I started with DC mag. However, this doesn't seem to be progressing very well since the PhotoRadar transition, but it's early days ;)
Then I moved on to flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/10180242@N02/). I'm a big fan of flickr, as it is such a rich source of creativity. I think the tag and group basis of photographs encourages more direction in people's work. Rather than just taking a picture, people look at fulfilling criteria, kind of like photo assignments.
However, it seems that, just as Second Life is dying (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8367957.stm), so are lots of my contacts moving from flickr to FaceBook. The new mediums are quite transitory, I think.
I'm quite uncertain about Facebook - I have an account, but I don't do very much with it - I'm concerned about security, and see it as quite a trivial fashion which maybe won't last long.
What do the rest of you do?
More or less the same as you Chris. I do like some functions in Flickr, but one or two of the groups I joined have become stale and a little clique.
I obviously spend a lot of time in here but the gallery still bugs me as shots soon drop off the front page so its easy to miss some great photography.
I just cant abide the mess at photoradar. Its really a step backwards from what they had but I suspect this is what they wanted, a fresh start combining 2 mags and a chance to court people new to photography and bugger the old member group. Good luck to them but IMHO it will be dead in the water within 12 months as Practical photography and ephotozine etc have the far more user friendly sites.
RR
Alf
I have some photos on Flickr - but don't really like it - I see a lot of users commenting on images with links to other groups and rarely get any sensible comments.
I have a facebook account - and like you Chris, don't use it much.
I have my own website, which i put a lot of photo's on, not sure how many actually look, but I'm frankly not bothered too much - I can set it up so that I can sell photo, which I have done with some of the motorsport galleries, but didn't get much interest - which seems typical of motorsport photography!
Apart from on here, where users do comment, the best place for constructive comments I've found is http://photography-on-the.net/forum/ - I posted three shots on the glamour/nude area of the site and had several comments and about 3500 views in a week!
Tut Tut Mark
a link for canon users only :spam: :spam: :spam: :2funny:
Sorry, yes I should have said that, though some members do use Nikon's etc...... Though I think that is cos they're jealous :2funny:
LOL- word filter is a cracking tool
Quote from: Alfonso_Frisk on November 20, 2009, 10:52:15 PM
LOL- word filter is a cracking tool
You mean moderator fingers? Tut tut >:(
I use flickr for most things. It's the easiest way to share event photos and i like having sets of pictures, as many as I want, just as a record. Used to do the whole group and contact thing but it gets a bit wearing after as while. I enjoy going through the stats for my snaps and seeing which web sites they've been used on too - I found out why one particular Rottweiler had so many views - it's been adapted as an avatar! I've got a web site but have'nt updated it for ages - must try to remember the password ::)
I did put s few pics on DCM some time ago but it was just too slow and I could'nt be bothered searching for other peoples photos to look at. Have'nt tried the PR gallery - life's too short!
Oh yes - I do have a Facebook account because it's easier to look for things if you do - it has my name and nothing else - no friends, no details, no photos....perhaps it's another of those age things..... 8)
I use this site and ephotozine. I've stopped using flickr as no-one looks or comments on my photos! There's me thinking I've improved!. I think the problem with flickr is that there are so many people on it uploading photos that it's quite easy for your image to get off the front page quickly. Consequently no-one sees them, unless you're a 'star' and known and people search for you. It just seems strange that I get veiws and and positive comments on CC and ephotozine but not on flickr. I've also got a website and try to tell as many peolple as possible about it.
Nick
Pretty much on here or Flickr.
Though i am looking at doing something with Clickpic - more because i was want to keep things in a single point of access.
I'm currently working on streamlining my photograph work flow so i can spend more of my time 'behind' the camera than in front of the computer.
I think the number of views you get on flickr is dependent on either how much time you put into building up contacts and joining groups and commenting, or the type of photos you upload. If you manage to be found by those who like your style or subject matter you'll be seen a lot if you don't strike lucky then there are so many uploads it's easy to be missed. I've got a contact from America who does some amazing macro and bird shots but does'nt get the exposure he deserves because he just does'nt bother with groups etc.The main reason I've got quite a lot of photos with hundreds and in some cases 1-2000 plus views is nothing to do with the quality but rather the fact that there are an amazing number of people who search for Rottweiler, Norfolk Terrier, Sussex Spaniel, Chocolate Labrador etc. and I've been lucky enough to be able to photograph a large number of different dog breeds and they show up on Google,Yahoo etc. This points to another of those facts that although pictures of dogs are often regarded as boring and unimportant when viewed alongside people. landscape etc amongst photographers, there's probably more of a market for them than many other subjects.
So what you're saying is if you want to get loads of comments on Flickr treat it like an image library?
I think i'm attached to about 6 groups but that's more because it gives me a simple access point to pictures that have an interest to me, or contains peers that i look up to 'photographically' speaking.
What I mean is, you get out of it what you put in. As i said before, I find it useful because it's so easy to use and has unlimited space so I can add a whole load of photos from dog shows/agility etc. and the owners of the featured dogs or other interested onlookers can check them out quickly and easily. I used to add all sorts of photos to various groups but got a bit bored with it so mainly just use a few breed specific groups like the one dedicated to Pointers - another thing I like about flickr is the fact there's a group for almost everything! I've also got a collection with sets from all the different cameras and a number of lenses I've used which some people seem to find useful. With most sites, like on here, it's more of a community/sharing thing where you view each others pictures and hopefully comment or discuss - as flickr is just a big commercial undertaking you can simply upload your shots and that's it or join in and treat it as a community - it's up to you.
I mostly use flickr nowadays too, and here of course.
I used to have some pics in the old DCM gallery but haven't bothered with PR, as I don't see much point.
I was actually only introduced to flickr when I joined DCM, (remember Sue?) up to then I'd always used Picasa. I still do if I just want to show a batch of photos from an event, which are not particularly inspiring for those not directly concerned.
Like Sue I now have a net of groups and contacts which do result in some comments. Even those groups with "post one comment two" kind of thing are OK as the standard of photograph seems to be quite high and I enjoy looking through them. Really useful are the camera or town specific groups, like the D80 group - I've learned quite a bit about my camera through that. I've even managed to find a Frankfurt Meet group and also belong to Sheffield and Cornwall groups. These groups are a bit like mini Forums. I do enter a few competitions too, gets the brain working and it's interesting to see who get most votes.
I recently joined Flickr but find I spend lots of time just looking through other peoples stuff for inspiration, I found a bird ID group that is very good & they identified some bird pics for me very quickly so i could add titles to my images.
Also use my Windows Live account for stuff i want to share with family & friends (summer bbq, friends wedding etc) it allows 25gb free & they can download full size files from a shared folder on my "skydrive".
Simon
I only joined flickr so I could post images into DCM's site. I keep getting posts to join other groups but regard them as spam so haven't bothered. Have a few on PR but using the galleries there is a pain, as is trying to post images in threads. Mostly I use CC as it's a more friendly site. ;D
The other site I use, but not as often as I used to, is Birdforum.net. The galleries are huge but you'll generally get feedback and it's very friendly as everyone has a common interest. Best place around for IDing birds and loads of experts on long lenses in the forum!
I mainly use flickr now. A few comeptition entries on PR and a few more on here. I get a lot out of Flickr - only in about 10 groups and mainly look in on about 3/4. 2 main ones Flickr Leeds and Exposure Leeds groups. As I have said before I am sure we have a superb Leeds Flickr group that do regular shoots to venues, in the city (day and night) and we do cooperative style / peer tarining and learnign workshops as well as recently getting cheap day training sessions with models / portfolio assessment. Excellent link up with the Metropolitan University in Leeds which gives us free meeting space and the Media Museum in Bradford who hosted our last and probably our next Photocamp which attracts around 150 photographers each time. Comments I get are mainly from DCM and Flickr Leeds contacts
Most of my stuff I put on Flickr. I've been on there for a couple of years and built up relationships with a number of people whose photography I admire. I initially joined just about every B+W group I could find but have whittled that down to about 1/2 a dozen that are actually B+W not grey+grey like most of the others! I belong to a couple of 'Street' groups as well, plus the 'Speakers' Corner' adherents. :tup:
I post on here about two or three times a week, and it's usually in my 'try out' gallery to see what reaction there is to anything I try new or different.
I used to have quite a large gallery on DCM and used to enter the weekend competition on there but have not carried that over to PRadar for various reasons, mainly because I think it's still a complete dog's breakfast run by idiots with very little or no photographic nous.
I see the weekend competition has been resurrected on there and it's supported by all the same people that were on DCM and who enjoy that type of challenge.
I have also given talks to the odd camera club, by invitation and only if it's within easy travelling distance. When you are asked if you will give a talk it's usually in about 12 months time and somewhere that is about an hour's journey to get there. You get travelling expenses and sometimes a small fee and after my first talk I quickly realised that this wasn't going to be a big earner so now I ask for it to be paid to a cancer charity.
I enter prints for selection in International and National exhibitions with varying degrees of success, I've had 11 acceptances in 2009. I must say of all the above theses give me the greatest pleasure. One acceptance is worth a few thousand comments.
Lastly along with a mate we try and exhibit some of our images at least once a year, dependant on gallery availability and cost.
Started posting my photos on the old DCM site, but never really got many views/comments. I then took the plunge and signed up to flickr which is where all of my photos get hosted nowadays. I've also uploaded a few to the CC galleries as well. And as for PR....not a chance!
Flickr is so easy to use; it has by far and away the best/easiest process for uploading photos which is why I don't make much effort elsewhere (besides which, its a pain the back side having to upload photos to several sites). Its also very active, and I have found this very beneficial to my photography.
As I said earlier, my photos on DCM didn't get many views or comments, but on Flickr that all changed. I started getting what I considered to be lots of views and comments, and at the time that boosted my confidence in a photographic sense, and it still does. One particular confidence boost was when I got an email from an on-line tourist guide site saying that my photo of the Trevi Fountain in Rome had been shortlisted for possible inclusion on their site. I then got another one a while after saying that it had been included on their site :beer:
There is also a wealth of info on flickr and a massive variety of photos and style.
However, there are two things that annoy me with flickr (and I must confess I do one of them :D)...
Firstly, and the one I fall into, and that is commenting. Every comment is always nice..."great shot", "well captured", "excellent". You hardly ever see any form of constructive criticism - maybe Flickr isn't that type of website? I find that if you go to 'proper' photography sites such as PR, Talk Photography etc, as opposed to photo sharing sites which is what Flickr is, you are more likely to get constructive criticism IMO. I would honestly like to have constructive crit on my photos that are on Flickr...afterall you are going to improve/learn more from comments like that rather than the "nice shot" comments on Flickr. Maybe I should practice what I preach from now on?!
Secondly, and I see it alot more these days than I used to when I first signed up to Flickr, and that is the constant 'Invites' to groups and 'Post 1 Award 5' type groups....admittedly I have submitted one or two photos in this manner, but I don't tend to do that anymore unless its a group that particularly interests me.
Quote from: Darren1978 on November 24, 2009, 09:33:10 AM
Secondly, and I see it alot more these days than I used to when I first signed up to Flickr, and that is the constant 'Invites' to groups and 'Post 1 Award 5' type groups....admittedly I have submitted one or two photos in this manner, but I don't tend to do that anymore unless its a group that particularly interests me.
I have to admit i don't understand that side of it. My work mate does and is doing really well - and i'm pleased for him.
You are right in that comments generate confidence and that is what Flickr is good for. I'm not good at being publicly constructive. Done it last night for the first time and i still feel guilty about it.
But at the end of the day, as much as a dread criticism - if i recieve constructive criticism i would take it on board - because to my mind some one has gone out of their way to look at your picture
(i'm gonna regret this i think :legit:)
Mainly I visit this and a couple of fourthird forums the most.
I have Flickr account but do not really participate that much since setting it up a few months ago ( i really must make the effort) , I suppose if we are talking about your images being veiwed rather than participating in a dialogue forum then proberly my Pbase account is the most popular as I average between 1500 and 2000 page veiws every week.
Quote from: ABERS on November 22, 2009, 02:17:11 PM
I have also given talks to the odd camera club, by invitation and only if it's within easy travelling distance.
The invite to come and talk at Kingston is still open anytime at all Alan, after all it was you that convinced me joining a club was a good idea (which it was btw) http://www.kingstoncameraclub.co.uk/ anyone is welcome to come along.
Apart from the print comps I've entered at the club (and scored some 8 & 9's and a 10 once) I post to Flickr (not had the account long so not many on there http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithfransella/ and I've got a couple here....