OOI,why do you look but not comment on a thread ?

[Nod]

Often, an intriguing title leads to a mundane (or worse) shot so unless I can offer something useful that hasn't already been said, I'll just move on. I occasionally look at the forum on my phone but hate typing on it so unless a shot particularly grabs me, I won't look at it on a proper computer. If I like the shot for reasons already given, I tend to like both the shot and the first reply I feel says what I would have said.

 

[sirch]

A very valid point. Id not considered that people will often take the quick and easy option.

But as @DG Phototraining says above quite often it is a nice, pleasing photo and starting down the road of commenting might spoil it so clicking "like" at least lets the poster know a human has viewed it. Another forum I frequent has no like button and I miss it and it must be one of the most requested features, however a vocal minority always shout the idea down because they are miserable old gits see it as "dumbing down"

 

[Musicman]

I see this all the time on TP.

A new thread gets posted, laods of view but not a single comment ?

How hard is it to just pass a few sentences - be it positive or negative ...

I think we are all getting a little lazy and also saturated with quality, therefore unless its perfect, noone CBA to actually to comment ?

What are your expectations?

In direct mail marketing, with a well targeted list, a 1-2% response rate is a fair result, and that would be with some kind of offer of free stuff or, less effectively, a discount. Below 1% is very common and if you get response rates above 3%, you are doing very well indeed.

I see exactly those numbers reflected in my Favs:Views ratios on Flickr. 12 Favs from 350 views of a photo I put up yesterday and I'm doing exceptionally well, but it usually runs at about 2%. That is (in DMM terms) with a 'well-targeted-list' of around 900 people following me on Flickr, who seem to like what I do.

Comments on Flickr are even rarer IME

On that basis, if your post has a two or three hundred views and maybe only one reply, that is quite feasibly about right.

 

[Hertsman]

What are your expectations?

I dont really have any tbh...
I just found it strange that a thread can get loads of views and not a single comment.
This thread has supplied some good info as to why this happens.

 

[Alastair]

I suspect the views:comments ratio is better/worse in some sections of the forum than others. There are some sections that I'll look through hoping for something different to the usual and be persistently disappointed.

 

[SsSsSsSsSnake]

In the different camera owners threads i post photos purely because i own that camera ,I'm not about looking for any critique but if someone does then being the forever beginner i will try and learn from it but i have always been under the impression that the threads are for posting and being a sociable git I just post,

 

[redsnappa]

I joined so I can argue with total strangers on the internet

 

[Alastair]

I joined so I can argue with total strangers on the internet

No you didn't.

 

[bensherman2]

No you didn't.

 

[woof woof]

I read quite a few threads and then decide I just don't want to get involved with the moan fest they're turning into. When I see certain posters names I tell myself I know what they'll be posting and there's just no point and move on.

 

[JayJay]

I don't often comment on people's photos because I don't feel I have enough experience/skill to do so - so I leave it to those who have more than both of those attributes than me!

 

[TheBigYin]

I think some take the number of views too seriously. I don't believe the number is specifically made up of members, a lot of them will be bots for example. This is the reason they were originally removed, they only reappeared when we moved over to Xenforo.

^^^ this.

just look at this screenshot


110 members online, 208 guests who - CAN view threads but Can't post, and 41 robots - that's pretty much 41 little "spider" engines crawling all over all the threads, basically giving each thread a "view" as they touch the thread. So, as an example, right now, less than 1 in 3 of the people online CAN post in a thread, but they all can look.

 

[Alastair]

I don't often comment on people's photos because I don't feel I have enough experience/skill to do so - so I leave it to those who have more than both of those attributes than me!

I don't want to pick on you Jon, but you're the first to have mentioned this very common excuse. It's the worst excuse for not commenting. If you've made it through puberty you've more than enough experience to make a comment on a photo. And those with the least skill/experience of photography are those that would benefit most by practising making comments on the photography of others in order to be better at reflecting on their own photography.

 

[Hertsman]

Very informative Mark, thanks.

 

[JayJay]

I don't want to pick on you Jon, but you're the first to have mentioned this very common excuse. It's the worst excuse for not commenting. If you've made it through puberty you've more than enough experience to make a comment on a photo. And those with the least skill/experience of photography are those that would benefit most by practising making comments on the photography of others in order to be better at reflecting on their own photography.

Well I'm glad I wrote what many were thinking if only to give you the chance to tell us why we're wrong!

Just to expand a little bit, I don't feel like I'm able to criticise a shot that is better than something I could manage anyway so have little to offer better photographers than me much more than praise, and if I see a poor shot there are others who are far more able than I to explain to the poster what they've done wrong and how to do better next time.

I suppose in both scenarios it comes down to a lack of confidence as a relative beginner but I fully take your point and I will try to engage in this area a bit more in future.

I know I did find it helpful when I've had critique on my images on here, and it is one of the most useful things about posting on here; everywhere else just about, you will only get praise and that doesn't help you improve.
[emoji4]

 

[Hertsman]

Jon, if you like a pic, whats to stop you saying so ? Even if its just " like the composition of this, it seems to work well". End of the day, thats your opinion and it may help someone - regardless of expererience.

 

[Alastair]

Just to expand a little bit, I don't feel like I'm able to criticise a shot that is better than something I could manage anyway so have little to offer better photographers than me much more than praise, and if I see a poor shot there are others who are far more able than I to explain to the poster what they've done wrong and how to do better next time.

What's wrong with giving praise is you like something? Why should comments only be criticisms? Why is it all about what someone's done wrong?

Why not say something positive?

Critique is not criticism.

 

[Sejanus Aelianus]

110 members online, 208 guests who - CAN view threads but Can't post, and 41 robots - that's pretty much 41 little "spider" engines crawling all over all the threads

Without knowing the algorithms used to generate the counts, I'll suggest that the number of people actually looking at pages might be less than a tenth of the number shown. Many people don't navigate away from sites so there's no event showing they're doing something else. I'm contributing to the confusion on several sites because I open most of the forums I'm interested in when I switch on and just select the tabs every so often during the day.

 

[Nostromo]

I don't comment on many photos on here and rarely post any (not counting the 52 thread). The reason is normally because, anything i had to say has already been said, it's not a subject I know much about (but the thread title intrigued me), I'm not the best at typing long replies on my phone or pc.

 

[petersmart]

I joined so I can argue with total strangers on the internet

No you didn't.

Yes he did!

 

[stumac]

I don't comment at all any more , the last few times I commented the op went to the hassle of looking me up to see my images to confirm weather I am qualified or not to comment , I really couldn't be bothered with that crap

 

[Nostromo]

I don't comment at all any more , the last few times I commented the op went to the hassle of looking me up to see my images to confirm weather I am qualified or not to comment , I really couldn't be bothered with that crap

That seems a little bit dramatic.
In their mind were you qualified enough?

 

[stumac]

That seems a little bit dramatic.
In their mind were you qualified enough?

I think it's more dramatic for people to look me up and comment on my stuff that I didn't ask for and I've no time for drama , I log in here to chill out and I've found in 90% of cases where I've given negative crit it's ended up in the playground .

 

[Nostromo]

Sorry i might not have worded it right, i meant dramatic on their part not yours

 

[Ian W]

I think it's more dramatic for people to look me up and comment on my stuff that I didn't ask for and I've no time for drama , I log in here to chill out and I've found in 90% of cases where I've given negative crit it's ended up in the playground .

I really don't understand this stance (theirs, not yours).

I mean, do they want crit or just smoke blown up their arses? If I ask for crit, it's with the intention of confirming what I'm doing right or constructive criticism to point out where I'm doing something wrong or could improve. After all, is that not the precise point of asking in the first place?

 

[stumac]

Sorry i might not have worded it right, i meant dramatic on their part not yours

Ahhh ok , yes I agree

 

[stumac]

I really don't understand this stance (theirs, not yours).

I mean, do they want crit or just smoke blown up their arses? If I ask for crit, it's with the intention of confirming what I'm doing right or constructive criticism to point out where I'm doing something wrong or could improve. After all, is that not the precise point of asking in the first place?

Totally agree , so many shots posted on here would be better off on Facebook for friends and family to say "awesome shot dude you are a master "

 

[Hertsman]

Totally agree , so many shots posted on here would be better off on Facebook for friends and family to say "awesome shot dude you are a master "

But unless somebody tells them this, how are they going to learn or know ?

 

[CanonLady]

Why do I look but don't comment?
Many reasons come to mind. It could be that after reading all the previous comments already posted, what I was going to say has been mentioned several times already so I do not think that more of the same is needed. Alternatively, I might be using my phone which is a pain if I want to post a reply other than "good shot" (I guess the "like" button gets used a lot in those instances) so I intend to reply once I'm back home and can use the computer but once home family and chores take over and I honestly forget.

 

[Hertsman]

Why do I look but don't comment?
Many reasons come to mind. It could be that after reading all the previous comments already posted, what I was going to say has been mentioned several times already so I do not think that more of the same is needed. Alternatively, I might be using my phone which is a pain if I want to post a reply other than "good shot" (I guess the "like" button gets used a lot in those instances) so I intend to reply once I'm back home and can use the computer but once home family and chores take over and I honestly forget.

I totally get the phone thing, as Im the same.
Regarding not saying the same as others, I am specifically talkiing about threads that have zero conversation in them.

 

[ChrisJ_SLH]

I'm incredibly guilty of this myself. On other forums I often find my self typing long replies to controversial topics and then just deleting them before I post thinking "what's the point?".

However, I've had a bit of a hiatus from the TP and I'm determined to do better.... (goes off to find some threads to read and reply to....)

 

[Sejanus Aelianus]

I am specifically talkiing about threads that have zero conversation in them.

Well this one's hit 72 posts now - that must make you happy.

 

[stumac]

But unless somebody tells them this, how are they going to learn or know ?

This is my very point, because im talking about the people that when you do tell them then it opens a tin of worms and starts arguments, the very thing I cant be arsed dealing with.
So its much easier to say nothing. I belive the vast majority of images up for crit the photographer who took it thinks its a fantastic shot and thats way anything negitive goes down like a lead ballon.
In fact the total beginners are the ones that are best taking crit, try giving it to some of the pros and advanced photographers in here and youll be lucky to leave with your nose.
So yeah, thats why I dont bother .

 

[Byker28i]

I don't want to pick on you Jon, but you're the first to have mentioned this very common excuse. It's the worst excuse for not commenting. If you've made it through puberty you've more than enough experience to make a comment on a photo. And those with the least skill/experience of photography are those that would benefit most by practising making comments on the photography of others in order to be better at reflecting on their own photography.

Well I'm glad I wrote what many were thinking if only to give you the chance to tell us why we're wrong!

Just to expand a little bit, I don't feel like I'm able to criticise a shot that is better than something I could manage anyway so have little to offer better photographers than me much more than praise, and if I see a poor shot there are others who are far more able than I to explain to the poster what they've done wrong and how to do better next time.

I suppose in both scenarios it comes down to a lack of confidence as a relative beginner but I fully take your point and I will try to engage in this area a bit more in future.

I know I did find it helpful when I've had critique on my images on here, and it is one of the most useful things about posting on here; everywhere else just about, you will only get praise and that doesn't help you improve.
[emoji4]

Actually there's real learning to be had from providing feedback. It makes you consider the image, what in your experience you might have done differently.
Some people concentrate on the technicalities, is it sharp, was the depth of field correct or would it have benefited from more/less, lighting, shading and then processing.
Others with more artistic flair on the composition, meaning and interpretation of the image, sometimes referencing other photographers.

Sometimes these comments brings forth a discussion the original creator didn't intend or see when creating the image.

What it does do is encourage discussion, which after all is the purpose of a forum, right from roman times (a meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged).

Quite often I'll ask how it was lit, where it was taken, even what was the thought behind the image, was it planned, conceived or chanced upon etc.

So it's not about all about criticism, it's about the discussion. Through discussion we all learn a little

 

[Nostromo]

Actually there's real learning to be had from providing feedback. It makes you consider the image, what in your experience you might have done differently.
Some people concentrate on the technicalities, is it sharp, was the depth of field correct or would it have benefited from more/less, lighting, shading and then processing.
Others with more artistic flair on the composition, meaning and interpretation of the image, sometimes referencing other photographers.

Sometimes these comments brings forth a discussion the original creator didn't intend or see when creating the image.

What it does do is encourage discussion, which after all is the purpose of a forum, right from roman times (a meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged).

Quite often I'll ask how it was lit, where it was taken, even what was the thought behind the image, was it planned, conceived or chanced upon etc.

So it's not about all about criticism, it's about the discussion. Through discussion we all learn a little

I agree with you, I would like to think that everybody is allowed an option. Whether others agree with it doesn't really matter too much.
There's also nothing wrong with just liking a photo, i see loads of photos on here and elsewhere that i like just for what they are because they appeal to me.

 

[gramps]

the purpose of a forum, right from roman times (a meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged).

Only because the Romans hadn't invented a 'like' scroll!

 

[woof woof]

Why do I look but don't comment?
Many reasons come to mind. It could be that after reading all the previous comments already posted, what I was going to say has been mentioned several times already so I do not think that more of the same is needed.

One thing that I find a bit odd is that in quite a few threads seeking an answer to something the answer is given quite quickly but subsequent posters don't appear to read the thread and either give the same answer in their own words (and it then happens over and over again) or answer a completely different and not asked question.

 

[Alastair]

One thing that I find a bit odd is that in quite a few threads seeking an answer to something the answer is given quite quickly but subsequent posters don't appear to read the thread and either give the same answer in their own words (and it then happens over and over again) or answer a completely different and not asked question.

At least twice in the last week I've given two answers to one question, because the original question asked was so vague.

It is said there's no such thing as a stupid question. The evidence would tend to disagree.

 

[PINNACLE]

I used to just view the topics I was most interested in but now I go through "new posts" which is much more varied but not all are worth commenting on and to be honest I would not have time to comment on all of them. I do sometimes when I see a really good photo or set. I have left constructive advice but only on a subject I would be confident I was giving good advice. I will quite often follow the flickr link to see more photos by the OP and I am quite shocked sometimes that they have had very few views or faves yet have a great photostream so I will comment there instead.

I learnt a long time ago it is really not worth expecting comments on TP, it is nice when it happens especially if they are either good or constructive. I only post pictures for fun and to share some of the things I have seen so if no one else likes then I am really not that bothered.

 

[Byker28i]

Only because the Romans hadn't invented a 'like' scroll!

Well, they had thumbs up thumbs down so maybe they did