New Guy. No responses!!!!

[rgibbs]

I have posted here a few times and have had little or no responses to my posts.

I guess if you are not part of the little group here you might as well not waste your time posting.

I guess I will look to another forum for advice and comments.

[LightUser]

I know how you feel...very little of my posts get responses but it is better here than on some others..unless you really say something controversial on some of the other boards you won't get a "peep" from them...most all forums have their "cliques" just a fact of life you have to put up with.

[rgibbs]

Thanks for your reply lightuser. I guess what you say is true. I guess maybe I will keep trying.

[tomireland]

What have your posts been about? Buying something? Selling something? comment on a photo?

[rgibbs]

I have posted photos from weddings I have shot asking for c&c and have only had a few responses. But will keep trying I guess.

[S.Horton]

Are you serious?

[rgibbs]

YES SAM VERY SERIOUS!!!!!! It is a real shame.

[stathunter]

I went to your profile and looked at your posts.....you did have responses right away....not sure why you are upset. Lighten up.......relax.......next thing is someone will post that your photos are not good and you will go postal.......... :)

[notapro]

I looked back,too. Looks like you got a quite a few responses to your first post - fewer to the last, but that happens on the weekend I think. I think that a lot of the pros are still in the busy season, and a lot on hacks like me don't feel qualified to pass judgement. I for one seldom comment on anyone's photos, although I look at all of them.

[S.Horton]

I went to your profile and looked at your posts.....you did have responses right away....not sure why you are upset. Lighten up.......relax.......next thing is someone will post that your photos are not good and you will go postal.......... :)

Ditto.

Relax.

I checked your posts before I asked that question, because sometimes joke threads start this way.

[Cujo_34]

I'm also new here but I think commenting on others posts as well instead of just posting your own threads will help you get more known into the site as well as welcomed by the regulars. Popping into the general chit chat thread helps too. I posted in there before I even started making threads/commenting just to let people know who I was etc. Not sure how many people read/saw what I wrote in there because it goes by quickly but making an effort to others besides your own posts helps a lot I believe.

[rgibbs]

Thanks for the advice Cujo! Will give it a try.

[Wazza]

Your most recent thread had several people keen to see your pics but only saw Red X's. By the time you got them re-added, I guess most had already viewed the blank thread and not checked back again.

[tim]

Personally i've just stopped commenting on images except in exceptional cases. Start commenting on other peoples threads, ask questions, answer questions, then your critique threads will get more comments.

[nikonthree]

Personally i've just stopped commenting on images except in exceptional cases. Start commenting on other peoples threads, ask questions, answer questions, then your critique threads will get more comments.

Off Topic - But this is is too bad.. you are one of the few that actually gives thorough and honest crits

[liza]

Personally i've just stopped commenting on images except in exceptional cases.


Same here.

And Tim is correct in that increased involvement in the community as a whole will garner you more comments.

[rgibbs]

Thanks Tim and Liza for your advice. I will give it a ago.

thanks again all.

Richard

[Lord_Malone]

There is indeed a wedding forum "clique" on POTN. If you're not one of the popular regulars (they know who they are) you'll probably just get a quick view and ignored. 'Tis the way it works 'round here. Most likely, if you suck up to any of them enough or spend all your time in the wedding chit chat thread, you might start getting noticed more. I come out of my pocket and pay good money to a few of my POTN friends to offer comments on the very few shots I post here in the wedding forum. Cheer up, man. Let your images do the talking. If your clients are happy I wouldn't worry too much about what any of these folks have to say. You'll find that this is probably the toughest crowd to please in any of the sub forums here on POTN. The critiques can get quite brutal and a lot of shooters here have a particular style which may or may not appeal to everyone. Go forth and do great things. ;)

[nikonthree]

There is indeed a wedding forum "clique" on POTN. If you're not one of the popular regulars (they know who they are) you'll probably just get a quick view and ignored. 'Tis the way it works 'round here. Most likely, if you suck up to any of them enough or spend all your time in the wedding chit chat thread, you might start getting noticed more. I come out of my pocket and pay good money to a few of my POTN friends to offer comments on the very few shots I post here in the wedding forum. Cheer up, man. Let your images do the talking. If your clients are happy I wouldn't worry too much about what any of these folks have to say. You'll find that this is probably the toughest crowd to please in any of the sub forums here on POTN. The critiques can get quite brutal and a lot of shooters here have a particular style which may or may not appeal to everyone. Go forth and do great things. ;)

Good Post! :)

[wu_wei0]

There is indeed a wedding forum "clique" on POTN. If you're not one of the popular regulars (they know who they are) you'll probably just get a quick view and ignored. 'Tis the way it works 'round here. Most likely, if you suck up to any of them enough or spend all your time in the wedding chit chat thread, you might start getting noticed more. I come out of my pocket and pay good money to a few of my POTN friends to offer comments on the very few shots I post here in the wedding forum. Cheer up, man. Let your images do the talking. If your clients are happy I wouldn't worry too much about what any of these folks have to say. You'll find that this is probably the toughest crowd to please in any of the sub forums here on POTN. The critiques can get quite brutal and a lot of shooters here have a particular style which may or may not appeal to everyone. Go forth and do great things. ;)
Ya know, Ed, I haven't noticed a payment lately for comments on any of the fora. Did you fire me?;)

~wu

[Lord_Malone]

Ya know, Ed, I haven't noticed a payment lately for comments on any of the fora. Did you fire me?;)

~wu

I have another way of paying you in mind, my love. ;)

[amonline]

You might want to try posting images during the week. Posting them on Saturday and Sunday (like you have been) just gets them buried before you can get the C&C you're asking for. The weekends are generally tech info for those of us still getting ready to jump in... even I have figured this out and I'm not that bright. ;) :lol:

You've been posting during everyone's PP time. ;)

[SuzyView]

Posting in the wedding forum on the weekend is really funny. That's when we are working and trying to get PP done quickly. And I don't think we're that bad here. There are some great friendships, but mostly, people have been helpful and accepting. Several newbies are amazing and that's been wonderful for the people who lurk here. Don't take any comments personally, the purpose is to learn from one another and constructive comments are valuable. I am guilty of skipping commenting when I have nothing to say, but I have noticed that happening more often with many of us. Don't give up, just continue working at it.

[joshbehan]

There is indeed a wedding forum "clique" on POTN. If you're not one of the popular regulars (they know who they are) you'll probably just get a quick view and ignored. 'Tis the way it works 'round here. Most likely, if you suck up to any of them enough or spend all your time in the wedding chit chat thread, you might start getting noticed more. I come out of my pocket and pay good money to a few of my POTN friends to offer comments on the very few shots I post here in the wedding forum. Cheer up, man. Let your images do the talking. If your clients are happy I wouldn't worry too much about what any of these folks have to say. You'll find that this is probably the toughest crowd to please in any of the sub forums here on POTN. The critiques can get quite brutal and a lot of shooters here have a particular style which may or may not appeal to everyone. Go forth and do great things. ;)

i felt the same way (as the OP) when i started on this forum. but like ed is saying here, when i figured out that clients loved my work, and i truly began to think i was making great images, i ceased to care as much about what people here (didn't) say. it's a great place to learn about what we all do, and improve upon it.

[mizuno]

Off Topic - But this is is too bad.. you are one of the few that actually gives thorough and honest crits

Most people don't want an honest critique.

They say they do.

But they actually don't.

[amonline]

Most people don't want an honest critique.

They say they do.

But they actually don't.
Ain't that the truth... just saw it in G&N. :rolleyes:

[notapro]

Most people don't want an honest critique.

They say they do.

But they actually don't.

I don't think that's entirely true. I tend only to critique when it's asked for specifically, though, otherwise, I usually only comment on what I like. That's in other forums, though. Here I may comment if something is really good or I have a question because there are a lot more pros here and (I think) very few pros value the opinion of lesser photographers, so unless it's someone that I'm pretty sure would value everyone's opinion, I don't waste time.

On a slightly similar note, there've been many cases where I've seen people get good critiques (I mean helpful, not "ooh, pretty") from several people and then they post a comment asking for opinions from "the regulars" as if the other opinions have little value so my conclusion is that most people really only want opinions from them.

[csm328]

How true. And then the mods jump in, delete everything, and no one is the better for it.

Lord Malone: wish it wasn't the way you described it but it seems to be true. I used to have one person in particular say 'hello' every now and then or comment on some pics. Stopped once that person entered the 'inner sanctom' and now, its like they won't comment on us 'underlings' because other sanctom members might see.

Tim: it's a shame that you hold back. You're one of the better mentors in this forum. In my opinion, each pro should find one aspiring 'newbie' and give them some mentorship. Would really improve someone's techniques quickly.

New Guy: grow up. So what if you have no comments. Maybe it means your posts are unremarkable? That can actually be a good thing. If there's nothing to give C&C about, must mean you're doing something right.

Most people don't want an honest critique.

They say they do.

But they actually don't.

[JimAskew]

Most people don't want an honest critique.

They say they do.

But they actually don't.

I would modify your observation to say that most folks want constructive critique not destructive critique.

I have been both slam dunked and received some outstanding comments as to how to improve my photography here. You don't have to be brutal to be honest and you don't have to verbally abuse folks to make your point.

We all post here as we seek to improve ourselves and our support to our clients.

OP -- some of us do not feel professionally qualified to make constructive critique here. I for one, tend to comment on items that really catch my eye and stand out for their impact. Some here call me a "cheerleader" for posting in this manner...I simply disagree with that observation...I know what pleases my eye and I am happy to point that out to the poster. My advice to you is to keep shooting and keep posting...learn, grow, and have fun. As someone else said in this thread...if your clients are happy then you did the job correctly...can you improve? Absolutely! Keep posting and seek feedback...I do :)

[JimAskew]

There is indeed a wedding forum "clique" on POTN. If you're not one of the popular regulars (they know who they are) you'll probably just get a quick view and ignored. 'Tis the way it works 'round here. Most likely, if you suck up to any of them enough or spend all your time in the wedding chit chat thread, you might start getting noticed more. I come out of my pocket and pay good money to a few of my POTN friends to offer comments on the very few shots I post here in the wedding forum. Cheer up, man. Let your images do the talking. If your clients are happy I wouldn't worry too much about what any of these folks have to say. You'll find that this is probably the toughest crowd to please in any of the sub forums here on POTN. The critiques can get quite brutal and a lot of shooters here have a particular style which may or may not appeal to everyone. Go forth and do great things. ;)

Ed,

Wise words...the concept of "mentoring" seems to have faded a bit here. I come here to learn and I have! I appreciate constructive critique and take it to heart...I have also learned to ignore destructive critique...it has no place in this otherwise wonderful sub-forum...or any POTN sub-forum for that matter.

[jamiewexler]

I think it's a bit like going to a neighborhood bar for the first time. There's going to be groups of regulars standing in the corner talking to each other. Unless you are a stunnng 5'9" 36-24-36 blonde, with super-model good looks, you're probably not going to get noticed too much. Not because the regulars have anything against you, or because you're not a cool person, but because they are in their routine at the bar with Norm and Cliff. Spend a little more time at the bar, buy a couple of folks a drink or two and before you know it, folks will start to notice you.

Same here. Really exceptional work tends to get noticed - even if it's posted by folks with little time here. Look at how many responses Lord Malone got to his last wedding post, even though he's not a regular poster in the wedding "booth". There are a few others that only post a couple times a year that get a lot of responses because they post stunning work. (This guy springs right to mind: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/member.php?u=76625).

Another reason is that some of the folks that used to critique a lot become a little gunshy at the slapdown they get for posting the honest truth. Seen Tim here much lately? Add to that the reputation that the Wedding Forum is a place where you will get blasted for posting your work, and you can see why some of the "inner circle" (as you call it) may want to hold back on the responses. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Someone posts mediocre work (and I'm not pointing my finger at the OP or anyone else here), and you tell them that - all of a sudden we're unfriendly and grumpy...so you keep your mouth shut, and all of a sudden you're in an unpenetrable clique. Step back for a moment and look at the WORK that gets a lot of responses - typically it's because it's good work, regardless of who posts it.

No matter how hard we try, we never leave middle school...

[Toogy]

Very well said Jamie!

[JimAskew]

.. And I don't think we're that bad here ...

I agree. I have learned more here than any other sub-forum on POTN. Exposure, flash, settings, posing, work flow, calibration, etc...there are folks here who understand all this are willing to share and have shared their experiences. I'll keep coming back and I'll keep learning :)

[mmahoney]

I have posted here a few times and have had little or no responses to my posts.
I guess if you are not part of the little group here you might as well not waste your time posting.
I guess I will look to another forum for advice and comments.

In the case of photos that are not quite up to par many times one critique (and often the first) will suffice .. additional negative comments are just piling on.

In the case of exceptional photos you will often get a long list of groupies offering their "oohs & aahs" and I'm as guilty of doing that as anyone .. good work should be acknowledged.

And people are busy .. time is money and the 5 minutes it takes to view & critique a series of photos is worth about $3.50.

Compounding the problem is many newbie posts precede their photos with comments like "I'm especially pleased with these", then fail to thank people for their critiques, and often post an "anyone else?" question after receiving one or two critiques.

So participate in the forum, be thankful for any critique received, and reciprocate with your own comments on others work and you'll get more response to your own photos.

PS. I've not looked at any of your posts (besides this one) so my comments are not directed to you specifically .. just general advice on how to increase response to critique requests.
Mike

[amonline]

See how everyone comes out of the woods on Monday? ;) :lol:

[Belmondo]

How true. And then the mods jump in, delete everything, and no one is the better for it.

Of course there's never a reason. Second only to banning people, we enjoy deleting posts the most.

:p:p:p

[sblais]

Hey, a fellow Ottawan wedding photographer! How is it going? Send me a PM, will ya? :)

[JJacula]

I usually only comment on photos if there are some of the set I can comment positively on. If the whole set sucks, then I do the whole "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" thing.

[Lord_Malone]

I think it's a bit like going to a neighborhood bar for the first time. There's going to be groups of regulars standing in the corner talking to each other. Unless you are a stunnng 5'9" 36-24-36 blonde, with super-model good looks, you're probably not going to get noticed too much. Not because the regulars have anything against you, or because you're not a cool person, but because they are in their routine at the bar with Norm and Cliff. Spend a little more time at the bar, buy a couple of folks a drink or two and before you know it, folks will start to notice you.



No matter how hard we try, we never leave middle school...

Jamie, I like beer too. And I wish I were back in school. It sure beats the hell out of getting bullied out of my lunch money from my supervisor at work.

What we really need around here is a POTN Fart Forum. A place where we can get comments and critiques based on how good or how awful our ass gas smells. That would really motivate more people to participate in the C&C process I think. I'm going to start a poll...

[Lord_Malone]

If the whole set sucks, then I do the whole "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" thing.

And I think that's what causes concern among the newbs who receive little to no C&C. If nothing is said, that's just as bad as saying "Dude, your work really sucks. Don't quit your day job."

[Belmondo]

Jamie, I like beer too. And I wish I were back in school. It sure beats the hell out of getting bullied out of my lunch money from my supervisor at work.

What we really need around here is a POTN Fart Forum. A place where we can get comments and critiques based on how good or how awful our ass gas smells. That would really motivate more people to participate in the C&C process I think. I'm going to start a poll...

Don't forget, Ed. You were new here once, and you managed to insinuate yourself into the mix through sheer force of personality.

Sometimes I long for the old, sweet-smelling days of yore.

[Lord_Malone]

Don't forget, Ed. You were new here once, and you managed to insinuate yourself into the mix through sheer force of personality.

Sometimes I long for the old, sweet-smelling days of yore.

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest, my current personality rating is a 2. I drink, therefor I am.

[jamiewexler]

What we really need around here is a POTN Fart Forum. A place where we can get comments and critiques based on how good or how awful our ass gas smells. That would really motivate more people to participate in the C&C process I think. I'm going to start a poll...

Dude - I would so get slammed every week for my overpowering rankness. I don't think there's a room in my house where the paint is not peeling off the walls just a little due to my constant barrage of my a$$ WMDs...

[sblais]

Dude - I would so get slammed every week for my overpowering rankness. I don't think there's a room in my house where the paint is not peeling off the walls just a little due to my constant barrage of my a$$ WMDs...

Remind me of bringing a gas mask to the wedding meet, please!

[SuzyView]

I'm rethinking that wedding meet, too. :);)

Seriously, though, I haven't taken any wedding pictures in a few weeks and I'm getting really sad about it. I'm trying to keep up with my kids and have turned down jobs for that. But those that post "First Wedding" threads don't know what they're asking for. If the pictures are terrific and we all are amazed it's your first wedding, responses are usually pretty generous. If the pictures or okay, you probably will get a few "great start, now work on it some more." And if your whole album is mediocre, most people don't want to insult you, but could come up with more direct critiques of the work, whether it is exposure, lighting or composition. The worse thing is if your work is really terrible. I'm at a loss for what to say. Thank heavens most people post wonderful shots. And I think this continues to be a constructive, friendly bunch of people. And Mondays are the best days to catch us. Sebastien, if you order the mask, order one for me, too. :)

[Belmondo]

Let's get back to the OP's complaint. This is not intended as a discussion on flatulence.


Please, please, please.

[SuzyView]

Okay. :(

[Lord_Malone]

Let's get back to the OP's complaint. This is not intended as a discussion on flatulence.


Please, please, please.


I've gone and corrupted yet another thread. Is that finger still hovering over the "Ban Lord_Malone" button? :cool:

[SuzyView]

What was the original question? It had something to do with why someone doesn't get very many responses, right?

[Belmondo]

I've gone and corrupted yet another thread. Is that finger still hovering over the "Ban Lord_Malone" button? :cool:

http://www.onlinephotographers.com/gallery/albums/Hot-August-Nights/Ban_Button.gif

[GertS]

Of course there's never a reason. Second only to banning people, we enjoy deleting posts the most.

:p:p:p

Hey belmodo, what a great new avatar. Love this one. :lol::lol::lol: Seriously, even it's off topic at the moment.

[Belmondo]

Hey belmodo, what a great new avatar. Love this one. :lol::lol::lol: Seriously, even it's off topic at the moment.I can take no credit for it, but thanks. Puddles is a gifted cartoonist.

[Buckeye1]

That explains why my pear shape body receives little comments on my posts! Plus the fact that I don't speak English might be the other reason :D

Actually, OP, I am guilty of not responding many times because I am still new and not quit good enough to confidently critique most posts. Besides the fact that I can only log in during half an hour of lunch break, I am usually log in late (very late) at night...sometimes late 3:00 in the morning. So time is an issue for me.

With that said, there are some posts in this wedding forum has nothing to do with wedding but did receive many pages of response....from those 5'9" blondes and other "Norms" and "Cliffs" I guess.

Jamie is right though; just keep posting and responding to others, and soon you will have you own circle of friends. As for me, I only did two weddings thus far, so I am out of pictures to post in this forum :(

Keep shooting and have a great time doing it!



[quote=jamiewexler;4127180]I think it's a bit like going to a neighborhood bar for the first time. There's going to be groups of regulars standing in the corner talking to each other. Unless you are a stunnng 5'9" 36-24-36 blonde, with super-model good looks, you're probably not going to get noticed too much. Not because the regulars have anything against you, or because you're not a cool person, but because they are in their routine at the bar with Norm and Cliff. Spend a little more time at the bar, buy a couple of folks a drink or two and before you know it, folks will start to notice you.

[csm328]

LOL

Of course there's never a reason. Second only to banning people, we enjoy deleting posts the most.

:p:p:p

[Harleypugs]

I didn't put a lot of merit in this post when I first read it...but I am thinking the OP couldn't be more right....

[Belmondo]

I didn't put a lot of merit in this post when I first read it...but I am thinking the OP couldn't be more right....You're better off with first impressions then.

[trantz]

"It's not the words of your enemies that you'll remember, but rather the silence of your friends" - Martin Luther King Jr.

[notapro]

"It's not the words of your enemies that you'll remember, but rather the silence of your friends" - Martin Luther King Jr.

Right..... this is almost the same as what he was talking about. :rolleyes:

[Harleypugs]

Indeed...;)

[trantz]

lol why can't we all just get along?

[notapro]

lol why can't we all just get along?

agreed. :)