I'm taking the risk to suggest that comments should be anonymous. I've noticed that making comments always or at least often raised arguments. This is why, myself, I don't comment much especially if what I would have to say is not necessarily positive. I know this is dumb since the negative comments might help more than the positive ones. But since I got too many replies trying to make me change my mind and some quite rude, I've decided it was not worth the argument and don't comment much anymore. With the last event posted on the Forum, I'm wondering if anynonymous comment wouldn't be the solution.
I once got a rude private message after leaving a comment. (Oh, so you think you are God now that you have a few ribbons? )
I know I am not very diplomatic but am not rude either, the guy just could not take an honest critique (ended up at bottom of the challenge so maybe he should try to take some advice).
But most people appreciate comments and one bad experience is not going to stop me from commenting.
I like to go in and see profiles of commenters and their pictures. Helps me to understand their perspective.
I wonder if there is not a better solution to the problem... I would like to see a scenario where I have an option of keeping any specific user from commenting on my photos. This rarely happens, but when I find a comment left on my, or anyone's, photo that I find abusive or simply out of line, I would love to have the option to flag that user so that he/she would be unable to comment on any of my work.
One guy un-favorited my photos after I left him an unflattering comment on one his photos. Was a strangely vindictive act for a photography website. I'd support this.
One guy un-favorited my photos after I left him an unflattering comment on one his photos. Was a strangely vindictive act for a photography website. I'd support this.
That kind of mentality means that the photographer takes things a bit personally. That being the case, you should ask yourself if his/her input is of any value to you anyway...
i don't think anonymous comments are a good thing, though i do see why people would like them. what if you want someone to further elaborate on a comment? or maybe they make a comment you don't agree with. you can check their profile and that fact that they are just a beginner or whatever can help you put their comments in perspective.
the worst of the worst effect is that the bad comments will become even more vicious since no one is held accountable for what they say.
I agree with Fayech on that. I could see comments getting out of control.
Allyrellia has a good point too. I get a lot of PM emails before the challenge is over, from people who's photo I have commented on, trying to argue with my critique. I don't really want to know who you are before the challenge is over. These people need to realise that the commentor still has the opportunity to go back and change their vote, and the commentor may change a vote based on the reaction to your PM. And it may or may not be a good change. So, yes to anonymous comments during the challenge, but afterward it would be best to reveal the names. IMHO.
I recently got an angry PM from someone who obviously didn't agree with my assessment of their photo. I really try to make my comments in a constructive manner and to say something positive about the image as well, but it was evident from the angry, defensive response that they were not taking it in the positive manner I had intended. I simply changed my comment to an ellipsis and left it at that. I didn't want my comment to be deleted, but I didn't want to reward such hostile behavior either. I think that should something like this happen to me in the future, I will change my comment to "Comment retracted" or some similar statement.
One thing you can do to discourage any response to your comments during voting is to word them carefully so you are not inviting a reply. Don't ask a question. Another thing you could do is to wait until very close to the deadline before posting any comments you think may incite an unpleasant response. But hiding the name of the commenter until voting is complete is a more desirable way to go.
I wonder if there is not a better solution to the problem... I would like to see a scenario where I have an option of keeping any specific user from commenting on my photos. This rarely happens, but when I find a comment left on my, or anyone's, photo that I find abusive or simply out of line, I would love to have the option to flag that user so that he/she would be unable to comment on any of my work.
This is a great idea.
The photographer puts great effort in producing his/her work and there is no justice in allowing suckers to post insulting comments under his/her work, regardless the actual quality of the picture.
To be able to exclude commenters and remove undesired comments would be great.
And I am not talking on personal basis.
If you look at the comments I received I marked all of them as useful, including the very negative ones.
But to have an option to exclude undesired comments and commenters would be a sign of respect for the work of the people, even if I may never choose to exercise that option.
I wonder if there is not a better solution to the problem... I would like to see a scenario where I have an option of keeping any specific user from commenting on my photos. This rarely happens, but when I find a comment left on my, or anyone's, photo that I find abusive or simply out of line, I would love to have the option to flag that user so that he/she would be unable to comment on any of my work.
Two things, one you could lose your anonymity, and the second, if the person realizes they've been blocked from commenting, they can vote you down.
As far as people responding to comments before the end of a challenge, perhaps the identity of the commentor can be blocked until the end of the challenge, similar to the photographer's name being withheld.
I recently got an angry PM from someone who obviously didn't agree with my assessment of their photo. I really try to make my comments in a constructive manner and to say something positive about the image as well, but it was evident from the angry, defensive response that they were not taking it in the positive manner I had intended. I simply changed my comment to an ellipsis and left it at that. I didn't want my comment to be deleted, but I didn't want to reward such hostile behavior either. I think that should something like this happen to me in the future, I will change my comment to "Comment retracted" or some similar statement.
Or you could have simply said to your self 'what an a$$hole!' and deleted the PM. This would not in any way "reward such hostile behavior" and would not change your comment on the image itself! After all someone else who is serious about learning about photography might benefit from the comment you left on the shot even if the photographer themselves did not!
If there is a comment or PM that you truly believe to be 'abusive' you can always bring it too the attention of the Site Council. They have in the past removed truly abusive individuals from the site!
In an environment where comments on photos is not only permitted but encouraged, it is not beneficial to restrict those comments...
I've only had one angry/ nasty response to a comment. I received it via PM whilst voting was still active. It made no sense whatsoever but did make me laugh.
Mostly I get positive messages or neutral ones which seek to discuss, not to alter my vote.
In the early days of this site, comments were anonymous during voting. I definitely think a return to that would be the way to go. After results are announced however, it is essential that the names of commenters are revealed, to prevent an increase in abuse. Besides, it is best from a learning point of view to know when a comment comes from a particularly talented photographer.
Comments should not be anonymous in my opinion because a. people should stand up to their comment and b. people should not be afraid of commenting other people anyway.
The two sides were basically a desire to reply (a lot of anonymous commentors left questions, or asked for clarification) vs concern that people would try to sway votes or berate people for leaving nasty comments.
Pussyfooting around with less harsh comments on a bad photo is probably more damaging to the photographer as opposed to being honest and saying 'this sucks'
