I think a dedicated mod like Glowrock is a great first step. The contests will help drive activity but they need to be consistent and timely.
Another improvement I thought of: the color scheme for the photo forums could be changed. I like the blue but I think photos pop more on a dark background. Could be an issue regarding text readability and site consistentcy. |
I can make sure that the photo contests are timely and regular, Okayyou. I'm thinking of having two per month, allowing for a week of voting, then with a little down time to come up with a new subject and to have people get their photos ready for the contest.
Sound good? Aaron (Glowrock) |
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When it comes to this site, this site has the best urban photography forum for sure that I have found. The comment thing is ridiculous though. Don't know if veteran forumers will not comment on newbie's threads, or if less quality amature photographers like myself don't deserve comments. The first issue seems to be the most true. Either way the hour minimum to just link your photos and not even counting the editing and uploading time is probably not worth it for a few comments. |
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Aaron (Glowrock) |
That was the idea behind this thread, to improve the photo forums so activity is increased. It's pretty dead around here most days. As far as the suggestions, do they need to be PM'd to the site Admins? Do they want to improve this area of the site or are they happy with the way it is?
I think the photocontest revamp was helpful and has seen good participation. The getting to know the SSP photographers was good to get going again but it stalls out pretty easily. There doesn't seem to be much discussion after an interview is posted. As mentioned previously, I think the question format could change. Quickrpickr is a web app that generates BB code from your flickr photos. It saves a lot of time. For instance you can search for all the photos with a certain tag and it will output bb code based on the parameters you specify. It works ok, but I still have to use Excel to mass edit the generated code because there are no dynamic thread editing features here on the site. |
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You can change the collaboration settings so that anyone can edit the map, and then people can post links to their own threads, or people can post links to threads by other forumers. Posting a link is pretty easy - just: - click edit on the map, - click on the pin icon to generate a placemark - drag and drop the placemark onto the relevant place on the map - the map automatically generates a call out box for the pin. In the space provided, give the pin a name (eg name of forumer and city covered by the thread), - click on 'rich text' in the pin's callout box, - post some link text in the callout box - highlight the link text in the callout box - click on the link icon and post the thread URL into the box - add any other comments you like into the call out box - bob's your uncle There could be a sticky with a link to the map in the photography section, plus people could link to it in their signatures. I'm sure it would also be possible to embed the map itself into a post as well. Here is an example, with links to a couple of threads: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=203406978152641034248.0004cae63ab9990b98931&msa=0&ll=54.775346,-41.660156&spn=84.794655,158.027344 |
Nice work bedhead. I think that is a great start. I added some of my threads but wanted to make sure we get an agreed upon format. Do we want the pin title to be forum member name and a general place name? Or should it be the title of the thread? What I did for mine:
Pin title: Memeber Name - General title (Do we want member name in the title?) Call out text: Linked title of the thread and image thumbnail. Now what about the pin icon? Should each member have their own to help distinguish thread authors or should we keep them all the same for consistency? |
Yes, agree with that format - those images in your pins look friggin amazing!
I'm happy to go with the majority on pins - I can't see any harm in having different pin icons - we could let members chose their own. |
Took a little bit of time but I got my threads geotagged. Any chance we can get the mods to put the map in a more prominent place so others can see and add their threads?
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"The comment thing is ridiculous though. Don't know if veteran forumers will not comment on newbie's threads, or if less quality amature photographers like myself don't deserve comments. The first issue seems to be the most true. Either way the hour minimum to just link your photos and not even counting the editing and uploading time is probably not worth it for a few comments."
My take on comments - while they're always nice to see, they're not *the* reason I post photos on the forum. Besides, I'm guessing most people don't feel the need to add another "Nice pics!" to the chorus? :shrug: |
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http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=196865 |
I can't contribute much in terms of how to implement it... but the map is an EXCELLENT idea. With some quality control, maybe, so only the best threads get featured. But I know that is 5 seconds of looking at it I saw half a dozen Okayyou threads that I have missed completely over the years.
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I've had some more ideas about improving the photo forums. I'm not sure why the photo forums are divided into A-M and N-Z. I think when more people were on the site it was to help new threads from being pushed off the main page and vanishing into oblivion. Now I don't think that would happen so much. What I have noticed is that there are really two types of threads that people post. Packaged sets that represent a city or neighborhood and city threads that are continuously updated. Maybe it would make more sense to separate the city threads based on whether they are updated continuously or not. Anyone else have input on this? Also, I was thinking about starting a Critique thread. Is there any interest in posting photos and letting other people critique them? |
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Aaron (Glowrock) |
I'm definitely in favor of a critique thread. Giving useful advice to help people improve and develop their skills is always a good thing...
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Splitting the city photo forums was controversial back in the day. I always hated the idea. Originally it was split into North America and Rest of the World, then they did the alphabetical thing because the World forum was dead.
This site is definitely not busy enough to warrant the split forum. Even threads with very little activity can stay on the first page for two or three weeks. I rarely post neighbourhoods or small towns anymore. Just isn't worth it. |
I know one thing I plan on doing to hopefully get some buzz in the photography section is to promote my sets on my facebook page whenever I start to do photothreads again. If we all did this that could possibly help generate some activity...
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Photo section should just be broken down into original photos/ found photos/ general photo forum and nothing else. the fragmentation of the forum was a bad experiment. http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoess...s/new_coke.jpg |
I actually like the alphabetization. It helps keep it organized and makes finding certain city threads much easier, in my opinion...
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