Follow clean up!

June 2nd, 2012
I just spend the last 40 minutes going through the people that I follow to remove all the non-active people (anyone that have not posted for 1 month or people that may not have posted for half a month and do not follow me) and I must say it was interesting.

A couple of the things I learned was:

1) A lot of people have problems getting over the 3 month mark
2) People that have hundreds of photo continue to take photos
3) There is a shed load of Stacy's that take photos.

What things have you learned from going through the people you follow?
June 2nd, 2012
Hahaha I've noticed lots of Stacys too. xD

Can I add: 4) People who are inconsistent with posting (i.e. do it only once a week or so) tend to drop off altogether after a while. You either snap and post every day, or you tend not to do it at all!
June 2nd, 2012
Paulas for me, plenty of Paulas here.
June 2nd, 2012
And Justins!
June 2nd, 2012
Agreed I love all the Paula's!
June 2nd, 2012
I just realized that I love to follow people from other countries!
June 2nd, 2012
Stacey's rock that's why. Uh and I just started following you before this thread.
June 2nd, 2012
I struggled to get over the 3 month mark and one of my faves to follow helped me get there. Then he stopped posting, unfortunately (it was his second year).

I haven't found a common name in followers or ees.

I've dropped off people who post to their alternate album/s heaps. I don't like my dashboard filled with one person's shots when I want to look at multiple people's photos. It's different if you've been away, etc. and need to catch up on a few of your "photo a day" pics. But not 5 every day.
June 2nd, 2012
Probably 90% of the people who follow me never comment; which I find kind of strange. The 10% who do comment, do so regularly and consistently; thank you so much for that you guys!!
June 2nd, 2012
There is only one ME :)
June 2nd, 2012
@sheliwithani I just followed you since you are doing some Awesome work (your quality to follower ratio is way too low; more people need to see your photos!) But be warned; I post to all three albums regularly so follow me at your own risk (of course, it might be worth it since two of my albums are represented in T20 this week... just saying... LOL).
June 2nd, 2012
I haven't looked through my list but will do so now. I must have a lot of followers who are no longer active, as i supposedly have over 100 followers, but sometimes get just 1 or 2 comments. Or maybe my photos are just not interesting to them..... too bad, too sad, I'm still enjoying taking my photo a day!
June 2nd, 2012
Seems what @pocketmouse said is about right, other than that there's not much consistency, besides bugs, flowers... what was A? No jk, they post a lot of interesting stuff, hard to keep up with it though
@grizzlysghost, sorry, I try to be the creepy stalker type :)
June 2nd, 2012
@grizzlysghost
I have followed you for a while, and don't always comment...it's hard to think of something original to say when 25 or so people have got in before you!!! Maybe I'll just start putting a little smiley face to show I like the pic!!
June 2nd, 2012
The only consistency I find is that I don't hear from my followers. lol. I have 89 followers, but only really ever heard from 2 regularly, they're pretty sporadic on here now, so I gave up. lol.
June 2nd, 2012
Hi, i am enduring a huge personal problem and i am not being able to post regularly. I will return when things get better. I went through the 3 months mark and wish soon to resume posting. Thanks.
June 2nd, 2012
There's a few Tracy's too...

I cleaned my list out pretty much the same way a while back ... need to do it again though lol. @agima

@grizzlysghost I notice the same thing... always the same people commenting... well for the most part. I do use my alternates when I can't decide between some shots... that's what I paid for, right? You have 2 T20's?? Awesome work, I forget to look at those half the time lol.

@onie Sometimes 6 people will say "beautiful"... but if that's what I think, I'll say it too... :) I've been behind on commenting a bit... been a tough few weeks... even struggling just to bother to take any shots... but getting there.
June 2nd, 2012
@grizzlysghost Thanks so much Aaron. My warning to you is that I can be a bit hit and miss. My bad weeks normally coincide with doing the later shift at work. Congrats on your T20 efforts.

I joined this project to make me use my camera more often. Last year, I could go a month without picking it up. I completely lost my "phojo". Now, using other people's ideas and encouragement, I've got more confidence and knowledge (camera and software alike).

While this site shouldn't be about how many comments any one person gets, receiving some does give you a boost in that your image has appealed to another. I confess to not commenting as often as I used to through either lacking originality in my words or just not knowing how to put my thoughts into words. At the very least, I'll open the image so it registers a view.

For now, I'm having fun and will be making an album of all the images I've taken this year, to look back on in time.
June 2nd, 2012
@grizzlysghost You are welcome. Your pics are always worth a few words!
June 2nd, 2012
@onie That's exactly my thing! Originality. There have even been times when I've written, "What they said".
June 2nd, 2012
I have to say that many of my comments are not that original either, but if something catches my eye, I at least want the photographer to know about it, so I at least say something! Then other times I think I am an old wind bag that says too much...kind of like now.
June 2nd, 2012
@sheliwithani "Phojo," I like that! :)
June 2nd, 2012
@newbie Haha, kind of like now! :)
June 2nd, 2012
@newbie It's all or nothing for me. :) As you'll see above.
June 2nd, 2012
I haven't been able to go thru the feed lately so I've learned who's really looking at my pics lol...;o)
June 2nd, 2012
@onie Good idea :-)
June 2nd, 2012
@gabrielklee Sorry to hear that, Gabriel. I hope things get better for you soon.
June 2nd, 2012
@meisen325 thanks, Monica. It will. :)
June 2nd, 2012
Lyn
I've learned that it's awfully hard to spend as much time as I'd like to. . .I try to comment on at least one picture regularly of each person I follow and I'd like to do it daily - but it just isn't always possible. (I really need to KEEP my job. . .). I appreciate every single comment I get and really want to offer feedback that is valued for the pictures that touch me. @grizzlysghost I can't always keep up with all of yours, but I do try!
June 2nd, 2012
@lyno I know Lyn, you're awesome! :)
June 2nd, 2012
Do you have a method for keeping up with commenting? You have more followers than I do, and I have difficulty keeping track and making sure I’m commenting back to those who comment on mine. This is my second year, and I’m trying to spend less time at the computer.
June 2nd, 2012
I've learned that I recognize nearly everyone on the list of people I follow and their photos and it was easy to spot those that had disappeared. I deleted a number of users last week who had fallen off the grid.

This past week, I needed to take a break and just posting daily was all I could manage. Hopefully this next week, I will be back into my old routines.

June 2nd, 2012
After starting the project 2 times and failing (this is my thrid) I have learnt a lot from both my followers and the people I follow. There are 5 people who I search for their pics everyday, they are my support and comment on nearly every picture I take. It feels like they are more friends than just someone who comments. There are a few people I follow who don't post anymore, but I haven't removed them in case they come back.

p.s @grizzlysghost Aaron's multiple posts are fantastic! definately worth following him :D
June 2nd, 2012
Only one Cheyenne :))
That I know of anyways ;)
June 2nd, 2012
I have just had 6 weeks off after finishing year 1 and am back for year 2, maybe, certainly for the time being*, it's interesting how many followers have disappeared, not that I can blame them. Some of that will be Ross's latest purge.

I'm another one who unfollows people who put a month of shots up at a time.

* I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't finish a second year - it's more to keep me sane while I'm job hunting
June 2nd, 2012
I find it helps to get involved in the challenges and post comments on other 365ers pics. I'm guessing most of the folks on the site have jobs or daily lives outside of photography and they take on the challenge of a photo-a-day to improve their photo or editing skills. Like most things, if you don't practice and work at it, then it is difficult to improve. Sometimes it is frustrating when you don't receive comments and only get views, but I've learned to just plow forward and the photo skills, editing abilities, and tips-n-tricks will follow. Like @agima and @bobfoto have mentioned, there are lots of Stacys and Paulas taking on the challenge.
June 2nd, 2012
@grizzlysghost Most of my followers don't comment but I see this as a normal thing. I don't always comment on people I follow. Because my time on 365 is limited, I stick to a policy of returning comment for comment. I think reciprocity generates good karma and makes the world go round. So every day, I go through the comments on my previous photo and I return the favor. After that is done, with whatever time I have left, I go through the "Recent Activity" feed and other photos on the site by browsing "By Day". I will comment on whatever photo catches my eye regardless of whether I follow the person (or am followed back) or not. 8)
June 2nd, 2012
@tracywilliams Haha, thanks Tracy! :)
June 2nd, 2012
@myautofocuslife Excellent routine Livia! :) We can only do so much, but as long as we are active the wealth is bound to get spread around!
June 2nd, 2012
@myautofocuslife I tend to do exactly that Livia. There is only so much time in the day and we'd all go mad if we beat ourselves up over the number of great shots we're missing every day. It would be impossible to look at them all so reciprocation and then viewing other shots when the time allows is the way to go. I used to feel guilty during my first year when I missed commenting for a day but in year two I know it's not possible so go with the flow and just try to take a reasonable shot every day to post up :o)
June 2nd, 2012
I'm the mug who comments on everyone she follows every day...but not necessarily on every shot they post on that day...That means that I have to keep the number of people I'm following down to what I can deal with. About once a week I go through my followers and comment on their shots as well. So if my comments are just simple and quick I can't help it...I'm under fairly rigid time constraints
June 2nd, 2012
@onie I'm curious, too, why I've got over 100followers and only get ~20 views and 2-5 comments sometimes ...
June 2nd, 2012
The interesting thing I've noticed is that some people fav my photos without commenting and the only reason I know is that I get an email. Guess it depends on the motivation for faving.
June 2nd, 2012
@lyno I feel the same, it was easier before I was working, but sometimes it is hard to keep up with everyone. I try hard though....wait am I following you? I will have to go see now, I can't recall a photo of yours lately My bad. Love that you leave me comments all the time.
June 2nd, 2012
I try to follow 60 people, give or take one or two, so that I can keep up - any more becomes unmanageable for me - so when I add one, I take one away (Someone who seems to have given up or who never interacts with me)

If there are people who I want to follow still because they are 'pros' and I can learn a lot from them - but they never interact with me - then I 'bookmark' their page in a folder I keep for the purpose :)
June 2nd, 2012
@jonesp I think some just fav instead of commenting because it is a more time efficient way of saying "I really like this picture." ;)
June 2nd, 2012
@tandem02 That happens because they just look at the picture in their feeds but don't click on it. I do that sometimes, and often I think 'Oh, what a nice picture' but I just don't have the time to open it but just look through my feed quickly. People who have 500 followers don't get 500 views a day either.
June 2nd, 2012
@traeumerlein87 Yes, that's what I do - if it is someone I don't follow.

I'm trying to keep my favs to one a day now, as I'm such an enthusiast I would have 1000s of favs otherwise!
June 2nd, 2012
@boogie Haha, that really sounds like file keeping but I totally understand your point. I find it really hard to keep up with those who I follow and I feel bad when I can't show enough appreciation for their work and their comments on my pictures.
June 2nd, 2012
@pocketmouse said "People who are inconsistent with posting (i.e. do it only once a week or so) tend to drop off altogether after a while. You either snap and post every day, or you tend not to do it at all! "

I agree - this is a pattern I've noticed too.
June 2nd, 2012
@myautofocuslife I might actually try and do that, too.
June 2nd, 2012
@myautofocuslife Yes, I do this too (So every day, I go through the comments on my previous photo and comment back)

June 2nd, 2012
@jonesp Sometimes I fav without commenting. The image really drew my attention or inspired me, but I was dog-dead-tired and couldn't put two words together. I hope they get the email & I crawl away from the computer :)
June 2nd, 2012
@agima i don't delete people how are not active for a month, because they might be back, and i lose them!)))))
i deleted only once or twice, because i started to follow them from their 3-10 first shots, and afterwards they were not active for 5 months)
June 2nd, 2012
i will delete people but only if they're not active for about 4-5 months
June 2nd, 2012
@myautofocuslife That's basically how I do it. I used to at least look at the photos of all of my followers and friends, but if you stay in the site long enough, posting and stuff, you reach a point where this is no longer feasible, if you want to do things like go to work, spent time with the family, etc. :-) So now it's reciprocal with a few extras thrown in that catch my eye.
June 2nd, 2012
@ronbee What is your point?

I have no idea what your are trying to say with comments like "real jobs" and your PS.

Maybe it's a bit too early for me and I need to wake up some more to get it.
June 3rd, 2012
@agima Oh Brendan, you profile photo is just so suitable for the comment you have made above. Total puzzlement...........
June 3rd, 2012
@agima The 40 minutes you spent trying to work out what he said perhaps? ;)
June 3rd, 2012
@38mm :)
June 3rd, 2012
I wonder what happens on here, I have 170-something followers, and I used to get 60 - 100 views per day on my photos and got onto the PP page a few times (yeah, I know, I know I shouldn't worry about it...) but my photos are getting around 20 or less views now and I think I am posting my best photos, but.....

I am SO happy that I have a "gang" of people who comment on my photos every and I am sooooo grateful for them to do that....I try and comment on a lot of photos daily, ones that genuinely interest me, and ones that I like....so am not sure of the drop off

But, I won't worry about that, all I know is that I cannot imagine life with my little 365 family I now have...I feel I know so many people by being allowed to view into their lives, and long may it continue !!

@agima - good post Brendan
June 3rd, 2012
I don't think I've deleted anybody yet- but I probably should go through my list as you did just to clear out the few that completed their projects and are not coming back. However, I did look over my list and here's what I learned:
- I follow all kinds of people from all walks of life. And most of them I would never had met had not 365 entered our lives.
- I like to follow people who are better than me and have better equipment than I do. This inspires me to aspire to improve my skills.
- I enjoy the enthusiasm of our younger participants. I have a healthy handful of teens that I follow. It's always fun to see what they're thinking about and what they're up to.
- I love to follow photographers, both from the US and abroad. This way I'm constantly learning about the world I live in.
- the 365 community is GREAT!!!

This is a great discussion- really!
June 3rd, 2012
@sharonaddison @olivetreeann Thanks. I must say I wasnt really expecting such a great response.
June 3rd, 2012
@sharonaddison I'm with you in having a little group of followers I enjoy interacting with. With regular contact, you better understand people's personalities and can say more than just "nice photo" or "I like the dof". You can muck around a bit more, sometimes making a comment which isn't necessarily directly about praising the photo itself.
June 4th, 2012
I try to comment on everyone's pics in my feed each day. I always at a minimum view the pics instead of just looking at the thumbnail. I don't have a lot of followers/ees, and I like it that way - I couldn't actually look if I had more. I like even the shortest comments - it lets me know what names belong to the views. Two of my best followers, though, don't belong to 365. My Mom called me to see if I was OK when I didn't post a picture once.
June 4th, 2012
I still occasionally use the dead accounts finder that was posted here to eliminate some followees.
June 4th, 2012
I am followed by a lot of Dishas. Jus sayin'
June 4th, 2012
@lisjam1 Please tell more! : )
June 4th, 2012
@lorraineb Here's the discussion where the link appeared, but apparently the link has been disabled. :( http://365project.org/discuss/general/1647/dead-followers
June 4th, 2012
@lisjam1 Yes, i found it and tried it, def been disabled, oh well it was worth a try! Thanks : )
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