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01/08/2014 09:54:51 PM · #1 |
It was the announced end of Worth1000 which forced me to research similar alternatives. The steady stream of inspiring themes and quick feedback from all walks of life hooked me. Access to a global, interested and like minded audience seeking to share in each other's art, is invaluable... It also seems to be in decline... The "Is dpchallenge dying?" thread caught this discerning newbies attention. "The quality and quantity of submissions and interaction is considerably less than a year or two ago..." It was a contentious but undeniable fact at Worth that played some role in it's demise (saved by a last minute purchase btw), a recurring theme in other sites I was looking into, and just today I read where PXLEYES, the one I was most involved in, is closing down as well. "The final goodbye", to be the last contest after six years...
A sad pattern is evident. The sites dedicated to the value of artistic expression for it's own sake are being replaced by the monolithic photo hosting sites that happen to run contests of sorts. Or you pay per submission... Viewbug openly encourages you to seek out friends to vote you up (and increase their own numbers). Flickrawards (which I've just started playing with) is interesting...but a revolving machine of perpetual mini-contests that shift into vote mode with every six submissions [jury's still out there]. Deviant art is a chaotic quagmire of some excellent work drifting in a sea of the barely mediocre... Groups like this used to focus on quality but now people post doodles and birthday party pics in them like the cloud they are becoming... Discerning, professional, active and friendly sites like this (I still think) are rare, and becoming more so...
Photoshop on the other hand...
Not to derail my own broad topic or steal any thunder from here, but are there any other similar sites you frequent?
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01/09/2014 12:48:53 AM · #2 |
Many people have tried finding an alternate home to DPC, but there just isn't anything like it out there. It is unique in several ways - the quality and variety of the work here; the true sense of community; the vast trove of knowledge available to anyone who asks; and the challenge format. That it is declining is very sad, and a testament to the times. More and more people seem to prefer pleasant platitudes about their work ("oooh, nice!") rather than honest feedback and constructive criticism.
While there has been an undeniable attrition over the last several years, the reasons for it are as fought over as the last cookie on the plate. And there is disagreement as to whether it is "terminal" or just a phase in the life of an online community. Certainly other digital photography sites play a part, and certainly the "staleness" of the site presentation (although a few of us like to think of it as "retro") could be contributing factors.
And, of course, a lot is made of the owner's apparent indifference towards the site. On the other hand, while it is clear that Langdon is in no hurry and/or no longer has any interest in upgrading or "improving" the site, he is also not talking about shutting it down. Many members believe that cosmetic improvements will bring people back (though I don't believe that is why we're here in the first place); or larger pixel size (again, this would be nice but I don't think it will bring people here); or advertising (which of course would be great but would require capital). On this last item, there have been several members who have been very active in chatting up DPC elsewhere, and perhaps this is the only real way to increase membership.
The bottom line is that DPC is primarily a "learning" site, with a global community of incredibly generous and talented members willing to share their vast knowledge for the asking. It is the most "family" like online community I've ever met, and like any family, we argue a bit. For as long as he will continue to host it, DPC has a very loyal, dedicated group of photographers who are here to stay. Even if we're stuck with the gray layout. |
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01/09/2014 03:09:53 AM · #3 |
RE: Lost Art?
No. No, I'm here. I'm right here! On your left. ...your other left. *waves arms* |
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01/09/2014 06:43:20 AM · #4 |
 tanguera's post says it all in her usual wonderful way.
( i adore creep ) |
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01/09/2014 06:47:12 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by Tiny:
tanguera's post says it all in her usual wonderful way. |
I agree. No places like this one. It doesn't mean that this is the best place on the web, but surely is different and that's why the core of DPC is still here. |
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01/09/2014 07:49:46 AM · #6 |
+3 for tanguera. I can't tell you how many times I've had to stop myself from offering critique of a photo on flickr. Flickr has it's place, but it's not for critique. This place, it's welcomed and appreciated, and it's made me a better photographer than I once was.
And, just like with Facebook, and Flickr, and every other website that dares to change their layout, as soon as DPC changes, we'll hear the bitching and the calls for boycotts. It's human nature. We call for change, and when we get it, we long for what we once had.
Message edited by author 2014-01-09 08:50:04. |
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