rachelfoster Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I know this has been mentioned before, but I think it's worth another look. I've read that if you want good ratings, go for the Bs: Birds, "Boobs," Bugs, and one more B that I can't recall. I was particularly reminded of this when I just looked at top photos from this year. Now *** please note *** I think these are all fine, wonderful images. What struck me was that SIX of the top ten were birds! I repeat: These are all fine images. But 60% the same category? Thoughts?<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshroot Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 The 4th "B" was probably "bottoms". But yes, birds are popular. This month's Featured Member will be focusing on avian photography. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosshogg Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Babies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachelfoster Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 Well, I suppose...why not? I like looking at them. Again, please note: I have no pretensions to "top photograph" or "top photographer" so this is not about me. But it strikes me that a lot of talented shooters may get discouraged if that sort of validation is desired and it goes to bird shooters. There are some especially talented portrait photographers who don't included the Bs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshroot Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 <i>"There are some especially talented portrait photographers who don't included the Bs."</i> <p> That is very likely true. But when you put something out for the masses to see, you are required to accept what the masses are interested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachelfoster Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 Ah, that's true. Perhaps I am asking the wrong question. Instead of looking at top photos, I should be looking at Editor's Picks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachelfoster Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 I was just there. Yup. I've answered my own question. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosshogg Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Well, that's fine and dandy, Rachel, but IMHO you should be going to the critique forum three or four times a day and scanning it quickly for good images. When you find one, and are unfamiliar with the artist, go to the person's portfolio and have a look. I've found many little known folks that have some fabulous stuff. That way, you will be encouraging those who live in obscurity, and may be part of discovering the next Weston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachelfoster Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 Ah, true. I've focused on portfolios of people I know are good and can learn from. Your point is well taken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_elder1 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Who cares about ratings? What makes you think the people rating the photographs have any visual expertise quailfing them to rate photographs? If you want a valid critique seek out photographers and or editors you know are good and ask them for a critique. Go to a workshop that specializes in portfolio critiques, you will learn something there. A blind man can rate on photonet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savagesax Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 One image I had posted 2 years ago got over 25,000 views. It has been sold several times totaling over $10,000 and posted on 3 front covers as well as inside some magazines! Some people actually rated this image as a 3 here on photo.net. This image has been removed now from photo.net. I also know that some people have several screen names, but are actually the same person, so when they post an image they give themselves ratings of 7's! Interesting concept to get high ratings! But can they really live with themselves, knowing their work is really only a rating of 3 or a 4? Well I don't post images anymore and agree with you. Perhaps photo.net can come up with a better way of rating, perhaps hand selecting only true professionals in each selected category to rate the images, then, if needed a separate rating form the rest of the members. So realistically you will be getting a professional viewpoint, not just a rating from someone that is in a really bad mood, or has had too much coffee to drink! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iancoxleigh Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I think part of what is a stake here is that it is very easy to tell a great bird photograph from a not very good one; while it is hard and quite debatable to tell what is a good portrait. To make it to the very top of the top-photos, you need a photograph that everyone agrees is very, very good, some think is great and no-one feels is 'bad'. Nature shots, and bird photography in particular is fairly easy to 'judge. There are a LOT of objective ways to classify a great bird shot. Even if you don't like avian photography you would have to admit that Miguel Lasa's photograph is a fantastic example of its class -- it is sharp, freezes motion beautifully, captures a unique moment, a moment of power/decisive action, and it has realistic colours and contrast. It is much harder to identify what makes a great portrait a great portrait and it is easier to have people completely disagree (just look at how many people write derogatory things about Leibowitz). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachelfoster Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 It's not so much ratings I'm interested in. But...if I click on top photographs, I'd like to see the top photos. The title, to me, seems a bit misleading. Then again, "Photographs Rated Highest by Photo.net Members" is a bit cumbersome. Ian, your points are well taken. Bob.....A THREE? Holy Toledo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savagesax Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 By the way, I really like photo.net and enjoy looking at gifted artists. Even though I don't post images I find this site to be a wealth of information and will continue to be a member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgalyon Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 be honest Bob...you come here to look at the cat photos...! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I can go with the Boobs...<p><center><img src="http://www.spirer.com/fragments/images/f15.jpg"><br><i>Light, Copyright 2005 Jeff Spirer</i></center><p>and also the Bottoms...<p><center><img src="http://www.spirer.com/images/nyb1.jpg"><p><i>New York, Copyright 2003 Jeff Spirer</i></center><p>and in a really bad mood, Birds...<p><center><img src="http://www.spirer.com/images/pajaros1.jpg"><br><i>Pajaros, Copyright 2005 Jeff Spirer</i></center><p>but Bugs, that's totally disgusting. Never never never. Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike dixon Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Don't forget the buffalo . . .<P> <center><img src="http://mikedixonphotography.net/vnsapa03.jpg"></center> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savagesax Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 John, I was sipping a coke and choked at your hilarious response! Warm me next time! Geez! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savagesax Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 oops worn me next time! Can't even type - still laughing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachelfoster Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 But...but...will you boobs knock off the bull-affalo? Signed, One Tough Old Bird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savagesax Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Rachel, I took a look at your work! Mighty fine stuff! You are very talented! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken munn Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Beavers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russell lewis arps Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Rachel, Your missing 'Bs' could be Bees? We could have a Bee rating competition... The four categories would be; A bees, B bees, C bees and D bees. The A bees would be the winners, as they would be better than B bees, C bees and D bees, see? B bees and C bees would be better than D bees but not as good as the A bees. Category three - C bees - would be a special sea bees section, so A bees and B bees would be the top two and D bees the bottom group, but group three © sea bees would not necessarily be bees of lesser quality, they would just be different bees. You could be A,B and D bee judge and I'll happily be sea bee © judge as I live beside the seaside so I see the sea bees most days anyway. How would that be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachelfoster Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 Thanks, Bob...when someone with your ability says something like that, it means a lot! Ken...gasp! Russell....let's go with that. You're in charge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo7hs2 Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 The birds and the bugs get high ratings because the image is excellent, but they do trend higher for some reason. The boobs and bottoms get high ratings because the boobs or bottoms are excellent, and occasionally the image is also excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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