Picture Threads. Where do we stand.

[English Bloke]

I’ve been doing a bit of navel gazing recently. Always on the lookout for ways to better my input here, I have a question. I’m pondering the style and possibly future of my picture thread submissions… Thoughts?

I considered a Poll for this but decided against it, primarily because I can’t find a way to create one (there used to be a button that I now can’t find, perhaps I’m not looking in the right place) and secondly because I’d really appreciate people’s considered thoughts, pos or neg, rather than an assortment of yes / no, radio button, options.

As some of you are probably aware, I do like a nice picture thread. I enjoy picture threads from other members especially, as I like to see folk out and about enjoying their kilts and I like to see the places where other people live or go to visit. The XMarks Quaich and Welsh Scarf threads (as well as the Saltire threads before those) have been particularly brilliant. I find them enjoyable as it shows Kilties from around our membership doing stuff in Kilts (or not as the case may be) in their natural habitat. I think that’s a good thing and brings us closer together.

As you will also be aware, my main contribution here, when I’m not shouting at people I disagree with, is submission of picture threads to document my and my family’s various adventures of a kilted kind. I do wear the Kilt quite a bit so I have lots of opportunity to record same. Some are out of the ordinary occasions and some are, I’ll admit, “hey look! I’ve got mee Kilt on again”. Either way, I like to be a bit creative, hopefully humourous and optimistically well received. I do also enjoy putting them together.

Now, I got the impression from a recent thread (now locked unfortunately… actually that was probably partly my fault as well. Sorry MoR) that there is a feeling among members here that picture threads which document “going to McDonalds in a Kilt”, “an afternoon at the shops” or “a walk in the park” and other such banalities of everyday life are a waste of time and effort and actually, I was surprised to realise, do irritate some people. They opinion that it gives the Kilt an elevated status that borders on obsession and begs the question, would you post a thread about going to dinner in your trousers? (probably not).

On the other hand I’ve also seen comment elsewhere that such posts act as encouragement to reticent Kilties when they see others going about doing normal stuff with a Kilt on.

By the way, In case you’re wondering, I’m not quoting anyone there and I’m certainly not pointing any fingers.

So here’s my question. As these threads take a fair bit of time to construct what with the photo uploads, picture links and commentary draft, eventual post, after post edit etc… (I always find a mistake, no matter how many times I check it before upload) is it really worth it if all it does is “brown off” a majority o’ folks?

So which camp do you sit in? Some thoughts to consider, although these are not the only possible responses. Please expound in your replies:

1. I like all picture threads regardless of subject, the more photos of kilts and how they are worn, the better.

2. Picture threads are OK so long as it’s just a couple of pictures and not your bleedin’ life-story.

3. I’m ambivalent. Some I like, some I don’t. Depends on the subject.

4. I can’t be bothered with picture threads that cover the mundane. Tea with the Queen? Yes. Trip to the shops? Definitely NO!

5. I don’t like peacocks or picture threads and never read them.

6. Do we have picture threads on here?

Or combinations/variations there-of. As I said, no need to stick to the above if you draw a different conclusion.

If the general consensus is “We like your picture threads John… you’re ACE.” I’ll carry on submitting them. If it’s not, I won’t. I could probably make better use of the time anyway so I won’t be offended.

I promise to dampen my matches so feel free to speak your mind.

Ta!

Apologies for the text wall... that's another thing that irks, or so I'm told.

[be da veva]

We like your picture threads John… you’re ACE.



Just do it, you know we're kilt junkies...

[OC Richard]

I enjoy picture threads from other members especially, as I like to see folk out and about enjoying their kilts and I like to see the places where other people live or go to visit.

...Kilties from around our membership doing stuff in Kilts (or not as the case may be) in their natural habitat. I think that’s a good thing and brings us closer together.

...such posts act as encouragement to reticent Kilties when they see others going about doing normal stuff with a Kilt on.

1. I like all picture threads regardless of subject, the more photos of kilts and how they are worn, the better.

“We like your picture threads John… you’re ACE.”

You make several valid points and the one which strikes closest to home is the one about "encouraging reticent kilties" because like most pipers I had a strong disinclination to wear kilts anytime I wasn't required to. This forum has encouraged me to wear kilts a bit more than I had in the past (though I'm a long way from wearing them on anything approaching a regular basis).

[Piipriker]

John, please go on.

I would comment more often if had something witty to say.

I appreciate especially the effort you put in your comments. They help me to improve my english language skills and are an entertaining read.

Hejdå Jörg

[Pleater]

Have you got the blue bar with 'Thread tools' in white print at the top of the thread?
If so click that and 'add a poll' is one of the options in the menu.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[David Thorpe]

Personally, I thoroughly enjoy your threads, John. You have a lovely family, a slightly twisted sense of humor which I appreciate, and you go to places and events which I would otherwise have no way to see, from here on the left side of the big pond. I am grateful that you expend the considerable effort to put together and post your pictorial travelogues.

As to those who don't wish to see them, unless you have developed a way to remotely control their computer screen displays, it seems to me that they are completely free to not view and/or read them as they wish. I exercise that same freedom with some other pictorials myself, but not with yours.

I look forward to your next outing photo essay.

Cheers,

David

[MacMillans son]

Personally, I thoroughly enjoy your threads, John. You have a lovely family, a slightly twisted sense of humor which I appreciate, and you go to places and events which I would otherwise have no way to see, from here on the left side of the big pond. I am grateful that you expend the considerable effort to put together and post your pictorial travelogues.

As to those who don't wish to see them, unless you have developed a way to remotely control their computer screen displays, it seems to me that they are completely free to not view and/or read them as they wish. I exercise that same freedom with some other pictorials myself, but not with yours.

I look forward to your next outing photo essay.

Cheers,

David

David pretty much hit it on the head for me John. Unfortunately, I am guilty of not providing positive supportive comments on yours and other peoples posts that I enjoy. I'm a bit lazy I suppose, as I do absolutely enjoy most of them ( I can not think of one of yours that I have not fully enjoyed). However, I do understand Jock's comment about the photos of kilt wearing that is not consistent with my taste, my internal comment is sometimes "What the heck were you thinking ?" and I have had that feeling about photos of people from and in Scotland, as well as those outwith.

I always enjoy your photo essays and would find this a less attractive site if you were to stop or reduce your posting of them. Keep up the good work and hopefully those who don't like or appreciate the various posts will realize they don't HAVE to look at them and/or will find other web sites to haunt.

Best regards,
Brooke

[Father Bill]

Without commenting on the posts of anyone in particular, I like pix of Scotland and of innovations in Sghians & sporrans etc.. Some of the folks who post a whole bunch of similar pix, or who quote somebody else's post including the pictures instead of weeding out the photo repeats just slow down my computer. I like to check every post in the fora I follow (talk about obsessive compulsive!) and with too many photos, they just load too slowly for me to bother checking out the new bottom line.

So my preference? Of course, load them folks... but please be selective. I don't need to see four butt... I mean pleat shots. One good one will do. (Ladies excepted!)

[California Highlander]

I love the pictures, and totally agree with both of these excellent statements:

Some of the folks who post a whole bunch of similar pix, or who quote somebody else's post including the pictures instead of weeding out the photo repeats just slow down my computer....So my preference? Of course, load them folks... but please be selective. I don't need to see four butt... I mean pleat shots. One good one will do. (Ladies excepted!)

I quite agree that one man's attire "howler" is another man's attire perfection, and nit picking just for the sake of it is just tiresome. Also you are quite right, Scotland can produce some "howlers" too. Discretion needs to be exercised and just because the "Comment Option" is given, sometimes it is unkind to ruin some one's special day, such as a wedding, or, a graduation and silence is the best option.

Multiple pix of the same thing are not very interesting, and comments need to be respectful of the subject. A pub night shot might be more appropriate for stronger critique than a wedding photo.

When someone is sharing and not asking for comments/criticism though, it would be nice to have a "like" feature so I can show my appreciation.

I would also love a "like" feature.

[Jock Scot]

--------- However, I do understand Jock's comment about the photos of kilt wearing that is not consistent with my taste, my internal comment is sometimes "What the heck were you thinking ?" and I have had that feeling about photos of people from and in Scotland, as well as those outwith.

I quite agree that one man's attire "howler" is another man's attire perfection, and nit picking just for the sake of it is just tiresome. Also you are quite right, Scotland can produce some "howlers" too. Discretion needs to be exercised and just because the "Comment Option" is given, sometimes it is unkind to ruin some one's special day, such as a wedding, or, a graduation and silence is the best option.