I have been a Caedes member for almost 3 years. If you look at my gallery you will see that the most votes I have received on an image is 17; highest score 65; no image has made it into the permanent gallery. Someone please give me some constructive input on what I am doing wrong?
Just sign me confused and bewildered, Carrie

Hi Carrie,

First, sorry to hear that you are feeling confused, bewildered and discouraged. :o|

Let's clarify a couple of things ...

Your image, namely; "Bouquet of Springs" ... is, in fact, in one of the permanent galleries. Photography - Manipulation.

'We' can't see the total number of votes on your images, as you can, by viewing your Caedes Control.

Giving the total number of votes received on my images a cursory look ... 17 seems to be about accurate, as well, for an average. I have images that have garnered votes in numbers in the range of 14 - 19.

I am also aware ... 'cause I do take a look in on your galleries ... that you have, from time to time, culled images/photos. The total number now, I don't think reflects your contributions to the site whatsoever. Not sure exactly how prolific of a poster you were, however, I do know that you had many more images in total.

My scores on my images range from that of 29 to 86. Those images of mine that are under 50, in terms of C-Index scores ... total 11 out of 23.

I don't worry about that aspect too much to tell you the truth. Lots of things can happen and occur when your image is met in the voting booth. The list of biases is lengthy. Although, attempts ... or statistical adjustments, are made to correct for any 'aberrations'.


One particular example of your photography. "Sky Hole".

A crop, as is and presented to 'us' ... such that the overexposed area in the sky was removed, more or less ... and it could have been a much stronger contender for the permanent galleries. Just my personal and frank opinion.

Challenging lighting conditions for sure. Some additional equipment, such as filters, might provide a technical assist for you.


An aside, although somewhat on the note of the above and not intended as a sweeping generalization of the work you have presented and graced us with ... Guidelines for Better Photographic Composition.

I never stop learning. Nor should you, or anyone for that matter. Artist or otherwise. Anathema to one's creativity, in my mind on the subject of creating 'art'.

This might be me putting my two feet firmly in my mouth, however ... I believe at the base of any great work of 'art' ... is a strong composition.

And now looking at your galleries you have removed some examples I could and would point to as good, if not very good compositions ... and some were extremely intriguing and fresh takes.

Lines of the supporting wires of a bridge? Or a part of the bridge's structure? Can't quite recall exactly what your photo was of, yet, it made an indelible impression ... or enough of one, I would hope would be your interpretation of my words here.

In a creative rut? Well, that happens to allllll of us great artists, from time to time.

And yes, I am kidding by including myself in and amongst that particular echelon. Guess that part is obvious? :oD

Some advice ...

Many, many great artists on the site here ... start frequenting their works, try and develop a rapport with them ... ask questions.

And reiterating ... don't neglect, not saying that you are ... furthering your understanding of your craft and choice of genres.

If possible, take a course. Nothing like one on one instruction and being amongst ... in person ... people that are enthused about their 'art'. Infectious, I'd say. And a great setting to immerse oneself in, once there.

Take advantage of the "Request for Comment" forums. I just read some of Jerry's; aka oksyl critiques. That stuff and the time invested by others is worth ... pure gold in my books.

Hopefully ... *crosses fingers* ... others will read your discussion thread here, and rally to your aid.

Annnnnd ... understand that a point that the administrative side has been making ad nauseum, that being ... be constructive in your commentaries ... is truly what this site is or should be about. A place for learning and growth for the individual artist.

Annnnnd ... do likewise. 'Cause you really do reap what you sow insofar as the 'public image' that you project to the membership. Someone who is open to constructive criticism, et al.

Don't overwhelm yourself ... pick one thing to improve upon ... post, take what you will from the feedback offered.

I would go so far as to put in your image's accompanying narratives, your camera equipment ... provides a leaping off point for some tips for those in the know ... and that you are indeed seeking constructive feedback.

Give it a try ... and don't get too disheartened.

As I made mention in my above words ... I believe doubts creep into all of our thoughts from time to time. Rise to the challenge at hand ... and move on from there.

Keep shooting ... and most of all, happy shooting. :o)

Les, it seems I can always count on you to offer a helping hand. You have made me smile, and given me constructive direction on this path of photographic artistic expression I have chosen. I give you my deepest appreciation and thanks.
Just sign me Smile'n and Hopeful!

Carrie, my votes have a wide variation - the lowest is just 8 and the highest 21, but my gallery is enormous and needs to be culled. I have often thought that a set number of votes for every would be a fairer cut-off point for the automatic archiving of images rather than a time limit.
Les has given you very good advice. I have used the Request For Comment several times and have always received helpful and thought provoking responses fo which I am very grateful, even when it has been obvious in one or two cases I have leapt in there in a fit of pique lol.
There is such a wealth of talent and expertise to tap into here. I made a suggestion in another thread about a forum especially for works in progress where we could upload images on a temporary basis for suggestions and help before uploading the final effort but no one has responded to that :( I think it wold be good to have a 'classrom' Much help goes on behind the scenes and if everyone could see what was being done we would all learn a lot more.
See my pm :)

Just as an FYI Under "Other Stuff" stuff << you will find a link called fun with numbers which gives you the average c-index of all posts to the site and here the average number of votes per post. As you can see the average number of votes is 15, so Lyn, I think there is a balance in place (if not a set number) so that most posts get roughtly the same number of votes.

Carrie, all I can say is...listen to Les, he gave great advice. The c-index is a source of debate and frustration to all of us, but I'm not sure that there is any other system which incorporates random votes of all members that would be any 'fairer'. Hone your technical skills as best you can and remember that the shot starts from the heart, travels to the eye, then the brain and only then to the camera. Posting what you see, love and want to share is really what this site is about, not the c-index score. This is coming from a guy who just got a "9" in the c-index on a shot he really liked!

Rich

Hi Carrie, sorry to hear you're down on motivation at the moment. I've posted here a lot over quite a long period of time and I agree with Les' analysis and advice. I've posted some images here that I thought were pretty OK, only for the voting community to respond with a collective 'meh'.

It's disappointing, but the people who take the time to respond with helpful critique are really what you want - that's gold. No post is a failure if it helps you learn something.

As nobody said anything about your actual images I took a look at your gallery. I have to say that there are enough interesting images there that I wondered what you might have culled.

Tired Tug shows you have a good eye for an interesting subject. The lighting angle is nice and the zoom on the detail made me want to see more - especially with the expression you put into the brief description. I'd love to see more of this subject.

Water Sticks and Just One Left also show that you have a good eye. They're thoughtfully composed, good images that show promise.

Bouquet of springs might not be for everybody, but you've shown some restraint with the liquid tool and it suits the subject well. I have a suspicion that you had quite a clear idea of what you wanted before you started the manipulation. Seeing the image that you want to create before you create it is a big thing to learn, and something I feel I'm not even close to getting right yet.

I wouldn't be too despondent - your gallery shows there's some real potential. Keep improving your technical ability and learn to really see the image you want to create and you'll be away. Don't forget to enjoy it too!

The community here are the most supportive and helpful people you could hope to find on the internet. If you're open to constructive suggestions then you'll be rewarded in spades.

J.

*puts out a plate of cookies for all ...*

I am sure that Carrie will be along to thank you for sharing your thoughts Jonathan ... I would like to thank you for your time as well. :o)

Yes, I would like to thank everyone for their input, Les. I am re-motivated to continue in this earthly pursuit of photography and caedesian. Let's here it for one of the best online communities around. That said...pass the cookies Les! ;0)

HOw do I see all of this person's works?

Simply click on her avie /\, then click on the stack of photo's on her profile page to see her whole gallery.

...or as Rich said, if you are at their avatar...that is what will take you to their gallery!!!
Your other query answers if you are not at their avie!! :=)

Here's the scope, as I see it. Your flowers are boring (but all flower shots are). They are also a little off in the cropping. Don't ask what is wrong with your cropping, ask what is right. Your nature shots are nice but they are a common theme so its hard to get anyone excited with them. They are very nice though, as far as they can be. Your boat pic was great- nice colours, good framing, something of interest, well presented....maybe some better equipment or some post production tweeks but very good. Your other pics lack a degree of interest. When you look at the boat pic, you think, "there is something new or unique that I want to look closer at" and that lacks with the other pics.

well maybe 3 years but you haven t posted much since! i m a member forabout 2 years, but i have already posted more than 700 photos, and i guess that s why i had the luck to receive some high score, caus the majority hasn t benn really well scored..your three best photos for me are: just one lef(nice and good concept),necture for one please( very nice flowers colors etc, plus i like "panos", and blue jazz(nice, peacefull and really beautiful colors) the other one are less originals ore beautiful

The amount of pics that you upload has nothing to do with how your work is rated.. I know people on here who have small galleries and have fantastic work and high scores.. 700 photos! it would be nice to have the time to do that many unfortunately life gets in the way..

I honestly think that most people voting in the booths just do it quick and easy and vote good if they like it and vote bad if they don't.

I don't pay attention anymore to the votes I get on my artwork, because I don't think it's really the true vote of being artistic.

Example, for those who don't like Abstract Art always seem to vote it low, where someone who likes it will vote it high.

All art is, is a matter of likes and dislikes and this entire voting system is silly and to me really means nothing.

If I were you, I wouldn't pay any attention to it and just continue posting your art.

Keep up the good work and don't let the voting system on this site get you down. I just don't think people really take the time to vote artistically.