Apologies if been asked before, but does PAD work for you?

[camera0bug]

I've noticed there's a few folks who vote on nearly every photo they comment on.

Funny, they seem to be very highly ranked in the galleries too.

Just coincidence I guess.

[djwixx]

I've never used the voting system - maybe it would be better if the system was based on comments? It takes more effort to make a comment and as such is probably more relevant than a multitude of votes that can be done in seconds.

[karloti]

http://www.pbase.com/karloti/image/60065345/original

[jude_53]

Hmm... thought-provoking but the use of how many comments one gets is just another form of a popularity contest. I really don't think there is any solution. As it is, that is what the pop galleries/photos are used for... "I vote for you.. you vote for me".. unspoken and nice. I don't think it's a conspiracy or anything venemous.. but I do think that it's a tit for tat thing (that always makes me giggle.. sheesh). There is a community here of people who support each other - like each other and vote for each other.

About a year ago I had to pull away from commenting on every single pic of everyone I liked and admired. It (honest to goodness) took at least 4 hours a day. I see so many photos that are wonderful and yet I admire, smile, and sometimes vote.. but do not comment much. I vote when something is extraordinary - sometimes I've never seen the photographer and his/ her work before or it could be as simple as someone soaring to new heights in their style. Usually when my mouth drops open or I start speaking in tongues - the vote button is pushed..

At any rate, the voting will be what the voting is. There is no way to tell people why and how they should vote.. And everyone - when you come down to it - has the right to do what they want..

[leggings]

Jude,

There are a few photographers on pbase that rarely post crap. I do think this was discussed, the crap issue, before. It makes it difficult not to comment or vote. Many times these galleries and images are all over the pops and most times rightfully so.

I noticed that a lot of the same people comment on my photos. Normally, I would be worried about this but these people are very good photographers. It is also a style issue. Some styles get recognised more often than others. This can be due to a person going out and commenting a lot and or due to it being done well.

Many times photographers don't want the critique or critical comment on their work. They want to be told that it is good and that is that. I usually know when I have done something that doesn't work and try and avoid posting crap. There have been days that I have gone out and taken 100+ photos and not liked any of them. So, I don't post them. I think you know what I am hinting at. Another photographer brought this up who is very talented. However, I do not mind when someone is critical of my work, especially if I respect their work. It is good to know where a comment is coming from and why. Hints and tips are always good, even if I may not change something. The hint is still there. One person gave me a tip about a photo needing a black background and the photo looks much better. Without it I would have left the photo the way it was.

The why of a critical comment is a different issue all together.

Nonetheless, as you said, voting is the way it is.

btw: I think I need to stay out of the forums.

Duncan

[jude_53]

There have been days that I have gone out and taken 100+ photos and not liked any of them. So, I don't post them. I think you know what I am hinting at. Another photographer brought this up who is very talented

I take it you're talking about "x".. I do know when I posted every day for one and a half years while doing PAD I did so regardless as to whether I thought it was interesting. I mean, I did pick the one I thought was best, but still this past few months I've done a cleaning sweep of those pics out of my galleries. Not to say the ones left are interesting or good, but that most of them are ones I need there because they mean something to me.

The PADing experience was the reason I joined pbase. After seeing Jim Brandenburg's book on a photo a day for a year that I wanted to try it. Someone I knew had kept telling me of this site and I quickly found that there was a PADing community. From participating I learned quite a lot.. I did it as long as I felt it was helpful or necessary to me.

Although I do post most days, I honestly cannot spend as much time here as I used to. The reason is not because I don't have a photo I like.. no, I usually do. I am addicted to shooting everyday plus it's my job so I have no choice...lol.

The reason I don't spend as much time here is because a very good friend gave me a lecture on how I spent too much time working on photos for this site because of the instant gratification instead of paying attention to what I could be doing for a live community. Not that you'all are not live..

How does one explain this without being insulting - that is the last thing I'd want to do. I love it here.. it's addicting... the comments and advice have been invaluable in my progress as a photographer. Without this site and the people on it I would have had the guts to even try to apply for the job I have now.

To post a photo and have people love it is an amazing drug.
To have people give you advice on how to improve it is an amazing tool.
But to be obsessive about it is not healthy.

My relationship with PADing was not healthy after a while. Wondering why suddenly some people stopped commenting.. thinking that a photo I LOVED was shit because of that? How can that be good for one's soul OR their confidence in liking their own style?

I came to grips with the fact that because I don't comment much.. my receiving comments dropped. It makes total sense and it's fair. That is where the tit for tat reference comes from.. although there are exceptions, of course. It goes both ways. There are some people I comment on very often who never comment on mine. It doesn't bother or stop me. I know what I like.. and I had to let all that personal stuff go.

And believe me, I'm an emotional person so it wasn't easy.

There's also the truth that people just don't like my work/style/images. I'm finally at a place where I have self-confidence in what I do. Anyone who knows me well, also knows that is something I've never felt before in my life.

what does this have to do what I wrote last night and what you've said?

I have no idea.

[judespics]

Howdy ...

I just more or less read the comments on the 1st page and fast forwarded to the last page. And now I'd like to comment ...

PAD is what you make it. It's not done (in my humble opion) for votes or strokes or fame or furtune. It's done for the love of photography. I think anyone crazy enough to do PAD has an inate love ... passion for visual imagery. Images are best shared / viewed. The bonus with PAD is that your images are viewed by other like minded crazies! (I include myself in the mix - just started year 3 tho I don't always make the dailies at this point).

I started PADing for a number of reasons after having been on pbase for a couple of months.
1 - I wanted to see if my stuff was worthy - not just to me, but to other folks who were exploring images. I continue to be appreciative of peoples kind comments and gentle criticism. Pbase is a very positive, accepting forum.
2 - I wanted the forced discipline of shooting every day - especially in the beginning. Like anything, visual skills improve with practice. I wanted to hone those skills.
3 - I found that photography took me to another place ... an escape from the daily grind, and gave me something creative, stimulating, positive to think about. That 'high' is quite addictive, and like any good junkie, I need my daily fix.
4 - And yes, I have posted my share of crap. I'll be the first to admit it! But that's allowed. I can look at the crap and say why it's crap. I've developed the ability to do that. So, in a sense, I've learned as much from the crap as I have from the better stuff. And let's face it - we all go thru our slumps, we all run out of those precious creative juices. But when they flow, when we are in 'the zone' ... it's nirvana! If only that happened everyday!
5 - I've learned so much from other PADers - from viewing their images, from thier comments, from asking questions, from brainstorming.
6 - PADing had offered me the opportunity to experiment, to work out different styles, to try images, to learn more about PS and my camera, etc, that I might never have tried without this forum, thus adding to the learning experience.

I continue to PAD, but not as regularly as I had in the past, basically because I don't think I have to - for me. Still very much in learning mode, but perhaps less relient on others. I think PADing has given me that confidence in my own skills and abilities. But I still enjoy seeing other peoples work - learning from it, and perhaps lending something to others who look at my stuff - even if it's the abilty for them to say "thats crap!"

So is PAD working for me? I'd have to say yes - it has and continues to do so!
Should people stop PADing? That's for each person to determine. There are no hard and fast rules. It can be a little kamikaze at times!

Ok that would be my 2 cents worth.

Happy PADing!
Jude

[jude_53]

The PADing experience was the reason I joined pbase. After seeing Jim Brandenburg's book on a photo a day for a year that I wanted to try it. Someone I knew had kept telling me of this site and I quickly found that there was a PADing community.

addendum: Brandenburg's book/project/challenge was for 3 months - not a year. When I got to pbase the ongoing PAD was being done for a year and that's what I participated in.

[pheebs67]

Howdy ...

I just more or less read the comments on the 1st page and fast forwarded to the last page. And now I'd like to comment ...

PAD is what you make it. It's not done (in my humble opion) for votes or strokes or fame or furtune. It's done for the love of photography. I think anyone crazy enough to do PAD has an inate love ... passion for visual imagery. Images are best shared / viewed. The bonus with PAD is that your images are viewed by other like minded crazies! (I include myself in the mix - just started year 3 tho I don't always make the dailies at this point).

I started PADing for a number of reasons after having been on pbase for a couple of months.
1 - I wanted to see if my stuff was worthy - not just to me, but to other folks who were exploring images. I continue to be appreciative of peoples kind comments and gentle criticism. Pbase is a very positive, accepting forum.
2 - I wanted the forced discipline of shooting every day - especially in the beginning. Like anything, visual skills improve with practice. I wanted to hone those skills.
3 - I found that photography took me to another place ... an escape from the daily grind, and gave me something creative, stimulating, positive to think about. That 'high' is quite addictive, and like any good junkie, I need my daily fix.
4 - And yes, I have posted my share of crap. I'll be the first to admit it! But that's allowed. I can look at the crap and say why it's crap. I've developed the ability to do that. So, in a sense, I've learned as much from the crap as I have from the better stuff. And let's face it - we all go thru our slumps, we all run out of those precious creative juices. But when they flow, when we are in 'the zone' ... it's nirvana! If only that happened everyday!
5 - I've learned so much from other PADers - from viewing their images, from thier comments, from asking questions, from brainstorming.
6 - PADing had offered me the opportunity to experiment, to work out different styles, to try images, to learn more about PS and my camera, etc, that I might never have tried without this forum, thus adding to the learning experience.

I continue to PAD, but not as regularly as I had in the past, basically because I don't think I have to - for me. Still very much in learning mode, but perhaps less relient on others. I think PADing has given me that confidence in my own skills and abilities. But I still enjoy seeing other peoples work - learning from it, and perhaps lending something to others who look at my stuff - even if it's the abilty for them to say "thats crap!"

So is PAD working for me? I'd have to say yes - it has and continues to do so!
Should people stop PADing? That's for each person to determine. There are no hard and fast rules. It can be a little kamikaze at times!

Ok that would be my 2 cents worth.

Happy PADing!
Jude

As the starter of this thread, I agree with everything you say .... I too began primarily for the first 2 reasons you give, although I now find that there is a distinct lack of people willing to offer constructive criticism and so question the premise of PAD (or indeed PBase's) ability to help actively help me develop and learn anymore ... there appears to be too many "Oooh that's nice" type of comments that are only there as a hook, fishing for a similar "Well done" comment in return ..

Recently I've not been able to keep my PAD up-to-date for various reasons (The main one being that my better half is constantly using our PC (our office is also where I usually take most of my indoor photo's) for study in her final year of her degree so I have little time to post and shoot) but will get back up to date for different reasons than I originally began my PAD.

What PBase and a PAD now offer for me, is the opportunity to view other's work so that I can compare and contrast similar type of shots to my own and therefore indirectly make my own critique ....

Nice to hear so many folks comments

[gpaai]

there appears to be too many "Oooh that's nice" type of comments that are only there as a hook, fishing for a similar "Well done" comment in return ..

PAD means different things to different people. I have gotten to the point that I have a certain group of individuals who's work really excites me on a day to day basis. Visiting PAD and viewing the works of these people is a way to unwind and relax while enjoying their art.

What PBase and a PAD now offer for me, is the opportunity to view other's work so that I can compare and contrast similar type of shots to my own and therefore indirectly make my own critique ....

Same here and it seems to work out pretty well.

[horsegoggles]

I guess Pad is different things to different people, but why so serious? It's a fun place to get some exposure (no pun intended) who cares why you post. It's 23 bucks a year. If your stuff is so great that you don't want to be counted with the rif-raf, move on or lighten up.

[jypsee]

I guess Pad is different things to different people, but why so serious? It's a fun place to get some exposure (no pun intended) who cares why you post. It's 23 bucks a year. If your stuff is so great that you don't want to be counted with the rif-raf, move on or lighten up.

I agree!!

[troonly]

It's interesting - I've been through all the above phases, and am now too busy trying to start my own business that I don't have time to visit other PaDs - I do look but rarely comment. As a result my own hits and comments have fallen dramatically. At first I took this to heart, but recently I've noticed my PaD has become more of a photo diary, with bursts of photos I now share with groups of people at events I attend etc.... Occasionally I still manage a 'good' photo and wish more could see it! Sometimes (when the thumbnail is striking) it can get some good comments and hits. The speed with which thumbnails rush through the PaD gallery I guess doesn't help.

But I'll continue the PaD, for me it has value and it has meant I keep taking photos during a time when I suspect otherwise the camera would be gathering dust! - and will organise a Chester meet once things have settled down..... promise......

cheers

Ian

[dmajfsharp]

I am an amateur photographer. I purchased a new beginners digital camera. This is the first time I took a picture since high school photography. I Joined PBase so that I can share my photos and elicit feedback over content, context, technicality and how I can improve my photography.

I find myself taking my photography more seriously these days. I find photography to be a relaxing, meditative experience. I take a moment of every day to take at least one photograph I don't post a photograph, I feel posting an old photograph as opposed to taking one and posting it on the same day violates the PaD spirit. I submit my photos, PaD or otherwise to this community in an effort to convey the beauty of what I have taken, be it good or bad. But most importantly, I look for honest and discourse, criticism and comments about my photos. If you think it's good, please let me know, if you think it sucks, please tell me that also.

I am not, nor do I claim to be an artist. I am looking to learn from others as well as improve my photography. I am not a praise hound, I look for honest and even brutal criticism, hints and tips so that I can learn to take better pictures. When I view other galleries, I place a comment if the picture I see captures or conveys something special. Take this Pic for example: http://www.pbase.com/big_handsome_lou/image/53513923

I feel that picture captures moment, feeling and expression that this young bride may never experience again in her life. I call it "rapturous bliss."

I thank jrbrady, he is one of the very very few people who helped me learn more of a technical and philosophical aspect of photography. I have learned more from his one comment then I learned even when I was in high school photography class.

I always tell people that "You can never really prove that you know what you are doing unless you can teach it effectively." I do not know enough about the technical aspect of photography, I only know what I like, so I do not criticize other people's pictures.

I feel that the "photographers" and "artists" here at "PBase" have a duty to share some of their knowledge and wisdom to help someone better share their vision.

I personally do not get a better feeling than when someone applies something that I taught or showed them and they improve on it. Because I know and understand that learning is a two-way street. I usually learn more from these people than they learn from me. My 4 cents.

[gsansoucie]

Whether I chose to take a photo a day or post a photo a day, the part that I feel works for me is using the tools more (in my case, Photoshop Elements 3.0). I will get into periods where I will play around with post-processing a lot (something that I am still trying to learn).

(When this thread comes up again next month, I will have a different reason...)

Time to go play around with some filters...

-=Glen=-