HELP US: Lurkers and watchers! Do we inhibit your posts by appearing too "cliquey"?

[Asher Kelman]

HELP US: Lurkers and watchers! Do we inhibit your posts by appearing too "cliquey"?

Hi everyone. We have a lot of onlookers! 1000 or more people come each day but only 100 posts! What are the reasons for holding back in posting? I wonder whether we give the wrong impression that we are cliquey?

• Is it that you have the impression that a bunch of us know each other or is it something else.
  
• What can we do to get your pictures posted?
  
• Would you prefer that I post long critiques on selected photographs in the front of OPF and not in the forum? Is that inhibiting responses at all?
  
• Do you want any other form that would help you participate?
  
• Would uploading of pictures directly to OPF and galleries here for you make a difference?

Asher

 

[Mike Guthman]

Hi

I'd be glad to post pictures if your process for doing so wasn't so clunky. Why can't we simply upload as in other sites?

Mike

 

[Martin Kuivenhoven]

For me the answer is easy, a lot of my photographs are valuable to me but IMO are not of a quality that they would add to OPF. In most cases I know how they would improve because of the discussions here on how to improve your shots. And I am off for another try..

And the examples on OPF are of an inspiring level from different points of view, may it be artistic, technical or other nature. On one hand it stops me from posting shots that are not in the same league but on the other hand if I would have a specific question, I would post and ask.

I'll try to answer your questions from my point of view and at the same time realise that other may have a completly different take on this ..

Is it that you have the impression that a bunch of us know each other or is it something else. No, see above.

What can we do to get your pictures posted?
For me the "general themed-treads" like sunsets, zoo animals etc are lowest threshold because it is easy to add a shot that fits the theme without my particular shot being a theme by itself.

I do post pictures on a local forum where the level of pictures is "more gausian" distributed. Some excellent, some absolute beginners, and a hole bunch somewhere in the middle. I think of OPF as different with higher level of photographs and the same holds true for the level of expertise on technical issues or on running a photography business.

Would you prefer that I post long critiques on selected photographs in the front of OPF and not in the forum? Is that inhibiting responses at all?
Again for me, no, the critique is often giving insight in a different angle and the discussion may generate more insight.

Do you want any other form that would help you participate?
Maybe themed threads in the entry to digital photgraphy could be a suggestion. With theme's focussing an aspects photography rather then subjects (i.e composition, low light, fill flash, etc)

Would uploading of pictures directly to OPF and galleries here for you make a difference?
Not for me..

I for one am really impressed by the stuff I see comming by at OPF (and the pleasent atmosphere), compliments!

When in doubt post

A recent holiday shot from France ..

Martin

 

[Michael Brown]

Asher, judging from what I see all over the internet, it may seem to many individuals that there is a clique within OPF.
Personally, ... I do not see a clique here within these forums, and have often thought of how these forums here are vastly different from the norm. That's good!

Many individuals simply want that "pat on the back", especially involving the technicals with their photography.
But here at OPF, I also see individuals who have a critique, speaking more in depth about the image, and probably more than some visitors care to get into, ... which I think is a huge mistake on their part.
There are many who do not know how to give a good critique, many who can't take a critique or respond to a given critique, and many who really can't get into any kind of conversation on the artistic side of any given image.
My opinion, ... when you start talking about the artistic view points of images within forums, people who can't really get into that look upon those forums as clique. It is simply that they can't understand it for some reason!

You know, ... I stayed up way to late last night doing some editing, and probably need some more coffee here this morning.
I feel like I am rambling at the moment.

But, if there are any forums with variety that I would highly recommend to individuals who truly would like to learn something from, both from the technical side and the artistic side, ... OPF would be one of those at the top of the list.

Nuff my ramblin,
Michael Brown

 

[Mike Shimwell]

Asher,

As a recent entrant I don't find there to be a clique here. I have been greatly encouraged and humbled by the efforts put in to offer critique on work, the willingness to engage with ideas beyond the technical and of course the good nature of discussions.

I'd like to be able to post direct rather than to flickr first, but that's fine.

Just a small voice from somewhere down the quality scale here at OPF

Mike