When you say you don't care, do you really mean it?
Orson Carter said, 1733914357
The FPI has been blown up beyond its intention; purely an image that has been deemed good enough to be used on the front page of the site to help bring in more members. I mean, that's it, nothing more. however because the site puts a rosette on the image in question and congratulates the member with a notification, it's somehow become some sort of award...
^ Wot 'e says.
That's one of my hobby horses... Admin refer to an FPI as an award, so a lot of people seem to think it's an award for some sort of photographic excellence. NO IT IS NOT! As Mr Starglider points out, an FPI is merely a picture that a group of people have deemed to be a good advert for the site. It is NOT an award for any sort of excellence.
Having said all that, as others have pointed out, FPIs are useful in that they bring some additional traffic to one's profile for a few hours. And that can't be bad. For me, my principal purpose of being on here is to find good people to work with; so if an FPI brings traffic from people who I'd like to work with - if it makes good models aware of my presence - that's got to be good.
A few folk have suggested that an FPI for a photographer might encourage models to work with him/her on a TF basis. I've got a few FPIs and I've never, ever found that. Nor has any model ever said to me 'given that you have a few FPIs I'll reduce my fee for you'. Never, ever!
Back to the OP's question... Yes, I do care about FPIs in that they bring a bit to extra traffic to my profile for a short while. I'm a lazy old git, so it saves me having to exert myself and do my own promotional stuff for a while. But I do not care about any perceived status that goes with them. To me, the notion that an FPI gives one some sort of status is a load of spherical objects.
ANDY00 said, 1733914750
Orson Carter said
The FPI has been blown up beyond its intention; purely an image that has been deemed good enough to be used on the front page of the site to help bring in more members. I mean, that's it, nothing more. however because the site puts a rosette on the image in question and congratulates the member with a notification, it's somehow become some sort of award...
^ Wot 'e says.That's one of my hobby horses... Admin refer to an FPI as an award, so a lot of people seem to think it's an award for some sort of photographic excellence. NO IT IS NOT! As Mr Starglider points out, an FPI is merely a picture that a group of people have deemed to be a good advert for the site. It is NOT an award for any sort of excellence.
Having said all that, as others have pointed out, FPIs are useful in that they bring some additional traffic to one's profile for a few hours. And that can't be bad. For me, my principal purpose of being on here is to find good people to work with; so if an FPI brings traffic from people who I'd like to work with - if it makes good models aware of my presence - that's got to be good.
A few folk have suggested that an FPI for a photographer might encourage models to work with him/her on a TF basis. I've got a few FPIs and I've never, ever found that. Nor has any model ever said to me 'given that you have a few FPIs I'll reduce my fee for you'. Never, ever!
Back to the OP's question... Yes, I do care about FPIs in that they bring a bit to extra traffic to my profile for a short while. I'm a lazy old git, so it saves me having to exert myself and do my own promotional stuff for a while. But I do not care about any perceived status that goes with them. To me, the notion that an FPI gives one some sort of status is a load of spherical objects.
While everything you and Starglider say here is 100% accurate, I would also add that since only the highest quality and most appealing, well-shot images make it to be FPIs, it is by default a kind of ticket of excellence. If an image was rubbish, it wouldn’t be chosen, and that’s why many people think of it as a merit badge.
Theta Aeterna said, 1733914901
JonC said
My purpose for being on here is to arrange shoots with models, MUAs, stylists. Some paid, some TFP.
Getting a stream of FPIs helps get my profile in front of more people on this site, and to that extent makes achieving my goal a little easier, and increases the number of people who are happy to do TFP shoots, a little.
So from that perspective FPIs are useful to me, and I appreciate it when I get one. Nothing more, nothing less.
Edited by JonC
Huw said
I care.
Not very much, but it’s a pleasant surprise. Usually get a few hundred extra views and a hundred extra loves. It’s nice. Not exactly life-changing, but nice.
They aren’t always my best photos. That’s ok.
I take some care cropping the thumbnail to make it strong, that’s all.
Most shoots get an FPI. Haven’t noticed a queue of people asking for TF as a result.
ANDY00 said
Personally, I think FPIs do exactly what they are designed to do. Models and photographers who receive one get a boost in portfolio visits for a short while, which is helpful if you’re a model looking for paid work—it keeps you in photographers’ eyes. The same applies to photographers; they often attract more TF shoots if models think there’s a chance of getting an FPI, for the same reason—it can lead to increased profile traffic and paid work.
If you’re looking for a monetary gain, though, you might want to try the competitions for a chance to win a free month on PP. :-)
All of the Above!
I care about the FPIs I have gotten, I care about the FPIs that are from others and I care about my FPI candidates dropped from the queue. We are here to connect and promote. When your peers and preferred future creative partners are impressed by your work, enjoy your work, comment under your images and collect them for inspiration, you get a chance to broaden your audience, get to see more of other people's work, interact with the creatives and hear their emotional response to your work etc. If an FPI can bring y image from 100 views to 1000 in a day or two, I get so many more models to see my work and fro the responses, I can see so any more photographers' work.
I like FPIs and I think they a re a genius move, a useful tool and a good indicator how one or more qualities of an image can reach a broader audience of creatives. I agree that some of my favourite images from my own portfolio or from others will never get an FPI, still, the FPIs are your best clothes you want to show to the others, not your favourite jumper you wear for the ultimate comfort and warm feeling.
tandi said, 1733915562
MaristarOxley said
Am I missing something, but do I need to change settings to see the competition rather than FPI?
You need to click/tap "competitions"
gjp said, 1733915968
I have been lucky enough to get a decent number of FPIs and my view of them has changed over time
When I first joined they were something to aspire to - the quality of the images was better than I could produce and therefore something I wanted to achieve.
To me getting my first FPIs was a tangible statement that my photography had improved
The extra loves and comments on the images was also great
That said, I never received TFP requests based on my FPIs
My view has now changed - they are nice to have but make no real difference to me (apart from a little extra love oninages)
I shoot what I like, and if they get a FPI great but enjoying what I shoot is way more important
BLA@K said, 1733916911
Personally I would love to reach the level of FPI ship not really too bothered if I get one or not but would definitely be happy with them as it might be a sign of improvement
Sensual Art said, 1733918068
Anyone who says that FPIs are the best of the best is talking out of their arse. Back in my time when I was an elf, I saw images go through which should have been voted off the queue and only weren't because of the vagaries of the system.
I myself have had FPIs "awarded" which I have then rinsed of the rosette (via a hidden album - PM me if you want details) because they were, quite simply, crap. Dull, unfinished, quite unremarkable, showing no imagination, and had only been uploaded in the first place to show one specific aspect to other models so I could do it again properly at a later date.
AshleyAshton said, 1733919901
I don't mind if i do, dont mind if i don't...
What is displayed on my portfolio is stuff which i like and i feel help promotes me as a model.
I have seen FPI which are in my opinion poor, FPI of mine which i woud'nt have selected and non FPI which i would have.
That being said, i am not an "Elf" and have no intentions of applying.
I also have no right to say what is great and what isnt.
I can only provide what i like and i have a nice online portfolio space to take advantage of.
The FPI gets you on the front page.
Which is only good to gain promotion from users of the site who do not follow you.
It is also a common opinion of "status" on here, which also has its rewards. Those who believe in it, will likely work with you because of it...
It is also... a nice little avenue into a larger marketing field. Models/photoghers with a larger following.
It is sad, that photographers and models will feel a "pressure" to gain the status, only to find that outside of the network, they are not so popular.
It is not a lottery, when the "equal" system can be governed by a selected amount of members, who are all voting for each others images.
It is also not "randomised" when a selected person is appointing the "elves" through the same process.
The only way to change this, would mean to constantly change the "elves" and to change the person selecting the "elves" .
But the actual logistics of it would be tough for admin and maybe wouldnt market the front page in the way they find favourable.
With all that being said,
Its highly likely you joined the site for another purpose and want to create some amazing stuff .
FPI is never going to make you a better photographer or model...
but its a nice shiny badge isnt it ?
Barney57 said, 1733919958
I have never had an FPI, I have never expected to get an FPI, I don’t care about FPI’s. I just enjoy the photoshoots.
B17fan said, 1733920190
I don't shoot for FPIs, but I am happy on the rare occasions that I receive one.
I only post on here to showcase my work so any appreciation is gratefully received, be that likes or comments too.
Malbon said, 1733920735
An FPI is the only thing that gives meaning to my otherwise drab and futile existence.
INFINITY Model said, 1733923533
Some of my most favourite images never made the FPI list, but that doesn't make me love them less or view them any differently.
To me, an FPI is a handy tool to promote myself and to reach a wider audience, and I do enjoy collecting them simply because of the competitive streak in my character,to see if I can outperform myself one year to next.
Apart from that, I shoot to create art, and whether said art gets an FPI or not doesn't stop my enjoyment or appreciation, because I love getting together with talented people and creating something lasting and worthwhile (to me!)
AJS07 said, 1733924666
Have you seen how many images are uploaded to Purple shed loads in an hour, So the admins would be hard pushed to view ever image to give out FPI's.
Personally I really do not really care anout them. thse who get them well done though