February 2 by Walter Otto Koenig

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February 2

The Decline of PBase

In the latter half of 2009 I installed statcounter on my PBase site. The steady decline in visitors can be seen clearly.

A few facts:

I have 1,035 PBasers in my contact list. Since January 1, 2021 195 have posted on their sites.

The Monthly Challenge had 769 posts in October 2010 and 140 posts in October 2020.

The Weekly Challenge used to regularly have over 30 posts every Thursday. It no longer exists.

The Forums: The most users ever online was 1,420 on September 5, 2016. When I posted this there were four users on line, including me.

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Doug Cruden		07-Feb-2021 19:50
I can only echo what the others have so thoughtfully posted below. I joined back in 2007 and soon built up a following (and had many contacts too, some of whom have posted below), participating in weekly and monthly challenges as well as doing a PAD. Having taken an enforced break for eight years and returning in January 2020, I too noticed a steep decline in page views, comments and general activity. But I wouldn't swap Pbase for Flickr or Instagram or whatever the next big social media platform is - there's too much community and camaraderie to give up, and it's fascinating to see the world through the hugely talented photographers whom I follow here. I've been fortunate to meet several of the UK-based Pbasers - we had a strong core group who met regularly a few years back, but like most things that has withered and I think there's only one of that group who regularly posts. It's sad but times change and move on and we adapt. A Plan B sounds sensible and we should consider options.

carol j. phipps		05-Feb-2021 21:38
Thanks for posting this, Walter. Sobering facts well seen.

Julie Oldfield		04-Feb-2021 00:45
Facebook and Instagram are free and a draw for many photographers to get their photos seen by more users.

Ray :)		04-Feb-2021 00:11
Small numbers suit me. I could not keep up with 195, let alone 1,035 people ! Quality, not quantity.

Marcia Rules		03-Feb-2021 13:30
Food for thought but I agree with Don M. here.....

danad		03-Feb-2021 11:01
The decline is unmistakable, for various reasons including the lack of anticipation and creativity of Pbase’s management. I stay on Pbase because I find it very friendly and there are still some talented photographers whose pictures I enjoy seeing. The pandemic does not make things easier with the difficulty for some to take new pictures....

John Hamers		03-Feb-2021 09:35
There are a lot of competive providers with easier accessible uploading features faster interaction rate( e.g. Instagram, etc.) Especially appreciated by younger generations I think.

Carol E Sandgren		03-Feb-2021 02:11
Only the strong survive!! I do wonder how long Pbase will last.

Mairéad		02-Feb-2021 23:58
I joined PBase in 2008 and certainly remember when there was a lot more activity and participation in challenges - strangely that still goes on on Flickr (dropped out of that because it was too much effort trying to keep up with two photo platforms). I have made many friends here, some of whom I've been lucky enough to meet in real life. Certainly, I think the interface could be improved and it would be helpful if there was an uploader for mobile phones. While I enjoy Instagram and use it to connect with contacts in the local arts community, I primarily use it for uploading quick phone photos. Pbase is where I come to for 'serious' photography and a sense of community.

janescottcumming		02-Feb-2021 23:06
I like what Don said and his idea of a backup plan. I really enjoy keeping in contact with the photographers I regularly visit. When we can travel again I hope to meet some people from here. I truly enjoyed our meet up Walter. Thanks for posting this.

Glenn D.		02-Feb-2021 23:06
What a simple graph will do to spark a conversation. Seems a lot are of the similar mind of either PBase's decline or just not keeping up. Is it society and other services stealing away, or level of photographic interest all together? Are we just tired of looking at other's work, or we just don't have the time or care anymore? And has this site become another BookFace posting site - hey look at what I did today, or the level of smut to the point where I dare not open the site on my work computer? [Yes, we are allowed breaks to look at other than work material.] COVID is (graphically speaking) irrelevant to the trend and if anything, I would have thought it would have meant an up-tick. I have met several friends though this site (as I type on one's right now) and we've even chatted about this trend and alternatives before. You can make stats say whatever you want...but some speak for themselves.

Don Mottershead		02-Feb-2021 21:33
Personally, I don't care about getting views of my photos by casual viewers. Like most of the commentators below what I care about is the small group of regulars who support each other with positive comments and glimpses into each other's lives. The danger is that PBase might go under and we will lose contact with our group. I plan to stay on PBase as long as it stays alive but I think we should have a backup plan to all move to the same platform if that becomes necessary. 500px, Flickr, or something else - it doesn't matter very much to me. Walter, since you have a lot of contacts you might be in a good position to suggest a backup plan in case of PBase's demise. What do you think?

John		02-Feb-2021 20:51
The affirmation of what we all know. The good news is that we got more storage MB’s for the same price. I think (already for a long time) that PBase became an out of control hobby for the owners. Over the years they did hardly anything to improve the site, gave members more tools regarding layout and other functionality. I have been several times on the brink weather to stay or leave Pbase. In have a very small contact list. Pbase is more a social platform than a site where you showcase your work. It’s nice, it’s cozy and we kinda know each other. It’s a nice group of people sharing the same hobby. So, I’m staying but I’m not very active anymore. It comes in waves.

laine		02-Feb-2021 20:10
Pbase was one of its kind back in the beginning, easy to access, easy to use. It was the early days of digital photography and for many the internet and everyone was trying it and thank heavens nothing has changed except that we were given more space without any price rise. Then came the next toy to play with...social media. While here you have to physically type to interact...on the other you just click once and move on. I smile at those posting on there to a group with a name connected to here and yet they have long ago stopped posting. I still have people here I call friends since 2004 and along the way others have joined my contacts. I have no idea of the number, I don't look at stats or count hits but I do like my daily connections and to look back on those who have passed. Pbase whatever the number is my favourite community...I have no plans to leave and no wish for bells and whistles.

Tom LeRoy		02-Feb-2021 19:55
Glad you posted this, Walter. I blame some of this on the PBase management for not keeping up with the tech but with so many venues for younger folks I doubt that many will look here. I'm still happy to be part of this great group. V

globalgadabout		02-Feb-2021 19:09
luckily there is still a core group of resourceful and talented photographers despite attrition over the years...it seems natural that interests and energy change, so the trend is understandable...of interest too is how few new participants appear...perhaps there are just too many online options on offer these days, and too many other concerns in people's lives..

Ton T.		02-Feb-2021 17:59
Interesting figures Walter! Anyway, I still find PBase interesting and that is mainly because of the posters that I virtually meet and of course there beautiful images...... Please stay....

Nestor Derkach		02-Feb-2021 17:46
Interesting chart a decline for sure according to your chart but still a nice number of visits per year. Still a nice photography web sight been on it since 2006 and have dropped off for a spell had other priorities . And a reasonable price to share and see other photographers camera work . Nice chart Walter.

larose forest photos		02-Feb-2021 17:44
This is interesting. I've certainly noticed a decline in numbers of people on the challenges, commenting, posting. Looking back a decade I see names that were very active once and now have vanished. I do know that some PBasers have sadly died, and I also know others have turned to Facebook and Flikr. Perhaps others are taking a rest. I agree with David, this is the only "social media" group, if I can call it that, that I take part in and the community that we do have is, I think, a good one.

Neil Marcus		02-Feb-2021 17:31
Are people changing to other venues such as Instagram. There are a few problems with pbase Sometimes the images aren't' as sharp as what I post. Living alone in a different state is lacking fellowship. I find Pbase helps me connect. I joined a local camera club and I hope it gets me on a local trip once Covid abates

David Buzzeo		02-Feb-2021 17:09
I agree with Carl on both counts. 1,200 is a lot of followers. I have no idea how many people follow me. All I know is I follow 60 people. The list changes, if someone does not post for six months, I drop them and add another. I stay with PBase because of this group. This is the only social media I participate in. Let's hope there continues to be enough of us to keep this going. David V

Carl Carbone		02-Feb-2021 16:59
They certainly haven't kept up with the times in terms of usability. That said, it is affordable and what's left of the community is good.

joseantonio		02-Feb-2021 16:45
interestng image.V.

Neil Marcus		02-Feb-2021 16:45
I find this very interesting. I notice since Covid there has been lagging response. Too bad. I find things to take in my neighborhood and I imagine there are photos if you look. Some people think that you only find shots on a trip.

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