Why are people being such jerks about recipe pictures?

1. 77

   VVanNessposted 11 years ago

   Why are people being such jerks about recipe pictures?
   
   So first I just post a fished product picture like you find on any other recipe site and people complain I don't have step by step pictures.
   Then I post step by steps from Flickr.com and people complain that I obviously can't cook because I'm not posting my own pictures.
   So then I start taking pictures and spend days updating past recipes with pictures, and I get complaints about not being honest if ingredients and pictures, or instructions and pictures don't match.
   I feel trapped when making any meal by the quality, order and accuracy of the pictures I'm taking if I want to post the recipe.

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      Rachel L Albaposted 3 months agoin reply to this

      It's true what you say, I even had my own sisters complain about my posts, but I explain I never admitted to being an expert on picture taking nor did I go to a cooking school.  I cook and take pictures from my heart.  You do the same thing and if you notice someing on your own you can fix, then you do that.  Keep it  up.

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   2. 95

      Rachel L Albaposted 3 months agoin reply to this

      It's true what you say, I even had my own sisters complain about my posts, but I explain I never admitted to being an expert on picture taking nor did I go to a cooking school.  I cook and take pictures from my heart.  You do the same thing and if you notice something on your own you can fix, then you do that.  Keep it up.

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2. 87

   billybucposted 11 years ago

   Funny thing about Hubbers, and I can only assume you are talking about Hubbers in this....I have met some of the nicest people imaginable here on HP...I have also met some of the rudest.  I guess you could say it is a glimpse into the human race in general.  Don't be discouraged; there is no way to please everyone.

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      VVanNessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That makes a lot of sense. It almost makes you not want to publish because of some of the terrible comments you get saying the worst things about you. Thank you!!

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      fpherj48posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I can say "Ditto" to brother bill....or quote another famous guy, named "Abe"....OR even Ricky Nelson and his song, "Garden Party."   Can't please everyone, so ya have to please yourself!  I swear by it.  I LIVE by it & it works!

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3. 97

   Heather Saysposted 11 years ago

   People can be jerks.  It's true.  I just got an email updating me about this question post and I had to come over to say I hope I didn't hurt your feelings the other day.  When I read the extra info of your question, I realized it had to be someone else and had to go read because my interest was piqued.
   
   As for my comment... I was really applauding you and just letting you know that I really wanted to see you publish Hubs that you do from start to finish and document.  The semantics were perhaps off.  I wasn't accusing you of not ever having made any of those dishes-- I just meant I was hoping it was something you were going to continue.  I could have said this a million different ways and should have.  I was honestly just so excited to see you had documented the process with your own pics that I had to say something.  So I'm sorry if it came out weird or turned a really awesome accomplishment sour.
   
   As for some of the other comments-- I didn't see anything too negative unless maybe you have deleted them.  I saw someone asking about cherries.  I also noticed the "meh" comments were all from third party viewers.  I use social media to get my recipes all over the place but I rarely have non-Hubbers comment on any of my work.  So that is interesting (to me at least).
   
   As a Flickr photographer myself (since 2008 with over 2,000 photos), I get upset when people use my images without my permission since all of my photos are copyright (and it says this on each individual photo page).  I have noticed that some of the photos you use from Flickr are also copyright their respective photographers (unless they're used with permission which I don't remember you mentioning).  Just my two cents.
   
   Consistency is key.  People won't have much room to say anything if you can be consistent.  It seems like you're on your way now that you're more comfortable taking pics like you mentioned.  Having said this, I noticed a photo in one of your bread recipes is credited as your own although I also see it on a food blog from 2009 belonging to a woman named Irene.  My advice (since you asked a question) would be to remedy that and also be sure any Flickr photos used are done with permission, aren't copyright, or are free to use.
   
   Hopefully this might give some insight, as is my intent.  Hopefully everything from now on will be smooth sailing.  I'm excited to see what other recipes you've got in store for 2014.

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      VVanNessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Response below.

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4. 77

   VVanNessposted 11 years ago

   Wow! A lot to comment to HeatherSays. Since the responses are limited and I can write all I want in an answer, I choose to answer you here.
   
   I was not referring to your comment, but thank you for the recognition. I think you're right. Many of the negative comments are coming from people that are not with HubPages.
   
   The comments I'm referring to have been coming with name calling, berating, and horrible language. Many of them have also just been speaking badly about me and criticizing my pictures inappropriately.
   
   Helpful comments with suggestions for improvement are one thing, and I appreciate and accept those willingly, but the rude and insensitive comments are hurtful and unnecessary. I've gotten them on many of my recipes.
   
   With the Flickr pictures, I've only taken those that give open permission, and have always made sure to provide the source for each of them so the right person gets credit.
   
   I have even tried to model some of my pictures, like the cinnamon bread one after other pictures I liked on Flickr, as I learn how to take my own pictures.
   
   It's just disconcerting when I take my own pictures, instead of using those on Flickr, which is where HubPages specifically directed me to get free, available pictures for my articles, I still get blasted for my pictures. I don't feel like I can win.
   
   I feel like the only solution is to ignore the comments and try not to take them personally, or stop writing recipes altogether. The first option seems the most reasonable.

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      Heather Saysposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      When it comes to Flickr though they need to be photos from the creative commons.  When a flickr photo loads it will say "additional info" and below that it will list what kind of license it has.  http://hubpages.com/learningcenter/legal-image-use

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      VVanNessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Okay. Thanks! Hopefully I won't need any more Flickr photos. One of these days, I want to be relying strictly on my own photos.

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5. 91

   DzyMsLizzyposted 11 years ago

   People, in general, can be jerks, in general.  I know how annoying this is, and the best you can do is try to ignore those, or take with the proverbial grain of salt.  I know this is difficult, as I tend to be rather thin-skinned, myself, and it's hard to take criticism, especially if it's rudely worded.
   
   If I see something in a hub that screams to be corrected, I will usually send that Hubber a courteous, private e-mail, so as not to embarrass them in a pubic forum.
   
   Recipes are tough; I've done a few, myself, and it can be awkward to try and get the recipe done and take photos at the same time.  With some recipes, it is nearly impossible, such as when you have something that cannot be stopped in-process, but must be seen through to a certain point.  A second person to take the photos as you go may help, but that is not always an available option.  (I suppose I could ask my husband, but I tend to be very picky about my photos, so I don't ask him to do that.  Not that he's a horrible photographer; I'm just that picky.  LOL)
   
   There is an old saying, "You can't please all of the people all of the time."  To that, I've added this corollary:  "...and you can't please some of the people any of the time."
   
   Best wishes, and don't give up!

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      VVanNessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you! I think I agree with you! I really appreciate the support.

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6. 59

   meletakeryposted 11 years ago

   Sorry for your dilemma.  But my question for you, is:
   "Why do you listen to complaining Hubbers when you are simply attempting to assist anyone that reads your recipes?"
   I suggest that you learn to quickly skip all negative input about your positive assistance and just focus on presenting more positive action in your own personal way.
   This way you will not waste valuable time trying to support the negative "jerks" that are too lazy to provide the positive information you do.
   By the way, thanks for all the leftover recipes, my grandchildren, children, and I have been placing them into a hat and blindly pulling them out to see what we will eat next.  It is a great way to get the family together to prepare a meal.  And it provides time for all of us to chat about our current activities.

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   1. 77

      VVanNessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you. I have been trying to keep it from affecting me, but it's hard. My husband has now told me that I should just thank them for the comment because they are adding to the comments on my article and leave it at that. lol
      
      I just now did it.

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   Tolovajposted 11 years ago

   You can't please everybody, no matter what you do. I checked your Easy Peasy Pie recipe and it is totally o.k., everything is clearly explained, maybe if you manage to add the option for getting a free bite for every visitor ...
   

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      VVanNessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I love it!! Thanks! The ability to taste all of these recipes from home, just from reading the recipes, would be amazing!!

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8. 93

   Elderberry Artsposted 10 years ago

   I think it is ok to have just a finished picture if the instructions are clear, unless you want to add step by step. I would add a lot more recipes to Hub page but like you said get put off as cooking it then feels like a hassle when I have to keep grabbing a camera. Whatever you do there will be someone who complains or doesn't think it is the right way to do it but they are your recipes and your hubs so you should post them however you chose too, you are after all helping people by sharing them here. Personally the only think that puts me off making a recipe is if it has no pictures at all.

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