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Robin Reid | all galleries >> Picture A Day - Year Four >> PaD November 07 > Not Voting
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12-NOV-2007 Robin Reid

Not Voting

Rancho Bernardo, CA

Recently there has been some discussion afoot regarding voting on people’s images. A small group yet growing number of us are choosing to eschew this option to reduce the emphasis on “popularity.” We assert that our comments can be about the photograph and what it evokes.

Now, I for one get an interesting range of comments. The Chusidian school often obfuscate their intended meaning with charming wit. Then there are the Knufkinians who are babbling if they say more than “nice shot.” Some use punning to make their point (although I have no idea how that got started – LOL). Others often leave meaningful critiques, which I always appreciate (even if they sting sometimes.)

I will still be coming around to comment. I’ve just taken the “V” off my keyboard.

Canon EOS 40D ,Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
1/60s f/1.8 at 50.0mm iso400 full exif

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virginiacoastline22-Nov-2007 23:47
if I have stopped to comment, I have voted
Greg Harp15-Nov-2007 03:17
What a relief! For a moment there I thought you had given up on the democratic process. LOL I agree with you. The voting system has been more and more abused to the point where it doesn't have any real meaning...
Guest 14-Nov-2007 23:53
Robin, you are a riot! :-) Very nice photo that drives the point home.
Jay Levin14-Nov-2007 22:30
There is nothing wrong with having a voting system to identify outstanding work. The problem with the voting system on Pbase is that it's not anonymous. The current system creates perverse incentives to vote in order to receive votes. I learned this as "log rolling" in my political science course way back in college.

A reasonably simple solution is for the owners of Pbase (Emily Neel and her husband) to move to an anonymous page view system. Just let the Pbase computer count the number of page views on a photo over a specific period of time. This is an anonymous system in which nobody knows who is viewing your images. As an alternative, for example, photo.net has a system in which people vote anonymously on an image on a scale of 1-5. Either solution ends the log rolling.

If you want to put an end to this silliness on Pbase, contact Emily Neel (her screen name is Emily). Months ago I told her of my opposition to the current voting system. But until the system is changed, I will continue to vote on images that I think should be identified as outstanding.
J. Scott Coile13-Nov-2007 21:48
_ery good idea to _anquish that key ;-)
Guest 13-Nov-2007 21:37
If you want to promote someone's work a link is currently more effective than a vote, with or without a V (otherwise I wouldn't be here). For the popular galleries to be representative of the best work, people need to be prepared to vote for people who are not their friends. I try but I have to admit it is hard except for truly exceptional images. It is also very hard not to reward the people who do vote for me.
Cliff13-Nov-2007 19:42
Excellent photo Robin - I'd of voted if you'd let me ! :o)
My 2 cents - photo-a-day is only for fun and I wouldn't think should be taken very seriously - voting or otherwise. Obviously, the more you comment and vote, the more comments and "votes" you'll get - regardless often of the image quality. That said, however, I am tickled if someone likes one of my photos enough to comment and even put a 'V' afterwards. Shooting to get a good PaD is a great objective and better than just adding to the pile of 8 X 10s on my shelf, like the old days.
Cliff13-Nov-2007 19:01
Excellent photo Robin - I'd of voted if you'd let me ! :o)
My 2 cents - photo-a-day is only for fun and I wouldn't think should be taken very seriously - voting or otherwise. Obviously, the more you comment and vote, the more comments and "votes" you'll get - regardless often of the image quality. That said, however, I am tickled if someone likes one of my photos enough to comment and even put a 'V' afterwards. Shooting to get a good PaD is a great objective and better than just adding to the pile of 8 X 10s on my shelf, like the old days.
Kenneth Zimmerman13-Nov-2007 13:29
I have to agree with you on votes. I consider myself to be a pretty good photographer yet I have never recieved enough votes to even come close to the Popular galleries. Heck, I don't even know how to check on votes to see how many people did. I do like the comments that people leave, and thats good enough for me. I enjoy your wit and wisdom, along with your photographic talents.
Debbie Blackburn Beierle13-Nov-2007 07:35
Robin! You have amazing wit and talent! Bravo! (hilarious!)
Gary Winters13-Nov-2007 06:30
Great shot. GMV!
Guest 13-Nov-2007 04:19
V is for Vacuous which is what the Voters on pbase are

NOT the best photos, by any means, just a group of ass-kissers...ego stroking.
Big Mike13-Nov-2007 04:08
8o)
Brian McAllister13-Nov-2007 04:00
I know you would have given this issue a fair amount of thought and being one of the long term and very active Pbase members, you would have a very good perspective on what voting is supposed to be about. To see you post this image and take this position is sending out a very courteous and meaningful message to PBsae members. I respect your decision and look forward to your wit and continued support with the art of digital photography for many years to come.
coaster13-Nov-2007 03:57
Think I'll stay "undeclared" on this issue.
snootydog13-Nov-2007 03:57
Great sentiment but unfortunately I don't think you will have much impact on the vote addiction that seems to run rampant amoungst padders. Still, if anyone has a loud and respected enough voice to start the revolution, it would be you. Voting is perhaps one of my biggest pet peeves about pbase for so many different reasons.
Dave Wixx13-Nov-2007 03:45
Vive la Révolution!
At some point recently Pbase seemed to stop being a mechanism to share and have fun and became a competition. Some people had the time and inclination to comment and vote on everything and they got the benefit of their hard work!! Hopefully we can all get back to a little honesty and more importantly fun.
I'm sure this must deserve a vote for the sentiment, but I wouldn't dare comment ;->
Guest 13-Nov-2007 03:42
I totally agree that I perfer comments to votes. And I totally respect anyone who chooses not to vote or announce their votes just as long as doesn't mean that those of us who do are stigmatized for our choice. That seems to me to be the exact same kind of in-group vs. out-group popularity contest that the anti-vote movment is rallying against. I toss up a "V" because (1) it's a nice thing to do and (2) it might mean a photographer whose work I like gets a few extra views. Otherwise, it means little or nothing to me and I surely don't expexct a "V" in reurn. All that being said, I totally respect and appreciate making this an issue for discussion. So, V.
Bryan Ramsay13-Nov-2007 03:13
I think you're spot on again with that far western thinking stuff, I originally felt the votes were a good judge of how nice one of my shots was. But, I agree they appear to have recently become a popularity contest. I no longer pay much attention to how many votes and individual shot gets, but I think I will continue to vote for shots with the "V" of victory if I think a shot truly stands out either above the general level of shooting or if its truly a great shot by the submitter. Not a sermon, just a thought. LoL -BJ
Coleen Perilloux Landry13-Nov-2007 02:52
I hope you didn't smack someone with that before you broke it. I vote for a lot of photos--I just don't always say "V" or "Vote". I have always been competitive and wanted votes but I haven't posted a votable (such a word) photo in so long I can't complain. However, I do think some of the votes are questionable. Anyway, to each his own.
Pepe Zyman13-Nov-2007 02:33
I vote for that!
Guest 13-Nov-2007 02:15
Sad that some contributors (apparently) are using the voting option for reasons other than what it is intended to be for.
Cindi Smith13-Nov-2007 02:13
Voting has gotten crazy....I only vote when it is something I feel is worthy and half the time don't even tell the person I voted. It doesn't mean that much anyway to me.
carol j. phipps13-Nov-2007 02:08
Dynamic portrait with punch! For me the voting has multiple meanings, most often that the image evoked something in its viewing that is noteworthy. Carol
Herb 13-Nov-2007 01:21
Not a nice shot LOL
Gary Blanchette13-Nov-2007 00:55
The V means very little to me as well...