I really do enjoy the social/community nature of this thing called blogging - that was a totally unexpected aspect for me.

I’m not really sure how valid this idea is, but it popped into my head as I was reading these comments, and thought I’d throw it in the fray.

I was concerned that perhaps it was possible that there is a genuine problem with the level of my own commenting. Actually I am doing less of late!

The real driver of traffic to my site is obvious to me looking at the logfiles - I will say what it is sometime - it is absolutely not the level of commenting I do!

It is my view that Joe was deliberately being a little provocative to create some discussion and some traffic to his site. No problem with provocation so long as it is civil and not abusve.

I am glad that, in your response, you questioned the point of the comment. It really seemed like a random statement thrown awkwardly into a conversation. But look at all the great introspection that have come from that one perspective.

I feel the whole allure of blogging is that interactive spirit. Anyone could create a basic website and post pictures. The fun of the blog or photoblog is that you get to connect with people. And, at our core, people crave community and seek out interaction. That’s not ego, it’s human nature.

Besides all of us are smart enough to read between the lines on the comments we get. When someone thinks something is great, they pretty much say so. If an image evokes a feeling, memory, idea - then you learn a bit about (a) how your image sparked someone’s mind and imagination, (b) a tiny glimpse on how that person sees and describes their world, and (c) whether that then brings about more discussion/ consideration/ confirmation/ joy/ depression, etc. Inherently, we use each other and each other’s words, reactions and/or silence to sharpen our own insights, wits, and skills (photographic and social).

This was a very fun entry to follow over the last couple of days. I’ve appreciated the comments above, because everyone has just a slightly different twist on it.

Jamie - glad that you are evaluating for yourself why you are doing this and what it means for you.

I would like to clarify that there is no expectation from me that people reciprocate my comments - indeed many frequently do not and a few have never commented on my images. I do tend to reciprocate my self and it is my view that a lot of commenting activity will tend in general to lead to a higher volume of returned comments.

I am often amazed as to which images illicit the highest response - either in umbers of comments or, more frequently, in the quality - in terms of the impact either positive or negative.

My recent series on Stowe had a couple of images one of which was really liked and I thought it average and one which was slated (as close as we ever get to doing that to each other). Also last week the image of dancing reflections receved a high number of comments and seems to be popular though the tone of the comments was more - ‘OK’ than ‘Fabulaous’.

This week, I received a lot of comments on the sepia series, though yesterday’s was significantly lower - perhaps people are getting bored with it now as it could be getting samey.

I don’t leave messages for the sake of filling up their comment box. I don’t expect my visitors to leave messages all the time. If they feel like it, it’s available to them. To this point, I have not received any nasty comments but it is a feature I will think about taking out if such a thing happens. Photoblogging is something I enjoy doing and wouldn’t want some fool’s comments like “Joe Ob” ruining it for me.

Quantity of comments does not reflect quality of blog, those who comment meaningfully across a large number of sites are far more likely to get more comments back, a ‘no brainer’ as they say in the country that is currently my home. However, it does not seem strange to me that the sites that stand out as really interesting, meaningfull, genuine and well intentioned seem to get the most comments.

As mentioned above the grouping of blog communities is about taste and personal interest, there are few commenters that stray into other camps. What is very encouraging about these bloggers is that I have recieved messages back from people on who’s site I have commented even though I have no blog of my own, what did they have to gain? It adds weight to my experience that 95% of people the world over are really decent polite folk who understand courtesy and give generously and naturaly. Or am I being nice just to get some more comments back? Do I really believe all that I have just said or am I just trying to elicit a response? Such is the mystique and intrigue of conversation without being face to face.

I do, however, try and respond personally to any comments I get on my blog. If only to say thankyou.

I have no problem with people doing lots of commenting. I do have a problem with people commenting to attract attention - which we all know happens.

Do comments impact quality? I hope not. I hope I’m doing that.

Originally I was interested in other people’s blogs mainly because of the subjects they shot. As we left comments on one another’s techniques, the photos as art, regardless of subject, assumed equal importance. Then as the sense of community developed, the photographers themselves — their daily lives, their thoughts on things other than photography — has become of equal importance to me. (In fact, I would DEARLY love to see a series of “A Day in the Life of…” photographs from the people I have come to know through photoblogging.) I wonder what the next phase in the birth of this community will be.

In any case, I pay reciprocal visits/comments to

a) discover new photoblogs that deal with subjects that interest me
b) get new ideas for photographic techniques and subjects (I’m really, really tired of taking pictures of flowers — Bring on the snow!)
c) promote a dialogue with people discussing things of mutual interest

I think we all agonize over not having enough time to reciprocate every comment. There are so many great blogs and great people out there to get to know. Sigh.

I gather two things.

1) # of comments one gets is not an indication of how good a photographer you are.

2) To me, personally, I have established cordial friendships based on blog comments and I ask for critique in private emails. Blogging is a way to network for me that introduces new people to me.

3) More than 90% of people who visit my blog don’t leave a comment, that does not bother me. It used to bother me a bit, but I guess I have grown up beyond that. The only reason why my photos are shown in my gallery and blog are I need people to see them - and I am glad they do.