500px

[DanK]

A few people have posted about using 500px, so I decided to ask about it. I considered using it quite some time ago, and set up an account, but I never started posting. From what I read, it sounds like it is a lot of time and work to get noticed initially, and I don't have a lot of free time right now. For those of you using it, what has your experience been? Has it taken a lot of time? Does it produced useful feedback?

many thanks

Dan

[ionian]

I started using it in January to post my images, but I'd been lurking for a little while as there are some truly stunning photos on there that I found really inspiring. It was much easier to find great shots than on something like Flickr.

The site has a style - well processed pics, some would say over-processed but I like the creativity that people show, both in capture and post. I put my best pics on there only, like a mini portfolio. I don't have my own website at the mo and 500px lets me share with fellow photographers, which would be much harder with a dedicated site. Note the free account only lets you upload 20 pics a week - which is plenty for me as an amateur trying to show off my best stuff.

For feedback, don't expect criticism. I come here for that. Good images will get likes but the amount of likes you get is also dependent on the exposure your images get. Liking other photos, following other artists, making galleries of images you like will all increase the people who see your images when they log in. This takes some effort, but often it's not a hardship, and part of the purpose of the site is to view others photos as well as hosting your own. I gained a lot more likes when someone popular I was following started liking my images - her approval appeared on her followers home page and then they all saw my images too. There are websites out there that can give you tips for getting more views if that is important to you.

To be honest I'd start by uploading a few pics that you are proud of and build it slowly. I find it a rewarding community to be part of but its not a learning experience like CiC. You can also sell images through the site, but I don't bother with this personally.

I'd encourage everyone on here to join, especially if you don't have an online portfolio. If you (or any fellow CiCers) do sign up, please follow me, and I'll return the favour!

[DanK]

Simon,

Thanks very much. This was helpful, although it doesn't encourage me to use the site. I think this may be the key for me:

Liking other photos, following other artists, making galleries of images you like will all increase the people who see your images when they log in.

I don't think I want to do that. I do like to look at other images by category to get inspiration, but I don't want to get into the social-media aspects of this.

From the few images I have browsed so far, I would agree that overprocessed photos seem to be popular on that site.

I'll be curious whether other people have had generally positive experiences, as you have.

Thanks again.

Dan

[Bobobird]

My best advice is don't.

[tbob]

I have been on 500px for a little over a year. I am not the most interactive sort so the social aspect is of minimal importance to me. The likes, followers, favourites and all the other ancillary aspects give you a bit of feedback on what type of stuff people like; much like the mini and monthly competitions on CIC. Much better feedback on CIC in the forums. I have only followed a few people and I am very bad at checking their stuff. Once in a blue moon I will scan the landscape and black and white sections to steal ideas.

The primary reason I use 500px is to have a place for potential purchasers, and acquaintances, who would like to see my best stuff. I can send them there to view my stuff.

I quite like the site as it provides a good spot to show off your images. The ability to organize into galleries and a portfolio is of use as well. I have it linked to my facebook page so when I post on 500px it also posts to my personal and photography facebook pages.

[DanK]

I should have clarified: I have a smugmug site for displaying photos, with some galleries visible to the public and others only to family and other people to whom I give links. The site badly needs cleaning up--I should cull at least half of what is there--but I don't need 500px for that purpose. I was mostly interested in whether for a reasonable investment of time, it would get me good critiques. Sounds like probably not a great option for that.

[NorthernFocus]

I played around with 500px for a bit albeit some while ago. No doubt there is some awesome photography displayed there. As previously mentioned it seems that everyone who posts there is prone to similar style of PP. Which is probably related to my other impression reading comments which is that it seems very "clickish"(no pun intended).

The reason I've hung round CIC as long as I have is that it is the most balanced/honest yet civil on-line environment I've come across. All of the other photography sites I've tried have there cliques and/or alpha personalities that dominate discussions. At present I've stopped posting everywhere other than hear. I guess I'm now in an exclusive relationship with you folks

[IzzieK]

At present I've stopped posting everywhere other than hear. I guess I'm now in an exclusive relationship with you folks

Hear...hear...

[DanK]

The reason I've hung round CIC as long as I have is that it is the most balanced/honest yet civil on-line environment I've come across. All of the other photography sites I've tried have there cliques and/or alpha personalities that dominate discussions.

IMHO, this site is outstanding for its combination of several things. People give honest and constructive feedback. People are very generous with their time, offering help and explanations of all sorts of things. And there is a real commitment to civil discourse. I've learned a lot here.

[Steaphany]

I have been a member of 500px since September 2014 and I like the recognition that my photography achieves. I also joined several groups and participate in those as well.

I have noticed that newly uploaded photos get the greatest wave of recognition and the overall interest then drops down somewhat. It's best if you have several images of a theme to upload at nearly the same time to have people look at your other work.

For me a great value of 500px is the ability for me to use the ratings to select what of my images draws the greatest interest and appreciation.