Poll: Should we close the 'Post your Picture Here' Threads?

[James J]

I can't think of any good sane reason for wanting to do that in the first place This is coming from someone who cuts up human tissue for a living mind, but yeah...

 

[AHarvey]

I can't think of any good sane reason for wanting to do that in the first place This is coming from someone who cuts up human tissue for a living mind, but yeah...

Because it's cool....no more reason needed


This thread took a very odd turn :S

 

[a1ex2001]

I'd leave the PYPH thread and close all the others, the hope when they were started was that it would encourage more picture sharing and feedback but this does not appear to have worked they are just extensions of the existing PYPH thread.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I think less rules, and less structure. They don't encourage us posting more photos, they restricts us into those pigeon holes. Photographers by nature want to express themselves and having contraints reduces that expression, whichever form they are applied.

 

[a1ex2001]

I think less rules, and less structure. They don't encourage us posting more photos, they restricts us into those pigeon holes. Photographers by nature want to express themselves and having contraints reduces that expression, whichever form they are applied.

Agree with this comment, I've decided to avoid the PYPH threads if they survive and stick to posting pics I want to share in there own threads. I'm going to try and do more of this as a personal goal as if I'm sharing more photos then inevitably I should be taking more I'm happy to share.

 

[Russinating]

I never look at the PYPH or other threads because I don't know if the content is going to interest me. I much prefer individual threads, even if that means more. Equally I never post in them and I always create a new thread for a photo set etc.

 

[jackthezipper]

No option in the poll for "keep open PYPH thread, but close the themed threads"

Don't understand why people want to see the PYPH thread closed its one of the only reasons I started to visit this part of the forum, and ended up buying a camera...

If its closed we end up with 100 threads with one picture and 1 reply, awesome...

At present if you want to go and see all the pretty pictures you just have one thread to go to, I like it like that...

I wasn't aware that theirs anything stopping people from starting there own thread anyway, why does the PYPH thread need closing ?

This.

 

[Ksanti]

Okay it's evident the community is pretty much split on this. I propose we close the themed ones (the community isn't big enough for that), keep the PYPH thread but with a similar rule to the random image thread in that every post must contain image, but on top of that only one image per post - if you want to post more, put them in their own thread and link to it in the PYPH thread?

 

[D.P.]

How the heck can you come to that conclusion with those poll result? Do you always completely ignore the evidence I front of your eyes?

going by the numbers I would say we keep them all open with the largest vote share of 45%. second option would be to close the generic PYPH thread with 22% vote it doesn't seem great, but only 5% want to close the themed threads (or some variety there of) so closing the themed threads is by far the least popular option.
Overall, only 33% want to close all photo threads, 67% want to keep at least some open.

Seems very clear that nothing should change, except perhaps closing the generic PYPH thread but it just doesn't seem worthwhile.


If people want more critique threads then they should just post more critique threads and stop complaining.

 

[King Damager]

It's fairly evident that it's split quite significantly here.

64 seem to want to close at least the PYPH thread, and 52 say keep them all open.

I'll contact the Mods regarding best way forward.

kd

 

[Ksanti]

D.P. I've long since grown out of trying to make you see when you're talking rubbish so please keep this civil.

The thing is people rarely like change, D.P. so you can't take 45% of people saying keep them all as a given that it would be better. The discussion in the thread points towards people feeling the themed ones are too much in contention with the PYPH thread. The problem is, if we just close the PYPH thread and keep the themed ones, we still have exactly the same problem of no critiquing, this forum being more about gear than photography, and it being arrogant to post your own threads, only with the additional problem of our already thin community being spread over a few more threads.

 

[Rojin]

To be honest, I fail to see how closing anything will improve things at all. There are 39 people who want to see all threads closed, yet over the last week or so only a couple of those has actually started their own threads for picture discussion. You all have the ability now to create your own threads for crit etc. The big threads have always been for fun, if you wanted to post for crit or sets of shots then you started your own threads. Forcing everyone to start a new thread if they just want to post a snap or two they took over the weekend will only result in one thing, less posters.

The functionality of the forum isn't the issue here, it's the community. It's evident from the poll that a fair chunk of people want to see more interaction with separate threads with crit and discussion taking place. People you are able to do that now, get posting! Banning threads such as PYPH is only going to have a negative effect as you'll lose the less serious photographers (happy snappers such as myself) as they no longer have an outlet for their work. Posting a couple of pictures in a big thread for fun that don't get commented on isn't a biggie. Posting a new thread with the same couple of pics that then doesn't get responded to, well that starts to have an impact on whether you continue to post or not. This is why TP and other forums are a bit "great shot" happy as this keeps people posting. It's all mutual backslapping...

How many people in here are actually willing to give critique at a decent level? I've been around here for a few years now, I won the competition in 2010, I do some paid work on the side, but I don't consider myself qualified to give decent critique. Although perhaps I should try it out, but just make sure that I make it clear where I am coming from with the critique...


edit: Oh and I should point out that although I created the themed threads, it was only as an example of what we could do when we were having a discussion about improving things in here previously. I didn't intend them to be taken on. They need some refining for titles\content if they do remain (i.e. more generic, change sports to action for example).

 

[D.P.]

And I have long since outgrown trying to understand the lack of fundamental logic that some people have on the internet but it still baffles me.

You are proposing by far the least voted solution. An absolutely maximum upper-bound form the voting percentage is 5.17%, but that category could include other things like close the PYPH AND merge the wedding into the people thread.

From the voting there might not be a single vote to close the themed threads yet that is precisely what you are proposing to do. You are completely ignoring the forum vote simply because you don't agree with the outcome, instead conjecturing tat people can't vote so instead of taking the democratic choice you are trying to instill your personal opinion.


The poll is black and white, nothing should be changed but if something must be closed it is the generic PYPH thread.

 

[Ksanti]

Go back and read the thread. The discussion, before it was derailed, and indeed after, was about the themed threads. I'm indifferent as to whether it's the PYPH threads or the Themed ones that go, but I know that the problems almost universally agreed on, are that this forum is too gear oriented, there is very little photographic discussion, and it's seen as arrogant to post your own thread for your images. I'm only proposing a course of action that would actually combat these issues while leaving things as they were will not.

 

[D.P.]

To be honest, I fail to see how closing anything will improve things at all. There are 39 people who want to see all threads closed, yet over the last week or so only a couple of those has actually started their own threads for picture discussion. You all have the ability now to create your own threads for crit etc. The big threads have always been for fun, if you wanted to post for crit or sets of shots then you started your own threads. Forcing everyone to start a new thread if they just want to post a snap or two they took over the weekend will only result in one thing, less posters.

The functionality of the forum isn't the issue here, it's the community. It's evident from the poll that a fair chunk of people want to see more interaction with separate threads with crit and discussion taking place. People you are able to do that now, get posting! Banning threads such as PYPH is only going to have a negative effect as you'll lose the less serious photographers (happy snappers such as myself) as they no longer have an outlet for their work. Posting a couple of pictures in a big thread for fun that don't get commented on isn't a biggie. Posting a new thread with the same couple of pics that then doesn't get responded to, well that starts to have an impact on whether you continue to post or not. This is why TP and other forums are a bit "great shot" happy as this keeps people posting. It's all mutual backslapping...

How many people in here are actually willing to give critique at a decent level? I've been around here for a few years now, I won the competition in 2010, I do some paid work on the side, but I don't consider myself qualified to give decent critique. Although perhaps I should try it out, but just make sure that I make it clear where I am coming from with the critique...


edit: Oh and I should point out that although I created the themed threads, it was only as an example of what we could do when we were having a discussion about improving things in here previously. I didn't intend them to be taken on. They need some refining for titles\content if they do remain (i.e. more generic, change sports to action for example).

Very well throughout post that I completely agree with TBH.

Some people want to turn this forum into something which it is not and can never be. There simply aren't enough industry professionals willing to post expert critique to give C&C threads much value. I have previously mentioned the typically results of any online C&C: inexperienced beginners and non-photographers saying great photo, backslapping and circle jerk applause, personal bias and negativity, true negative critique being scorned at for being negative even if constructive.

If you want good critique then you will first have to bring in sufficient numbers of experienced professionals. I have never seen that to any great extent online. Critique is also something which doesn't work well on an online basis. You really want to show someone in person a large print,or even project the photos. Get together over some coffee or beers, discuss human-to-human.

Most people in this forum come to get beginner DSLR recommendations or post a picture from their local park just for fun.

 

[D.P.]

Go back and read the thread. The discussion, before it was derailed, and indeed after, was about the themed threads. I'm indifferent as to whether it's the PYPH threads or the Themed ones that go, but I know that the problems almost universally agreed on, are that this forum is too gear oriented, there is very little photographic discussion, and it's seen as arrogant to post your own thread for your images. I'm only proposing a course of action that would actually combat these issues while leaving things as they were will not.

The forum is gear orientated by nature. Most people come here to get gear advice. OCUk is a forum dedicated to overclocking computer hardware and building your own PCs, not photography. The photography section is aimed at those techheads that also enjoy photography OR want to buy a camera, just like the Home-cinema mostly discusses different TVs and projects, and not different movies. By its very nature this section will discuss a lot of haedware, different rumored products, discuss what is the best lens for certain events.



People maybe shy to post their own photo threads but banning the grouped threads will just kill the forum in no time. You will end up with no photos posted at all and purely Spec Me threads.
If you want more individual photos threads then start posting. I have already made a brand new thread and bumped and old one!

 

[An Exception]

The thing is people rarely like change, D.P. so you can't take 45% of people saying keep them all as a given that it would be better.

Then what's the point of a poll?

The discussion in the thread points towards people feeling the themed ones are too much in contention with the PYPH thread.

Perhaps it's just from a vocal minority?

The problem is, if we just close the PYPH thread and keep the themed ones, we still have exactly the same problem of no critiquing, this forum being more about gear than photography.

In all fairness, this is hardly the forum for critique. I think we should probably get used to the idea that critique is going to be a rare occurrence unless your work is particularly good, or particularly bad. Sure making your own thread might prompt some critique considering more people will view it as allot of people like me don't even bother with PYPH. It may also prompt some feedback as people can see you have made an effort.

and it being arrogant to post your own threads, only with the additional problem of our already thin community being spread over a few more threads.

Why do you care what other posters think?
Just do your own thing, if you want to start a new thread, then do just that.
I couldn't give a flip what others think. p
Perhaps I'm confident or a little arrogant, whatever I don't care, I would be making much slower progress if I wasn't...

 

[An Exception]

I'm only proposing a course of action that would actually combat these issues while leaving things as they were will not.

A real solution is to structure the forum into a gear and photo section.
People making threads about which camera to buy doesn't add any value to this place anyway, so we could do without them.
Lastly I think Raymond picked up on a good point, this forum needs more freedom, it's for this reason I'v been considering the costs of setting up my own.

 

[Ksanti]

My only worry with that is that the actual photography section would end up getting starved because so many people are just here to talk about gear. Maybe I'm just looking for a community with a level of activeness and standard of work that doesn't really exist. I can talk to friends on facebook etc. but it's not quite the same vibe as an open forum for constructive debate.

 

[D.P.]

My only worry with that is that the actual photography section would end up getting starved because so many people are just here to talk about gear. Maybe I'm just looking for a community with a level of activeness and standard of work that doesn't really exist. I can talk to friends on facebook etc. but it's not quite the same vibe as an open forum for constructive debate.

I have never found such a photographic utopian online community.

My advice, meet up with people in person, at the pub or out in the field (and then the pub).


Also learn the value of self-critique, you then realise that you don't need a forum to post photos on in order to improve. There are masses of good resources out, most of them in print only.