asking for critique, the least you can do is add your own, e.g."I was trying to capture it in some particular way but I don't think it works because of something, can anyone offer suggestions?" or "I am trying a new technique, but I haven't got it right, please can someone point me in the right direction?". Equally, having loads of posts just saying "it's a good picture" is the equivalent of those meaningless awards you get on flickr.

As has been said a number of times in this thread, I don't comment if I don't feel I have anything to add. I usually comment if the photo is particularly stunning or unusual.

Pah, Joxby got there first, I had written my reply but got side tracked by having to do some real work :D
 
joxby said:
Submitters should say something about it themselves, they ought to put it in some kinda context, give some background about what it is, what its for (if anything), what was the intention and how they feel about it.
Its all well and good posting "here's one, what do you think" but often the only things worth stating are the obvious.
Ok some things are not obvious to everyone, but offering your own thoughts about the image you produced, is more likely to trigger a response than nothing at all.
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That makes good seance, at least people have some information to help in the crit.
 
Submitters should say something about it themselves, they ought to put it in some kinda context, give some background about what it is, what its for (if anything), what was the intention and how they feel about it.
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I think that's a very good point. I'll try that next time, thanks
 
treeman said:
Ahh, didn't see that. Is it ok to post nudes in that section?
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Well you're only posting a link to your original thread and as long as the nude is in the N&G section it's fine. However, please make sure you make it absolutely clear that your link will take the viewer to a nude shot. IE use a minimum of the NSFW tag :)
 
I've posted a few threads where I was hoping for plenty of feedback, in one I had a comment on PP but when asked what the person would suggest it never got a response and slipped off the pages.

I'd rather have a 100 "they are rubbish, try this" than nothing at all.

Now, when browsing the gallery areas I always go straight to the threads with 0 posts and comment on those first. Then look at smaller replies too threads, then what sounds interesting. :)
 
well half the time i dont feel qualifid enough to coment, and we all know that the usual "nice pic" comments are a waste of time really

Your observation also makes it feel like were not actually to allowed to look at the pics on here unless we are going to comment / crit !! Some ofus use the forum for picking up advice and inspiration
 
I've cut down my commenting heavily.

I used to do a run through unanswered posts regularly, but I've got used to either no response from the OP - which I think is pretty bad manners - or comments along the lines of 'Your opinion is unimportant because you said negative things'.

I'm not a very positive sort of guy, I suppose.
 
OK, I've had a look at it again and other than "that’s nice" or something equally meaningless I can't find anything constructive to say. That not to say it's a bad picture (or a good one), just one I can't usefully comment on and certainly not add anything to the observations already there.
I hope that answers your question why?
 
A couple of reasons why I may view a picture and not comment :

1) An image is sized too large or for some other reason is taking a long time to load up on my screen. . . I get bored waiting and click backwards.

2) Sometimes if I'm scrolling through new posts I don't always notice what sub-forum a thread is in. I may sometimes click on an image in an area that doesn't really interest me - like Motorsport. No offense to anyone, but it's just not my thing.
My comments would be pretty dull if I kept saying "Nice shot, but cars don't really do it for me." ;)

3) Time.
I'd love to have 12 hours a day to spend on here looking at shots and commenting, but I don't.
And if I feel like anything constructive I might have added has already been said by other members I'm even more likely to say nothing.


For everyone who has said that they don't feel qualified to offer C&C :

I know that it can be intimidating when you're new, but if you like a shot then don't be afraid to say so. And try to ask yourself what it is about it that appeals to you to make your comment more constructive. The same goes for a shot that you don't like.

You may not be able to give technical advice, but everyone has an opinion on whether they find an image pleasing or not.
I'm very new myself and have little technical knowledge, but I'm finding that trying to offer an opinion on other people's photos is really helping me to look at my own photos with a more critical eye.

:shrug: And so what if nobody else agrees with your opinion? It's your opinion and nobody can tell you that it's wrong.
 
I feel obliged to comment after reading the above. I, like many are not pro-photographers and as such may have limited input when someone asks for c&C, but will for want of a better word "surf" and read read what others have said and try to relate the comments to the picture. Perhaps when I can put what is being said in context and get a feel for the structure and depth of reply required I will participate more.
I cannot agree with the comments "I just haven't the heart to keep saying "this is ****: give up photography and take up accounting instead...". It may be ****, but I would guess the majority of Photo's up for C&C have been "Photo shopped" to some degree and not straight out of the can, and that is a another story.
 
Here's why I don't comment, and maybe you can let me know if you'd prefer if I would after reading this. When it comes to nude photography there's only a certain time of day I can view it. And 99% of the time someone has already posted exactly what I was thinking. I don't bother posting a "I agree with him/her" or repost a thought. I don't see it as useful, but if you'd like to see that (for whatever reason) then just say, and I won't hold back :lol:.

For example, in the particular post I think you were referring to Spxxxx had nailed my thoughts in the very first post :D so I moved on.

(Actually... after reading it again, I do have crit on your re-edit that no one has mentioned yet. I'll go post that in a second.)

The other issue of why there was such a phenomenal amount of hit rates vs a low response. I can easily answer that: A lot of people are fascinated by pictures of the female body, me included. It doesn't necessarily mean in a sexual manner. If it was a male nude would I look at it? Possibly. I'm comfortable enough in this modern society to be able to look at the same sex naked. But for me, the female body is just much more photogenic than the male (unless it's a waste up comparison, but being male the female version wins!). That unfortunate appendage a bloke has to carry is a very unattractive object and when an attempt is made to hide it, I just think the pose looks uncomfortable.

On that note, most of my time is actually spent looking at 52s! But I might take a gander round the nudes section more often, see can I up the critique offered.
 
For those that feel they aren't 'pro' enough to comment, neither am I but it doesn't stop me. I know what I like and what I don't like, voice your opinion.

I'd much rather have one "i like it" than no responses at all, hell, I'd rather have "you should of done this.." than nothing.

If someone has said the same thing you were thinking, there's nothing wrong with sating you agree.

And if the OP is rude enough not to answer or to tell you that you are wrong just take a note of their name and don't post in them again :)
 
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