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Replying to comments; Worth it?

Journal Entry: Thu Aug 13, 2009, 5:54 PM


Should you dignify that comment with a reply?


I appreciate people telling me how my work has moved them. I enjoy knowing how my work made someone’s day. I’m grateful to those who share insight or information on gadgets and methods for improvement. But what I think I love most is people sharing their interpretations of my concepts. If people take time to comment on my work, the least I could do is take some time and reply. Plus I like having something to do between commercials :lol: Therefore, I reply to comments.

But for every:
    - “A picture could say more than thousands of words. Well, if that's true, this picture could tell you a whole novel.”
    - “If there's anything I like as much as the pure beauty of your images, it's the frank descriptions that accompany them. I feel like I'm learning so much from looking at them, both about photography and about you”
    - “children are not a game...just my interpretation without reading your explanation...and probably a very relevant expression in this day and age...”
    - “This speaks to me on many levels.”

There is a:
    - (fails to read Artist's Comments and when corrected) “cool beans..but i am an artist i dont read the [Artist's] comments i look at the piece”
    - “why d people think by writing on their hands.. makes the image looks tremendeous.. so many deviants.. do the same stuff”
    - “someone donate me a membership please”
    - “yeah, thats because your asian, and you all look the same.”

I don’t mind negative comments. I appreciate critiques even if they they may be worded with a poor undertone.  I find insulting comments hilarious especially since then I won’t feel bad being a condescending jerk in return :lol: But what I absolutely hate is when people don’t read the Artist’s Comments and ask me questions that are clearly answered in the Artist’s Comments. :X But still I reply to them.

However, recently replying to comments has become more of a chore than an enjoyable pastime. Instead of spending time faving and supporting other artists, I’m replying to comments. It is time consuming. It can become repetitive. And at times I wonder is it worth it?

I stopped replying to comments for a few days. But then I got a note from ~sunshine911
    “I just wanted to let you knowwww..that i really appreciate it, how you reply to everyone's comments. and um, thank everyone. some deviants don't really care, and don't reply, and i just wanted to let you know, that someone actually does appreciate it. <3”

And I started again.

But the questions remain:
When you leave a comment, what’s your intention?
When an artist fails to reply to your comment, do you notice?
When an artist does reply to your comment, do you care?
Should every comment be dignified with a reply? What’s your opinion?


PS: Particularly for journals, I often do not reply to all comments. Not because I don’t appreciate the comments, but more likely because I save them in my folders :XD: ; especially if they provide useful information and do not necessarily require a reply.  But does anyone know how to reply to a comment but also keep a copy in the folders?

PPS: Sorry I went on a trip for a few days without internet. I will get to your comments as soon as possible.
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:iconwaitingformyletter:
!WaitingForMyLetter Apr 5, 2012  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
When you leave a comment, what’s your intention?
I am the sort of annoying person that always has to share her opinion. In my comments I like to give feedback and let the artist know that and, sometimes, why I like their art.

When an artist fails to reply to your comment, do you notice?
I comment quite a lot so unless it was a very long comment I don't notice.

When an artist does reply to your comment, do you care?
Yes, I really love it when the artist replies to my comment and often start a conversation. (Most artists are probably scared to respond to my comments because of that. ^^)

Should every comment be dignified with a reply? What’s your opinion?
I don't think that every 'Amazing!' 'Cool!' etc. needs to be replied too however I believe that comments which give feedback or ask questions should receive a reply.
Reply
:iconautumn-fantasy:
~autumn-fantasy Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist General Artist
Just came across this and thought I'd answer :)

When you leave a comment, what’s your intention?
I usually comment on something that has really caught my attention, or something that I really like and think is absolutely wonderful.

When an artist fails to reply to your comment, do you notice?
If I ask a question and don't get a reply, I do notice, but I tend to just forget about it since I understand that the artist is probably very busy and does not have time to reply. However, when I usually comment on a piece of art, I don't really expect a reply.

When an artist does reply to your comment, do you care?
When an artist does reply to my comment, I feel pretty happy to know that the artist has seen it, taken the time to read it and bothered to answer.

Should every comment be dignified with a reply? What’s your opinion?
I think that it is okay if the artist does not reply to every single comment, as that would take up a lot of time and effort, and it would most likely be very repetitive. However, I do think questions should be answered, unless it's a stupid one, and comments that obviously show that a lot of work and effort has been put into writing it deserve a reply.
Reply
:iconbloodred-fangirl:
!bloodred-fangirl Sep 4, 2009   Digital Artist
When you leave a comment, what’s your intention?
To let the person know I appreciate what they are creating and sharing with the rest of the world.

When an artist fails to reply to your comment, do you notice?
I usually forget. I don't need recognition all the time xD

When an artist does reply to your comment, do you care?
I think it's nice, but im sure if i just said 'cool' they appreciate it. But i do assume they have more of a life than me, and other stuff to do haha.

Should every comment be dignified with a reply? What’s your opinion?
No, I think rude comments that are uncalled for shouldnt be dignified with anything. Most of these people are just looking for attention. And if they ask a question that's already been answered right above their comment, they can just look for the answer. People are used to getting information and stuff without even having to look for it.

so replies are nice, but not really necessary.
Reply
:iconshallowpelt:
~shallowpelt Aug 30, 2009  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Well, it's understandable why you don't respond to favourites since you get so many, but responding to so many of your comments is so kind ^^ I personally really appreciate it because i feel it makes you a really kind person for doing so ^^, though people who leave those unecessary comments should really just not because like I said, it's unecessary, always remember- constructive, not destructive critique =D
Reply
:iconedinator:
Just don't reply if you don't think it is necessary, I would not feel left out if you did not reply :)
Reply
:iconxomeganabbottox:
I really quite agree with what you said in this journal. I understand the rude comments, and no one really needs that. But when you get comments about the concept or the style of the piece, it is great to reply and dicuss art, because that's what this site is for. But when there are people who leave comments like "cool beans" and "awesome", it takes a long time to reply to that. I really evny that you take the time to reply to all of the great comments, but when you get crude comments about your race or your style of art, then that's hard to tolerate. But I really appreciate that you repy to the good comments, and I know that I feel valued as a critic and a fellow artist. So, thank you! :heart:
Reply
:iconhouly1970:
I always reply to everyone's comment takes me forever to catch up sometimes ...

I do supose that in your case there are some comments that don't dignify a response and if it were me I'd just close it and move on to the next one ...

If it's becoming unpleasurable .... hmm is unpleasurable a word ? Well it is now ...

I'd just read them all and only respond to the ones that do give you pleasure .. much like I'll comment on pieces that give me pleasure and just lok over the rest and enjoy them but not in the same way as one I'd comment on.
Reply
:iconjeanfan:
=JeanFan Aug 20, 2009  Hobbyist Photographer
In a way, I feel like if I can read it, then I can reply to it. It takes the same amount of time roughly in my opinion :shrug:
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