Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
I agree with you Loolobey about this site, since signing up about a year ago I have got more encouragement, inspiration and constructive criticism than in many years of Camera Club membership where biased voting and top secret attitudes are commonplace, John.
Quote: Depends on what "voting system" you mean.
Adrian's spot-on in all that he says there, particularly regarding the click-votes. Their number is no indication of an image's quality or merits., more how many friends will vote reciprocally for your vote on their images.
That's not the case with the Editor's or Guest Editor's awards though.
If you can, try switching the votes off and concentrate on the comments that people leave on your work.
Or try uploading some images to the Critique gallery where you'll receive no votes but you will get some honest feedback.
Quote: Is there a way to separate the noobs from the pros?
There is, its built in, but frowned upon by many.
I guess what I was getting at was that many of the pool of "gallery friends" I built up over the years no longer post photos, or even frequent EPZ - though I'm sure many read the forums - you doing guys 
Happy new year!
So to get your reciprocal vote count back over 30 per shot, you get to a point where you have to do all that legwork again - hours of commenting away, clicking etc.
...or do you just forget about all that and enjoy the forums and do something more productive with your time?
Been designing a "RAW Processing For Beginners" course today....
Could have commented on 200 photos instead in that time I guess...
The course of course
1-2-1 and small groups - lightroom or capture one... so far
Quote: Is there a way to separate the noobs from the pros?
I feel the competition element of getting an award is so much harder with professional pics compared to am snaps.
For example, my Pan FZ38 can hardly compete with an Canon EOS 5DII can it?
OMG dont let Ade hear you saying that !! :o) That thread might still be trundling along .... I darent look ;o)
Sorry Ade, just joking of course.
I know what you mean Adrian there is a pic of the Realto bridge in Venice on here with the worst processing eg bits erased but it still received loads of praise and votes. My own pics are not great at times but they have been voted on by merit I believe as I don't know anyone else on here. I take praise or criticism as it comes and try to improve as I go. Votes help but comments are more useful.
Quote: the Realto bridge in Venice on here
I don't know that one, is it near the Rialto Bridge ?????
any competitive system is open to a judging bias of one sort or another...you post pics looking for comment, approval, votes or awards and you accept this...cest la vie....stuart
Quote: Any competitive system is open to a judging bias of one sort or another...you post pics looking for comment, approval, votes or awards and you accept this...cest la vie....stuart
well done - you came to that conclusion pretty fast
most have a good gripe about it for a few years before realising it's futile...
and pointless
When I first started I remember someone saying "I like having a laugh at the crap in the RC gallery" - that was when getting an RC was a dream and wondered what the hell he was on about (.....pretty sure it was the Legend called Fox ) but it made sense after a while. And still does sadly.
Thing is - to get anywhere on these "upload" sites, and I'm on a few, you've to do a lot of networking to get noticed. You could call it "being friendly", others scathingly call it "click fishing", I call it "networking" because that's pretty much my world in real life at the moment... coffee and small talk to SME's a few times a week
You've got to work out what's important on the sites. Do you want an RC every day, do you strive to please the judge who hands out the big gongs or do you just want a bit of a laugh and break from work every now and then?
EPZ's forum ain't what it used to be, but it still has its moments, so I spend my time winding Chris_L up
After all, the camera is just a tool - the photographer is the creator
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Related Content
Join Our Free Newsletter
Awards
Current Competitions
Olympus 'Portraiture' Competition - Win £1000 Worth Of Gear!
30th April 2013 - 31st May 2013
This month, to celebrate the launch of Olympus' new micro site Olympus Image Space, Olympus are giving you the chance to win £1000 worth of Olympus gear!...
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
