manroy's blog No 16

Posted by manroy | 2008-06-21 | Comments: (19) | Hits: 867

Hi Folks.
I was looking at some of davles pics earlier today, and one that particularly caught my eye was of a surfer, a truly great shot, but what puzzled me was why it had had 81 hits but no comments. I have noticed this before, but it has never really bothered me until today. Why is it that people will look at a picture and not mention what they think of it. Could it be that some are too shy, private, uncaring, wait scrub uncaring, they must care to look at the shot in the first place.
Let me for a moment talk to the non-commenters. As a Camera Club judge and speaker for many years, I have come to realise that everybody's view is as important as the next man's, oops, person's. It is simlpy a matter of, "do I like it" if yes, why, if no why not. If you don't wish to actually write a comment, then on MyShots it's easy, just look at the "ratings box" it does it for you.
This picture in not to my taste. score 1
You must try harder. 2
It's not that bad. 3
Fair. 4
Average. 5
And so on, up to Perfection 10
The bonus of scoring other peoples work is of course, you can put more of your own pics on show and find out what other people think of your work.
On the other hand, we could start a new competition. "The image with the most hits but no comments"
I'll start the ball rolling with davles surfer 81 hits before it had a comment.
I think that is a winner. Unless of course you know better!!!
Ah, here's my lovely wife with a steaming mug of cocoa and my medication.
Speak to you soon.
Respect, Roy.

manroy - 2008-06-21 08:08
The name of davles surfing shot is "San Diego Surfing" and it had 81 hits before a comment.

davles - 2008-06-24 07:21
Thanks for your kind words and support.
It is rather puzzling when this happens and I have often wondered why really good work is passed over and photos that display dubious image quality receive a modest number of hits and get ratings of seven or eight and arr accompanied by a positive comment.
I can understand that people are just trying to be nice and do not wish to risk offending someone they do not know, but giving someone a comment that is a false positive is not going to help anyone improve their photographic skills.
Maybe the rating system needs to be overhauled in away that avoids using terms like not my taste and try harder.It would make me very uncomfortable to use ratings that are that low so I avoid them like the plague and generally reserve my comments for images that have something going for them.
I was hoping that someone would respond to your blog before I did hence the delay,but it looks like it is suffering the same apathetic fate as the image you referred to.
Maybe I should write another blog on apathy,but just like last time I can't be bothered.

Les.

monique - 2008-06-24 13:30
You are absolutely correct! And I realize I am a "non-commentor" more often than a commentor. My reason for not commenting is usually that I am not sure that what I have to say is intelligent or constructive since I am just an amateur/hobbyist.
However, now that you have given me pause for thought, I realize that if somebody commented on one of my photos I would never know, nor care about their level of expertise but I would appreciate the opinion none the less since (now that you have me thinking...) most people looking at photos don't need to be an expert on the technical aspects of a picture; they just know what is pleasing to their own eye or what makes them feel something.
You make an excellent point. I will make a concerted effort to give more comments about how a picture makes me feel and what I like about it.

manroy - 2008-06-24 13:47
monique, I am so pleased that you are thinking this way. your opinion is every bit as important as anyone else's and what a great point you make about not needing to be an expert on the technical aspects of a picture. You don't need to know the rules to have a feeling about a picture.
Happy commenting.
Respect, Roy.

manroy - 2008-06-24 13:54
I am so sorry monique, I forgot to congratulate you on winning comp No 6 with your smashing shot of the trees, well done, keep it up.
More respect, Roy.

monique - 2008-06-24 15:21
Thank you again Roy! The other competition photos were so beautiful and creative it was a big thrill to have my photo chosen.

crazyfertogpher - 2008-07-02 17:38
yes manroy i agree with you alot i have had a shot that has had many views but no comment i love to have comments good or bad that way it will make try to improve my photo shooting and what to choose

crazyfertogpher - 2008-07-02 17:43
my photo light of an angel has had 125 views and a few downloads and no comments i like to comment on other photos that catch my eye if i am going to view i will comment on it

manroy - 2008-07-04 13:10
Hi crazyfertogpher. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.
I am just going to have a look at your "Light of an angel" to see haw many people have viewed it now. You have certainly taken the lead from davles.

manroy - 2008-07-04 13:31
Hi again crazyfertogpher Wow!!! 133 hits before you finaly had a comment, and now I have just doubled the number of comments to 2.
Respect, Roy.

leahcim - 2008-07-10 20:35
I'm glad I read this blog puts things in perspective for me. I'm new to Myshots and wasn't sure just how it worked. I see it's much more than just posting photos. I was shocked to see comments on my 3 photos within 2 days, did'nt really think (hoped) they would draw attention. As for adding my comments...........well I am amazed at some of the talent I'm seeing and feel a bit unqualified to comment, however it will be a pleasure to join in.
thank you all

manroy - 2008-07-11 08:08
Well said leahcim, every comment is as valid as the next.
Respect, Roy.

davles - 2008-07-12 04:18
Perhaps leachim has hit the nail on the head,it could be that some folk are reticent about commenting because they feel that they feel unsuitably qualified.
I agree every comment is valid and for those who receive them every comment makes their efforts worthwhile.

Les.

davles - 2008-07-12 06:49
I wish I could edit that last post it should have read because they feel unsuitably qualified.

manroy - 2008-07-13 05:35
Welcome home Les, I hope you had a good holiday.
I know what you mean when you say "I wish I could edit that" It used to be that if I saw a mistake after uploading I could click on edit and do it. But now when I try to edit something, all I get is "Error"
I'll give you a ring later on Les, and catch up on all the goss.
Respect, Roy.

davles - 2008-07-20 17:27
Hi Roy just discovered another picture of mine that has received 168 hits and zero, comments ,the image is called life on the Nile.

Les.

manroy - 2008-07-21 05:40
Les, I can't for the life of me find the picture you are talking about. I have hovered over all of your visible images three times and not one of them has the title "Life on the Nile" Is this competition number seven? (Find the Picture)
R,S,V,P.
Respect Roy.

davles - 2008-07-21 06:16
Hi Roy,I only came across it by accident I had forgotten it was on here.I have just done a search and traced it by typing in nile the search box.

Les.

manroy - 2008-07-21 06:28
I have just checked it Les, it is now (out) at 170 for no coment.