Lack of Votes in Weekly Finalists

[shootem]

I'm wondering if anyone can explain to me why there are sooo many photographers here that enter pictures each week, then fail to vote on the weekly finalist selection????
Example: So far this week there have been 20 votes logged for the finalists from last week.
Every week it amazes me that people go to so much work, post pictures - make comments - post ratings - and then just seemingly drop the ball? Maybe you don't know where to go to vote?
From the number of pictures submitted weekly, divided by 2 (most submit 2) that's probably going to give you an average of somewhere around 40-60 photographers that post. I'll admit, there are less this week than when I was last here, but still, about 90 or so photographs are up, meaning about 45 people are active. Why aren't you voting?
Just Wondering.
Cheers

[Sheila]

I wonder about the same thing every week too Carolyn.
I vote each week whether or not I have entered a photo myself. My guess is that some people won't vote if they have no chance of winning. What's the betting it's roughly the same voters every week?

[Marysa]

Hi Sheila and Carolyn, - me too, I vote every week. I see it as a fun thing to do
It also saddens me to see so few people commenting in the photo contest. Lots of people put photos up for comment - it's a shame they don't contribute
Mary

[varun]

Yeah, there are so few votes for the photo contest finalists... but I make it a point to vote each week too. I'm not an experienced photographer or anything, but sometimes I feel the photos in the finalists section aren't the best ones of the week... maybe I have wierd taste

[TNEmily]

I always make it a point to vote, even if I did not even enter POTW or have much time to comment during the week. I think it's fun, and generally vote ASAP on Sunday. I'm not sure why there's a lack of votes?

[TampaDan]

A different perspective:

I have participated for quite awhile at other photo contest-type sites, and only recently began participating at this site.
All the other contest sites keep the artist names and the votes anonymous until voting ends. The other sites REQUIRE those who enter to vote on all or a percentage of the images in order for their vote to count. Some will even penalize you in some way if you enter but never vote.

Now, all sites have their pluses or minuses, but this site seems quite "strange" in that everyone knows whose image it is and can see who voted what. Also, an image can rank high with only two votes (a 9 and a 10 lets say), while others go unranked, unvoted. There are no rules regarding this and it is left up to the participants discretion.

The result is spotty, sporadic, uneven voting. I am a perfect example. I'm just entering for fun, and I enjoy the high quality images here, but there is simply no motivation to vote or comment. If it was REQUIRED to, of course I would. I would abide by the rules. I guess what I'm saying then is, if there are no rules, anything goes. Winning is nice and all, but it's not the real reason we participate.

Maybe that's what everyone likes about this place. It's not a "real" contest site and the votes don't really matter.

[ratcheer]

I also try to vote every week. I really enjoy the contests and seeing the finalists and eventual winners.

Tim

[matrixneo]

Hi all....just a personal comment as a new user....well...like wat you all have said...its really nice to see all the creative photos being posted....and as a new user...whenever I logged in...all I see on the main page is the winner of the photo contest...maybe there should be a direct link below the winning link saying "Coming Contest" or "Place your votes" to direct users (esp new lazy users like me who do not like to click many pages b4 coming to the rite page :P) straight to the contest or voting page....just a suggestion to boost the voting....maybe one of the voters for the winning photo also get a token of appreciation of any kind? ...juz my 2cents worth cheerz

[northbeach]

I've often wondered that and, now, I wonder why I've never brought it up. It seems impossible to me that so few people would vote in the final.

I like the idea that if post you vote. I also like the idea of anonymity. What a grea thing at least for one week to have photos posted in the intial contest by no one knew whom!

I love this site, but it's not the best thought out I ever saw.

Sheila.

[shootem]

I guess people actually do read these forums... probably more than I do... I am actually impressed by the number of responses to this post. And it is only Monday, and there are already more than the average number of votes in the contest weekly final! And for those of us that feel votes don't matter, only comments do, then post your pictures in the gallery, not the contest. A contest is just that, a contest. That means entries, finalists, and a winner.

I too would like to see anonymous (sp???) posting of pictures. Too many times (and I am just as guilty as anyone) we choose who / and are influenced by how - we rate. I'd like to say I am not swayed, but I know I am. It would also put an end to payback ratings.

I think the biggest thing that would help this site is categories for posting images. I know this has been brought up time and time again, but hey... persistence can pay off.
That coupled with anonymity could be a good thing!!

Guess I've rather strayed from the initial post... thanks all for your ideas, comments, and for voting. And thanks to the administration for giving us this site to post on and spout off on!

[matrixneo]

I TRIED TO VOTE but disallowed...can any1 enlighten me? Do I have to hit certain target i.e. no. of posts b4 I can vote or I have to pay subscription????

[shootem]

Yes, you have to have 20 (I think) comments posted to vote.
Cheers

[matrixneo]

Originally posted by shootem
Yes, you have to have 20 (I think) comments posted to vote.
Cheers

k thanks pal....here's a cheap way to gain extra post...

[TNEmily]

matrixneo - I think you have to comment on 20 or so photos to vote - NOT the forums. I could be wrong but I think that's how it works. Feel free to reply to forums but I don't think it counts towards your comments total.

If anyone here knows differently, pls. correct me!

[matrixneo]

Originally posted by TNEmily
matrixneo - I think you have to comment on 20 or so photos to vote - NOT the forums. I could be wrong but I think that's how it works. Feel free to reply to forums but I don't think it counts towards your comments total.

If anyone here knows differently, pls. correct me!

Thanks Emily...thot so...coz my posts still stuck at 7 ...ask me to comment??? I'm just a start-up photographer to begin with...how to comment on pro photos :P