Posted by Andrew Bailey on the Big Photo Hunt community board.
Have you ever made a social media post and gotten the obligatory friend likes without really being sure that anyone read it? It happens. For the best of reasons and for some of the old selfish ones, too. We want to encourage our friends and be encouraged by them. Sure. Maybe even make new friends in the process. And we want our share of likes, too. We’ve been nearly conditioned to prize them, like Pavlov’s dogs.
But eventually you might find yourself wondering, "Are people really looking at, thinking about, and caring about what I do?"These people you mostly know only by their work. Strangers with a kindred interest and inclination. Well, are you investing real attention yourself? The answers shape the difference between an attaboy grist mill and a genuine community that grows, together.
Look, I don’t always tell you why I liked your photograph, or what ideas I have that you might consider trying. Sometimes I’m thinking, “That’s pretty good,” and I want you to know, but that’s all I have in the moment. I get it. But I mostly try to do more, because I want you to know I’m paying attention. I’m invested in this process of encouraging one another, learning from one another, of helping and being helped. I’m confident a lot of you are, too. So, I try to leave a why or an idea as often as not.
I think, even on a busy day, even if it lessens the number of likes you leave, a 50/50 rule for comments isn’t the worst idea, a way to work at shaping a growing community. At least every other like, say something. Even it it's only, "That's a great use of X". Imagine yourself receiving that feedback along with the all-purpose thumbs-up(s). Which one feeds your impulse and encourages you more in this journey of ours, makes you feel more a part of something, as opposed to a participant in a thing?
I think we all know the answer. So...
We love this art and hobby of ours, or we wouldn’t be here. Let’s go the extra mile (at least half the time) to see the best possible outcome for it and for all of us, to make a neighborhood and good neighbors out of the lot of us, in this uncommon, common thing we do. And, if it helps, think of it as a habit with dividends.
Replies
Sarbajit Chakraborty
I will be honest and say I don't have much more to add to what you already said. I wholeheartedly agree with you. Speaking for myself, I look at this website all the time, and most of the time, it's glancing at the pictures while I'm walking outside or something. I like them, and I leave a thumbs up, but I don't always go the extra distance of leaving a comment behind. I promise to be better at it.
And I will also say, whenever I see your comments on my pictures, it always brings a smile to my face. I know it'll be genuine, and have constructive criticism, which is only going to help me.
I appreciate you raising this, and will fully take it to heart! Thank you, Andrew!
Nisah Cheatham
I've been thinking about this too.
We all hit "like" on various platforms for various reasons, but its less about the mindless liking and about the slowing down and actually engage. I feel like this platform is a good place to do that because, while there is still a chasing likes element, the once a week and no carousels makes it not about dumping and constantly feeding the beast. I think a lot about the one shot I'm going to share. If I'm not inspired, I don't share one that week. 🤷
To that end, @[Ken Deckinger](c3048578-7544-410e-a042-d00e6ec6333e) - what about adding a description and comments option to the photos we drop in our "personal Gallery". Since there wouldn't be any notifications or become part of our stream, it wouldn't just morph into an Instagram experience. For me Big Photo Hunt is about finding/meeting new photography friends and seeing what they say about photos they choose to go in their own gallery would be great to read (and discuss).
Also, I have tried adding an initial comment on my own work once. It seemed to work because was able to detail a bit more context and the comments reflected that people had read that. Back to @[Ken Deckinger](c3048578-7544-410e-a042-d00e6ec6333e) - what about a way to pin a "top" comment? Just thinking about ways that might prompt people to do more than click. For instance, even though I am not actually seeking feedback, I will never click on "I am not looking for feedback" because it seems like a great way to stifle any comments.
Dennis Corrick
I'm guilty of this, even when an image genuinely moves me. I will work to do better. I want to be encouraging and supportive, and I tend to hold back on commentary and negative comments (the Internet is SO toxic; why add to it?). But I know we're mostly all here for growth and improvement, so I'll work towards that. Thanks for bringing it up, @[Andrew Bailey](8e50a75d-cd92-4ba1-970c-647b7c2df371)!
Will Pratney
I sometimes feel like the community is trying so hard to be positive and encouraging that there is a general holding back from providing constructive criticism. That said, I would rather it leans that way than into toxic, negative rants and arguments that are all too common these days on other platforms. Perhaps there should be some kind of posted, online guide (NOT rules) for posting CONSTRUCTIVE (as distinguished from destructive) criticism and friendly feedback? For me, it's hard to go wrong when observing the Golden Rule: Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Ken Deckinger
Great post @[Andrew Bailey](8e50a75d-cd92-4ba1-970c-647b7c2df371) and thanks for the comments @[Nisah Cheatham](cf53a09d-1eb6-45e0-b529-06e3bf21aaf4) @[Sarbajit Chakraborty](185b0ac5-48af-471d-98e2-3c6a6602decc) @[Dennis Corrick](ad1b8b75-3005-4053-b8df-0b65abf1cfda) @[Will Pratney](403c4019-f334-4e7b-8a59-eac48a4324bc) and others! This is super helpful for me to read - gives me lots of direction to think about as I continue to improve the Big Photo Hunt. So, thank you for being so open.
I'm going to keep following this thread here as you chat so I can pick up on improvements that may (hopefully) address concerns that you have. Keep this one going!!!! :-) 🙏🏼
Chad Schoop
I am guilty of leaving the like and moving on. I try to look at all the photos of profiles I had not seen before - pick one that speaks to me and like it. It may be the color, composition, subject, or something else. But as stated, a quick comment could do a lot of good for the sense of community and reveal what someone liked about a given photo to make it more useful.
Mark Thompson
I always aim to leave comments where I can. Sometimes I offer little corrections or even state why the photo doesnt work for me. Most of the time I say what I like about the image or even just leave a humorous comment if the image makes me laugh. I hope I don't offend anyone, it is never my intention to say a photo is rubbish as they are not. The photographer is the one who likes that photo and that is all that matters. If they didnt like it, they wouldnt post it, and if I can offer praise or a little suggestion to improve it then I will.
Patrick Carosone
Your absolutely right, if you like a photo you should tell the artist what you liked about it and why it deserved praise and the same goes for what you don't like. I know you can't do that for every photo but for the ones over the top and the ones so close. Recently I have had a problem with my software so I haven't been able to read or leave a message because I couldn't enlarge the image or text. As of this week I seem to have solved the problem but using a different browser, so beware I'm coming!
Lee Churchill
There's a lot to be said for interaction on a post as well as a like, by opening up another question from a comment left both out of interest and conversation leads to an understanding of the image but also shows a mutual respect and a dialog that will hopefully continue on,
Ken Deckinger
@[Andrew Bailey](8e50a75d-cd92-4ba1-970c-647b7c2df371) - Thanks for opening this thread. Commenting on photos is so valuable to both members and the overall Big Photo Hunt experience. I'm glad the conversation is happening here.
Andrew Bailey
Looking through some wonderful photographs this week. I'm sure I missed as many as I was lucky to happen upon. If I didn't get the chance to encourage you, thank you. Thanks for putting your work and, really, a piece of how you see the world, in this amazing stream, for our consideration and enjoyment. I know it's hard for some people. Not everyone has the show-off gene. It can be an uneasy experience for many.
Well, you're in the right place. No one here is going to kick you for the effort. You want help? It's here. You want encouragement. Also here. You want to haunt the joint and see what everyone's base settings are while you figure out how to do the thing yourself. Welcome.
When I was a kid, I was in band for a year or two of high school, before I discovered track. One summer, we had a newly graduated fellow run the preparatory camp. We were between band leaders. Anyway, he spent the summer looking us over and talking us up, focusing on what worked and how to make everything better.
At the end of the summer, he left. The newly hired director came out and, for the next hour, told us everything we were doing wrong. He lost half the band. Many of those were our best musicians. It wasn't that they couldn't take constructive criticism; it's that they didn't need it delivered without any appreciation for their effort, their committment, and some notice of their progress.
I never forgot that lesson. I hope you never find it here. You won't with me, Scout's honor.
Ken Deckinger
🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼
Andrew Bailey
@[Nisah Cheatham](cf53a09d-1eb6-45e0-b529-06e3bf21aaf4) Interesting ideas. I have used the comment section a couple of times to publicly declare the problematic nature of the dates appearing on some of my photos (occasionally years off--long story). I like expanding the mild editorial ability to our home galleries. I currently house a few photos (need to do more) there that might or might not enter the Big Hunt main feed. Talking about them would be a nice touch, even in a limited sense.
Andrew Bailey
@[Sarbajit Chakraborty](185b0ac5-48af-471d-98e2-3c6a6602decc) I never put a like on something I don't find rewarding, and I do try to remind myself to comment. It feels different than the thumbs up sans comment, I think, though I don't discount either. Some days, I like so many things around here it would be impractical for me to attempt more than every other or fewer, but I mostly manage it. I'm glad you find it encouraging. Good.
Nisah Cheatham
@[Andrew Bailey](8e50a75d-cd92-4ba1-970c-647b7c2df371) 💯
Ken Deckinger
@[Nisah Cheatham](cf53a09d-1eb6-45e0-b529-06e3bf21aaf4) interesting idea! Added to my list to give some thought to, asap! :-)
Ken Deckinger
@[Will Pratney](403c4019-f334-4e7b-8a59-eac48a4324bc) this is a great point! It's the fine line that I'm trying to walk as we build a positive community --> keeping it friendly without making it all sunshine and rainbows. ☀️ 🌈 Great point. Thinking....
Andrew Bailey
@[Chad Schoop](085aa366-acd0-43ea-b8b0-de271daf8233) It couldn't hurt. I'm largely intrinsic, where motivation is concerned, but it's always a plus to understand why people who like a thing respond to it enough to make an effort to let you know. Without that sort of guidance, we might be thinking the thing that makes our art work is something other than what actually communicates, and in that miss an opportunity to grow. Thanks for commenting.
Andrew Bailey
@[Ken Deckinger](c3048578-7544-410e-a042-d00e6ec6333e) I have real hope for this experiment of yours. We just need people to connect to it and the experience and shaping of it in a way that is transformative, as meaningful interactions tend to be, if we invest in them. Thanks.
Andrew Bailey
@[Will Pratney](403c4019-f334-4e7b-8a59-eac48a4324bc) I always prefer to tell people what they're doing right, that moves me to a point of interest, and/or to make suggestions for future consideration. Something like, "That's a great X. If you're nearby, you should consider---" followed by an idea their shot gave me. I'm mostly not interested in telling anyone this or that is "wrong" with your art. Unless they say, "Hey, I can't get color right. Any ideas?" That sort of thing.
I appreciate your taking the time to think about this.
Andrew Bailey
@[Dennis Corrick](ad1b8b75-3005-4053-b8df-0b65abf1cfda) Thanks. It's less a sore spot with me than a point of curiosity. I do this because I'm drawn to it, but it's always good to know that others see something of value in it, and better when you have a clearer idea about what that is, I think.
Dennis Corrick
@[Ken Deckinger](c3048578-7544-410e-a042-d00e6ec6333e) One place I hold back is specific Lightroom editing advice, since I don’t know if people use it, or even edit their images at all. Maybe a spot on profiles to say how/if they edit their images?
Nisah Cheatham
@[Dennis Corrick](ad1b8b75-3005-4053-b8df-0b65abf1cfda) Good thought. I think it is an option when posting to say you are interested in receiving "editing feedback". In general, I've tried to offer general editing thoughts (raise the blacks, too much contrast, over-sharpened, etc.) hoping it will apply to all tools.