To rate or not to rate.

[Marysa]

I have not been rating images on this site for a while.

I would like some guidance from the administration as to whether they are using the member ratings in their choice of POW or whether our ratings are not required and only comments encouraged.

Thank you,
Mary

[Ellen]

My question as well! My photos used to be rated on this site. I even click the link that asks others to rate them. Lately, nothing but comments and no ratings. The way I see it, no ratings, no chance at finalists. I've learned alot from fellow photographers here on this site, but since I do tend to have a competitive side to me, I would like to know how I rate once in awhile. Just wondering myself what's going on with the ratings system............

[northbeach]

Mary & Ellen, it must be about two months or more now since admin. said that member ratings are not a factor in the choice of the final six and that they choose those images based on their evaluation.

Up until then I had always rated but now I don't. Since it has no longer has bearing on the outcome my preference is to comment as constructively as I'm able to.

I actually think everyone has a better chance this way. It's more impartial I think. We've had quite a few fairly new members getting into the final six and, indeed, winning. I've been at this site a long time and that used not to happen very often.

Sheila.

[northbeach]

Ellen, where is the place to click to ask for a rating? I don't see it, but if someone had specifically asked then I might do it.

Sheila.

[Aladyforty]

Originally posted by Ellen
My question as well! My photos used to be rated on this site. I even click the link that asks others to rate them. Lately, nothing but comments and no ratings. The way I see it, no ratings, no chance at finalists. I've learned alot from fellow photographers here on this site, but since I do tend to have a competitive side to me, I would like to know how I rate once in awhile. Just wondering myself what's going on with the ratings system............

Im at a loss as to rate or not and I dont know what the difference is to the finals, My sunset shot this week actually got a lot of ratings and ended up a 9 with a heap of comments and did not make the finals so I doubt it makes a difference. My other photo went all week with no comment or rating until Famjad bothered on the last day. Ive given up wondering about the ratings now.

[Ellen]

I just looked over the upload page for the rating link and don't see anything. Now I'm not sure if it was there or not. If it was, it isn't any longer. I think it would help if we just dispense with the rating all together if it's not going to have any bearings on the choice of top 6 each week. I agree that the administration should assist in making the final choices so that it doesn't become a popularity contest. Also, newer members are getting a better chance of recognition.

[Aladyforty]

I quite liked the way it was when I first joined, every photo seemed to get a rating and comments. Seems to have got to a stage now where its a mix of either and some people getting nothing on their photo at all. I believe that for some new members that it would be a little disappointing to see all the usual people getting a comment or rating and their photo gets overlooked.

[ponder]

I think the rating system lately is a waste of time. Many people don't have a clue on how to rate a photograph and in the past several months all I see are 8's to 10's with no rating under 7, so I agree with Northbeach that its better to provide feedback rather than numbers that don't mean anything. At least feedback allows the photographer to keep getting better over time although lately it seems people seem afraid to give feedback that may not be so positive. In order to get better at the craft of photography I really believe people should comment in a way that the photographer can learn from their mistakes. If the images get only good feedback, then this site is not accomplishing what it has accomplished in the past which is a place to learn from all photographers at all different levels of experience.

[shootem]

I like the "no rating". If we as a group could rate without worrying about hurting peoples feelings, and worrying if they or others would retaliate with low scores (if they are undeserved) that would be great. However, over the past year and a half, our ability to rate subjectively, and honestly has greatly deteriorated. If a score of 5 is good, and 9 is near perfect, we should see many 5's, 6's and 7's ’‚’‚…‚’‚‚‚‚� and very very few 9's. That simply has not been the case. I feel too many people gave others high scores in hopes of getting them back....
That said, since the no rating has been implemented (not by admin, but by most of us) we seem to be giving mostly positive comments, with very few constructive critisizms (sp?). I think it would help all of us, if we make a concerted effort to do more of this, as well as commenting on all that we like about the photos.....
And then, accept the admin's choices for the top 6 and move on to the next weeks learning curve.
This community is full of knowledge and experience, and a great place to learn and share.
Carolyn

[Aladyforty]

with or without a rating it seems one can offend someone. I remember last year I made a comment on a photo that was really bad. I tried to be nice about it and asked exactly what the photo was about only to get a barrage of abuse, probably best i did not rate. I wish that the rating of scores was gone because it seems some are getting ratings over others and they tend to get in the top six more often although I doubt it helps that much. They should take away the rating numbers. I am just happy if I get a comment which lately is not happening on both photos I submit and as a matter of fact I got not comments at all on one of mine this week and Im wondering whether its worth submitting two at all

[Buddy4344]

Just an opinion, but since we have had fewer doing ratings the number of photos getting comments has decreased. Also since the rating debate of "5 is very good". the number of total view has gone way down. October a year ago, I got over 300 views each week. In the last month, I have had some of the top number of views at the site and still only top 200 views/photo on my very best shot weeks. I find number of comments track as a ratio to rating and number of views. So maybe we are better off, but ... interest seems to be decreasing. Is that a good thing?

[Aladyforty]

I agree Buddy, whether the ratings are right or not people automaticly open a photo that they see a rating on. And now with so many photos unrated those with a rating stand out from the others. If it has a high rating they seem to want see why whereas there are plenty of good photos being overlooked for even a comment each week. People now dont to rate and I have noticed a decrease in interest since this started. The thing is that the ability to rate is still there so newbies come in and rate a photo. Its only people who have been on site a while who know whats going on in that department.

at the time as i write this there are 30 photos in the contest, low for this time of the week, with a grand total of 4 seperate comments "sigh"

[Bark4Soul]

Just trying to get to 15 here, thanx lol

[shootem]

I'm not positive, but I believe the 15 needs to come from comments on photos. Not in forums...
Maybe someone will correct me if I'm wrong
CG

[bytethis]

Sounds about right to me Carolina

Welcome Bark to Byte Good to see you're eager.

Just pop into the competition section and constructively critique, review and or rate submissions from fellow photogs.

Be concise, constructive and user friendly and you'll find you get constructive feedback in return.

You don't have to rate btw.

Good luck.