The Quality Algorithm by The Narratographer

The Quality Algorithm by The Narratographer

Have you noticed how it is almost impossible to gain exposure on 500px? The front pages seem dominated by the same people, with the same images, regardless of quality or individuality. Check the front page of 500px on any given day and you will see it populated by the same people, with similar images as the day before. I count myself in this bracket, having been lucky enough to amass a few followers, I am almost guaranteed a front page spot regardless of what I post. And this is where I think 500px is going wrong. It is a system that can be worked and one where genuine quality is not rewarded. Yes, there are some amazing images sitting in the popular section, but there are also so many clones. So many images get there not because of what they are, but because of who took them and this makes it impossible for new photographers to establish themselves on here. It is all to do with number of followers and nothing to do with image quality. I have heard that sometimes the suggested profiles section gets jammed and for those moments, everyone gets recommended the same few photographers to follow – this is why you get some accounts on here with 300k followers. They are guaranteed top spot, regardless of whether they post the next Ansel Adams or a photo of their cat. And I feel for the people trying to get established on here, as I fear it is nigh-on impossible. There are so many great images that lack their deserved popularity and reward, simply because they weren’t taken by the owner of a popular account. 500px needs to address this, as it simply isn’t fair and I can see a lot of people closing their accounts if the front page keeps being dominated by the same old, regurgitated faces. So to be incredibly annoying and contradictory, I am uploading an older photo of the incredibly under-photographed Durdle Door :). I simply don’t have anything new to post right now.

The Narratographer: Photos