I have noticed that some of the best on the site present an image only in their galleries, no comments taken. Some time ago, I gave up the "ratings" and opted only to accept comments which are nice to read. Yet, I rarely receive constructive criticism even when it is likely needed. At the same time, I don't criticise often, even when a word here or there might help the poster do better. And, yes, many use the ratings system. I have not missed the "ratings" in the least. Sure, we have discussed this before. Do you have any thoughts on it?

My thoughts are pretty much yours. I don't see the point of ratings if everyone is getting excellent all the time. I leave my comments on because, like you, I like to get feedback in whatever form it takes. I like the social as well as constructive aspects of it. I comment when I can, though I have been slacking of late with other aspects of my life taking more of a front seat. I do try to stay active in the forum though, in case you hadn't noticed. ;] I think some turn off their comments either to 1) avoid all the ebots or 2) because they have no time to comment and feel guillty for recieving and not giving. I think the second is kinda silly, nobody is forcing anyone to leave comments, and I like to have that option rather than send an IM.

a very good subject of discution. I think on Renderosity, even if some doesn't want, there's as a great competition "which will make the most beautiful photo or image". Criticisms? They can be constructive or can be very malicious. Each one of us must make as good appears to him but never to lose sight of the fact, Renderosity enables us to share our passion and to compartir on the world. No comments or coments or rating.. just you choose... Kiss Valou

Ratings don't mean a thing to me, sure a comment is always nice, but sometimes a person has his own reasons for just posting without commenting. I am only comment if I have time for it. I don't want to spent my whole day on it. But I think if you don't comment others..... others don't comment either. That's the way it goes......I speak for myself..... Ilona

1.- Rating : although I respect other's opinions I must say that the ranking item is quite 'funny', that is, if anyone has 3 excellent and 30 poor his/her average ranking is excelent (?); I gave up ranking for that reason; I do not allow ranking and I do not rank (just my option).

2.- As for comments are concerned its responsability is whoever comments; I do selective commenting - I look at the thumbs and the posts and I comment when I like (as I do not have enough knowledge to add any critic); I do not comment looking for names.

3.- As I do not have a Fav 'artists' list and this an open site (pro and amateurs can post) I just have a list of Fav photos and I have to 'surf' the gallery looking for what was posted and it takes more time than I have :(

I do not comment back and I do not expect commenting back either !

Carlos.

Ah,, everyone has their own reasons...seems the "ratings" has the lowest value at all. If totally confident in an image I frankly could go with no comments at all. Still, I like to comment once in a while and leave that option open on my gallery postings. Once in a while, just a rare once in a while, I do get a helpful comment. Most of the rest simply make me feel better about the shot or are interesting at best. I do like comments for the simple reaon it provides opportunity to meet others with similar interests..artists and wanna be artists and will-be artists I did not know were here. Then again, if confident enough with an image as I have been with a few, no comments seems just fine. I suppose lots has to do with what fuels our drive or helps us keep moving.

Ratings: Even with it's flaws I perfer them. I've noticed that for myself and others, the comments are sometimes not the real indicator of what people think. I've seen really good pictures that were given a poor rating, even the comments indicated otherwise. So i find that interesting.

Comments: I perfer to leave them on because when i post something I know that the picture represents to me. However others might see it totally differently, so i'm intersted in perception.

Message edited on: 03/09/2006 19:13

Comments: Some are willing to give good constructive feedback, but IMO,most are afraid of offending so either say nice things or nothing at all. Ratings: I used to use them and found that people generally just put excellent regardless of the image quality/technical ability, as a test for this I uploaded a couple of poorly focused and composed images, only to receive an excellent, to that end I find them pretty pointless, and now have one less box to tick. No comments: Im sure people do that for their one reasons at the time, maybe they just want to show their work and nothing more, or make an announcement and other personal reasons, it doesnt really bother me, it an image is good to look at it doesnt matter to me if I am allowed to comment or not. As far as I know all my images have comments allowed. There are other issues at large also, such as the comment and vote trade, best not go into that too deeply though! I vote on images but dont say whether I have or not, I used to do so to encourage others to vote on images that I felt were outstanding, but felt that I was asking people to vote on my work regardless of its qualities or lack of, I have never made it into the hot 20 but to be perfectly honest, I am no worse the wear for it. In summery and IMO only Comments: good Ratings: pointless No comments: Personal choice. VOTE: you decide. Edit: I also find the comments quite interesting, in the fact that some images that I think are good/excellent may get few comments whilst images that I think are average can sometimes get many comments.

Message edited on: 03/10/2006 11:19

I have not used the "vote" button. Not yet. I don't even know where it goes. I do not believe this site is a contest, at least not for me. I have been in juried shows of my professional work and believe me, as you likely know, the jury can be strange at best and sometimes lacking in the very nature needed to make the right call. Then again...some win, some loose and not always because of quality and sometimes because of whim of the moment. I guess that is why I don't "vote" even if I don't know where the vote goes. For me, comments are fine.

Ratings: in the beginning of my posting I allowed ratings. Later I didn't allow rating because of the fact that almost al my contributions were rated as 'excellent'. Since I think my pictures aren't that excellent at all (compared to other photographers here at RR) I've decided to turn ratings off. Comments: I always allow comments, because I think it's a good thing to know that there are people who are 'touched' by my little contributions. And to me it's great fun to know that people from all over the world are commenting! I also do some commenting on other people's work, mostly because I like their contibutions (not in a technical aspect, but simply because I think it's beautiful, weird, original ot something like that). Voting: for me it's a way to show my special appreciation to the artists (not only in the Photography Gallery). And again: simply because I like their contribution very, very much. And that's exactly the reason why I state that in a little comment (so I never vote without a comment). Oh yes....I almost forgot. I don't expect people to comment or vote on my contributions, but it sure means a lot to me when people do. The majority of the comments I received in the past are very positive. And it's always good to know that there are others who do like my view on this wonderful world we're living on!