Hi

Does anybody else think we are starting to rate a little bit too high all the time at the moment? I personally could really use some constructive criticism on my photos.

Afterall we have a five points 5 to 10 that mean a good photo?

What does everybody think?

Anybody?

I must plead guilty to this although I'm inclined to agree with potto. I think the rating system has become rather abused. Maybe it should be abandoned in the gallery altogether. That would also prevent rating without comment which is pointless and annoying.

It may be a better idea to use it in the competitions only, where members can rate all the entries from 1 to 10 (depending on number of entries) - each entry receiving a different score.

Yes ,I agree, there has been a tendacy to rate high recently but i think this in response to a recent 'disturbance in the force' which seems to have inspired everybody to become overprotective ,which is kind of interesting. I think we should just see how this evolves.

I think you're right, potto. I know I've been guilty of sudden rushes of blood to the head with my 'marks', but I find it hard to rate anything that I think is less than 8 (7 at a push). Having said that, I find it unbelievably difficult to comment on/mark other people's photographs because I dont't feel qualified. Perhaps, instead of numbers, the ratings should be from 'poor' to 'excellent' with an option to hit a button that says 'I love it and I don't care about the technicalities'. It''s hard to be objective with photographs - people see things in different ways, and I know I don't really care about the marks; I'm always chuffed when someone gets something from what I've done. But, you're right, the high scores do seem to be over the top right now. As long as there's constructive comment accompanying whatever mark is given (and we all don't get too precious about positive criticism), that's fine by me. Sorry for rabbiting on here!

Forgot to add ... who will be the first to go for a 5? :wink:

Remember that the ratings have no influence on the outcome of the competitions - the winners are chosen by the judges alone.

Just my twopenny worth, the rating system in my opinion doesn't work, as many have mentioned there has been quite an influx of 10's recently. I would give a 10 for an image that I feel I would have on my wall at home, it wouldn't matter to me if the image wasn't totally perfect, which then inturn would upset the more technical photographers on this site.

I don't have the experience or know how to rate an image on the blog that is obviously done by a photographer with more experience than I, and sometimes I think this is where some of the bad feeling stems from, a semi pro photographer getting a low rating off of someone who definitely isn't in the same league can cause unrest.

As for the comments, that I feel is more important, comments and advice are there to help 99% of the time and I feel that my photography has improved due to the help I have received on this site. Getting rid of the rating system also will help the comment side of things, if you can't rate it, you will have to comment to get over your opinion of the image. It will stop the rating and no comment brigade.

All the Best

Gary (Gazmaster)

I think 9-10 should be reserved for the picture you would sell your soul to get. There just seems too much of the old pals act. I like to sort pictures by top scores, especially if I am short of time. All too often, however, the shots are boring, derivitive shots with no thought put into them by the photographer, especially with regards to composition.

I think everybody is taking the ratings too seriously. The ratings are simply there to allow us to show our individual appreciation for photos. Its not life or death. The Blog is simply fun. I will give 10s to picsI really like. Its MY appreciation of a pic. It shouldnt affect anybody else, and I have no idea why its a problem. Ignore the ratings and enjoy the Blog.

PS As far as constructive criticism is concerned, I dont see a problem. I get plenty .

Agree with Potto, most particularly with regard to 10s. If you look at the entries by category (e.g., Landscape, etc.), you will find many photos there with a 10, but rated by only one person. POW is another matter of abuse and seems to be suffering greatly from the buddy system. I confess that I have been guilty on rare occasion of overrating a photo, but typically only when I feel it has been abused unfairly by another rater. Agree with desertpea that rating photos under a 7 can cause hurt feelings, and most here don't want to dampen the spirits of someone who may be new to the craft/art. By the same token, giving a 1 seems to be pretty much of an insult, since ones have been given to photos that obviously were, at least technically, worth more. I tend to agree with Kurt about 10s. Many photos here are being done by very good photographers, and while they may be technically perfect, to me, a 10 is the one that moves my soul in addition to technical proficiency. I'm not a pro or even a semi-pro photographer, but going up against rating-buddies or people with large extended families (who vote) makes it nearly impossible for anyone else to get a 10. The emotional and negative personal comments being introduced are enough to drive any good photographer from the site....and I know more than a couple who have stopped posting here for that reason. P.S. Desertpea, you're just as qualified as the rest of us!

Surely the ratings dont make any difference to anybody other than the recipient. I cant help feeling that you are treating the gallery as a competition, which I am sure is not what it was intended to be. And remember, we dont all have to follow the same rating system. I personally find it impossible to stick to a system and I know I maybe rate some pics too high. But so what. It may make somebodies day. Is that so bad.
I agree there's a problem with some people apparently marking unfairly, but I think that's something we have to live with.
Forget the ratings. Enjoy the photos.

Couldn't agree more with Donmac if I tried, hit's the nail right on the head.
At the end of the day, it is a site to enjoy the images that we all produce, it is a site to try new things out, it is a site where advice and criticism is welcome. So why not just enjoy it, and don't worry about how others rate an image. I have always said that if there is a photo I would like to have at Gazmaster Towers, I would rate it a 10. Ok it might be technically imperfect in some way, well it wouldn't bother me, if it appeals to me that's it.
Just my twopenny worth.

Gazmaster

Are ratings not part of the critique from which we try to learn from?

If photos are constantly given nines and tens then the real thrill of achievement and improvement is lost.

If a range of ratings is used and then a nine or ten is given the satisfaction from that rating along with a comment is far more satisfying surely?

Also if high ratings are continuously given will a false level of photographic competence be assumed by the poster?

But your right donmac and gazmaster the gallery should be fun and it is all subjective too and we shouldn't be too prescious about it!

You make some very valid points potto.
I think another problem is that the quality of photos we are seeing here has improved so much over the last year.
I personally will try to rethink my rating system. The problem is I kind of get carried away a bit.

I would like to see more comments on photos that require them, if only the 'best' shots get comments, then how are us lesser photographic mortals to learn?

Even the lovely, wow, its beatiful comments are great and again really appreciated as it is good to know that I am close to the mark, but again any tips on how it could be improved would, on my part anyway, be gratefully received as I know that I cannot take the 'perfect' shot.

At the end of the day, if you like your picture that is the most important person happy.

Noddy the Nodster out.

just a quick word - when I first posted a photo, that in itself took a lot of nerve for me, and not surprisingly, they were not noted or commented on. I have learned a lot in the six months or so since I first got my digital camera, and looking at photos done by others on this site and reading the ratings and comments have taught me so much.

The first time a photo of mine was commented/rated I was over the moon, and then when someone rated one a 10(deservedly or not in the eyes of others) , I thought I had died and gone to heaven! some of my pics, like many others have attracted a wide range of comments and ratings on one photo. As long as reasons are given, and criticism is genuine and helpful I think it is good. It has given me enormous encouragement and enthusiasm over the past few months, and getting a few of mine chosen in the POTW category felt fantastic! something I never thought to achieve in my wildest dreams as I am my own severest critic and totally lacked self confidence in my ability to have anyone enjoy or praise my photos.

Please dont underestimate the positive aspects of the rating system and the site, there are two sides to any argument.

(I know I said quick word...)

thats all folks...

One way to recieve comments is to comment on other peoples photos. They will someties then view yours and give you feedback.

Don't worry about "I'm not experienced enough" that just means you may not be able to give technical comment. But you can still comment on the aesthetics of a picture. Are the colours pleasing to your eye, does it have visual impact, something that stands out to you about the photo. The only important thing is to not be negative in the way you express your opinions.

Even if you can't take a decent photo yourself I don't mind you criticising mine, many great photographers here may say my photos aren't very good and they may well be right. If you think for example it has too much empty area around the subject or the background is to distracting from the subject those are fair comments and you don't have to be an expert to have an opinion.

As I said just don't be too negative as some people may get upset. eg.

The background looks really cluttered up and I can hardly focus on the subject, it ruins the picture.

say it something like this.

Colour is great and nice focus.
I think the background seems a bit cluttered, if it was softened or had less detail the subject would really stand out well.

I'd like to thank those of you who have given constructive criticism on my photos.

Since I made that last post I have managed to get a lot more decent ratings and compliments. It is all due to your help.

Still posting a quite a few disasters but your comments on those are where I can really gain.

Thanks all of you.

Hey, that's what it's all about!

I am inclined to agree that most pictures are rated too highly. (Except for mine of course!) Considering that 'five' should be an average photo, and 'ten' something that Testino could barely pull off, we are definitely overrating.
The only people who seem to post low ratings (1, etc.) are the same people who break the site rules by offering profane, insulting comments and contributing only negative energy to the community.
I do find, however, that there is a consistent but small group who always post helpful comments, and honest ratings with an explanation. This is, for me, one of the most important and beneficial aspects to this project.