Gallery - deletion for lack of interest or response

[Dogman]

Gallery? What gallery? Every time I click on the Gallery Portal link (above) I get a "page could not be loaded" message. Same with Classifieds link. I could never view the gallery in the old site either--no more than the first page. RFF has always been a weird site for me to use.

I just post pictures in threads and it's nice if people like them but really it's not necessary for me. Some days I give likes to some photos and other days I don't remember there's a button to like. I expect others are likely to do the same.

I have the ability to log in as you here on RFF. I just did to test your account and I can tell you I was able to see everything. Gallery, classifieds even your profile page. See attached image.

It is something on your end. Browser setting,m VPN, I don't know what you have customized on your computer. I suggest, net time you go by a friends who has a computer, log in and try from there. Heck, next time you go to bestbuy try from there too 🙂 Just sign out when your are done.

 

[Joao]

I love these touchy feely dramatic threads! It brings people out of their comfort zone and into the human zone… cue “The Human Expression’s - Every Night”

The Human Expression - Every Night

Anyway, the bottom line is, post your shit, if people like it so be it, if people don’t care one way or another about it, also “so be it”. It really doesn't matter at all.

In my opinion there is only one thing that matters here… did you post the best image that you are capable of creating? Are you sharing your best work? If a member is just tossing their trash into the thread and turning the thread into a personal dumpster, well, that’s a shame.

It doesn't matter one lick what somebody else thinks about your images unless you respect their opinion. And, if nobody comments or likes your images that’s not necessarily a bad thing either (think about Van Gogh).

So, Brusby, I hope you stay, I like your images.

My last thought: I think it’s far better to be under appreciated than to be over appreciated.

All the best,
Mike

 

[Erik van Straten]

I like the way you utilize light in a lot of your photographs.

To utilize light is the job of every photographer.

Erik.

 

[Michael Markey]

Just like to echo the sentiments of others here and say keep posting.
As to the lack of comments I often feel that unless well versed in photo critic speak folk often just don`t know what to say. Thats why like buttons are so popular so I certainly would construe the lack of comment as a comment in itself .

 

[p.giannakis]

I see RFF as a kind of a good quality photo magazine. I go through threads, i read what people write, i see pictures people post, i say my piece, i post also a picture and then i leave. I have posted more pictures on RFF than anywhere else combined. I consider the Forum part of this community to be the life and soul of RFF. I don't use the galleries, If i want my pictures to reach a wider audience, i use instagram.

 

[Darthfeeble]

This site seems to be one of appreciation but little comment, and that's OK by me. I do see more use of the "like" button on the new site, that's good. If you want to be critiqued you could ask for that in your posts. Lots of folks just like to look though, me being one. I don't feel qualified to comment on most of the really good shots I see here.

 

[brusby]

I get the same behavior (can’t see the gallery or classifieds) but that’s only when I’m using Firefox on my Mac and I do have some ad blockers running so I will experiment with that and see if that changes anything. I thought it may have been a browser incompatibility but you never know.

However, when I switch to my Safari browser, all is good. And on my iPhone, I use the DuckDuckGo app and the website behavior is fine there also.

Back to the discussion. @brusby I like this new photo also: the softness of the colors and of the light. I like the contrast of the blues against the natural greens coming off through the window. I like the way you utilize light in a lot of your photographs.

I hope you get your gallery problems solved. I'd love to see more good photos and discussions.

And thank you very much for your nice comments. 'Always refreshing to hear kind hearted people articulate their thoughts.

 

[splitimageview]

I get the same behavior (can’t see the gallery or classifieds) but that’s only when I’m using Firefox on my Mac and I do have some ad blockers running so I will experiment with that and see if that changes anything. I thought it may have been a browser incompatibility but you never know.

However, when I switch to my Safari browser, all is good. And on my iPhone, I use the DuckDuckGo app and the website behavior is fine there also.

That's not surprising, would be helpful for @Dogman and @farlymac to try other browsers/devices also, please send reports directly to me via PM.

Now back to regular programming...

 

[brusby]

Just like to echo the sentiments of others here and say keep posting.
As to the lack of comments I often feel that unless well versed in photo critic speak folk often just don`t know what to say. Thats why like buttons are so popular so I certainly would construe the lack of comment as a comment in itself .

Thanks Michael, I appreciate your comment and I will continue to post. It's good to know that a few people are supportive.

I'll try to return the favor by being more supportive of others although I have to say that I have always made a conscious effort to like and comment on other people's images . . . but I could and will do more.

 

[x-ray]

I had no idea you were dealing with others on the shoot. I assumed you had setup the shoot and had total control of the situation. So you just have to deal with the limitations you are dealt. Good job!

Here’s a suggestion, experiment with cropping the door out and crop out the light behind her legs. You might just make one full frame print and then cut a couple of L shaped pieces of black board and use them as a cropping guide. Lay them on the print and experiment with different crops. I do that and my wife that’s a painter does the same with reference photos.

Your second shot is excellent! Very good pose and excellent light. Beautiful color too. You nailed that one.

One thing to remember is bright areas draw the viewers eye to that spot.

I deleted my gallery several years ago for various reasons. I don’t think I had any figure studies but do have a number of them on the Large Format Forum. LF has specific threads labeled Nude. No one complains and there are quite a few women photographers on there. Your image was quite tasteful in my opinion but others might be offended by showing nothing more than a woman’s legs. When you post figure shots why not include either figure photos or nude in the title then folks that are touchy about certain subjects can just not view them. Also if you would like comments state that as well. Then don’t take comments too seriously. There are a few really good photographers here but plenty that know less than you. And then remember not everyone likes the same, food, cars, partners, art and photos. It’s a matter of personal taste.

Do your photography to please yourself. If others like it fine and if they don’t then so what. Enjoy your hobby and keep posting.

 

[Joao]

Concerning the first picture, cropping the door is an excellent idea in terms of light. But you will loose the nice contrast between the gentle curve of the body and the straight geometric lines seen through the door.
Light versus composition, not an easy choice...

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I'll try to return the favor by being more supportive of others although I have to say that I have always made a conscious effort to like and comment on other people's images . . . but I could and will do more.

If I do more photography related modify/repair instructions, will send your way- again...

 

[JohnWolf]

I don't think lack of likes or comments indicates photos are unwanted or unwelcome or not enjoyed. In my experience, that's the culture here.

The Like function is new to RFF. Until recently it was specifically opposed by group consensus. Folks here just don't use it much, although its use seems to be rising. Commenting would be better, but at least a like indicates someone took the time to look at your photo.

As far as comments go, my observation is that there are only a handful of members who consistently comment on photos, at least in the forums. Personally, I appreciate them very much, but I don't expect much beyond that core group.

I also post on LUF, sometimes the same photo. I typically get many likes and a few comments for the same photo that here gets no response at all.

John

 

[wlewisiii]

I also post on LUF, sometimes the same photo. I typically get many likes and a few comments for the same photo that here gets no response at all.

John

The most comments I get are usually when I post, again the same images usually, to my Mastodon feed. Cameraderie has multiple levels of like (like, cool & winner) and tends to get a lot of use of those as a result. Fewer comments again.

This is why I said above I don't get too worried about it. I have my style that I've developed over the last 20 years and some like it & some don't. I don't get worried though it is nice when people enjoy it.

Perhaps I should start using Instagram again? That would certainly get me a bigger audience though if its a better one is a very different question 😉 I've mostly just been a viewer there. The problem with that idea is they've been bitten by tic-tok and people want video fluff rather than stills.

 

[x-ray]

This is a very interesting thread. I guess I’m out of touch but approval of one’s art seems to be very important to some. I guess this is the driving force behind social media. My feeling is that if you have confidence in yourself and your art it only matters what others think if you’re selling your work. What’s more important, making art to please yourself or for someone else. It seems to me trying to please someone else just leads to frustration. When I was working I obviously had to please my clients and clients returning for more work was my vote of approval. Now that I’m retired I’m very confident in my work and I don’t care if anyone else likes it. I do my art for myself and my pleasure. Who cares what anyone else thinks.

I’m not directing this at anyone specifically, it’s just my observation.

 

[Shab]

I'm one that doesn't write too much, but I share what I'm making in photography, it's my way to share in the forum. I don't use any other social media.

When I think in RFF, I think in some names of people who participate and I "feel" they "near" to me. I like a lot to see their pictures, slowly. I love feel their pictures, it's a part of their lifes. Some of them make great pictures and I admire them. It's like a "slow forum" for me. The last 3 years have been very hard for me and I need "silence". Surely you will not understand it (about I need silence) but it's in this way.

At the same time I love to share with the forum the pictures I'm making, it's my way to share a part of my life, of myself. There are some persons who write some comments, who give like and I get them to my heart.

For me, photography, isn't about light, isn't about shadows, isn't about framing, isn't about grayscale... is about sharing a part of ourselves. And yes, to do that I need the light, the shadows, the framing, the grayscale... they are our tools.

So, when I read your first post in this thread I was a bit surprised. It seems you are asking for comments about your pictures or you will delete the pictures you have shared with the forum. Have I understood it ok? If it is in this way... it makes me think in "ego"... and all we have our ego, all we need our ego to be better... but we must keep "it" under control. So is my case.

I like to think there is the LIFE, there are the pictures... and I'm the "tool" to catch them and share to you, I'm not the protagonist,,, do you understand?

And about the pictures you have shared I think these are too "artificial". It's clear the model is pretty and I admire her beauty... but not the way you share it.

I hope she agrees to share this pictures in the net.

 

[brusby]

Shab, you mention ego and then you spend your entire post talking about yourself and what your concept of correct photography is -- I suppose as an example for the rest of us. But at least you finally get to the point of letting me know you don't like my style and find it too artificial.

I'm sure there are others here who feel the same way. It's very obvious. But at least you've been helpful in identifying one source of the animus. Thanks!

 

[Shab]

Shab, you mention ego and then you spend your entire post talking about yourself and what your concept of correct photography is -- I suppose as an example for the rest of us. But at least you finally get to the point of letting me know you don't like my style and find it too artificial.

I'm sure there are others here who feel the same way. It's very obvious. But at least you've been helpful in identifying one source of the animus. Thanks!

Yes, brusby I have talked about me, before talking about your post, and it isn't about ego, it's about how I understand photography and this forum. It seems you didn't like it... or it is what I understand with your words.

And yes, all my post had one intention: to help you. These words are free of irony, like all my words. Hope you will find what you are looking for.

 

[MP Guy]

i just tried firefox on windows with the add blocker extension added. It hosed the gallery. I had to remove it from filtered sites.

I think that extension is misbehaving especially since there are no ads on the gallery / classifieds other than internally hosted banners.

 

[splitimageview]

will that ad blocker work if the site is whitelisted?