If you could change one thing...

[2kids2shoot]

When I hit the long lead times (usually when I'm supposed to be working ;-0 ) I just come back later so while I wish it weren't so, I deal. Hopefully, this doesn't turn off new folks too much.

What I like about VF is that it's not so strickly photo related. Most of the topics are related to photography - even if sharing snaps or some fun location. The other are usually discussions between the members that have been here a while. I think it gives a warm homey feeling to the site.

Photo critique seems to go in waves: sometimes people post picture specs, sometimes there is more critique. We recently seem to be in no specs (although if someone wants to know they can ask) and not as much suggestions for improvement mode. While I certainly like to get comments that people like my photos, I can't believe there isn't room for improvement. How can I learn if I don't know what people see as a weakness and a strength? I think the way photos are critiqued depends on the people posting at the time. Maybe a reminder or if the moderator,etc post some more critiqueing (sp?) posts as an examble that could help.

I don't agree with a previous poster (sorry, don't remember who) who wanted to have critique for 'polished' shots. I think it's a place for people to improve - I think the galleries are more for the 'polished' shots.

I also think that the "quote message in reply" should NOT be the default - similar to quick reply to keep replies shorter.

Thanks for listening!

[another view]

I also think that the "quote message in reply" should NOT be the default - similar to quick reply to keep replies shorter.

I usually use the Reply button at the bottom of the last post - this will do what you ask for. Of course here I clicked on Reply to this Post at the bottom of your post, and that quoted everything in your post. It's helpful if you're responding to one part of that post - like I am here.

Thanks for the input, everyone. Any other ideas out there - keep 'em comin!

[opus]

Please do not get rid of "Reply to this Post". While I use QUick Reply for the majority of my posts, there are times when I want all the HTML features that Reply to this Post offers. I've gotten to know some of them by (bracket-lowercase-"i"-bracket) heart (bracket-backslash-lowercase-"i"-bracket), there are others that I still like help with.

Plus, if I only want to quote a piece of someone's post, I can do it there. I can't touch it here in Quick Reply.


Steve, I know I was joking in my previous post, but did you read the bottom part? I was serious about that.


Otherwise, I agree 100% with Almo. It ain't broke. It's just a bad time of year. Leave things alone during the ebb and let the flow come when it's time.

I also agree with Adina. Be the change you want to see. If you want to get more critiques, then post more critiques. If you want to participate in a lively discussion, start one.


Luv ya, Steve. Come up to West Bend and see me in "Fiddler on the Roof" this weekend!

This applies to anyone!

[mdmc]

Kelly,
I did not mean to do away with any of the features on the site. Simply to make it a choice to quote messages. I see now that when i check the box in quick reply there is no way to edit the quote as it does not appear in the reply box.
I do find it irratating at times when there are 20-30 replies, and 3- 4 people have reposted the same pic. Can this be done unintetionally?
Also, I have no idea what you mean HTML features! HELP!
This site is great, it aint broke and dont need to be fixed!
My thoughts were to make things less aoutomatic and more deliberate as far as what to post besides your reply.
I hope i've made sense,
Mark.

[another view]

But in all seriousness, would there be a way to post a tiny thumbnail of the pictures posted on the boards (kinda like the way you get a preview of the message when you pass your mouse over the thread title and hold a moment), so that maybe my curiosity about the picture might be piqued more than the title of the thread can accomplish?

Yeah, this part. I did see it, and I've never seen it before but it sounds pretty cool. Also a big time saver when looking at new threads, I imagine. I don't know if this is something possible to do, but Photo John is aware of this thread. This will be on my list of ideas from here to forward to him.

I know it's summer and everybody (including me) gets busy with things other than sitting in front of a computer. I just wanted to see what's on everybody's minds and if some good points were brought up maybe we could do something about them.

Thanks for the invite to Fiddler on the Roof - but this weekend I have a wedding (last one!) to shoot. Break a leg!

[another view]

Also, I have no idea what you mean HTML features! HELP!

Mark, I wonder if she was talking about the Enhanced Interface. I use it, and it's really easy but you do have to set it up in your account. To use it, click "My Account" on the blue bar near the top of the page. Then click "Edit Options" on the left side of the screen. Scroll down to the bottom under Miscellaneous Options and pick Enhanced Interface. If you don't like it, you can switch back to what you had the same way.

I agree about pictures being re-posted - I think it's probably unintentional, and happens by hitting "Reply to this Post" rather than "Post Reply" at the bottom of the page. I use the first one in a case like this where I want to respond to your question, so you know what I'm talking about! And it is pretty handy for that. Never tried Quick Reply, to tell you the truth.

[Photo-John]

would there be a way to post a tiny thumbnail of the pictures posted on the boards (kinda like the way you get a preview of the message when you pass your mouse over the thread title and hold a moment)

That would be a complicated customization of our forum software. This software is used on the forums across all of our sites and we don't like to mess with it much. It needs to be upgraded periodically and every "hack" needs to be redone on every site, every time the software is upgraded. That's one thing to keep in mind when you ask for changes to be made. Sometimes they're no big deal, and sometimes they're a really big deal. Not to say that your idea isn't a good one.

Also, it kind of sounds like you want the forum to be a gallery. Knowing that people might like to see thumbnails in a critique environment, I added the Photo Critique gallery. Maybe that will work better for you?

[opus]

Also, it kind of sounds like you want the forum to be a gallery. Knowing that people might like to see thumbnails in a critique environment, I added the Photo Critique gallery. Maybe that will work better for you?

I wasn't, really. I'm drawn to the areas where people are active. I hate posting a comment and waiting days, even weeks, for a response. I like the hoppin' spots.

But what I was saying is that when there's a LOT of new posts and I have limited time, I pick threads based on how well their title grabs me. But a title is sometimes misleading.

But it really doesn't matter. I'm not really finding anything wrong with this site. Just brainstorming.

[McMadCow]

A rather hot and heated discussion regarding nudes that resulted in a new gallery that no one is using! Just a continually growing post that isn't contributing any thing about photography.

Where is this new forum? I've been holding a couple shots back because I didn't think they were appropriate for the Critique board.

[Lara]

It is not a new forum. It's a new category in the Galleries.

Galleries

[McMadCow]

^^^Thanks! I see it now. I thought maybe it was a new subforum or something.

In keeping with the topic of this thread, my biggest complaint in regards to this site isn't one that can be easily remedied. My favorite type of photography is people photography. Any kind, really... I just think that people are the most interesting photographic subjects. On the photo critique board, it's a good day if one in ten pictures has people in it. I don't know why this is like that in comparison to some of the other photo sites out there. I've pretty much only ever posted portraits and populated street scenes in the critique forum and I'm personally way more likely to comment on an interesting photo of a person than I am in regards to a picture of a rusty nail. I would encourage others to go out and shoot some more people! Don't worry about studio setups- they're usually boring. Go out and interact with the other people and take pictures of them.

100th post! Yay!