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Choices for POTD


michaellinder

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I'm well aware that the "Elves" select images for Photo of the Week based on the presumption that they will prompt discussion among members. On the other hand, it's my understanding that the selection of an image for Photo of the Day is supposed to be based on merit. One of my images was so selected recently (see Photos of the Day @ Photo.net - Where Photographers Inspire Each Other).

 

Frankly, the image in question, which I posted as an abstract, is not representative of my best work in tat category. Although I like its quirkiness, I don't necessarily see it as meritorious. This led me to wonder who picks the POTD and whether there's any real thought that goes into the selection.

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it's my understanding that the selection of an image for Photo of the Day is supposed to be based on merit

Where'd you get that idea?

 

The reason I ask is that it doesn’t seem like PN has the necessary resources that could be devoted to carefully going through portfolios and seriously choosing a photo a day based on merit. Assessing your particular photo as it relates to your entire portfolio would be a wonderful thing to do but would take a good deal of time and effort. I just don’t see PN being able to pull something like that off every day.

 

Also, I think when it comes to something like “merit,” what each of us would choose from our own portfolio would likely be somewhat different from what others might choose, even if time and energy could be devoted to it.

We didn't need dialogue. We had faces!
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Where'd you get that idea?

 

Perhaps this is an idea that my fading memory fabricated. Or, perhaps it was a reductio based on the premise that the POTW isn't based on merit. I guess what I really was after was some sort of explanation of the process from the person(s) who choose images for the POTDs.

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I'm well aware that the "Elves" select images for Photo of the Week based on the presumption that they will prompt discussion among members. On the other hand, it's my understanding that the selection of an image for Photo of the Day is supposed to be based on merit. One of my images was so selected recently (see Photos of the Day @ Photo.net - Where Photographers Inspire Each Other).

 

Frankly, the image in question, which I posted as an abstract, is not representative of my best work in tat category. Although I like its quirkiness, I don't necessarily see it as meritorious. This led me to wonder who picks the POTD and whether there's any real thought that goes into the selection.

When looking at POTD and POTW it says it has been awarded the title with a symbol of a trophy. If it is not suggesting some kind of merit whats to point.

I always thought the POTW was a bit of a booby prize in that it meant it was open season to rip it to bits. Lately they haven't been getting the comments they once did which has coincided with the departure of the most vocal participant.

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IMO, it's an icon chosen because it's cute and obvious, maybe in the hopes that it will make people feel like they've won something when they've won nothing at all.

 

The point of POTD, as I see it, is just to provide a clickable feature that will draw some attention. I seriously doubt there's any "merit" involved in the choice.

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We didn't need dialogue. We had faces!
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Its simply a way to celebrate those that upload new photos to photo.net - if you are asking for criteria - I would say it would be recent upload that catches their eye - nothing more, nothing less.
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Its simply a way to celebrate those that upload new photos to photo.net - if you are asking for criteria - I would say it would be recent upload that catches their eye - nothing more, nothing less.

 

Thanks for the enlightenment. So, the bottom line is that it's meaningless for a photograph to be picked for POTD. The joke's on me.

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Michael, on both the POTD and POTW pages it is claimed that photos are chosen for discussion and critique. It's interesting that during this month of April there have been 21 photos selected for POTD, which have generated a total of 18 comments since the date the photos were chosen for POTD - an average of less than one comment per photo. Two-thirds of the photos have received zero comments since being selected. It makes me wonder why there are so few comments when the photos are chosen specifically to generate comments.

 

Admin - on the POTD page it says "All Photos of the Day were nominated by a group of 15 anonomous judges. Images are selected based on it's ability to generate discussion and critique". Please correct the spelling error and the grammar. Also, "it's" is a contraction of "it is".

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Michael, on both the POTD and POTW pages it is claimed that photos are chosen for discussion and critique. It's interesting that during this month of April there have been 21 photos selected for POTD, which have generated a total of 18 comments since the date the photos were chosen for POTD - an average of less than one comment per photo. Two-thirds of the photos have received zero comments since being selected. It makes me wonder why there are so few comments when the photos are chosen specifically to generate comments.

 

Admin - on the POTD page it says "All Photos of the Day were nominated by a group of 15 anonomous judges. Images are selected based on it's ability to generate discussion and critique". Please correct the spelling error and the grammar. Also, "it's" is a contraction of "it is".

 

Thanks, Mark. I probably was thinking of when the POTD initially was introduced - before PN2.

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Since the introduction PN-2 activity in the Critique Forum has dried up, it was an active place for interaction. A lot of the original members who used to participate have voted on the new format with their feet, remainers are showing less interest.

I am posting and commenting infrequently now and I suppose I am part of the problem. Finding the No Word Forum and the forums in general mean I have less time (and inclination).

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Glenn has mentioned over the months that though active participation may seem down to many of us, site traffic, which includes people who are looking at our photos and reading forums but staying mum while doing so is at an acceptable pace or at least at a pace unknown to many of us. This is problematic on so many levels but perhaps not on the bottom line. It means this has become a lopsided community, where our photos and thoughts are attracting clicks enough to please advertisers but not really helping foster that community spirit that gets talked about but has not really been supported let alone encouraged in any meaningful way with PN2. What’s encouraged is that our photos and thoughts are being used to generate revenue but not too much discussion, critique, or interactivity. This is the biggest loss I’ve felt about the reshaping of PN into an often-passive site seemingly groomed as much for passers by who don’t give much more than clicks to the site as for photographers who miss the special place it once was. I’m not talking about going back to the old design or the old functionality or software. I’m talking about finding some of the old photographic sensibility and interest PN once had. The site is now modeled for maximum social networking, meaningless interaction and minimal photographic depth. It’s lost its luster and part of that feels due to bad design and ill-conceived features and functionality as well as a lack of vision on the photographic side of things. We’ve got LIKES and photos getting thrown up into a Photo of the Day soup—superficial and hollow contemporary notions of sharing—and not much that actually speaks of a love for good photography, or an understanding of photographic history and aesthetics or much in the way of a non-gear-oriented bent on our personal involvement with this ever-changing but still vital medium.
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We didn't need dialogue. We had faces!
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Fred, I agree with you on what PN has lost. Regarding site traffic, there was apparently a dramatic decrease immediately after the redesign, according to some online web traffic estimating sites. Of course those stats are estimates, and only PN knows the actual figures, but on PN's "advertising" page they used to claim there were 6 million visitors per month; now they claim half of that.. After the plunge traffic more or less leveled off, and there is no indication of an increasing trend. It is hard to believe that such a drop is good for advertisers or the health of the site.
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Hi Guys - I'm frustrated too. A few things worth noting....Traffic estimates from third parties that don't have tags on our site are only estimates and everyone I have seen that does this is off by a large margin. I have friends that work at sites in this space and they also would agree. Adblocking also block analytics and almost 50% of our user base is using adblockers. Add that with our nudes not being indexed because we have a NSFW filter on them in Google and yes - traffic is off from what it once was. I'd agree - the photo side of the site isn't what I want it to be either. I'd also say that the entire space has been evolving and we have not been evolving with it. Over 85% of all digital photography is on smartphones, another 5% is done via "other" whether it be tablet, etc. Is photography the same today that is was in 2009 or 2010?

 

Do people still seek meaningful feedback on their work with same frequency they back then or has technology and post processing made it easier for photographers to get exactly what they were after? Look at pexel.com and unsplash.com - boast users of over 25 million - upload there and give your photography away for free with unlimited use no matter the purpose...who would have thought such an idea would take off right? Do future generations of photographers have the attention span to invest in a meaningful way into photography communities the way they once did, the way they used to? Look a squirrel! like, like, click - smiley emoji, LOL. Yes - our photo side must improve, I would agree with that....but as with many things in life - there is rarely one reason.

 

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Hi Guys - I'm frustrated too. A few things worth noting....Traffic estimates from third parties that don't have tags on our site are only estimates and everyone I have seen that does this is off by a large margin. I have friends that work at sites in this space and they also would agree. Adblocking also block analytics and almost 50% of our user base is using adblockers. Add that with our nudes not being indexed because we have a NSFW filter on them in Google and yes - traffic is off from what it once was. I'd agree - the photo side of the site isn't what I want it to be either. I'd also say that the entire space has been evolving and we have not been evolving with it. Over 85% of all digital photography is on smartphones, another 5% is done via "other" whether it be tablet, etc. Is photography the same today that is was in 2009 or 2010?

 

Do people still seek meaningful feedback on their work with same frequency they back then or has technology and post processing made it easier for photographers to get exactly what they were after? Look at pexel.com and unsplash.com - boast users of over 25 million - upload there and give your photography away for free with unlimited use no matter the purpose...who would have thought such an idea would take off right? Do future generations of photographers have the attention span to invest in a meaningful way into photography communities the way they once did, the way they used to? Look a squirrel! like, like, click - smiley emoji, LOL. Yes - our photo side must improve, I would agree with that....but as with many things in life - there is rarely one reason.

 

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Glenn, I suspect that suggestions previously have been made. Fred G. made some, and so did I. Perhaps others jumped on the bandwagon as well. There's no doubt in my mind that many members have done so as well.

 

In your first paragraph, above, you admit that "the photo side of the site isn't what I want it to be . . . ." (underline added) Well, then, ain't the name of the site Photo.Net? Please forgive the appearance of sarcasm. When I became a member, I was under the impression that this was a site for photographers, by photographers. Although I am sure there are serious or semi-serious photographers who use smartphones to shoot photos, I am equally as certain that there is much bigger group of people who used smartphones for purposes other than serious photography, such as posting photos on social media. By the way, in this respect, perhaps, the site could include a membership for more casual users of smartphones or tablets. To encourage the other category of members to grow and to stay, offer a slightly discounted membership fee that is less than the casual membership fee.

 

I suspect that members who made huge contributions to the site (example, Lex Jenkins) have left in significant numbers. I suspect that more are leaving as I write this. I have entreated Jack McRitchie, for example, not to split and his latest response (in connection with an image critique) was to state that he's still hanging on to stay in touch with PN members whose work he values. I can say nothing more than, PLEASE.

 

michael

a long-term member

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Thank you for your thoughtful response. All suggestions have been read and considered - some suggestions have been implemented in one form or another. Take the subject of ratings as an example - we received a number of suggestions on that concept from both sides of the argument....but its clear there is a divide on that subject - one half want them brought back as they were - the other half belief it was gamed and shouldn't be used to highlight or sort photos in any way shape or form and believe pushing users to write thoughtful responses as opposed to one click rate. Personally I believe there is more value to giving and receiving comments than mate rating...but thats me. As with anything in life the more you give the more you get. People want more comments on their photos...well I believe best way to accomplish that is to invest in commenting on others photos first. You will develop relationships and grow together. Those that show up and post and expect flowing reviews without investing themselves are disappointed for sure....I think they'd find that on any social platform. Back to ratings....we're experimenting with the addition of applause to the mix of rating photos (as seen on Medium.com articles)....jury is still out as to how that has been received.

 

As for creating a membership for mobile phone users - we'd have to think about that more as my initial thought is would require getting into building apps and or progressive web apps - and near term I'd rather see us get the main site closer to what we want it before we expend resources there. For too long our uploader wouldn't work for mobile phones - that is now no longer the case. Small but meaningful improvement - so for all you cell phone photographers reading this now....you can now upload from your mobile phone to photo.net.

 

You bring up Lex Jenkins departure - my understanding was it was for in part for personal reasons and how he wanted to use his time with family moving forward, but also generally speaking he felt the tone and tenor of discussion of the community had taken a turn for the worse - and he needed more positivity in his life. During that stretch I believe we had some bad apples that have since been shown the door. To my mind his departure was (in part) a reflection of the community at that moment and those that he was moderating. In short, he had had enough - had nothing to do with 2.0 or the site functionality. Jack has been excellent in sharing his ideas - I still feel we can reflect on Jack's recommendations and use them in our progress. Jack has made it clear he is not happy with 2.0...we're trying to get to 2.1 in hopes it addresses many of his suggestions. Are they happening as quickly as any of us want...no.

 

We will be testing and releasing photography classes from CreativeLive exclusive to Photo.net subscribing members. Will be found under "featured classes" on the home page once released. What we envision is photo.net will feature and rotate classes every 2-4 weeks and subscribers will have full access to those classes during that feature time period. Again, it won't be a static list of classes will be focused on a featured set for that time period. Any and all comments made during class will be linked to our forum to continue the discussion there. We're testing this in beta now - but hope to be releasing this soon.

 

Other features that are in beta are Private Client Galleries which is a useful tool for working photographers. We are not happy with the look and feel of beta version, so its getting a new look before we release.

 

Like I said before, I'm not happy either, so in many respects we are in the same boat. Please keep the suggestions coming.

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Something I think PN and its members would benefit from is an “Alternative” forum, which would be comprised of photos with intros and discussions that don’t fit the popular mold. While PN obviously needs to appeal to a broad spectrum of photographers and viewers, that doesn’t mean that only the most “popular” type images should get the most visibility. Basing too much on popularity, in the world of photography, art, and other pursuits with strong aesthetic foundations, is a sure way to miss opportunity and risk appealing to a most common denominator at the risk of not exposing membership to more esoteric and unique yet significant voices and visions.

 

For this, I would suggest a committee of volunteers who have an interest in a more non-mainstream approach to photography who could submit their own photos and those of other members they’ve found, who could offer intros and insights into such work, and try to make it both fun and educational for people not as familiar or comfortable with this type of work.

 

There is a lot of cutting-edge or at least alternative photography happening that is not as popular as a lot of the more traditional work, maybe a little harder to digest, and is not at first as appealing as more mainstream photos. In the end, these photos can be very rewarding to engage in their own right. A site that would welcome and feature some less popular but provocative and/or thoughtful stuff would create a richer experience overall and might invite a more varied and yet untapped crowd.

We didn't need dialogue. We had faces!
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I believe we could use some form of private client galleries (currently in beta) for this - create the gallery of non-mainstream photos and use the tools provided to invite those you have relationships with to view comment and exchange ideas.
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