I know there are no rules as such about how many photos you can upload at a time / per day - but I was wondering if it would be a good idea considering bringing some kind of restrictions in. I would say that a lot of people are using this site as an online storage area such as flickr etc where you can upload to your hearts content and it wont annoy anyone. To a degree thats what this site is as well, but I would say that it is a lot more than that and that first and foremost it is a comment / feedback arena where we all can appraise / assist each other with our photography. As such, the format that is currently used, which displays the 16 most recent shots on the front page, does not lend itself to bulk uploads if everyone is to get a fair amount of 'air time' for their latest shot.

Obviously if someone joins the site they would not be aware of this and it is understandable why bulk uploads would therefore happen. The question is should we try and change this or is it not that big an issue that we could let it continue?

My suggestion would be to restrict the daily upload limit per member to either 3,4 or 5 photos a day. This gives everyone a chance to keep their shots on the front page a little longer.

I wouldnt want to turn anyone away from the site - but photography blog isnt really just an online storage area, and if thats what people are after, there are plenty of free sites which fall under that category.

I think we are different from those sites - not necessarily better, just different! We are a smaller, more homely community. One that offers far more than just somewhere to store your digital photos - somewhere that feels comfortable - somewhere that we can actually help each other to learn and develop (no pun intended)!

What was I talking about? Oh yes! Daily upload limit. What does anyone think?

Richard

Richard,

I'll bet this is one of those subjects we can all come back to during the next year, and it'll still be relevant. Time and again, I see the same response from newcomers whom I've mentioned the bulk upload problem to: "oops, sorry, there was nothing saying otherwise, so I didn't know." It seems to me that some kind of simple addition to the up front rules of joining would go a long way toward solving the whole issue.

Until then, I think it's part of the responsibility of us current members to share our knowledge in a friendly, respectable, and non-threatening way, and clue in the new members.

Chris

Good Morning

I am one of those "newbies" that have commited the cardinal sin of uploading too many images from the start. Yes I could hide behind the excuse "but no one told me, there was no mention on the site to say otherwise" In part, that is the problem. The site comes accross as being very friendly and co-operative and when I did upload too many, as I admit to, I was jumped on! All I wanted to do, was to populate my new gallery with some stock photos, taken previously.

Please, please make a simply addition to the joining / upload instructions to make it very clear to newcomers that there is a policy in place. I was accused of not using my "commensense" and for not being "fair to other users" OK? if I had seen a clear and unambiguous message regarding limits etc, then obviously I would have adhered to this. As it is, I started off with some degree of ill feeling towards me and me towards the people "informing" me of my genuine mistake. Surely this cannot be a good thing to promote, what is referred to as a "friendly and suppportive" site.

Perhaps its me? perhaps it would help if the site administers set out to help all newcomers right from the start and not let them fall into the same trap that I did.

All the other web sites that I am a member, of and contribute to, have this declaration and advice displayed very prominently on their home page.

Once again, my sincere aplogise for a genuine mistake.

Richard Tierney ( Bassington )

Thanks Chris - although I disagree that it should be the members responsibility to pass this on to new members. This can lead to misunderstanding and in some cases resentment towards those who have passed the advice on. As Richard (bassington) says, if it is going to be a rule change, this has to be up front when joining. At least then, current members, instead of possibly coming across as condesending, would simply be able to point new members towards the rules.

Welcome to the site Richard (bassington) and thanks for your reply. Your response is a perfect example of the issue I am talking about. We are all very friendly here and no-one wants to come across otherwise. You have posted some great shots and I for one hope you stay. You havent made a mistake or done anything wrong and there's no need to apologise for anything. I dont know what the best solution is, but as this site is constantly evolving I'm sure we'll all get to the bottom of it! For photographic evidence of this just ask Chris! lol

While writting this another idea popped into my head. I think that a rule change, while a step in the right direction, does not really solve the issue. There would still be no restrictions and lets face it, do we actually read rules all the time! A restriction of say 5 photos a day is, I feel, a resonable step in the right direction, but I'm not sure how everyone would feel about that. My other idea is that all uploads are marked private and go directly to your own gallery without appearing on the home page. Then you could upload 5, 10 or 20 at one go and they wouldnt appear on the front page. You would then go into your gallery and change an individual photo from private to public and then it would appear on the front page. Dont know if this would be possible under the current setup, but just a thought.

Cheers

Richard

Dear Mr. Bassington,

I'm (D.) or Daenna, I was one of the people who contacted you about posting. It was not my intention to jump on you...so to speak. I was only trying to explain and (suggest), how you can better utilize this site; for your own benefit. So you may have your photos receive quality viewing and feed back time. So they may have a chance at winning in the competion as well as feed back. I do not respond to everyone that uploads a lot of pictures. I responded to you because, "I really liked what I saw with your photography skills!!!" And wanted you to have a chance to be viewed fairly. I thought I conveyed that in my message, but perhaps I failed and my intention misunderstood. I appologize for that most sincerely. I would like to welcome you once again to this site and I hope you will continue to post. I am looking forward to your postings. By the way, I was new to this site not so long ago. I agree it would be nice if our site host would suggest to those who are new, how this site works. I don't like the idea of limiting submissions but a suggestion toward uploading might be nice.

When I first ran across this site, I observed how people responded to each other to get the feel of it. Then I posted and hoped I was up for the critiques. I was a little affraid I would be too close to my work or get my feeling hurt. But I also new that if I was going to grow as a photographer, I really need those critiques. In some cases, I've learned how to stand-up for my work and in others; I have utilized the advice of many really talented people who have gone a long way in helping me improve my skills and try new techniques. I've even had the chance to give advice every now and then, which is a really nice feeling.

Don't give up on us Richard.
I am looking forward to seeing more
of your work!
Daenna

I have a few things on my to-do list with regards to the Gallery - I'll make sure to add this to it

Well Ive just come back from looking on the gallery and found one member has loaded 13 pics and another member 11 and they are not new members.

It is a big turn off .

IMHO the limit should be one a day that will make the photographer think as to what is their best before they upload.

i agree, bulk upload has been an issue before ( i was told off as a newbie ) is it possible that when newbies join they have to accept some kind of rules of conduct, as its unfair to others when 10 images are loaded at once.. i usually only have time to check the home page and notice that images i would like to view have been bumped off before i get a chance to see them.

Maybe a limit of two images per hour would be an idea... thoughts ???

Currently there is no way of limiting uploads through the software - it would have to be a purely user awareness thing.

Perhaps we need a few moderators that have the power to delete images that would go over the set limit.

I do believe that something has to be done as it is a little irritating to wade through the same sort of image one after another,and the thing is i won't comment on them as i am irritated.I do think as northscape said if it is limited then photographers will maybe think,is this my best one to put on today,instead of loads of images.(there i have said it).Just shows how it has got to me,i don't normally have a go.I have a tremendous amount of patience but it is on the way out.I was a new member once and my shots were of a poor quality,but by only putting on one or two at a time i recieved constructive comments (and still do)on how to improve my work.I have found this to be enormous help and hopefully have improved.As it stands members it seems are unable to comment on all the images so nobody gets any help.I would like to comment and maybe offer some help,but not on so many.Thats me off my soap box lol

Bridget

I think this question depends on how the majority of people actually use the Gallery.

Some use it to gain constructive criticism on their work, posting just a few photos at a time.

Others fill up their space with photos that they want to share with family and friends (a perfectly valid use) and tend to bulk upload their images, especially when they first join.
This has the unfortunate side-effect of "flooding" the Recent Photos section, which the first set of people use a lot.

I'd argue that both uses are fine, but what do you all think?

Mark its your site and you should run it as you see fit.

However and this is only my opinion as things stand at the moment with some members uploading several images at once it is spoiling it for others and perhaps stopping new members joining as they come along and look at the gallery and see that it looks like a friends and family on line photo album.

For me it makes little sense in posting several images in a row as i for one will not comment on them and it does the photographer no good because he/she may not get the feed back they want or need.

I wonder what other members think?.

It strikes me that there may not be such urgency about this subject if there were more spaces available on the front page. One suggestion I've heard mentioned before is to do away with the random images feature, and offer more spots on the first page. Even though there has been a shot or two of mine that has gotten renewed attention thanks to the random images, I would be willing to do without it in favor of more space.
--Chris

I agree with Northscape that it is Marks site and ultimately it is his decision as to what the gallery's main reason for existence is. We as members can make suggestions and if there is a strong enough viewpoint on something and Mark is happy to make any changes then that is the way it should be. As Mark says, the gallery is currently being used with two separate purposes - namely by those who seek feedback and constructive critisism, and by those who want an online storage area to store their snaps to show friends and families. At the moment they co-exist, but of late, there seems to be an upsugre of new members who are posting large numbers of photos at once. Its good to be getting new members, but it seems to me that the time for these two strands co-existing is becoming more and more strained.

My own view would be to decide what the gallerys main purpose is and stick with that. Either have it as a feedback area with a limit on the number of photos you can upload put in the rules - or make it as an online storage area with no restrictions which has a feedback feature included. Personally I would prefer the former and feel that the latter will have a negative outcome with a lot of established members who use the site to try and better their photographic talents.

As I mentioned before, there are oodles of sites out there which offer free online storage galleries where you can upload a 100 photos at one go if you want, and share them with familiy and friends. In my eyes this site is not really the same as those - it is more of a community of like minded people who want to help each other with their photography through the medium of feedback and critisism on their photos.

I have two or three other online galleries like the ones I have mentioned above. I give the address for them to friends and family and share photos that way. I use this site simply to improve my photography.

I would suggest to all those who want to use this site for storage only - stay here as members, but use the site to improve your photography, and if you want an online storage gallery have a search on google and find one of the many that offer that specifically. That way you could use the skill and help of everyone here and also have somewhere to upload all your snaps without restrictions.

At the end of the day it is really up to Mark to decide how he wants his site to operate, but I do feel that as far as the gallery goes, it is perhaps time to decide what is the best way to go forward.

Cheers

Richard

But there should be some kind of balance between the two legitimate uses, I would think, as well as recognition about how the majority (or, at least, the most active) members tend to use the site. I, for one, do not use the gallery as a bulk-upload area that I share with family; I'm here for the comments on my photos and to look at and learn from other people's work.

I don't know the demographic breakdown between the two kinds of uses of the gallery, but they do tend to be at odds with one another, don't they? Someone who just wants to populate his/her gallery (and, therefore, loads a lot of photos at once) unintentionally screws up the primary navigation mechanism for those who want to use the site to share criticism, comment, etc.

Surely there's a way to support both kinds of users, without having them step on one another's toes. Providing a bulk upload mechanism that dumps the photos into one's gallery in a private area, without putting them on the main page (as someone else suggested) is a solution that could accomodate both uses of the gallery--coupled, of course, with clear instructions to new members.

Just my thoughts, for whatever they're worth.

-Brian (a.k.a., bclapper)

Good morning all

This seems to be causing quite a stir, Im not going to repeat what has been said here before, as In can see both sides of the argument, I just feel that a space could possibly be provided for those who wanted to use this for photo sharing, so instead of their snaps going on the front page they could be uploaded to their personal gallery , you could possibly have this on where to upload pictures..... so instead of going straight to members gallery front page, just have it going to their personal gallery and they could tell friends and family where to look for their pictures....if however they feel that this could be a good hobby and want to learn to improve their pictures and seek critique, they could then transfer pictures across from their personal gallery to the members gallery........... I feel that its important not to exclude people, point and clickers and keen amateurs alike...but it would be good to give people a choice of how they want to use the site ...so I believe some consideration as to be put into this front page issue..

Anyway this probably hasnt helped at all.... but everyone else is having a say so I didnt want to appear unconcerned

have a good one all Im back off down the boat to do a little more

Harvey

Good Morning Everyone,

For those Mums out there... Happy Mothers Day

OK considering I was the one that started all this I think it is only right to respond, with what I hope is a final input from my point of view...

I once again apologise to all and everyone, if I have offended you in any way. That was never my intention. I responded, it is now quite apparant that my reaction to D was OTT! and I accept her explanation and apology, for which there was no need whatsover. I hope that we two now understand each other and can put all this behind us.

I also would like to thank Richard (RJVC) for his much appreciated and well balanced response in the first instance.

I have always had a huge amount of respect for Northscape, whose work in truely inspirational and the level to which I aspire to reach one day. I think their idea is perhaps the best one. One per day! this would really focus our minds to produce a WOW factor image and get feedback on this. It would stop the site being bombarded with multiple images, something that most of the members seem to appreciate and accept as being fair to everyone.

It is, as stated, not our site. We are previlaged to use it and be contributing members of a like minded community, where there should be tolerance and understanding and most important a deep desire to gain and share knowledge, to help and assits the "newcomers" whenever possible.

I was hurt to start off with, that's my problem but please make it very clear to all and everyone considering joining that there are basic rules. Rules of courtesy to other site members and what should be clear and unambiguous guidlines, clearly understood right from the outset, on the FRONT PAGE!

As for me, I am suitable chastened and will set a lead by uploading no more than one image per day ( if I have a good enough one ) from today on.

Ok I have had my rant Let's get on with enjoying our hobby, sharrig our thoughts and enjoying the site to the maximum.

Thanks for be so patient and listenning. Happy Snapping

Richard, you assuredly did not start all this. It's an ongoing issue, which is why it's generating so much commentary now.

-Brian

I second that. it has been going on for a very long time.

But the good thing is that their has been some very good points raised on both sides of the fence and perhaps we can now pull together and find a suitable outcome for all members.

Slightly off topic its so refreshing to see such a good debate going on in the forum. i was beginning to wonder if anybody ever bothered to read the threads. and just posted photos.

Hopefully this thread will encourage members to participate in the forums a bit more on other subjects.

[quote name='rjvc' date='Mar 15 2007, 06:50 PM' post='5859']
I know there are no rules as such about how many photos you can upload at a time / per day - but I was wondering if it would be a good idea considering bringing some kind of restrictions in. I would say that a lot of people are using this site as an online storage area such as flickr etc where you can upload to your hearts content and it wont annoy anyone. To a degree thats what this site is as well, but I would say that it is a lot more than that and that first and foremost it is a comment / feedback arena where we all can appraise / assist each other with our photography. As such, the format that is currently used, which displays the 16 most recent shots on the front page, does not lend itself to bulk uploads if everyone is to get a fair amount of 'air time' for their latest shot.

Obviously if someone joins the site they would not be aware of this and it is understandable why bulk uploads would therefore happen. The question is should we try and change this or is it not that big an issue that we could let it continue?

My suggestion would be to restrict the daily upload limit per member to either 3,4 or 5 photos a day. This gives everyone a chance to keep their shots on the front page a little longer.

I wouldnt want to turn anyone away from the site - but photography blog isnt really just an online storage area, and if thats what people are after, there are plenty of free sites which fall under that category.

I think we are different from those sites - not necessarily better, just different! We are a smaller, more homely community. One that offers far more than just somewhere to store your digital photos - somewhere that feels comfortable - somewhere that we can actually help each other to learn and develop (no pun intended)!

What was I talking about? Oh yes! Daily upload limit. What does anyone think?

Richard
[/quote

I am guily of uploading in bulk but I may not be on the blog for weeks and then I may get the time so I do it all at once. I don't look to see if my images are being displayed and I have no clue about the daily displays or numbers. I don't need a place to store photos and I have no links to this site. At present my sister and I are both on the Blog and trying to see who can get 300 hundred images on first, just for fun. We very rarely see each other and photography is something she took up so we could have something to share across the many miles. The point is, everybodys' agenda is different and not always ego based. I have been a professional photographer for 20 years and at present am not taking myself too seriously, just having fun. I like this site because after being on others where the lack of knowledge and passion are minimal, this site has a great eclectic group who know what they are doing and have a shared passion for the art. It never dawned on me that the first page of the gallery was so coveted, or that other people didn't scroll through the photos added daily. At any rate, I am still determined to beat my sister to 300 so if the rules are changed on daily uploads will someone please notify me. I wouldn't have the first clue where to look for updates and this is the first time I have read anything on the blog. Just don't have the time and if i do have extra time I am usually shooting. val

If a person writes in this forum on this discussion,on limiting the uploads to 3,4,or 5 a day then why has this person uploaded 12 images today?????.It's all a nonsense.No sorry 15 photos now !!!!!!
Bridget

I'm a laid back easy going country boy..........it seems to me that alot of greenhouse gasses have been expelled over this topic when I think every one would be in favour of a 3 shot per day ruling...go on Mark bite the bullet and make the ruling!......lol....I'm off to plant a tree to absorb my bit of gas!..............Ken

I'm trying to beat my sister?

Why dont you just email each other?.

i actually don`t like the idea of a restraint on how many photos I want to upload. I`ve never abused this feature, and I appreciate the freedom of sometimes adding another photo or two later in the day when I come back from a photo journey.

I think the true problem lies in the bulk upload feature. The option to upload in bulk should by default go to the person`s gallery and NOT to the frontpage. People could switch a photo or two over to the front page AFTER the bulk upload to their gallery.

I don`t know if it`s possible to do within the software of this site, but I just wanted to add that I don`t like the idea of a limit on uploads just because others are abusing it. I like that freedom of uploading what I want.. and sometimes a few photos throughout the day.

I`m curious to see what will happen with this current issue.

I appreciate this site and how Mark maintains it with priority. I`ve been elsewhere, and the priority was not as it is here. It makes a HUGE difference.

I've moved this topic to the correct forum, so that I'll remember where it is in the future

Keep the feedback coming!

I think I am guilty of uploading too many pictures in one day but not as many as some.

I apologise as I have also watched some of mine disapear from the front page very quickly and I know how annoying that is.

I look forward to receiving comments and feedback to my photos and this site is very friendly, relaxed and constructive.

In my defence, we have recently had a baby and also have a 2 year old, so my time taking photos is limited, but I have some pictures taken over the last few years that I would like to post. I probably get carried away and so I think the restriction to 5 posts a day is a great idea and I will stick to it from now on.

Paul

Mark, some of us have work schedules and do all of our postings on one day a month or week, not everyone has the same agenda. If people are wanting their images on the first page they just have to re submit. Very easily done. I have seen concourse c and other images over and over on the front page but it doesn't bother me. With so many members it can turn over the page quickly anyways. the next page is just a click away for anybody or resubmitting is 3 clicks.

bridget, thats rjvc's quote, not mine

I too committed the cardinal sin however my experience was much more pleasant John (Chappo) politely pointed out the unwritten 2/3 upload rule, and i have recieved nothing less than an extremely warm welcome from John and numerous other members Viv Amandart to name but a few so thank you guys n girls and a simple message at the start would certainly help. Maybe a bulk upload section and the usual recent uploads where members perhaps choose a selection of 2,3,4,5 from there bulk upload to go there? now Mark how feasable that is is over to you Cheers Andy

Ok... my veiw is that this seems to have been going on for awhile now & today I noticed one new member post so far 17 images in 1 shot.... I personally think that is way beyond acceptance.
This person claims to be a Freelance Photographer... One would think he would know that 17 images in one shot is "Flooding" ????

I am in agrrement for a total of max. 5 images perday.
~Jass