Anyone On ViewBug?

[salbano]

I've been a member of Viewbug for quite a few years now. It seemed fun in the beginning, with contests and challenges of varying photographic subjects. For a short time they even had a forum that I enjoyed.

Lately, it seems to have gotten boring. They removed the forum so other than direct messages, there isn't a way to interact with other photographers. I've sent Viewbug several emails requesting that they consider re-instating the forums and always get a canned response - They have forwarded the request to the development team for further consideration.

So, in a nutshell, I find that Viewbug has lost it's luster. And this isn't because I haven't won any contests, it has nothing to do with that. I find that I'm not really inspired to continue sharing my work or participate.

I've been looking for a fun, interactive platform for photographers, but so far I haven't come up with anything. My question - is there an alternative to Viewbug? Looking for suggestions, something I may have missed that I can investigate.

Thanks!

 

[Tkshaffer]

I had a blast with it but it seems like everything on there was getting more restricted and features removed so I finally bailed a few weeks ago. Still sort kind of looking for a replacement. It was a very friendly community in the year I dabbled with it.

 

[BrownieVet]

I've been a member of Viewbug for quite a few years now. It seemed fun in the beginning, with contests and challenges of varying photographic subjects. For a short time they even had a forum that I enjoyed.

I think I joined in 2014 . . . bailed out in 2017

Lately, it seems to have gotten boring. They removed the forum so other than direct messages, there isn't a way to interact with other photographers. I've sent Viewbug several emails requesting that they consider re-instating the forums and always get a canned response - They have forwarded the request to the development team for further consideration.

They have all kinds of "contest" with "big name" (so they claim) judges.

Entices entires for "constructive feedback from the "experts" . . . for fees.

So, in a nutshell, I find that Viewbug has lost it's luster. And this isn't because I haven't won any contests, it has nothing to do with that. I find that I'm not really inspired to continue sharing my work or participate.

Those contest are just for VB to earn revenue.

I've been looking for a fun, interactive platform for photographers, but so far I haven't come up with anything. My question - is there an alternative to Viewbug? Looking for suggestions, something I may have missed that I can investigate.

Luminous Landscape. __ https://luminous-landscape.com/

If you are a Nikon shooter: Nikonian ___ https://www.nikonians.org/
But you do not have to be a NIkon shooter to join.

Both have FREE access for the public, but it you want "deep dives", you could join for VERY REASONABLE Membership fee.

I am a paid member because I want to help both NOT-for-profit organization.

I won't try to sell membership, Visit the site if you want to learn more.

Good luck

Thanks!

 

[Flowchart]

Yes I am on viewbug... the one thing that irritates me the most is the of influx porn exhibitionists

As with any sites like that , it becomes a victim of the sheer amount of images posted as really good shots are drowned in thousands of snapshots.

(Apparently I am a moderator there)

I've been a member of Viewbug for quite a few years now. It seemed fun in the beginning, with contests and challenges of varying photographic subjects. For a short time they even had a forum that I enjoyed.

Lately, it seems to have gotten boring. They removed the forum so other than direct messages, there isn't a way to interact with other photographers. I've sent Viewbug several emails requesting that they consider re-instating the forums and always get a canned response - They have forwarded the request to the development team for further consideration.

So, in a nutshell, I find that Viewbug has lost it's luster. And this isn't because I haven't won any contests, it has nothing to do with that. I find that I'm not really inspired to continue sharing my work or participate.

I've been looking for a fun, interactive platform for photographers, but so far I haven't come up with anything. My question - is there an alternative to Viewbug? Looking for suggestions, something I may have missed that I can investigate.

Thanks!

--
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Knew very little about photography when I decided to buy the awesome Nikon D70; learned quickly that this expensive camera didn't make me a good photographer.
Http://kristerp.wordpress.com

 

[Smaug01]

If you go to the top of the screen, then mouse over 'Forums', the right column will have a bunch of fora that are about different types of photography, rather than gear. We share images there all the time. You can specifically request constructive criticism in your post category or just post to share. People will like good images.

I also like Facebook Groups, where you can join groups for different types of subjects. For example, I joined one created specifically for Olympus E-M10 cameras, one for vintage lens adaptation and one for film photography... Made some friends there that I've met in person.

 

[salbano]

I had a blast with it but it seems like everything on there was getting more restricted and features removed so I finally bailed a few weeks ago. Still sort kind of looking for a replacement. It was a very friendly community in the year I dabbled with it.

I had a lot of fun with it also, but it seems much more commercialized than when it started out. And that's ok, they need to do what they think will keep it alive, it's just not cutting it for me.

 

[salbano]

Thanks for the links, I'm surprised that Luminous Landscape is still around! Nikonian looks interesting, I'll check it out!

 

[salbano]

Yes I am on viewbug... the one thing that irritates me the most is the of influx porn exhibitionists

As with any sites like that , it becomes a victim of the sheer amount of images posted as really good shots are drowned in thousands of snapshots.

(Apparently I am a moderator there)

I too am annoyed by some of the exhibitionists garbage that shows up. Most of it is not only in poor taste, but shouldn't be considered photography or art. Unfortunately it does seem to be allowed, and I will just scroll on by. But that's just one of many things that has me considering moving on and finding something else, if there is something else.

 

[salbano]

If you go to the top of the screen, then mouse over 'Forums', the right column will have a bunch of fora that are about different types of photography, rather than gear. We share images there all the time. You can specifically request constructive criticism in your post category or just post to share. People will like good images.

I also like Facebook Groups, where you can join groups for different types of subjects. For example, I joined one created specifically for Olympus E-M10 cameras, one for vintage lens adaptation and one for film photography... Made some friends there that I've met in person.

I have used a couple of the other forums with mixed results, so I may try that again. Facebook isn't one of my favorite platforms, and I've been using it less and less. I'm sounding like an old man yelling "get off my lawn".

In the past I have used Photosig, PBase, Photo Points, Zenfolio, and Flickr. A couple of these have died, or changed enough to take the joy out of using it.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[David Pavlich]

Yes I am on viewbug... the one thing that irritates me the most is the of influx porn exhibitionists

As with any sites like that , it becomes a victim of the sheer amount of images posted as really good shots are drowned in thousands of snapshots.

(Apparently I am a moderator there)

I've been a member of Viewbug for quite a few years now. It seemed fun in the beginning, with contests and challenges of varying photographic subjects. For a short time they even had a forum that I enjoyed.

Lately, it seems to have gotten boring. They removed the forum so other than direct messages, there isn't a way to interact with other photographers. I've sent Viewbug several emails requesting that they consider re-instating the forums and always get a canned response - They have forwarded the request to the development team for further consideration.

So, in a nutshell, I find that Viewbug has lost it's luster. And this isn't because I haven't won any contests, it has nothing to do with that. I find that I'm not really inspired to continue sharing my work or participate.

I've been looking for a fun, interactive platform for photographers, but so far I haven't come up with anything. My question - is there an alternative to Viewbug? Looking for suggestions, something I may have missed that I can investigate.

Thanks!

I've noticed since the this wretched virus has sequestered so many indoors, there's a lot more nude shots on VB. It's unfortunate that so much of it is of 'Hustler' type shots placed to shock or stun the viewers. There's also a plethora of snapshots as well. But, there's some pretty good photographers that post some great stuff.

I left 500px and joined VB some time ago.

David