Just making a point

Gaining loves, comments and views aren't what people are referring to when saying "stop worrying about FPIs". It's that they rarely gain further bookings and outside of the site they mean literally nothing. Typically when people are told not to worry about them, it's because that person is usually chasing them for the wrong reasons.

Edited by Starglider Photography

I agree with you on the likes and views but it’s only for a couple of days,my last FPI I had 84 portfolio views by members,yesterday it was 3.

Starglider Photography said

Gaining loves, comments and views aren't what people are referring to when saying "stop worrying about FPIs". It's that they rarely gain further bookings and outside of the site they mean literally nothing. Typically when people are told not to worry about them, it's because that person is usually chasing them for the wrong reasons.

Edited by Starglider Photography

Not in my experience. Sure, I've said it myself to people who were upset that something they thought should be an FPI didn’t get suggested or selected. But I’ve also seen quite a few people claim that FPIs do nothing for them, or that they don’t want them at all. I even saw someone recently say they delete all their FPIs! Honestly, I don’t get it. I mean, isn’t art—of any kind—about showing it off? And an FPI is literally the busiest gallery on this platform.

but i thought this really highlights the difference in traffic an FPI can give to an image otherwise more or less forgotten about after posting, especially on my port as i post too many images lol 

Edited by ANDY00

Mark Goddard said

I agree with you on the likes and views but it’s only for a couple of days,my last FPI I had 84 portfolio views by members,yesterday it was 3.

Yeah, you're definitely right, Mark—it’s a short-lived boost for sure.

Mark Goddard said

I agree with you on the likes and views but it’s only for a couple of days,my last FPI I had 84 portfolio views by members,yesterday it was 3.

Exactly, but I do usually gain a few extra followers, too.

FPI at best is like a club , if you know someone on the FPI selectors team you can game it which some very likely are. I think the point about gaining more likes has been said before so it's not new, also as you have noticed people are quite dismissive unless something makes it to an FPI, a great image can have 4-9 loves and no attention and as soon as it's FPI wala!

It's similar to Art galleries pushing artists but on a smaller scale and the public following what they see but you won't find any out there photos because it's not all about art.

Edited by Lenswonder

Lenswonder said

FPI at best is like a club , if you know someone on the FPI selectors team you can game it which some very likely are.

If you knew how the FPI selection system works, you'd know that what you said is so very wrong.

ANDY00 wrote...     "Anyone who says FPIs mean nothing is simply wrong. Let’s be honest, we’re here to create and showcase our work, right? FPIs bring more views, more likes, and a lot more attention to your portfolio. Sure, some might claim they don’t care who looks at their work, but let's face it—if you’re posting your creations, you’re hoping people will see and appreciate them. An FPI just helps boost that visibility."

Yep. It brings more traffic to ones profile for a few hours. That's got to be good. 

But apart from that...  I've had a few FPIs but I've never been offered fame or and fortune, and an FPI has never resulted in models queuing outside my front door (I keep looking, but the garden path is invariably empty). Even more disappointing is that neither Cameron Diaz or Salma Hayek has ever begged me for a shoot. 

Starglider Photography said

Gaining loves, comments and views aren't what people are referring to when saying "stop worrying about FPIs". It's that they rarely gain further bookings and outside of the site they mean literally nothing. Typically when people are told not to worry about them, it's because that person is usually chasing them for the wrong reasons.

 

The bit in bold... This is one of my hobby horses. A lot of people seem to think that an FPI is an award for excellence. This has probably been fostered by the site's references to an FPI being 'awarded'. No - it is NOT an award for excellence. As has been pointed out many times, if a pic hits the front page it's simply that a certain proportion of the PPCT folk consider it to be a decent advert for the site. That's all.

As I said above, an FPI is useful as a promotional tool for a few hours, but to repeat yet again it is NOT an award for excellence. If the site were to remove the various references to it being an award, a helluva lot of the 'my work is better than that' bickering would stop. Please. Pretty please. Ever so pretty please. 

Starglider Photography what I said is not very wrong there's definitely truth to it but of course it's my opinion. I am not telling you to agree with it or anyone else and I can voice that opinion.

Lenswonder said

Starglider Photography what I said is not very wrong there's definitely truth to it but of course it's my opinion. I am not telling you to agree with it or anyone else and I can voice that opinion.

Trust me, you are very wrong.

Starglider Photography I don't trust you and no I am not.

Lenswonder said

FPI at best is like a club , if you know someone on the FPI selectors team you can game it which some very likely are.

Absolutely not, but believe it if you like.  It's true that some models and photographers appear time and time again but it's nothing to do with favoritism.

If it's  "Likes" that you want then peruse hundreds of other people's portfolios regularly and build up a following. My experience is that many times, if you take the time to look at the work of others, they may probably take the time to look at your work too. Networking.

Just my 0.02p.

The cheerleading team is about to go full defence mode, they will inform you how everything is as they tell you. Almost like what I am saying is right and there is a script being played infront of you. Enjoy the FPI education the give you , they're right and everyone else is wrong.