Am I the only one disappointed in the "post your" trend that has taken over these forums?

[West Coast Birder]

I start individual threads when there is some theme to my images and I have several of them to share.

For example, I just completed a personal project photographing all the outdoor art on the UCSB campus. I started its own thread because all the 15 or so photos I included had this unifying theme and each had its own story and description. I also just finishing shooting a series on an art exhibition I just attended and I plan to start a new thread on it. In the past, I have created dedicated threads when I visited certain birding sites, for example, Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach.

But for the odd bird or landscape photo, it seems easier to include it in the mega thread for that topic rather than start a new thread with one post in it.

 

[Lester Wareham]

I start individual threads when there is some theme to my images and I have several of them to share.

For example, I just completed a personal project photographing all the outdoor art on the UCSB campus. I started its own thread because all the 15 or so photos I included had this unifying theme and each had its own story and description. I also just finishing shooting a series on an art exhibition I just attended and I plan to start a new thread on it. In the past, I have created dedicated threads when I visited certain birding sites, for example, Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach.

But for the odd bird or landscape photo, it seems easier to include it in the mega thread for that topic rather than start a new thread with one post in it.

Yes I do very much the same at you Sam.

It is odd, some forum sites actively discourage or outlaw multi-contributor threads, I am not sure why. Both have their place and how much users use them depends on individual preference.

 

[Ecc233]

I think that the comments about the culture of various forums have nailed it. We have ended up with a particular culture (post relevant images in one of the “best” forums, don’t normally add to other threads unless invited). The C and C aspect is difficult. Maybe mods could flag up “Most helpful/constructive comment/ critique” - if we ever got any!

 

[West Coast Birder]

I think that the comments about the culture of various forums have nailed it. We have ended up with a particular culture (post relevant images in one of the “best” forums, don’t normally add to other threads unless invited). The C and C aspect is difficult. Maybe mods could flag up “Most helpful/constructive comment/ critique” - if we ever got any!

That's a good idea, Ed. Let me look into adding a another reaction icon for that.

 

[OhLook]

But for the odd bird or landscape photo, it seems easier to include it in the mega thread for that topic rather than start a new thread with one post in it.

It's also easier for a viewer to open a big thread once, scroll through the ten or so new entries, and close the thread than to open, look at, and close ten threads in succession to see ten photos.

 

[AS_Photo]

Why?

Because that's how forums have worked forever. You post about something and people discuss. It's more poster-centric, and encourages discussion about the thing that the poster posted.

The large conglomerate threads are like trying to put Instagram into a forum where you just mindlessly scroll and "like" and have no discussion.

 

[AS_Photo]

It's also easier for a viewer to open a big thread once, scroll through the ten or so new entries, and close the thread than to open, look at, and close ten threads in succession to see ten photos.

If all you want to do is mindlessly scroll through photos, that shouldn't be what a forum is for.

 

[MakisM1]

If all you want to do is mindlessly scroll through photos, that shouldn't be what a forum is for.

You may do it mindlessly, I scroll through to find photos that inspire me, give me ideas. Finding various photographers' interpretations of the subject theme, is an efficient way to do it.

 

[Mike_d]

You may do it mindlessly, I scroll through to find photos that inspire me, give me ideas. Finding various photographers' interpretations of the subject theme, is an efficient way to do it.

And there's nothing to stop someone from quoting a photo post and discussing it.

 

[OhLook]

It's also easier for a viewer to open a big thread once, scroll through the ten or so new entries, and close the thread than to open, look at, and close ten threads in succession to see ten photos.

If all you want to do is mindlessly scroll through photos, that shouldn't be what a forum is for.

Where did "mindlessly" come from? Reminder: assumptions about other people's state of mind can easily go wrong. Suppose I want to know what makes flower photos more appealing or less. (In fact, I do want to, but feel free to substitute your own example.) If each photo has its own thread, I'll have to open a succession of threads every day: Rose, Purple Irises in My Garden, Another Rose, Field of Sunflowers I Saw on the Way to the Farmers' Co-op, and on and on. This is like trying to buy one grape at a time when what you want is the whole bunch.

 

[Lester Wareham]

If all you want to do is mindlessly scroll through photos, that shouldn't be what a forum is for.

I think not only is that an assumption, but your point is more relevant to the like button debate.

This ranged for a while on POTN when Pekka introduced the like button.

But it has a place, would your rather people just quoted the post with the reply "Great Picture"; all that does is mess up the flow of the thread.

 

[West Coast Birder]

Where did "mindlessly" come from? Reminder: assumptions about other people's state of mind can easily go wrong. Suppose I want to know what makes flower photos more appealing or less. (In fact, I do want to, but feel free to substitute your own example.) If each photo has its own thread, I'll have to open a succession of threads every day: Rose, Purple Irises in My Garden, Another Rose, Field of Sunflowers I Saw on the Way to the Farmers' Co-op, and on and on. This is like trying to buy one grape at a time when what you want is the whole bunch.

Visit Fred Miranda for an example of exactly this. The composite thread is virtually nonexistent there. What you do have is a multitude of threads, each with a couple of replies and only a few (typically from the established regulars there) with more engagement. I'm not criticizing FM's quality - there are some spectacular and highly skilled photographers who post there, but It is a very different vibe.

 

[kap55]

I just read through this thread (found it very educational) and would like to add a couple of thoughts.

I came from POTN and didn't mind the mass posting threads initially but I do find they are now becoming a bit over the top. One problem is that they have become a spot to post every photo that was ever taken about a subject rather than posting photos that someone genuinely wants to share and receive feedback. I have posted photos almost exclusively in the bulk threads simply because it almost seems pretentious to post a photo in it's own thread - like it would be saying that a particular photo is too special to post in the the bulk threads. Once I post something in a bulk thread I feel somewhat obliged to view all the other photos in that thread especially if I plan to continue posting photos in the thread. What this has led to is hundreds of photos to look at on a daily basis - and that has become more of a task than an enjoyment. Many of the photos are not something that would be posted in their own thread - they are posted because there is a bulk thread about a specific subject. I'm sure someone will say that I'm not forced to look at all of the photos, but for me that seems to go against the spirit of the thread.

Would it make sense to create a new category within Photo Sharing & Discussion for "Mass Posting Threads" (of all subjects/categories/colors/sizes etc) and stipulate that the existing categories like Wildlife, Macro, Landscapes, People, Sports etc be for individuals to post one (or more) of their own photos for C&C and discussion? I think this would lead to more discussion and that would create more of a sense of community than what is currently happening.

 

[OhLook]

I have posted photos almost exclusively in the bulk threads simply because it almost seems pretentious to post a photo in it's own thread - like it would be saying that a particular photo is too special to post in the the bulk threads.

I absolutely agree that it gives that impression. In discussions about bulk posting versus starting a new thread for one photo, when someone seems to disdain mixing his or her work with others', I'm inclined to write that person off as a narcissist. There are exceptions where it makes sense to start a thread for photos that could go in an existing bulk thread, as when you have a series from, say, one location.

Would it make sense to create a new category within Photo Sharing & Discussion for "Mass Posting Threads" (of all subjects/categories/colors/sizes etc) and stipulate that the existing categories like Wildlife, Macro, Landscapes, People, Sports etc be for individuals to post one (or more) of their own photos for C&C and discussion?

This might not work too well. For starters, it'd imply that posting in the mass threads means you don't want any comments.

 

[kap55]

This might not work too well. For starters, it'd imply that posting in the mass threads means you don't want any comments.

I think it was mentioned previously but due to the number of posts in mass threads it is very difficult to follow any conversation or make sense of comments. In addition I think most people don't post in mass threads for any input other than "Like".

If - for example - the landscape forum consisted of threads that were about a photo or group of related photos by one person that had legitimate C&C/discussion I would post photos there rather than the bulk posts and I think something could actually be learned from participants. I would also be more likely to participate in threads with other people's photos. I understand that this is possible right now but I think the mass threads have become far too dominant and discourage the type of participation I was looking for when I joined FOP.

 

[paddler4]

I think the mass threads have become far too dominant and discourage the type of participation I was looking for when I joined FOP.

I agree. And I don't think it is narcissistic to post an image asking for honest comments. That's how we learn. But I think there is no point spitting into the wind. Forums develop their own cultures as like-minded people join, and this one is clearly most comfortable with mass threads that generate almost no comments one can learn from. Other forums have different cultures.

 

[Ecc233]

At risk of repeating myself, we could/ should make more use of the Critque Corner

 

[Kuma5]

For me it was to post an image related to the subject. It may gain a like or such which is simply my part of the contribution in the long thread. For specifics the view rate on individual threads before it drops to the second page etc and is not seen thereafter.

Depends how one navigates through the forum and is notified as well for activity.

 

[aezoss]

Fwiw I prefer photos and discussion in separate threads. Photo threads, particularly birds & wildlife, are valuable references if they contain species & location info. A photo thread overrun with one sentence replies decreases its usefulness imo. I'd rather have a like instead of a 'nice shot' reply. Streamlines the experience. More IG like? Sure but minimizing scrolling (and bandwidth) is nice. Perhaps there's a better way to link photo & discussion threads while keeping them separate?

Overall I like the vibe here. It's pretty chill compared to some forums.

 

[Wilt]

As the forum itself suggests, you post a photo in Critique Corner when you explicitly WANT criticism (or adoration) of your posted image; but if you merely want to 'show off' and not be ciriticized, post in any of the other dozen+ topics in the same section.
And if you want discussion/exchange of information on general/technical topics, the moderators created 'Questions' as the place holder for that purpose, as there seemed to be little volume of discussions within that domain posted in other pre-existing sections.
So it seems that any propensity for inclusion or omission is driven entirely by the whim of the membership, and 'show off images' predominates any desire for critical discussion of individual images.
And there is little desire/need to learn more about techniques/methods or general principles.
Just an observation of the trends.