Seperate photo gallary threads and discussion

[Peter J. De Smidt]

On the Nude thread, Joe Forks made the suggestion that we separate image threads from discussion threads. This is a good idea. I don't see what would be lost, since if someone wants to make a supportive comment, or whatever, they can always PM the image poster, or they could write something in the discussion area. This way, image threads wouldn't be bogged down with pontification.

[Joe Forks]

Peter,
Great!
Additionally, if someone wishes to post an image FOR Critique, they could start their own thread ASKING for such pontification :).

[Roger Cole]

I don't mind discussion of the images posted in the image threads. What's often annoying, and I think this is what I'm mostly hearing from others, is when they digress to (in this case) the philosophy of shooting nudes or the artistic goals one hopes to accomplish or doesn't care about etc. Same could happen though is less common with other subject matter.

I think things like discussion of process ("I like the highlight detail here, do you find that film/developer combination works well for such such scenes in general?" or the like) also fine. But when it turns into. "oh, just what the world needs, another landscape photo of pretty rocks with big clouds overhead!" and the ensuing squabble-fest, THAT sort of thing can get annoying. (Not that I've ever seen that exactly, but it could just as easily happen as the arguments we've seen in the nudes thread.)

[Leigh]

I think brief critiques and process discussions are OK,

but long-winded philosophical discussions should be held elsewhere.

- Leigh

[Peter J. De Smidt]

I agree with Leigh in principle, but in practice making those judgments puts a lot of extra work on the moderators. It's much simpler to have no discussion in the picture threads, which doesn't mean that there can't be discussion, but just that it should be in a different thread. That doesn't stop anyone from posting their views, as long as they follow the forum guidelines.

[Leigh]

I wasn't suggesting that the moderators police the threads. That's waaay too much effort.

Since we have a section titled "Image Sharing and Discussion" it would be a simple matter to establish guidelines as to what posts are appropriate in image threads and which ones should have their own discussion threads.

- Leigh

[Joe Smigiel]

I disagree and enjoy the format as it is.

[Frank Petronio]

If people would just stop "quoting" the images then we would get tired mouse fingers from having to scroll so far. Might save half a calorie per day....

[Ron McElroy]

I agree with Frank on this issue of having to look at the same image several times in a thread gets tedious when a simple "Hey Frank. She looks cute for a vampire." :rolleyes: would work.

[Roger Cole]

I agree with Frank on this issue of having to look at the same image several times in a thread gets tedious when a simple "Hey Frank. She looks cute for a vampire." :rolleyes: would work.

I agree when the photo is on the same page. Otherwise I'm lazy and quoting it is better than me having to click the little blue arrow to see which image the commenter is commenting on. ;)

[cosmicexplosion]

i think this thread needs images to help clarify what your all trying to say.

[Jim Jones]

The thread is inspiring, informational, and occasionally entertaining just the way it is. The trivial rants of a few people degrade the thread, but don't eradicate its value

[Ralph Barker]

"Separate image threads from discussion threads" - a potentially interesting idea, if done in parallel to image-plus-discussion threads. But, I don't believe the "stock" software provides a mechanism for image-only threads, or a separate "gallery" section that would preclude comment. If one can post an image, someone else can post a comment. Thus, implementation would fall back on the guidelines, which few people seem to read, even though they check the box that says they did, and agree to comply, when they join.

Even if someone starts an "Images only, no comments, please" thread, there will always be a few who decide the no-comment request doesn't apply to them.

[RickV]

I doubt that an image only thread would need to be "moderated". Surely the IT gurus could create a script to only upload image code and reject plain text.

Personally, I'm happy to wade through "the trivial rants" and conversation whilst I patiently await the development of "scratch & sniff" software and hardware so that I can experience the aromas of those breathtaking Landscape, Still Life, Water's Edge and Portrait images. I suppose the topic of conversation would evolve then to "I think she would have smelt better if you'd used a soft focus lens".....

The verbal interaction in the image themed threads (even the obtuse comments) is an integral part of what makes this site such a successful forum and is so overshadowed by the excellent standard of posted images that it presents no problem to me at all.

[Peter J. De Smidt]

The thread is inspiring, informational, and occasionally entertaining just the way it is. The trivial rants of a few people degrade the thread, but don't eradicate its value

I agree with Jim, both in that the threads do have value but also that the extensive rants degrade them. The complainers should take the opportunity to present some of their own work in the areas they feel are neglected.