low ratings, high ratings, good ratings

I have used the site extensively for the past few days especially the photo critique facility. I think it is a great way to

learn about photography, what makes a good image what doesn't. I have read the article about ratings which makes a lot of sense.

However I have noticed that there is some stigma in giving/receiving ratings bellow 5 which I don't think has its place. A range

of 1-10 which is suitable for quantifying one's opinion seems to be cut in half through peer pressure.

I believe the ratings system has a really great value irrespective of the actual rating given. It makes sense that if 10 or so

people consider my picture to have an average rating of 3 for example I am going to delete it or maybe save it on my pc as a

reference to where I've started from on this journey of learning to take pictures. So far pictures which should receive a low

rating don't tend to receive any rating whatsoever. I guess it's a criteria in itself, but nowhere near as valuable as an actual

rating however low.

 

I think that if a way could be found to make the ratings an easier process, this will improve its use and value as a tool.

I posted this because I am curious what others think on this subject

I honestly would rather recieve a 1 rating than no rating. I have posted several pictures in the last few days, and none have gotten as much a comment or a rating. With this, I invite you all to click on my name and rate me.

<I>A photographer's best pictures are from deep inside him, and

also some of the worst. Some photographers enjoy

distinguished careers without ever taking personal photographs.

Others, audaciously and arrogantly and courageously discharge

their most private feelings through photography. Trouble is,

sometimes it all adds up to baloney. -<B>Burke Uzzle

</I></B>

Re: Pauls post, I agree with you everything you have said. I have

stopped critiquing peoples work because of a few nasty emails I

received. Some people I judged harshly had some great work in

their portfolios others were just plain bad. I thought the whole

point of this forum was to improve peoples photographs.

The really funny thing is that people I rated highly never once

emailed me.

Maybe I should start doing it again and stir the pot!

I critique work for 2 reasons, 1, if it is really bad I tell them.

2, if it is really good I tell them.

You can't get any fairer then that.

Cheers Brent.

My pet peeve is the current format for the photo ratings page, which has the ratings run from *5* - 10, instead of *1* - 10. I can understand why the change might be made, but in practice it means that "5" now means "this image is awful" and "1" is meaningless.

 

If the scale is going to remain at 10, instead of 5, then it makes sense to give raters the run of the scale in the primary area where the ratings will take place; I'd rather have an honest "5.5" under the old system than an inflated "7.5" under the new one.

 

Just my .02.