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Favourites and collections

Thu Feb 5, 2009, 6:20 PM
Control and context in how images are displayed on dA.

I've been putting my pictures on dA for two years now. I'm very happy to be part of this vibrant and talented community. It pleases me very much that people enjoy my pictures and express appreciation. For the most part it has been a very positive experience and I have few regrets at getting involved, but there are however some things that sometimes cause me to review my decision.

I have discovered that so long as I keep fairly quiet and I don't step outside my circle of like-minded friends, my dA activity is valuable and inspiring. I also know that whenever I have ignored that rule, I have regretted it bitterly. It is easy to forget that all human life is here, both good and bad.

One thing that bothers me more than anything else, is the lack of control we have over the presentation and context of our images when they are displayed in other members favourites and collections. Don't misunderstand me; I do like people to favourite my work, but as I said before, there is all human life on dA and sometimes our work can end up in collections alongside pictures that (although they might comply with the dA guidelines) are of little artistic value. I speak (for example) of those poorly executed close-up shots of genitalia and those artless dawbings and scribblings we have all seen and try to avoid. There is nothing we can do to prevent the possibility of our carefully and thoughtfully executed work ending up in a collection mixed-in with all that garbage. There is also nothing stopping a dA member taking one of my art nudes and putting it in a collection entitled something like 'nice tits' or 'hot babes'.

Am I being too sensitive? Should I just close my eyes to it? Are the positive aspects of dA enough to compensate? I just don't know.

  • Mood: Content
  • Listening to: my own thoughts
  • Watching: out for the postman
  • Drinking: Earl Grey Tea

Devious Comments

love 1 1 joy 0 0 wow 0 0 mad 0 0 sad 0 0 fear 0 0 neutral 1 1
:iconam32gd:
any work will be seen in many different ways we cannot know the mind of others only the working of our own

--
Paul
:icondaveayerstdavies:
I think you have missed my point slightly. It is not the perception of my work by others that concerns me. It is not an artistic or a creative consideration, just a simple lack of control as to how my pictures are presented.
:iconam32gd:
understand .can think of no easy solution .me im just happy someone likes my work i have a long way to go to get to your level

--
Paul
:iconinfinite-imagery:
I totally agree. I have been reluctant to post some work because of the negativity I have recieved. Not constructive but rather rude and distasteful. I think you hit the nail on the head on this one. Great post!

--
It has been my honor to serve those who have sacrificed for the freedom of others.
:icondaveayerstdavies:
I've not had a problem with negative comments on my images so far in my 2 years on dA, and I've never felt disinclined from posting anything for fear of rude comments. Even if negative comments were made, they can be dealt with. What I am discouraged by, is the likelihood of my images sitting in user collections alongside the worthless, exploitative and artless images that I would rather not be associated with.
:iconfleetingimageuk:
Certainly agree that sometimes it's disconcerting to find one of your pictures marked as a favourite, but displayed within a collection of images that you would prefer not to be adjacent your ones own work.

Reckon I take the view that all websites of this type have their drawback. I did welcome the change from 'friend' being changed to 'watch' for somewhat similar reasons !

Alex
:iconinfinite-imagery:
I guess being fearful was a poor choice of words. It does however make me angery when someone makes a rude or distasteful comment for no other reason than to be malicious in their intent. I photograph all kinds of people of every shape, size and color. Art can be found anywhere if one is looking correctly.

--
It has been my honor to serve those who have sacrificed for the freedom of others.
:iconmyp55:
I can cope with my worked being jumbled in with what I would not associate it with (quality or content wise) to an extent. But I draw the line the likes of "'nice tits' or 'hot babes'", or as most of my highly favourited work is self portraits "hot boys", "sexy cocks", etc. Those sort of tasteless people, who seem to exist largely to catalogue work rather than really appreciate it for any sort artistry, just get blocked.

--
My gallery here: [link] My youtube: [link]
:iconsamarai:
As has been so erroneously said, so often that it has become di rigueur - you have to take the good with the bad.

I would be the absolute last person to claim that my only interest in yours and others offerings is their artistic value. On the other hand, I can certainly appreciate the effort you put into your work (it shows), so I can just as easily appreciate your feelings in this. I guess, just be happy the moronic few are just that and let it be. But, whatever you do - don't stop taking pictures!

--
Life is what happens while you're making other plans

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