- This topic is empty.
Site in Decline?
-
So what’s the story?
This place can only be as good as the contributions of the members,
and I’ve noticed a tailing off over the past few months.
Perhaps it’s a periodic thing, maybe this trough will be followed by an upswing…
or maybe it’s directly linked to the recession?
Perhaps the downturn can be dated to the removal of General Chat from the 24hr view?Many of the original members have moved on, and don’t visit anymore- I reckon I’m one of the last of them.
Some people have suggested I should post less, and perhaps they’re right. Perhaps I should move on too-However, posting less is making this a boring place.
I used to make more of an effort to comment on pictures,
but comments tend to be mostly one way, and that is pretty tiresome.
I reckon that only about 1% of the membership have ever commented on any of my pictures,
and mostly it’s the same people who comment anyway-So if it’s to get better, there will have to be more writing-
though I know, some people only comment on their own pictures, and that will never change…
Those people won’t even read this, they’ll be too busy stuck in their own little section.There appears to be less pictures posted anyway-
and often I’ll get comments over at flickr from members here,
comments that perhaps should have been made on these pages…Also, I realize, this is the internet, and none of it matters…
but this site definitely used to be better-
in my opinion-joseph
Yeah, you are right, some of us don’t post as many pictures as we used to do… I am a good example for the lazy photographer in decline. But I also see a lot of good photographs and new members appearing. I don’t think, that the end is near, Joseph.
Kind Regards,
Z
In terms of stats (google analytics) in terms of traffic there isn’t any falloff at all.
Of course in general any fine weather means that people are taking the opportunity
to be outside instead of inside :) Could be a factor.I’m not sure that Facebook has been helping either to be honest. Not that I’m logging
in there that much these past few weeks.Did notice that the film and lofi sections have been quieter than normal over the past week or so.
The POTY will be kicking off again soon, well as soon as I finish getting sponsors etc…
That should perk things up again.The upgrade is going well behind the scenes although it very time consuming, however when
done will mean that I’ll be able to add some of the suggestions in the Suggestions section, ie
stuff that ‘might’ motivate people to take more photos, extra ‘creative’ tasks. Perhaps having
the site upgraded itself might give people a lift, dunno.Any other ideas will be entertained :)
I’d tend to agree Joseph that things have changed…but I’d be an offender lately when it comes to making comments. I’m not going into the newbie needs v the existing members duties re comments – it’s all been done before.
But before we call in a receiver put yourself in the newer members position – I see quite a bit of activity between the newer members so things in that perspective seem OK – have a look at the list for the Glendalough outing. I hate the word cliques, but there are pools of people with similar interests – film, Holga, PS, etc who find their own way to similar interest groups.
So maybe the boredom factor is that we don’t know where we fit into PI any more, and maybe the elders who have gone elsewhere aren’t necessarily fed up of PI but are just gone to fit in elsewhere?Alan.
I don’t normally get drawn into the GC discussions but this has piqued my interest even though I don’t have a way with words. I am not meaning to dissect your post, this is the only way I can put my thoughts out in a meaningful fashion.
Site in Decline?
Personally, I don’t think so.
Some people have suggested I should post less, and perhaps they’re right. Perhaps I should move on too
Please don’t, on both counts. We need the Sages to cast their eye and give guidance.
I reckon that only about 1% of the membership have ever commented on any of my pictures,
I stand guilty as charged though only for the reason that I don’t think that I could add any constructive comments or critique on your style, which by the way I do like.
though I know, some people only comment on their own pictures, and that will never change…
Those people won’t even read this, they’ll be too busy stuck in their own little section.I don’t know about others but I generally tend to browse all forums though I tend to comment mostly in the N&W and Macro forums as this is where my interest lies.
I will comment in other forums if I see something that triggers my comment/critique switch, hoping my drivel makes some sense to the OP.but this site definitely used to be better-
in my opinion-I disagree.
I dabble only a little in flickr, can’t abide facebook, bebo, myspace etc, and PI suits my needs perfectly. In my opinion this is a decent site in all respects and very well run, my tuppence worth………Mick
Hi Joseph,
I’ve read and thought about your post quite a lot since I read it.
I felt a little sad that you feel the way you do about the site but
heartened that you went through the bother of articulating your
feelings here.I’m not really sure how to respond which is very unusual for me.
There are certain members who I personally hold in high esteem.
Their posts can be erudite, opinionated, amusing, argumentative,
educating, rousing, calming and more but always interesting.Since I joined in March this year I have found your posts always
to be very interesting, educating and entertaining.
I haven’t always understood everything you wrote but I have
enjoyed reading it.With regard to comments for your pictures I’m not sure what to say.
I tend to comment on a picture when I feel I have someting to say
regardless of who has posted itI would be personally disappointed if longstanding members lost
interest in the site and stopped posting and commenting.I am really not sure if this post has added anything to the discussion or
if there’s anything I can do to improve the situation but I do care.Cheers.
John.
I’m sorry to hear you feel that way JB.
I would be sad to see your contribution to the site be diminished or end, but for sure you do give more than you receive.Your last couple of posts for c&c were quite stylized I would say, and in general your stuff can be unconventional so harder for some to understand. That is why I think you may not get as much feedback as you deserve.
I do agree that it would be nice if there was bit more discussion of photos in the c&c section.
Myself I feel more positive about the site now than before, I guess my photos must be generally more interesting now so I get more feedback. Initially getting replies was about a 50/50 chance so I stopped posting for a while and just critiqued.
I guess things will ebb and flow at bit…
Martin
PeteTheBloke wrote:
Well I’m back.
well that’s a start-
Thanks for all your replies, and I’m genuinely touched by some of them-
again, thank you-I do have to point out that the reference I made to 1% was not a complaint about getting no comments-
I’m very glad to get the feedback I do get-I suppose the observation that sparked the post was that the site was very quiet,
not many pictures posted, not many comments made.
At the time of writing, the post count was at about 110 for the day,
and it’s not much higher today.The People section hasn’t had a new picture since Tuesday, for example,
which must be some kinda record-So despite google’s more qualified analysis, I do think this place has been more vibrant in the past-
Anyway, again, thanks for the replies,
and I appreciate the alternate views-As a newbie to photography and a relatively new member of PI, I would just like to say the site is great because there are members like jb7 on it. Without their experience and contributions to the forums, I believe the site would not be anything near as good as it is. As a newbie however, I often find it difficult to comment on their work as I feel I don’t have the expertise or knowledge to say there is something wrong with it, or that I don’t actually like it. I have often admired their work and wished that I could produce something of the same quality. I’ve read the comment previously that commenting “nice shot” is not very helpful and agree, but it is an acknoledgement of the fact that you do like it, but cannot find something construtive to say that would improve it. I do notice however, that there are an awful lot of members who never comment on anyones work and very rarely even post their own work. At times I feel that they are like sponges or parasites taking it all in, but giving nothing in return. I too have been peed off on the site for this reason. I think there are some really talented photographers on this site, both new and old, and that there is a great sense of community amongst them. I looked at the shots posted from the Gendalough outing and have to say, the quality and variety was outstanding and any site would be privilaged to have such a talented bunch as members. I don’t comment on all photos posted, but I will comment on some. I think that the people who don’t enjoy the site in general are the ones who don’t participate and just lurk in the background. I only use Flickr to post images here and rarely ever explore on it. I don’t have any interest in Facebook, Bebo etc. I am proud though to be a member of PI and would like to take this oportunity to thank all the members who have helped me to improve my understanding of what I need to do to improve my shots. The site wasn’t nominated as one of the best discussion forums for nothing. It’s people like jb7, Mark and the other longtime members that have made it what it is, so take a clap on the back (you deserve it). :wink:
miki g wrote:
I am proud though to be a member of PI and would like to take this oportunity to thank all the members who have helped me to improve my understanding of what I need to do to improve my shots. The site wasn’t nominated as one of the best discussion forums for nothing. It’s people like jb7, Mark and the other longtime members that have made it what it is, so take a clap on the back (you deserve it). :wink:
Nicely put miki g.
BTW that’s a heck of a long paragraph. :)
Cheers.
John.
Hi Joseph, I can remember joining the site and the helpful comments and tips
from your good self which I greatly appreciated, after three years of commenting
and over 6,000 posts I would imagine threads would get a little “stale” what with
the big number of beginners joining the site daily some of the questions have been
repeated and repeated.That being said I am merely trotting behind you with only 2000-odd posts in almost
as many years, so maybe the “decline” is not really a decline but maybe a lot of
repetition. I know that personally when I am not very motivated, I would be bored
trawling through the posts trying to find something to comment on but that would be
because I -for whatever reason- was generally bored and no fault of the site.I have tried many other sites and have not stuck with them, hate flickr, facebook etc
I cant believe I have been here almost three years and am still enjoying it!Anyway stick around I for one would be sorry to see you go :) its only the winter blues :)
I think everything goes through phases and has peaks and troughs and I would expect that PI is no different. I don’t think it’s anything to do with lack of interest. I would imagine that Facebook probably has some sort of effect in that it has a wider audience beyond photography where people will connect with family and friends, the bulk of whom aren’t in to photography. I could name several people who post to Facebook (myself included) in many areas other than photography but also promote PI and photography there. The most recent was yesterday to my students encouraging them to participate with the college PhotoSoc and also to check out PI as a useful resource.
Now and again, certain enthusiastic and heated discussions can make you stop and think about how I might participate on this site and when this happens then I find (am I alone on this) that I step back a bit to review my own postings. Moving away from PI is never a consideration, it has too much to offer and I feel that, from my own perspective, it will always be evolving in a way which is led by it’s members and because of this I don’t think it will stagnate. The very fact that Joseph started his post will probably act as a catalyst for further ideas.
Events such as the Glendalough weekend or the forthcoming toy camera day on the 17th show that there is definitely interest. The posting of photographs on this site has never been my strong point, I must do something about this, it’s my fault and not the site. I post a lot of photographs on Facebook but this is more a social thing to share occasions with relations and friends and are not something I would post here. I don’t use Flickr. I registered one time a year or two ago but to date I’ve never posted pictures, just not bothered.
Sorry for the long post!And I’ve posted some pics. No comments yet. I expect people are shy to
offer critique to such an expert.I gave the site a rest after the furore over Rob’s missus. I didn’t like the general
tenor of the thread. Torn between loyalty to Rob – an old member – and my natural
urge to champion free speech, I felt that Noisesome got a very sore touch just
because he was rather blunt about offering his opinions. Finding myself at odds with
nearly everyone else on the site (it seemed), I spent a meditative and introspective
month in a cave trying to figure out if I’m a really nasty bloke.Now I don’t care, so watch out.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
