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?

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.

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

Interests:Photoography ( Obviously! ) Landscapes and Aviation<br />Aviation/Cinema<br />Computers( Have to, I work with them for a living )<br />Travelling/Socialising

Posted 18 March 2007 - 10:36 AM

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.

[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?

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

Interests:I enjoy playing the piano,my job with the elderly,and of course photography.

Posted 18 March 2007 - 07:38 PM

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

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.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 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.

"The poetry of photography will always be more important than the mechanics of the camera..." - J-H. Lartigue

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.

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, 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.

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