I have the distinct impression that caedes is becoming weaker and weaker - like a sick person with slowly deteriorating health . The number of images submitted comes to about 15 in 24 hours. In the contest often there are only about 9 entries. I started here in May 2006 when 40 images a day was quite normal. Many have left and those who are still here seem to be losing interest. Come on members, let us try to keep old caedes alive!

I see the decline too Raj, and I do hope we can continue to keep it going. I have my own opinion of the contests, and will keep my thought to myself, I just know I'm not getting involved in it anymore, I would like to see more time given between the contests, but that request has gone nowhere. This will find those of us who are still on Caedes, but what about the ones we lost?

Go back through your friends list and try emailing those you want to come back (if they left an email address and many of them have). If they get enough invites maybe they will return.

The contests have been automatically programmed by *caedes.

It was done at a time when many of the artists on the site asked for more contests and were not content to wait for one to be announced by *caedes, hence the auto programming.

I have noticed a few of our previous artists returning and posting images.

I for one, am grateful to see them.

Keep posting your images. I love seeing them.

Many thanks!

Pat gave a good suggestion, and so far I have sent out two notices through facebook and inviting Stan, and Ami to come back and join us. Stan said he would think about it, he is having surgery today on his hip. I Just sent the message to Ami, and hope she will come back.

I understand about the contest time I guess, but one just ends and another starts. I guess it does not matter as I won't be be voting on the topic, or the images anyway. I will just try to join in on the challenge, which I have not done of late. :)

Please help me to welcome back Ami (amishy) she has accepted my invite to join us again, so I hope to see some postings from her soon. here is link to her gallery

One potential thing that could be turning away users, is the woeful way in which images are transferred to the Main Galleries.
In the last year or so, there seems to be a pattern. Nothing transferred for 2 or 3 months and then a handful (10/15) selected from a time period of a week or so.
If you assume that there's 20 images uploaded a day, then over 3 months that would equate to 1800 images available for selection. For simplicity, lets say 18 get transferred to the Main Galleries: that would mean that only 1% of images are deemed worthy of Main Gallery status. Shocking and perhaps insulting to regular contributors to the site. More so, if you consider some pay to be a 'Supporter'.
Please note, this isn't a personal gripe. I've barely contributed images in the last six months or so, so wouldn't assume that any would get into the Main Galleries. However, I have noticed that there seems to be a lot of good images essentially ignored due to the 'policy' outlined above.

I have added Ami (amishy) to my friends list and will try to think of others I can encourage back...to be candid, I don't think caedes will ever quite see its' glory days again...too many new art and photography sites popping up all the time, offering users options not available here...perhaps the milder temps play a role in declining uploads...maybe some of our friends are taking advantage of the nicer weather and will return with some new imagery for us to enjoy.

sigh

Sandi mentioned Stan having medical issues. I do think that many present and past members may be dealing with similar problems, or family members who are suffering. Just a thought...

I usually do not enter the contests... Occasionally I do, but they seem to be more photo-oriented, and that's not where I shine...Besides, there's always something different I like to post, and I just can't seem to make what I do fit the contest theme...As for other sites, I've tried a few, and digital-related illustration and renders are still kind of "pooh-poohed" by the art world...CGI is very S-L-O-W-L-Y being accepted as the digital realm of touch technology (Win10, Android, iOS) continues to expand, but things take time, and renders and illustrations of this nature (and I cannot stress this enough) often require an approach that only a few seem to want to expound mucho time and energy upon...One exception to all this is dA (DeviantArt), but there's too many skippies with bad attitudes that contribute little or nothing over there, not to mention those looking for someone else's intellectual material to rip and pass off as their own elsewhere - sometimes for profit... After Scott Jarkoff (One of the Founders - a.k.a. "The Yellow Alien") stepped down in 2005, things started getting out of hand @ dA, and they've just gotten worse over the years...That's the reason why I came over here to Caedes in the first place...

Hi all. Just passing through, and saw this post.

I had signed up somewhere around the same time Raj had, June I think, of the same year. Back when caedes.net was exclusively a desktop wallpaper site, there was well, to be brutally honest, a deeper and more varied talent pool that regularly participated. There were photos, renders, cgi, etc. But there was a certain... pride that quite honestly seems to have faded.

Back then, the "hey look at this" snapshot was the exception, and often criticized and derided for being just that. The reason was that this site was, to some, a pool of artwork that people would LOVE to have on their screens.

If you're going to be completely honest.. go through the available images. there's quite a few that are [pleasant. Granted. But "LOVE-inspiring? Nah, sorry.

Raj.. you've posted some really fine photos in the past. But since this post is yours, I'll use one of your images as an example. Zero malice, I assure you. The sea lion (walrus?) on the rocks? Dude. Really? Hot glaring midday sun, minimal composition, and over-editing to compensate for the lighting and lack of ambient color contrast. Now come on.. it's not an ugly photo.. but would you honestly see people clamoring for a chance to put, again just as an example, that image on their screens?

So if this place is just now a warm and fuzzy home for a few folks to share their photos, cool. But there's a gazillion other places for that to happen. A big one exists... Facebook.

My suggestion? Folks.. spend some time away from caedes.net. Go exploring other photography sites... I typically recommend 1x.com That site has, by far, the most stringent posting guidelines I've seen to date. As a result, the work that's posted is the cream of the crop. And for those images that don't make it, there;s a great critique section. What makes it great is that critiques can be offered, and there's zero tolerance for abusing someone for telling the truth. If the image needs help, it's going to be called out.

Maybe if you all take a good hard look at things here.. from the instant gratification, to the contests, and all of the unnecessary drama associated with them, you might come up with ways to right the ship.

Good luck :)

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your comment - did you have to pick on that poor walrus :) But seriously, you are recommending people to leave Caedes which is certainly not what I wanted when I started this thread. On the contrary I wanted more people to take part here. I am also on Facebook too but there you get hardly any comment from most viewers.

Hey Raj.. thanks for being a good sport. I didn't mean to say... not be a member here anymore. But simply, to expand one's horizons. I think once people have a greater.. no pun intended.. exposure to different genres, and levels of photography, it can benefit their own work. And as they contribute here, the overall results will improve. In turn, it might attract new, or returning members.

Hey Rob, nice to see you drop in...why don't you upload something just for the heck of it...look, the bottom line is that there are a ton of art/photography sites online that people can choose from that did not exist when caedes first started...it stands to reason it would eventually change things here...it's true this is a community site where people like to share photos because of the 'warm fuzzy' feel but you can't assume people are not aware of those other more 'upend' sites...I for one will often browse other sites...they motivate me and give me ideas...and I do belong to other sites...but I continue to hang around here...for sentimental reasons I guess, and we still have some good art and photography here, not just 'snapshots'...and back to what I said before, would love to see any new image you may care to share with us.

Ok, Pat (and hi). Just for S's and G's, I'll put one up

ok Rob...will keep an eye open for it...thanks.

In reply to Rob's passing comment - I too joined that same year and agree insofar as the site has changed since those days. Everyone wanted 'wallpaper' then and the membership was far greater in those days. I remember being made to feel very welcome when I joined with my 2 megapixel toy and being helped and advised by many accomplished members (Rob included) Some of those members are still here and still offer help and advice.

Rob's suggestion that members branch out and explore other photography sites - well I believe that already happens, we don't all sit here at caedes, but for many of us it is an anchor - home if you like. I know of many members who have other strings to their bows. I myself belong to two other photography sites. One I do not participate in much any more. The other one I do and am always gratified when works I post there (which have always been posted here first, because caedes is my first loyalty, and always has been) do reasonably well. Yes, there are many more professional members there, some who make a living from their craft and produce work I could never in my lifetime aspire to match.

To suggest that anyone consider making Facebook their choice for posting pictures is most unproductive. Those who already do, (and I do) do so for different reasons to those we have for posting here.

Caedes is what it is. I only need to look at my 'friends list' which goes back to 2006 to see with regret how many talented members have left and that is a loss to the site and to many of us personally. That they no longer want to share their talents and advice is a shame but their reasons for leaving are their own, and I am sure are many and varied. As has been said their are a gazillion other places to explore. There are still many artists here to admire and learn from as well.

If this ship does indeed need to be righted as Rob suggests, then the only way to do it is from within. It is very easy to come in from the outside and make suggestions regarding what is perceived to be wrong. Taking a good hard look at things is a good idea, but actions always speak louder than words.

The ship IS still sailing and that in itself is quite remarkable after 16 years. Many other sites have been born and flourished and died in that time and many more will fizzle out before caedes does.

Is this place just a warm and fuzzy place for 'a few folks' to share their photos? Some may think so - I don't. It is still a community where people actually care about each other, not just the standard of their work. A place where all levels of expertise in our common interest is welcome.

No Lyn, I wasn't suggesting that people leave here, to share on Facebook. My point is, that Facebook already exists a place where people share literally billions of photos. So why, as my point was making, would they seek this site out for just a little bit more of the same?

Give people something that'll catch their interest. That was my point.

Take care.

Point taken Rob :)

I for one, like to see more of the old non-photographic compositions return...There were so many in the old days...

Getting there, Ron.. getting there.

At the risk of repeating the preamble usually posted at the outset of voting on a contest topic..

It's important, in my opinion, to suggest topics that are inclusive of all types and genres of art.

I have returned, just, lol. I would have been here to celebrate my 10th anniversary, 11 days ago, if I'd realised.
I've come and gone a few times, from the site, over those 10 years. Life events and/or lack of artistic motivation have led me to drift away, but then I get the bug and come back. Over those 10 years, I've posted all sorts... CG scenery, fractals, photo manips, photos, Photshopped 'objects' and combinations of all of those. Now I'm back with full blown digital painting.

I've noticed that it's rather quiet, hence I've just suggested to Les that maybe a Caedes.net facebook page would drum up some more interest - just a thought.

Hadn't thought of that...Would be cool...Up to the Praetor, though...

Facebook page?

Hmmm.. I wonder?

Even if the Praetor decides against it...It's still cool...We DON'T need to mimic DeviantArt! :P

I am now selling my photos on Etsy.com. I sell prints, I have made over $800 dollars in the last 2 years. Go to Etsy.com search for ziggysphotos and you will see my site. There are a lot of you that can sell your photos. Let me know how it works out.

Saw your wonderful prints for sale Gregg. I am not surprised you have done so well at selling them.
Most of us do not have the talent to produce such fine work, but for anyone considering it the Etsy place seems a great place to do so.

I haven't tried sites such as Etsy yet...Most of my concoctions are only understood and accepted by a particular crowd...The "conventionals" may find the motiff a bit too disturbing, and tag it as far too "Pagan", or even "Halloween-ish"...

...And we're not even going to TALK about what some of the "Holy Rollers" (notice the quotations in that phrase) out there might think - should they see it!

...I've already been e-mailed on a few occasions over the years from some of the latter types (including the infamous Westboro Baptist Church) concerning the artistic content... Let's NOT "Rock the Boat"! :P

"Many have left and those who are still here seem to be losing interest. Come on members, let us try to keep old caedes alive!"

Well.. maybe we, as a community, could take some time and put it towards:

The Lonely Images Gallery

Just a thought.

A good thought Les.

A couple things:

1) CONTESTS. The biggest problem I have with the contests (and I know others do as well) is that the voters seldom pay attention to the contest theme, instead just voting for "calendar pretty" images. It's nothing that anyone can do anything about, other than the voters disciplining themselves to stick to topic. Just thought I'd identify the 800-pound gorilla behind the shutter (actually it's more like 196... I really gotta take a few more off!).

2) OTHER SITES FOR IMAGERY SUBMISSION. I have heard some members complain about how it can feel futile to submit images that garner few or no comments. (Actually, that's a current problem for me.) Let me just say that over the past few years I've joined NAPP, 500px and one other (whose name escapes me at the moment [I've apparently succeeded in blocking it out]) and, if you want to hear echoes and crickets chirping in the night, try one of those sites. I've heard the complaint here at Caedes that you only get comments if you are friends with lots of people--the "who you know" concept. There may be some validity to that... maybe... but it's a certainty at those other sites. Images that I've submitted here that have pulled in as many as 20 comments barely get a sniff there. If I was to total up all the comments I got on those three sites, over 1-1/2 years time, I'd estimate it at about 20... total. So believe me when I say your friends here at Caedes really are just that. Friends. And many are not above giving constructive advice instead of just fluff. At those other sites you just get ignored.

-Nik

I fully agree about what Nik says about the voting on contest, although I must say that it doesn't happen on a regular basis.

Re: Contests

There's a reason why I post the following on the contest topic selection discussion pages..

"Try to keep in mind, when suggesting a topic:

i) Open to all genres of art. Not just photography.

ii) Add a short description (one or two lines is sufficient, methinks) , so 'we' know what the artistic aim/intention of the subject matter is.

iii) Try not to repeat previous topics."

... ...

How else are the viewers to judge? Unless everyone is on the same page as to what the artistic objective of the topic is and which image bests fits it?

So.. please.. if you put up a topic as a selection.. take the time to add in/post a one or two sentence description. Thanks.

iii) the current Contest is a repeat of about a year ago..
This is not a problem for me as a repeat of a topic does not bother me in the slightest and I fail to see any reason not to repeat a topic after a reasonable length of time.

I don't wish to create an argument but I do believe it is often the case that some entries in some contests (to my eyes and perhaps I sometimes miss the point) have had little or no relevance to the designated subject. This happens regardless of whether or not a good description of what is expected is given, so it is not just the voters that may fail on this point.
Overall I think we have to regard the contests as a bit of fun and not get too serious about who wins. The world won't end if our own choice is not the winner. Take a leaf from the book of the B&W Challenge where each submission is appreciated for its own merits and no one complains about who 'wins' because every entry is a winner simply by virtue of taking part.

I agree Lyn, it's not the Caedes Pulitzer of the photography world, but I do know that some folks can't help but take it seriously. It should be fun. A couple times I have managed to get the "What is it?" topic in as a contest, with everyone who enters submitting an image that takes some cunning to identify, later finding out from the author just what it was. In all the years I've been here I've placed a few times and won once, and it neither enhanced or diminished the site experience for me. I just mentioned it in my previous comment because I'm a kind of a "If yer gonna do somethin', do it right." sort of guy. Following the contest theme when submitting and voting simply makes it fair for everyone, with no exclusions.

-Nik

How slow are you Raj?

Other people were mentioning this subject many years ago, hey even I mentioned it just over three years ago. Most people were in denial at the time and even you Raj gave me a hard time with your comments.

So tell me how I'm supposed to feel now? Oh and btw the trolls will soon arrive on this thread and maybe some members, artists and staff will make fun of it like they did to me.

Should we start up the brass band and all stand to attention as the ocean liner slowly sinks into the icy cold sea or is that too British, pray tell? Or maybe everyone should just stay quiet and watch it disappear with admiration just like a good sunset. (o:

With all due respect gonedigital - slow ?? this thread was begun in April 2016 so maybe it is yourself that is a little slow in responding. No one has made fun of it and some will resent being referred to as trolls. Your old thread you gave a link to generated some good discussion as well.

No one can tell you how you are supposed to feel now - only you know that. How do you feel ? Ready to make some further contributions to the site ? Or not ?
Just over a month ago you announced you would no longer be posting images or commenting for an indefinite time . You gave no reason. People wished you well. Have you returned ? Or just come back to make waves?


If the brass band does start up I for one and many others will stand to attention out of respect and gratitude for a site that has survived for a very long time, as many have not. The only way to keep it alive is to participate.
I am not a rodent, I am going nowhere. The ship is not sinking.

I don't know what you mean by "how slow are you?"Phil . When you posted that thread of yours I had commented in a similar way as my initial comment here. It has nothing to do with slowness - it is just an appeal once more to all this time from me as I thought it was necessary.

Slow? sorry what are you actually saying Raj and Lyn? Am I too late commenting? Is this thread dead? Have I broken coc by commenting on a dead thread? If so please accept my apology, I'm sorry! There seem to be so many unwritten rules on Caedes, perhaps someone could be kind enough to email me a pdf file of the unwritten coc, thank you.

So I'm now assuming this thread's dead right! I'm sorry for causing such confusion! But I'm not entirely responsible as site staff should have sent this thread to the elephant graveyard to die earlier, so that silly artists like me wouldn't be able to make unfortunate blunders, like typing these two comments.

This is my final comment I promise not to comment here again and I'm sorry to the mods if I broke the coc by commenting here!

Perhaps the mods should be told to send it to the elephant graveyard! Maybe I could be of help as I've caused such confusion, it's the very least I can do.

Please accept my apology, I'm sorry to have caused any embarrassment to any delicate and upright rule abiding artists who may feel upset by my unfortunate mistake.

I meant no offence to anybody and have awarded Lyn 40 and Raj 50 creds. I hope this is of some compensation by making you feel properly validated.

Thinking about it now! I do hope this thread disappears soon because the last thing I want to see is the trolls disturbing Rajs thoughtful, hard work! If the trolls do take over this thread which I hope they won't please accept my apology for my unfortunate mistake. )o:

As far as I am aware there is no rule saying an old thread may not be posted on.

As far as I can see there is nothing in this thread that would cause anyone to want it sent away to the elephant graveyard.

The only thing in the whole discussion that I find any fault with was Raj being asked how slow he is. I am sure Raj is able to cope with that unnecessary comment perfectly well so I am at a loss to know what the fuss is about.

Any thread that encourages discussion is good, whether the subject be new or one that has been talked about before. Anyone not interested has no need to join in.

Trolls are dealt with by mods, offensive comments likewise. This thread seems perfectly ok to me, though my un-mod eyes.

I really did not need FIFTEEN pm's to alert me to the latest posting here. I would have seen it without any pm's. Like most humans I need to sleep sometimes, and also spend 7 hours of my day at work so I do not see posts OR pm's the moment they are sent.