Sorry folks SYS rant.... again

[candidrachel]

Is it a waste of time uploading photos? I get the distinct impression that if you are a semi-pro or pro then you get loads of glorious replies but if you are not then your photos just get ignored. I've even resorted to replying to my own posts. Sad I know but that's how I can keep my own photos bumped in the vain hope "someone" out there might see the potential.

So often I take what I think are great shots and really capture the moment but no-one else can see it. So frustrating.

[SwissJon]

Never seen the point of SYS to be honest. Everyone going "ohh that's lovely" is really just an ego trip, I find the feedback in the critiques section much more pertinent, and a good way to go from amateur to semi pro.

Semi-pro or not though, you can't force people to look at your shots, maybe if you don't get the feedback you wanted in SYS you should put it in the critique section and find out why?

[Niresangwa]

If you want feedback, use the critique section, maybe?

If you put them in SYS, and no one finds it interesting, would you prefer that they just say something for the sake of saying it?

Some of us don't even go into SYS. Ever.

[candidrachel]

Critique is a waste of time too.

I just have this nagging feeling at the back of my mind that my photos suck and the lack of feedback just magnifies my self-doubt

[candidrachel]

On a side note I bumped into a friend in town today she started her photography journey before me and was getting paid clients only she's thrown the towel in and is now pursuing a hairdressing career!

[Barbara V]

That is pretty disheartening.

[gturner]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Never seen the point of SYS to be honest. Everyone going "ohh that's lovely" is really just an ego trip, I find the feedback in the critiques section much more pertinent, and a good way to go from amateur to semi pro.

Semi-pro or not though, you can't force people to look at your shots, maybe if you don't get the feedback you wanted in SYS you should put it in the critique section and find out why?

I agree Jon. Only if I stumble on something really unusual, clever or exceptional do I make a remark. There is a lot of "nice" stuff, but you can't comment on everything.

[MrJones]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Never seen the point of SYS to be honest. Everyone going "ohh that's lovely" is really just an ego trip, I find the feedback in the critiques section much more pertinent, and a good way to go from amateur to semi pro.

Semi-pro or not though, you can't force people to look at your shots, maybe if you don't get the feedback you wanted in SYS you should put it in the critique section and find out why?

wow.. my thoughts exactly and I thought I was the only one..

[Dodge]

Hi Rach'

I very rarely actually look in SYS now and when I do it's usually in the sections that I'm more interested in, ie Macro or Wildlife, I took a lookie though at your thread to see why you were ranting and hopefully get a clue as to why it may be.

The thing that hits me personally is, if anything it's because the pics are more of a personal subject. IE pics of specific people/children at a specific event. I think the problem is that shots of other people and their children generally, whilst great for those concerned, aren't necessarily interesting to anyone that doesn't know them personally. Whereas a shot with someone as a focal point, catching their personality is often intriguing or fun.

OK, so now I looked at your Flickr. For me the pics that really stand out are the ones of the Red Headed little girl done more in close up portrait style, (I think she may be your daughter) as well as your self portrait (Not just because I'm a lush either ). I like these so much more because they show and tell a lot more about the person and suggest personality, all things that make a pic interesting. To me they also suggest more thought going into the picture by the photographer whereas the other, more general pics are much busier and much of those things are lost, making it harder for the viewer to concentrate on anything to comment on. Theres some great shots in your Flickr, and many more that I feel, with a tighter crop to remove some distractions would be great too.

Maybe try posting something that has a more of a portrait feel to it in critique, ask for tips on improving still more with regards to DOF/composition and concentrate on perfecting that aspect. As for me, that's where your strengths lie so would be a great place to get some confidence back. I've always found that if you ask specifically how to improve something in critique, everyones really helpful.

Hope I haven't said anything to piss you off, that's not the intent. I just think that a nudge in the right direction sometimes helps, especially when you're on a downer.

[RichardTaylor]

@ candidrachel

Why do you think critique is a waste of time?
--------------------------
Some thoughts.

Who are you taking photographs for?
If you want lots of views post "pretty", and good pics of the opposite sex.

(1) If they are for customers and clients (and I use the term very loosly) and they are happy with my photographs then that the main thing, it other people like them that is a plus.

For example I take motor sport pics for fun and sometimes they are purchased by drivers. Besides my web site (where I usually post event coverages) I will also post a few to Flickr and some of the motor sport groups where sometimes they will be commented on.

I do not post multiple pics, with minor variations anywhere. However I will post a sequence if it tells a story.

(2) Family pics
These go up on my site for other family members to view, but only the better ones (and very few of those) go up on Flickr. I don't always expect comments.
Sometimes with family pics we let our relationship to the subject cloud our photographic judgement.

(3) Travel, interesting events (to some) pics.
The better ones of these go up on Flickr and posted to some relevant groups. Sometimes they get comments.

(4) Lastly are the photographs you take for myself.
Now days the best of these (unless, very rarely, subject content dictates other wise) are posed to Flickr, . And as before if other people like them that is great.

I usually don't post to SYS.