Is it me, or do fewer girls visit and comment on photo posts?

[kaleyg]

It's a lot of work to post a photo thread in the photo gallery. I have to edit all the pics and make them smaller, then load them one at a time, and write a coherent explanation! Coherence is tough! lol

But seriously, to work on a post, put it up, and get hundreds of views bu only 10-12 comments is disheartening. Other social media sites are simpler and more responsive. But this was my original community and I feel very connected here! Is our community shrinking? It seems like when I log in, there are only 3 people viewing the photo gallery, which is always my favorite place to visit!!

Whaddya say, ladies? Is it just me? Maybe my pics have gotten boring.

[Sallee]

I would agree I get disappointed when I see a bunch of views and 3 or 4 comments, But thats OK. I do think our community is growing but more people are just open about and don't need to post. There are other options like FB and Twitter, just more options

[Tracii G]

Its not hard to post a pic and if you don't get a response or very few thats just the way it goes sometimes.

[Angela Marie]

I was upset after my first few posts when I did not get as many comments as I thought I would. But then again I don't comment on many posts. So, from my perspective, if you leave a post fine. If not no big deal. The real issue is support for each other in our daily travails. And in that instance I have found people very responsive.

[Helen Waite]

Some of us can't post here as freely as we do with Facebook, which we can do even when the spouse is right next to us.

[Robertacd]

Yeah well forums like this are a dying bread for the reasons you mentioned on posting pictures and many others.

I have made long posts about weekend adventures with pictures and it is a pain in the you know what. So I haven't done one since, at least not with a bunch of pictures.

If I want a lot of praise I will post a picture on Facebook. It's easier for people to hit thumbs up or the "heart" if they like it and that is just as good to me as a bunch of "You look great" comments.

Oh and I have actually met most of the people that are my friends on Facebook.

[kaleyg]

Those are all good points. I guess I just wanted to whine a little. But I will say this: most of us have little or NO human contact as our femme selves. Forums like this are life-blood. Communities of lurkers aren't communities. I try to comment on a few posts whenever I visit.

[AllieSF]

I look at all photo threads every day. However, I do not respond to many. As you take a lot of time preparing photos and text for a new thread, I spend a lot of time reading and sometimes posting to other peoples' threads. I do not have time to write something in every post, with or without photos, that I look at. If you are always looking for a lot of responses, then maybe some other venue may be better for you. I usually like your pictures and do not feel the need to comment. I also live full time now so seeing how others dress and present is still enjoyable for me, but not necessary. When I rarely post a photo in someone's thread I do very little editing, normally simple cropping and a little touch to Brightness and Contrast, or maybe just an auto-adjust on my photo editor. So, what you see is the real me. Sometimes I am not sure about some others' photos when they look overly "corrected".

[Crissy 107]

I wish there were more members who would post. I feel if you take the time to start a thread we should take the time to comment. No way can we post to every thread but many of us try to do our best.

[kaleyg]

I look at all photo threads every day. However, I do not respond to many. As you take a lot of time preparing photos and text for a new thread, I spend a lot of time reading and sometimes posting to other peoples' threads. I do not have time to write something in every post, with or without photos, that I look at. If you are always looking for a lot of responses, then maybe some other venue may be better for you. I usually like your pictures and do not feel the need to comment. I also live full time now so seeing how others dress and present is still enjoyable for me, but not necessary. When I rarely post a photo in someone's thread I do very little editing, normally simple cropping and a little touch to Brightness and Contrast, or maybe just an auto-adjust on my photo editor. So, what you see is the real me. Sometimes I am not sure about some others' photos when they look overly "corrected".

Yeah, I get it. I'm whining, so sue me! That being said -- to everyone I say, "take a sec to encourage each other when you can." And I'm not talking about massive editing -- I do much less of that than I used to. Now I typically just crop, instant fix, and maybe cover an Adam's apple. One time out of ten I'll do more. But mostly genuine -- if maybe at a distance a bit. Feeling more freedom to be less than perfect all the time. But it still takes time. In the past, I was so inspired to put together a fun post with pics, but now I almost don't think it's worthwhile.

[BTWimRobin]

Participation is what makes this forum such a great place. I try to comment whenever possible. Unfortunately, I don't always have the luxury or time always do that.

I do appreciate all the time and effort that you girls put into all your pictures and posts.

[Jean 103]

Maybe so,

I don't look or post photo posts much anymore.

I stopped for a number of reasons.

Mostly because this is my life now, living as Jean.

First I don't need to look at others, or have others look at my pics.

It all changed for me when I started living as Jean.

Still I would encourage you to continue to post your pics, for you, don't worry about the numbers. Do it because it is something you enjoy.

[Linda E. Woodworth]

I view the pictures and comments pretty much every day. However; I rarely if ever post a comment. Why? Simply because if several girls have already said how nice the pictures are I don't see a need to repeat the same comment.

Also, if their is a story with the photo's I'll try and read it.

If it's just one huge block of text I'll drop it like a hot potato. I detest reading from a computer (work made me read thousands of procedures written by.......)

If it's broken up into paragraphs I'm more likely to read it provided I find it interesting. If it starts to drag or gets boring, again I'll drop it and move on.

[LaurenS]

Ditto. If there was a simple “Thanks!” or Like button like on other forums, that would help give feedback without committing to much time. This forum even has a minimum amount of text allowed in a post or comment.

on the photos posts, there is only so many ways to say beautiful, or cute, or great, so I usually only respond if there are few responders already.

Therevis likely only a few changes if any that can be made to a legacy forum software platform like this to bring it features like modern social media platforms, so we all have to work within the constraints.

I would not take it personal - the postings - and this site - are valuable to everyone in the community.

[Joni T]

I have made long posts about weekend adventures..........

Therein lies the big problem for me. Any thing over a few sentences or a simple paragraph or two is too much like reading a tome and I don't have the time to read your life's story, nor do I care what you're wearing while you're typing your tome.
Sorry.
Jon

[Kaylin]

Well to me as a new comer to this forum. I wish I would of joined years ago. Being a crossdresser without something like this, is very lonely. I have a regular Facebook account of my Male self. But each day I'm on it. I hate it more and more. Too many politics and daily negative energy from family and friends posts etc. I also can't be my female self on there either
Too much at stake to jump out as Kaylin. Even though I would love too. But that's just how things work. Before I found this place I went to YouTube and watched other crossdressers chat about daily stuff and routines etc. And comment back and fourth. But, this place is absolutely amazing. Everyone so far that I've talked to, has been wonderful and understanding. I love this place. And so much Great knowledge and advice from everyone that has been here for years. Thanks everyone I'm definitely here to stay...

[Pumped]

I look, but generally have nothing to add that has not been said in other posts.

[CarleyR]

Kaylin is right.

Being a crossdresser without something like this, is very lonely.

This is a valuable forum and each of the comments made here are important and useful. We should judge it by its quality, not its numbers.

[Krea]

I regularly look at the posts in the pictures section, but don't comment.
It is inspiring to see the amazing looks you all create and sometimes, as a comparative newbie, i get ideas for new looks/clothes for myself from these photo's.
I don't comment because i haven't posted pictures of myself here (yet) and it would seem a bit cheeky to give feedback on other people whilst i remain "out of sight".

[Elizabeth1980]

I can’t post femme pics/stories on facebook, as I am friends with family and people from work, who don’t know about it. That’s why I think forums like this are good, for people who are not ‘out’ but want to connect with others who are like them. For those on facebook, do you create a separate profile for your femmeself?
I agree with Kaylin, in that I also cannot be my true self on facebook. A lot of the content on facebook does not interest me (like what people had for breakfast, which movie they saw last night, etc). I’m glad I found this forum, as I spend more time on it than facebook now.

[faltenrock]

I agree with your abservation, I feel the same and my posts receive less responsoes compared to the past. And yes it is a lot of work

[Lydianne]

I did a quick search of the pic threads you have posted:

You posted:

on 05-03 which has 47 replies.
on 05-20 which has 26 replies.
on 06-06 which has 17 replies.
on 06-16 which has 22 replies.

I'm not sure how many the most recent one had before you posted this observation, but I wonder whether you also had these thoughts when you got your 47 replies?... You should be pleased because for a long time, there have been people here that do a lot more and get a lot less. Two that immediately come to mind are Jason and Mark B. Those two go to work dressed and do a tonne for our visibility by going out, but they don't get the traction here that you have. Regardless of the reasons you do not go out, that still holds. I have not seen them complaining about their popularity though. I suspect they have an eye on the bigger picture so-to-speak. Wildaboutheels used to drive at this point a lot:

What happens on here isn't the truth. What is the truth, though, is what happens when those two ( and Wild ) go out. They have reported an overwhelmingly high acceptance out there and only a few bad apples, while on here.. well,.. a pic in a house gets 47 replies .

- Lydianne.

[Rachael Leigh]

When I found this site many years ago it was a place where I could take pictures and show them to like minded folks and
hopefully get honest feedback. I did most of the time but for me the more I began to accept myself as trans and going out
as Rachael I didn’t need to post my pictures as much.
I understand those who are closeted and need this place for feedback and acceptance.
I’ve found for me I don’t comment as much as I don’t feel as connected anymore to just doing photo shoots as I now live
mostly full time and for me it’s just who I am I try my best to support the ladies here as I know how important that can be
for self acceptance.
Don’t take few comments personally I know I use too again I wanted honest feedback and I already am aware I’m not one
of the really beautiful ladies here. I’m just me

[kaleyg]

So many great thoughts! Thank you ladies. Takeaway so far: don't take it personally! While I would like to say that my self-esteem is independent of what others think or say, it isn't. I think we all need affirmation. I applaud those who take a moment to comment. For those who have evolved beyond Cd.com, that is awesome! Just remember how this site helped you in the early days and pay it forward. I honestly don't make new photo threads because it's fun -- I do it to be affirmed. Anyone else like me?

[Tahoegurl]

I post on the thread for some feed back on my style...to celebrate a great makeup day or to give others some inspiration on what they can try. I only have an issue with posting from my phone...it dosen't work very often. By the time I get home I get busy and forget to post...i think there is also the lurking notion about the pictures being pirated off the site by "others" and posted else where. I'll keep posting when I remember to. Cheers.