Azz, I really think it is you who is making things difficult for yourself and for the forum, of course, we don't want negative points.

We want a simple, easily understood forum where we can post images we want to share and get help and feedback.

We don't want more controls and hurdles to jump.

We just need people to behave like ladies and gentlemen, we always did and we may well again if left alone, you know how it is, make rules and someone will elect themselves to enforce them, often in a none to polite or considerate manner.

One thing is without doubt it is your forum and you will do as you think fit but so far it would seem no matter what we say, both now and in the past you do seem to be listening to a little voice in your head and not us. Look back at this thread and we are all saying much the same thing, that is leave it alone, just make sure people are polite. Relax the rules and controls, simplify the classification and let people chat if they will, it is after all a good way to learn.

[quote=Azz;77688]
- but I do think some of us were getting complacent and started posting way too many pics with a lot of them having paid no thought to the photographic aspect at all, and they were more like snaps


mmmmmmm its a photo forum people post pics thats what its here for.

I wish people would post more pics now and maybe it would get interesting again.

Some critique is just plain rude and nasty. I was guilty of it I admit but some people can get away with murder.

As you said AZZ you thought it would be easy people post pics people comment.
It is easy and if you had left it as it was it probably would be thriving now because it was not like any other forum.

So really it is over to you Azz you made the changes and im sorry to say you wont be able to undo them..........................

You see, I'm not sure it's the number of pics that's the problem, more the way people react to them, if that makes sense...

Thanks for the comments all - it's ALWAYS helpful reading through them, and just because what I end up doing may make you scratch your head sometimes, it doesn't mean I haven't listened and am not trying to keep everyone happy.

Nicola - some excellent points there. I think we were gonna do a how to critique guide a while back, then never got round to it. And I know JR mentioned doing one recently. I also did one for the Mentors when we had that going so could use part of that. However I think we'll start a thread on that and get everyone to post how they would like to see critiques given, and then we can mould all that into one guide that we feel is the best way forward

Moon - the old system worked, but only when we had a handful of members, where most of us weren't as serious as some photographers out there, as our memberships grew it became evident that things were not working so well. As admin I have to make sure the site stays true to the art of photography (as it's a photography site) as well as trying to get it to accommodate our friendly photo sharing side Also, re the gallery, that would be separate to the profile shots.

Re Melody, DJ, Sam - I dunno why Mel doesn't post anymore, but think I know why DJ or Sam doesn't post as much. DJ hasn't been back since the incident where people thought he posted 'below the belt'/harshly, and Sam said she wasn't keen on people pulling her shots apart when we changed to the 'critiquing' sections - which is understandable as she considers herself a pro - plus she's busy. Just mentioning that since you brought it up.

Snapper - see my point at the start of this post, I don't listen to listen little voices in the back of my head as you are suggesting, you guys should know more than most how independent my thought process in coming to a decision is. I listen to what everyone has to say, and how well a case is put forward to do this that or the other

One thing I will say tho, re the changes, is how much everyone's photography has improved since the changes were made. As you have all said it, it's really made you think about what to post - and I do believe that has been a major factor. However I do appreciate it's not as 'fun' as it used to be - and I'd like it to be fun _and_ a learning experience.

Jols - change is as good as the rest, if anything what we have learnt from this is invaluable and I'm glad we've gone through it now. I'm still determined to make YoP the best photo site out there

I think making the forums what they used to be like, and adding a gallery add-on for our more serious shots may be the best step forward. But even that isn't as simple as that - the gallery packages I have seen don't do everything I want them to, so I was waiting for a new bit of software to come out so I could make my own. Why aren't things ever simple!

Just want to say thanks for all your comments, but please bear in mind that only a few of you have commented - and the views/needs/wants will almost certainly vary for other members who may not know what we are discussing in this thread.

There is one thing Azz, when you say you are going to change something the forum has its most activity.

I consider myself a 'pro' cause i do get paid quite nicely and you call my pics rubbish but i still come back.lol. thicker skin maybe or thick......

Azz there maybe a bigger membership, but only a handful post

The forum was more busy and interesting with less members!
That is not a bitch at any new member either xxx

The old forum worked, there were some amazing pics posted then, really interesting experimental stuff, there is no way I would post some of my "experiments" on here now, as it would get ripped to shreds.

You need to relax, stop fiddling, go back to basics, and seriously, the rest will take care of it's self!!!

Yo! was always about people who loved photography, and helping each other and so what if you post a clanger, you got told it don't work for me, and move on, not bloody huge histrionics that someone said they didn't like your pic, in a rude way.


Photography is Art, art is subjective, what turns one on, turns another off,it is a simple as that, you don't like my pics , that is fine, I know others do, but you are rude and ignorant to me , then that is not acceptable.


I keep telling myself walk away from the keyboard before you upset someone, but if nobody uses the forum, there isn't a forum, so now is the time for all members to be honest!

I don't really feel like I should have asay (I haven't been on since the forum changed format)

RE - the kinds of comments I wanted....
If I felt that a picture was good enough to share on here I would not really mind about the comments positive or negative. As long as I am happy with the picture thats great. Any tips on how to make it better is always appriciated as long as it is polite.

I joined in order to improve my photography (which I felt it did) but I will never be a professional nor do I really have any wish to be - just want to take better pics...

eta....Just read MS's post and 100% agree

Think I agree 100% with you Moonie, what we need in not a more complected site but more companionable help and support.

Absolutely agree.

xx

I post in reality to get some kind of critique to enable me to start taking better photo's, unfortunately it's very rare that they get a mention except for the odd person, they must be that bad, he, he!!

I must admit as hardly anything is ever said I don't bother posting as much now!