If you’re a photographer that wants to harness the great powers of social media (yet hate the traditional forms of social media like Facebook/Instagram), arsbeta.com is for you.
[Read more…] about ARS: Anti-Social Social Media for PhotographersARS Beta Version 3: Why ARS Coin is a Game-Changer for Photography
I am proud to announce that today we announce ARS Beta Version III with the brand-new and revolutionary ARS Coin feature.
The Story of ARS
I’ve always thought to myself:
If we could make a new social media platform for photographers, how could we make it honest, fair, and productive/constructive?
For a long time, all we had was generic social media platforms (Flickr, Facebook, Instagram) which were places where we could share photos, accumulate likes/favorites, and gain followers. But the problem was this:
There was no real way to get honest and constructive feedback on your photos.
Thus ARS was born: the first double-blind feedback platform for photographers and visual artists to grow, evolve, and develop together.
How is ARS Different from Facebook or Instagram?
ARS is different because we value your photographic labor. Our moonshot for ARS is to create a new economy for photographers; a new economy which prizes your time, wisdom, and the effort you put into giving (and receiving) feedback from other photographers.
Why ARS Coin is a big deal.
ARS Coin is a totally new way to envision your photographic labor. No more dealing with algorithms that manipulate your emotions and self-esteem. Now, the process of earning capital/currency (in the form of digital ARS Coin) is clear and transparent:
- You earn ARS Coin by providing critiques to other users in the arsbeta.com community. You can earn additional ARS Coin by referring your friends to join, by receiving ‘Thanks’ from other users for your critiques, and by logging onto ARS on a daily basis.
- You use your ARS Coin by commissioning other photographers to give you more in-depth feedback and critique on your photos.
Help humans, not algorithms.
This new photo economy is based on three principles:
- Help real human beings. The more you give, the more you receive in return (ARS Coin).
- The more critiques you provide and receive, the better photographer you become (you learn how to become a more effective judge of images).
- ARS prioritizes the highest quality honest feedback, not winning popularity contests.
Photographic empowerment
Traditional social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, etc) is disempowering. We are in this frantic race to accumulate more followers and likes, instead of focusing on what is truly important — our own personal empowerment as photographers and visual artists.
How to get real and honest feedback on your photos
One of our biggest innovations is our unique ‘double blind’ algorithm which means:
You don’t know who is giving you feedback, and the person who is giving you feedback doesn’t know who you are.
The benefit is that you get more honest feedback and critique on your photos. Too often when we upload and share our photos online, our friends simply “like” our photos because they want to encourage us. But likes aren’t effective in telling us how we can improve.
Not only that, but I am genuinely curious what people really think about my photos. While I love pats on the back, it isn’t what I need. I need brutal honesty to drive me forward, and to higher artistic heights!
Join the thriving community
- We currently have 500,000+ votes on ARSBETA.COM
- 38,000+ written critiques and 11,000+ images
- Average session duration: 5+ minutes
- Global Reach: 40% users from North America, and 60% are global (Europe, Asia+).
If you love innovation and being an early-adopter, join arsbeta.com and spread the word with your friends!
We thrive from your feedback
Personally I want to thank the thousands of users who have been with ARS since Version 1. We have made massive iterations with your valuable feedback:
- ARS Beta Version 1: Official launch, integration of ‘Keep-Ditch’ concept.
- ARS Beta Version 2: Integration of ‘Constructive Critiques’
- ARS Beta Version 3 (This Version): Integration of ‘ARS Coin’ and ‘Commission Critique’
We would also love to hear your new thoughts on ARS Coin, or ways to make ARS more fun to use! Shoot us an email at arsbetahelp@gmail.com
Excited to see your photos, critiques, and for you to start stacking that ARS Coin!
ERIC, Kevin, Cindy, Annette, Jun (ARS Team)
ARS Beta Version III
ARS Beta Version 3 Press Release
Announcing ARS Coin: The New Photography Economy
Official Press Release [March 14, 2019]
Silicon Valley, California
Join ARS: The New Anti-Social Media Platform for Photographers.
If you’re sick of meaningless likes and superficial followers, join ARS: The New Anti-Social Media Platform for Photographers. ARS is the first and only ‘Double Blind’ feedback platform for photographers and visual artists to receive honest and real feedback on their photos.
ARS Version 3 releases the revolutionary new ARS Coin: a disruptive new technology and approach in the online photo economy. No more popularity contests and superficial ‘likes’ that homogenize art production and feedback (Facebook/Instagram).
What is ARS Coin?
ARS Coin is a totally new way to envision your photographic labor. No more dealing with algorithms that manipulate your emotions and self-esteem. Now, the process of gaining capital/currency (in the form of digital ARS Coin) is clear and transparent:
- You earn ARS Coin by providing critiques to other users in the arsbeta.com community. You can earn additional ARS Coin by referring your friends to join, by receiving ‘Thanks’ from other users for your critiques, and by logging onto ARS on a daily basis.
- You use your ARS Coin by commissioning other photographers to give you more in-depth feedback and critique on your photos.
Learn more about why ARS Coin is a game-changer for photography. >
We Need You.
ARS relies on YOU to change the future of photography. Upload your photos to ARSBeta.com and start critiquing photos. Use ARS as a visual testing ground in order to share new visual imagery and develop your portfolio.
Share ARS with friends, family, and photographers! Let’s start accumulating our ARS Coin while building a productive learning community together.
ARS is looking for investors, brand collaborators, and reviews. Be a part of our moonshot dreams for ARS. Read our Press Kit and e-mail arsbetahelp@gmail.com.
Let’s change the culture of photography together!
ARS Team
Eric Kim, Kevin McKenzie, Cindy Nguyen, Annette Kim, Jun Kim
ARS Code of Conduct
Please follow our Code of Conduct, which reflects our principles, values, standards, and rules of behavior to respect all community members.
Please Do:
- Remember the human. When you communicate online, all you see is a screen. When talking to someone you might want to ask yourself “Would I say it to the person’s face?”
- Follow the golden rule. Treat others in the Community as you would want them to treat you.
- Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life.
- Keep your critiques relevant to the photo you are critiquing.
- Use proper grammar and spelling. Not all ARS members speak English as their native language. Keeping your critiques easy to read will better help users to understand your meaningful feedback.
- Leave constructive critiques. It is perfectly fine if you do not think a photo is good but in order for the uploader to improve, they need to hear why the photo is not good and how to improve. Read here how to leave a constructive critique.
- Share words of genuine encouragement. If there is an aspect of a photo that you appreciate, let the user know. Positivity goes a long way.
- Give your feedback by writing critiques or voting keep/ditch. By being active in the community, you help others to receive feedback. You also benefit yourself by improving your ability to read an image as well as receive points to the leaderboards.
Please Do Not:
In regard to leaving a critique
- Be (intentionally) rude. By choosing not to be rude, you increase the overall civility of the community and make it better for all of us.
- Insult others. Personal insults do not contribute to a rational discussion. Constructive Criticism, however, is appropriate and encouraged.
- Troll. Trolling (i.e., leave critiques that are designed to provoke a negative response from one or more users). Trolling does not contribute to the user looking for constructive critiques and will result in a permanent ban from ARS.
In regard to receiving a critique
- Report critiques that are valid but you do not like. Take a moment to stop, think and examine your reasons for disliking a critique. Report critiques that do not adhere to the code of conduct, rather than doing so out of an emotional reaction.
Introducing ARS Beta V2!
Dear friend,
I cordially invite you to the open beta of ARS, an innovative new photography feedback platform, that gives you real, unbiased feedback on your photos from a community of real-life photographers.
ARS Beta upgrades:
New upgrades to ARS Beta to benefit you:
- Critique feature: Leave/receive critiques on photos in order to improve your photography.
- Improved engine: Quicker response time for rating photos.
- Refreshed design: Easier user friendly layout to navigate website.
We would love to hear your feedback!
What do you think of ARS Beta V2? We want your feedback! Please email us at arsbetahelp@gmail.com to report any issues or just provide your thoughts.
