Hi NP'ers,



Following advice from members a little while ago we have been taking a backseat as requested and working quietly in the background but in light of recent threads it seems this is not the view shared by all members therefore we would love to hear all of our members views on this thread.



Please participate and let us know any ideas, views or thoughts on the site that you would like to see implemented. Any rude or abusive posts will be removed, please keep it constructive and positive.



We will let this thread run to let everyone have their say.



We would like to thank everyone in advance for participating in this thread and look forward to reading your feedback









Net-Portfolio

Net-Portfolio , Photographer  posted on 12/08/2011 22:29:06   Posted 606 times

Located:London,Middlesex, UK
Member Since: 19/09/2008

I want to be involved but I have been away for some time so cannot comment on anything from a position of experience or knowledge.

All I know is 2 yrs ago this place was on the up, it was buzzing... I come back now and its... well lets just say a lot quieter than I remember.

I did drop by a while back and it was quiet then... so this has been going on for a while... If you leave it too long it will beyond recovery.

Bannerworx has kindly offered a location for an event which may help to bring some members together.

When I did a few get togethers at my studio back in the day, they were great, friendships developed and experience was gained. Im not that good a photographer but by offering time and sharing the knowledge I had, I gained massive respect, even a mini fan base... that is what NP needs to do, gain the love and respect of all the artists that visit this site...

Maybe we can invite people from other sites, anyone who attends gets a discount if they register a membership account at the event... just a little insentive to encourage some outsiders to join us.

Maybe some free/cheap tutoring for members, to get them talking and praising the site... basically you need to generate some enthusiasm and excitement.

I dont think we have too many problems with photographers, we need to encourage more models, with the models the photographers, MUAs, stylists will follow.  Prehaps a half price membership offer for models for a limited time, just to get some willing and able girls on the site.

Dunno its late, I'm tired, but wanted to respond.

Cumon guys n gals, throw your ideas out there... lets get some fun back into this site!







Cheers

Big Nige

P.S - I'm waffling again aren't I

nwpp , Photographer  posted on 13/08/2011 00:43:44   Posted 544 times

Located:Sittingbourne,Kent, UK
Member Since: 25/03/2009

i agree with the above, we definately need to inject some activity/life into the site but keep it freindly and non clique.



offer a 3 month trail period to new members with say silver membership for the trail?

we as togs could all invite the models we know over for a try out of the site.



offer the existing paid members a free year as a way of saying.....hang in here, it can only get better ~ a bogoff offer, without us bogging off!

nikonuser , Photographer  posted on 13/08/2011 01:01:36   Posted 225 times

Located:Middlesbrough & Rugby i commute!,Warwickshire, UK
Member Since: 20/12/2009

oh, and do something about the site loading speed, a recognising our mobile/laptop isp to save signing in every 5 minutes

nikonuser , Photographer  posted on 13/08/2011 01:03:24   Posted 225 times

Located:Middlesbrough & Rugby i commute!,Warwickshire, UK
Member Since: 20/12/2009

At the end of the day it comes down to how much work do i get from here, virtually none.
This site is not seen as THE site to belong to especially for models, however good it might be.In my opinion it's the best but i waste my time on here.

I don't think the "voldermort" clause helps any site.(the sites that shall not be named ).Most people won't desert a site cos someone mentioned another-we all know where they are, anyway, and belong to them as well. If your confident your better than them why would'nt you want healthy competition. Shops don't stop thier staff talking about the opposition now do they.

In fact i was one of the first on here when there were about 80 members. I was "headhunted" one day when i put an image on (Voldermort clause ).They asked me to come have a look-here i am.

We Need:

*a mobile site

*Ability to delete old castings-mines a mile long

*Pic of the week/day compettion-creates excitement and frequent log ins sponsored by a studio maybe like (Voldermort clause ).

*ability to leave un sensored by recipient feedback - i booked amodel on here (one of not many in two years), she was useless and let me down- no point me leaving feedback as she wont accept it. So i put worked with and let anyone ask me what shes like.

It's not all doom and gloom though as it has some excellent features.
Ratings for all
Maps for distance.
Large allowance for images.
Castings are good layout.
Front page is excellent
I find the skill mix good as well -a nice balance of experience with newbies and i don't feel this site has the ogres and witchunters like on some.(maybe one or 2).
It's certainly not dominated by a few individuals generally.

My Tuppence.
Regards Paul www.glossypinklipstick.co.uk *** ***

GlossyPinkLipstick , Photographer  posted on 13/08/2011 08:25:31   Posted 284 times

Located:Harlow,Essex, UK
Member Since: 12/10/2008

“You do not merely want to be considered just the best of the best. You want to be considered the only ones who do what you do.”  Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead)


Regards Paul


www.glossypinklipstick.co.uk
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GlossyPinkLipstick , Photographer  posted on 13/08/2011 08:39:59   Posted 284 times

Located:Harlow,Essex, UK
Member Since: 12/10/2008

Stop sending me emails about model castings...That would be a good start...I'm a PHOTOGRAPHER.

It's a bit like spamming...just aimed at anyone...& yes, I've reset my preferences.

Love the site.

I use the work manager whenever I can which helps to confirm bookings.  My only criticism is the reference system.  I always endorse this site on shoots but the activity level needs to increase before it takes off properly.

Other than that, I am very happy with my membership and am happy to be here.

Glenn

GCImages , Photographer  posted on 13/08/2011 11:54:44   Posted 677 times

Located:Gloucestershire,Hampshire, UK
Member Since: 03/10/2009

1

nikonuser , Photographer  posted on 13/08/2011 12:08:18   Posted 225 times

Located:Middlesbrough & Rugby i commute!,Warwickshire, UK
Member Since: 20/12/2009

GlossyPinkLipstick talks a lot of sense.................I'm almost 100% with him. 

Ok. I am no longer a paying member here but do still drop in from time to time.
All I can suggest is look very closely at the competition sites.
Find out what they have over this site.
I wouldn't say copy other sites but make things faster.
More user friendly.
Mobile facilitated as that seems to be the way most people are working now.
It could be me but casting on here just doesn't seem to cut it. Any replies you post to a casting just seem to be left by the wayside.
That could be the fact I'm not exactly good at what I do but it could also be down to any number of other isseues this site has.
The thing you have to take into consideration is would YOU want to pay to be a member of this site as it stands?
If improvements are made, I would gladly become a paying member again.

Just my tuppence worth.


What the hell do I know about photography..... I'm a mechanic.

My only major issue is the the fact that references have to be approved by the person being referenced - don't understand that at all. I wonder why no-one has any negative feedback?!!!!

Monthly membership might also help - some people will be reluctant to commit to a year's outlay without being able to give it a try first.


HAPPY TO WORK UP TO OPEN WALLET LEVELS

SmilesPhoto , Photographer  posted on 14/08/2011 06:57:05   Posted 312 times

Located:UK,Kent, UK
Member Since: 27/03/2009

My only major issue is the the fact that references have to be approved by the person being referenced - don't understand that at all. I wonder why no-one has any negative feedback?!!!!

Monthly membership might also help - some people will be reluctant to commit to a year's outlay without being able to give it a try first.


HAPPY TO WORK UP TO OPEN WALLET LEVELS

SmilesPhoto , Photographer  posted on 14/08/2011 06:57:07   Posted 312 times

Located:UK,Kent, UK
Member Since: 27/03/2009

My only major issue is the the fact that references have to be approved by the person being referenced - don't understand that at all. I wonder why no-one has any negative feedback?!!!!

Monthly membership might also help - some people will be reluctant to commit to a year's outlay without being able to give it a try first.


HAPPY TO WORK UP TO OPEN WALLET LEVELS

SmilesPhoto , Photographer  posted on 14/08/2011 06:57:07   Posted 312 times

Located:UK,Kent, UK
Member Since: 27/03/2009

It would also be useful if the last post could be deleted by it's creator - especially when the system uploads it in triplicate!!

HAPPY TO WORK UP TO OPEN WALLET LEVELS

SmilesPhoto , Photographer  posted on 14/08/2011 07:02:21   Posted 312 times

Located:UK,Kent, UK
Member Since: 27/03/2009

1. Castings. there's no way of knowing whether a casting has been posted by a tog looking for a model or vice versa until you open it. I 've looked at no end of interesting looking castings only to find it's been posted by a tog looking for a model. For example, "portfolio update - woodland shoot, fashion/lingerie". The castings should indicate whether a tog is looking for a model or a model is looking for a tog. 

2. Whereas other sites display an opened envelope icon to show a message has been opened, Net-Portfolio requires you to upgrade your account to enjoy this facility. I think it ought to be offered to all members, paying or otherwise. It's pretty basic, after all! 

3. I still think deadwood needs to be cleared, - anyone who doesn't log into their account in 6 months or some such reasonable period of time, their account should be automatically closed.

I use lots of props during my images, not wanting my images to get stale i would look to sell them or swap them at cost or maybe less.Mostly i get them through the charity shops

Maybe we could have a swap shop with a search facility.
a sort of EBay( is that a voldermort clause word as well?)but with a search engine .

If i want say a fish tail dress i could see if anyone has one by searching, it could also extend to loan of a property, or  list a suitable shooting location by maybe a link ie The Bunker at Brentwood or some stately home.

I sometimes see models having a clear out in the forums for corsets/dresses etc.


Maybe loan of a fast car.

Or suggestion of a disused area with great features for shooting at.

Whilst this could just be a list of resources i see it's point of difference being it's "swappage" or Low cost/Tf arrangements. That doesn't mean time for a dozen crispy tenners....

I see this more as a cheap resource rather than somewhere for people to just sell their goods or wares so it would be by exchange mostly- sort of time for borrow fascility- "you lend me your nice car and i will give you promotional images".

"swap wide brimmed hat for fish tail dress"

Not sure but maybe adapting the castings template would work.

example:I am constantly looking on Ebay for bits of fur/netting/baubles/ (basically just bits not total items) consequently they don't come up as no-one thinks anyone will want them. It could be anything that you want to get rid of. I look for the most unusual things to be creative with.

Just an idea.




Regards Paul


www.glossypinklipstick.co.uk
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GlossyPinkLipstick FB Models (facebook closed group).

GlossyPinkLipstick , Photographer  posted on 16/08/2011 07:38:42   Posted 284 times

Located:Harlow,Essex, UK
Member Since: 12/10/2008

Quoting post from ianmacfadyen
1. Castings. there's no way of knowing whether a casting has been posted by a tog looking for a model or vice versa until you open it. I 've looked at no end of interesting looking castings only to find it's been posted by a tog looking for a model. For example, "portfolio update - woodland shoot, fashion/lingerie". The castings should indicate whether a tog is looking for a model or a model is looking for a tog. 

2. Whereas other sites display an opened envelope icon to show a message has been opened, Net-Portfolio requires you to upgrade your account to enjoy this facility. I think it ought to be offered to all members, paying or otherwise. It's pretty basic, after all! 

3. I still think deadwood needs to be cleared, - anyone who doesn't log into their account in 6 months or some such reasonable period of time, their account should be automatically closed.

3. I still think deadwood needs to be cleared, - anyone who doesn't log into their account in 6 months or some such reasonable period of time, their account should be automatically closed.


Fab Idea


Regards Paul


www.glossypinklipstick.co.uk
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GlossyPinkLipstick FB Models (facebook closed group).

GlossyPinkLipstick , Photographer  posted on 20/08/2011 12:15:40   Posted 284 times

Located:Harlow,Essex, UK
Member Since: 12/10/2008