Why such a lack of replies?

[Wings]

2 years ago I joined this board. What I mostly did during those days was commenting on images in the Photo Critique section. I've tried to help people and I've learned several things along the way too. I put an effort into it to come up with sensible arguments, based on years of personal experience with photography and digital art. I never had any problem with people, even if it's never easy to be as tactful as possible. I really enjoyed doing it and I got several positive reactions in return.

I've been away for almost a year or so, but I decided to start posting on this board again. I've commented on several images. I look at those threads (6) a full day later and no replies. Even some comments I posted before that never had any reply.

I don't understand that. See, I'm the kinda guy who likes to comment on images that nobody commented on. People post their images in this forum to hear what others have to say and I think that everyone deserves some comments. That's what we are here for or not, to share and to help each other, to learn something and above all to have fun.

Have things changed during the year I away, or is this just an exception? I really like to help others, I also do that on a Photoshop and 3D board, but can you understand that I wonder if I should continue doing this when I don't get replies. Now my comments feel so useless, like I'm wasting my time and who wants to waste time?

For those who haven't been away for quite a while, how do you look at it?

Thanks :-)

[Peter_AUS]

Hi Wings and welcome back.

These forums since I started visiting them about 2 1/2 years ago, have the ebbs and flows about them. One week there is a plethera of postings and all of a sudden they slow down for a while. Different season changes and different things happening in peoples lives. I have noticed that a few of the regulars are very busy and some haven't been around for quite a while now.

Just keep doing your thing, posting and commenting and help to keep the flow going, even though it might seem pretty still at present.

[Sebastian]

I'm with Peter on this one. It comes and goes..

I for one have ben posting where I really think my post will be of benefit. Not always, but most of the time. I used to make many posts, but over time I started to feel like I could do more by posting less, but making the posts better. Your mileage may vary...

[Wings]

Thanks for the replies guys. That must be the reason like you two said, that it varies over time. I will stay around for a while longer to see how things are going and then make up my mind.

Thanks again!

[another view]

See, I'm the kinda guy who likes to comment on images that nobody commented on. People post their images in this forum to hear what others have to say and I think that everyone deserves some comments. That's what we are here for or not, to share and to help each other, to learn something and above all to have fun.

I agree, I think if someone took the time to post something in critique that it's worth a look - given the time to do it. I'll usually look at the images who's titles interest me first for whatever reason, but also try to post something if there are no replies - I don't want to see newbies getting discouraged because nobody helps them.

Sometimes I don't know what to say or how to critique something, so I usually don't post in a case like that. Some images I have to look at a couple of times before I know what to say - all comes back to time available to do it, etc. Personally I've been a little busy lately and haven't been around the critique board much anyway but usually check out the others daily.

The other boards can be frustrating too sometimes - a question is posted and you spend some time coming up with a concise answer that you feel is helpful. You never hear if it answered their question, or worse - they post it again a week later. Happens pretty rarely but it's a similar frustration. I think you've got the right approach. Stick with it - it does ebb and flow.

[Wings]

It's just that I don't understand people sometimes. I mean, a person goes through all the efforts to post an image and adds some comments, all intended to hear what others have to say, to hear some critique. It's clearly that this is what this forum is for, it's even called "Photo Critique".

Then nobody replies until a guy like me comes along (who always goes for the 0-comments-posts first), they get an answer in their Email and all they have to do is to click on the link and add a reply that takes 1 min.

That's the only thing they have to do to show some appreciation for the fact that I do comment on images that don't get replies, that I analyze an image, (I sometimes even take it in Photoshop) and then I have to think of a reply that covers every aspect of the image, I have to come up with good arguments and then I have to translate it from my language to English and not even one thank you. I can live with it if it happens every now and then, I mean, that's a reflection of life, but 6 images in a row?! Just because they can stay anonymous?

I slept another night and I came to the conclusion that it IS a waste of time.
Here I am, married, 4 kids, with a bit of luck I have some minutes for myself every day, I don't use them for myself this time, no I use them to help others, people I never met, but it's in no way appreciated.

It's good that there are people like you guys who can just live with this act of selfishness, I however can't.

[Asylum Steve]

Like others have mentioned, I think there are many reason why members here post and don't post, reply or don't reply. I don't think it's possible to make any sweeping generalizations why, either. We all have different lives and amount of time and energy that we can spend here...

I too, used to comment a lot on the Critique Forum. I think helping beginners with the many facets of image making is one of my strong points, and I too used to specifically target posts that got few or no replies.

Truth is, I am so caught up in my own work now that I simply do not have the emotional energy to carefully look at other people's work and then take the time to give the thoughtful analysis and critique that it deserves.

It's not apathy, just the logistics and energy of my life at the moment...

I also think what happens is that many of us become comfortable with a smaller group of friends on the site (ok, I'll use the "C word" - cliques), and focus most of our conversations within them. I know this is true for me. Sure, it isn't the healthiest way to be, but it's human nature...

One feature I use to determine interest in a post is the VIEWS number. I really think this points out that often many people look at a post, but may not know exactly what to say as a reply...

I guess the only thing that still gets me is when someone takes the time to reply to a person's question or comment, then never hear from that person again. That I'll never understand.

I just realized after reading another one of your posts that this specifically is what you're referring to. In that sense I agree with you completely. Very rude...

QUOTE=Wings]2 years ago I joined this board. What I mostly did during those days was commenting on images in the Photo Critique section. I've tried to help people and I've learned several things along the way too. I put an effort into it to come up with sensible arguments, based on years of personal experience with photography and digital art. I never had any problem with people, even if it's never easy to be as tactful as possible. I really enjoyed doing it and I got several positive reactions in return.

I've been away for almost a year or so, but I decided to start posting on this board again. I've commented on several images. I look at those threads (6) a full day later and no replies. Even some comments I posted before that never had any reply.

I don't understand that. See, I'm the kinda guy who likes to comment on images that nobody commented on. People post their images in this forum to hear what others have to say and I think that everyone deserves some comments. That's what we are here for or not, to share and to help each other, to learn something and above all to have fun.

Have things changed during the year I away, or is this just an exception? I really like to help others, I also do that on a Photoshop and 3D board, but can you understand that I wonder if I should continue doing this when I don't get replies. Now my comments feel so useless, like I'm wasting my time and who wants to waste time?

For those who haven't been away for quite a while, how do you look at it?

Thanks :-)[/QUOTE]

[Wings]

Asylum Steve wrote: "I guess the only thing that still gets me is when someone takes the time to reply to a person's question or comment, then never hear from that person again. That I'll never understand.

I just realized after reading another one of your posts that this specifically is what you're referring to. In that sense I agree with you completely. Very rude..."

Yes Steve, that's exactly what all this thread was about and yes, maybe the title of this thread might have been confusing.

Personally I'm not interested in how many replies someone gets after posting an image, because like you said, people don't always have time, are not interested, have other hobbies or just don't feel like helping for free, something I also don't have a problem with.

It's the lack of replies to the comments I make, the suggestion or advice I give.
I've been a moderator of a Photoshop for over a year, it was always great fun and I loved helping people, but after a while you get fed up with it, at least I did. I was in a situation that I started to ignore the posts of members that never posted a reply, since they never showed any appreciation. They used me as some personal encyclopedia. After a while I focused on those members that did appreciate my work. But that's not the way to do it, I mean, focusing on a select group of members, but after a while, in this case after a few thousand posts I just had enough of it. Months later I resigned.

[frannymac]

I was so excited to see your name appear on the board after so long away! When I first started posting on this board it was your comments to my images that insipred me to keep posting! I learnt heaps from you and Sebastian and Lucymac (haven't seen her for ages!), Bobby, Coloradoamigo and loved looking at Lava Lamps photos of her kids - very inspiring. Many other people also commented. I know that I have always thanked people for their replies - usually in the context of what I have learnt etc AND quite probably asking more questions!

I am a sporadic poster to this board due to the nature of my work (I travel a fair bit). I value it greatly. People such as yourself who take time to think about what it is about the photo that works (and doesn't) and give encouragement to continue is what powers this site.

I think it would be a real shame to lose your knowledge and willingness to share your thoughts in a very strengths based way (you always have something positive to say).

Anyway, retrospectively I would like to thank you for the encouragement you have given me and I undertake to lead by example and ensure that others see that replying to critiques is the right thing to do!

Fran

[Liz]

First, let me say that I agree with Frannymac.......I would like to encourage you to hang on for a while. As was stated before, there's an ebb and flow to the forums. Sometimes it's something simple like a holiday or a nice weekend that slows things up. Sometimes it just happens.

Lately I've had a little problem with some aol/browser conflicts that slow things up for me on PR. This means that at times getting into a post, especially one that includes an image, is very time consuming. Consequently, I haven't been posting as much the last month or so myself. That's just the way it is for now. The point being - there are various reasons why sometimes replies are fewer than usual.

Thanks for posting your experience as we can learn from it - and it's good to know how people feel. That's the way things improve. Why don't you stick around for a few weeks and give it a shot again?

Liz

[Peter_AUS]

No Lack of replies here Wings and I think it helps to get these sorts of feelings out there. I am sure others are reading this thread and might just have them thinking a bit.

[Unregistered]

Well guys, good news. I just went through some of the posts in which I left some comments and it turns out, my mistake, that in 4 cases it involved the same person.
Names are not important, but it does make a difference, now I look at it in a different perspective. Also the understanding of you guys and the willingness to join this discussion and the kind words of you Fran, yes, I still remember you and what a great thing to still see you around here, made me decide to stay around for a while longer. Let's see how it goes the next couple weeks and then I'll look at it again with a fresh look.

I appreciate your reactions and it's very positive to see that there are still moderators on the internet who know exactly what it takes to be a moderator who understand that moderating is more than just keeping an eye on the members to see if they obey the terms and guidelines of the board!

Thanks again

[Liz]

You made a good choice! It's great to have you back.

Liz

Well guys, good news. I just went through some of the posts in which I left some comments and it turns out, my mistake, that in 4 cases it involved the same person.
Names are not important, but it does make a difference, now I look at it in a different perspective. Also the understanding of you guys and the willingness to join this discussion and the kind words of you Fran, yes, I still remember you and what a great thing to still see you around here, made me decide to stay around for a while longer. Let's see how it goes the next couple weeks and then I'll look at it again with a fresh look.

I appreciate your reactions and it's very positive to see that there are still moderators on the internet who know exactly what it takes to be a moderator who understand that moderating is more than just keeping an eye on the members to see if they obey the terms and guidelines of the board!

Thanks again

[Peter_AUS]

Interesting to see that there have been over 80 viewings of this thread and a handfull of replies and that is what it is like sometimes. Glad to see you staying around and hopefully the boards will pick up a little more as you start heading in to spring and summer, we head into autum and winter.

[mtbbrian]

I feel your pain!
I have had a post or four go uncommented on, some of which are even in my own forum.
As the others have mentioned, the number of posts come and go. I wished I could be here more than I do, but life gets in the way.

I would recommend that you keep at it, you have a lot more to gain than by not posting.
This is a great community, and every constructive beneficial comment is a good one that will probably help more people than you realize.

Brian