how come i'm not getting any 1's or 2's?

The problem with a rating system like this one is that only the dedicated photographer will take the time to read the definition of the ratings. Of course they first have to find it (not easy), then understand it (even harder), agree with the definitions ( a crap shoot) then apply it to each and every rate (very rare, this proven by the fact that there is rarely more than one point separation between O and A), and then they of course would still not know that a 1 or 2 that they chose will not be used unless they dig through the archived threads. (no one bothers to provide update information to the membership). So, for the most part, I think the majority use the ratings as a reflection of their like or dislike of the photo. This skews the ratings given to each photo based on the genre of the photo. So, if you happen to post a landscape when there are a lot of people who like landscapes on line then you may get a decent score. God help you if you post at a time when the nudist fans dominate the site. Your picture of any other genre won�t stand a chance. (No, I do not object to nudes, so don�t start.)

 

Now all of this could be resolved if we didn�t have a bunch of techies running the show that don�t have a creative bone in their bodies. If they did they would, for instance, not present (for rating) different genres of pictures in the same rating queue. Doesn�t it make since that individuals would probably not enter the nude rating queue when their main interest was B&W street photography and vice versa? Doesn�t it also make since that presenting someone with an image that they aren�t interested in will automatically elicit a low rating. Yes Will, it would be better if you were not presented with what you consider porn and yet still enjoy all the benefits of the site.

 

They also show their lack of understanding of photography/creativity/artistic endeavors by refusing to believe that the majority looks at these photos for the pure pleasure of it all. Maybe the site administrators go into a museum or attend a showing of photographs so they can analyze each and every image displayed, but I believe most go to be exposed to beauty, or be emotionally stimulated or to be challenged to do a better job themselves. And what about those who are the artists, photographers and creative types? Do you think the majority of them come for critiques and ratings from the general public or their peers? I don�t think so. They come for the applause as Sylvie Lueders so succinctly stated in a recent post. They also understand the difference between no applause ( a 0) and loud applause ( a 7). More important, they understand that the real fans are the ones who fork over their bucks for the privilege of owning a copy.

 

I joined ( as a paid member ) PhotoNet and for a while I truly enjoyed interacting with a group of fine photographers but it wasn�t long before they went away. I think many of them went away because their intelligence was insulted. Who can accept statements like the 1s and 2s are still valid but yet they don�t count towards the photos rating, or the insistence that there is still a 1 to 7 rating system but only 5 numbers are used Or I can rate my favorite photographer�s photo a 7 but he can�t rate mine or it will considered mate rating. (Please don�t confuse this with real mate rating. Real mate rating is a pattern of exclusively rating another�s photo with high ratings) My favorite was, �It is not a contest�, when of course the photos referred to were ranked in the TRP and there is a first place.

 

I also got very tired of those %*�holes who jumped at every opportunity to taunt, insult, intimidate and otherwise pollute the forums when anybody voiced their opposition to the sites policies and procedures. It became tiresome to have to wade through their dribble but it paid off for some. Some were obviously rewarded for their lock step allegiance. I was especially irritated by those who hid behind false identities.

 

I very seldom participate in PN anymore. I do monitor it often just to see how things are going. I hope that there are brighter days ahead for this site. The recent announcement of some changes give me hope that many who left will return. I think that they (I) are/am only looking for some semblance of rationale thoughts and a bit of fair play. Bottom line is that I like this site but not that much.

 

As Chris Hughes said, it is about how the people do use the site that counts. I hope someone is listening.

 

 

 

I am.

 

Your points about why and how people look at pictures are well taken.

Nice work, Guy. Your post encapsulates my feelings exactly. Thanks for laying out such an

articulate and rational argument.

i've been at Photo.net for about a year now and have accumulated many 3's and 4's (i mean 1's and 2's). i don't know where they are coming from but i do know they have won.