Background:
Before anyone raises concerns about duplicate posts, I want to clarify that I've checked the forums and didn't see a title that directly addresses my questions. (On a side note, a search function for the forum would be pretty helpful.)

I'm a new member of 1x, having joined less than two weeks ago. Since then, I've submitted a few photos to the curation system. While I haven't had any published yet, that's not my primary concern. What's puzzling to me is how the numbers in the feedback system work, as they don't seem to follow a consistent pattern.

For example, I had one photo that initially showed a 2% favorable member rating, suggesting that some people voted thumbs down. Then, it suddenly jumped to 100%, only to gradually decline over the next two days to 3%. How could it go from a mixed rating to 100%? Similarly, this morning, I noticed that a different submission, at just 1% progress, already had a 2% favorable rating. If I understand correctly, this would imply that out of 50 curators, one person voted favorably.

Based on a quick look at some random member statistics, about 30% of members either participate very little or not at all in the curation process. That's why I'm skeptical that my new image could have been meaningfully reviewed in the first few minutes after uploading. This raises questions about how representative the feedback is and what factors influence the curation system.

Question:
I'd appreciate some clarification on how the curation process works.

1. Does the system require a specific number of member reviews before an image moves on to the expert curators? If so, does each submission also need a certain number of favorable reviews to progress? If this is the case, why not show us something like "1% of 1000 reviews," which would be much more useful information for understanding the standing of our submissions?
2. Alternatively, is a timing mechanism in place that ensures images are available for review across different time zones, giving people from other continents a chance to participate? If so, it would be helpful to see information like "3 of 7 time zones complete," which could reveal any biases among different regions.
3. With only a week's participation, I quickly grasped that if your photo is under 10%, it's unlikely to be accepted. Since members are only allowed one submission at a time, and the curation process can take quite a while, would it be possible to add an "escape" button? This would allow members to bail out of the process early, submit their next image, and save curators the time of reviewing photos that will not pass.

A more open and transparent understanding of these aspects would help me better navigate how and when to submit my images and manage my expectations around the feedback I receive.

I'm not sure why I couldn't get this information in-house, but I finally found some clarity about the 1x curation system from Google. Here's what they said:

I agree with your points of view.

Furthermore I do not understand how one of my images got published with 3% favorable with both curator members and experts??? And my other photo whith 82% faves from members and 32% from experts got rejected???

The Curation process at 1X.com  . . . .

1.  Take a photograph

2.  Upload to 1X.com Curation

3.  Wait nervously for 2 - 3 days

4. Get rejection notice

5. Repeat      :-)

Joking aside, the Curation process is a bit mysterious. I'm sure it frustrates many members.  The percentage scores, pie charts, and comments are sometimes useful, and sometimes not so much. 

There is an explanation of the process in the FAQ section 'How does Curation work?'

Link to a 3 year old forum thread on the topic . . . .    https://1x.com/forum/site-related/awards

And 5 links to magazine articles about Curation . . . .

https://gallery.1x.com/blog/permalink/9176

https://gallery.1x.com/blog/permalink/8538

https://gallery.1x.com/blog/permalink/8283

https://gallery.1x.com/blog/permalink/7948

https://gallery.1x.com/blog/permalink/9142

I hope that will be helpful.

. . . . Steven T.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question, Steven. I truly appreciate your effort in providing several links to past articles explaining the curation process at 1x. The articles were insightful and engaging, and I enjoyed learning more about the philosophy behind 1x's approach. However, they didn't fully address the specific details of my question, which focuses on the mechanics of curation—how the process works in practice and the objective metrics.

From the information I found through external sources and the helpful insights in the articles you provided, here is what I've gathered about the curation process so far:

• Member Voting Threshold: An image takes 60 thumbs-up votes from member curators to advance to the Senior Curators' review.

• Senior Curators: There are 15 permanent Senior Curators, each specializing in different photography genres and with varying judgment weightings based on their demonstrated expertise.

• Expert Overrides: Senior Curators can accept or overrule the member's popularity votes during their evaluations.

These points give a helpful overview of the system, but I realize there are still some unanswered questions about the finer mechanics of curation.

Member Voting Questions

We know it typically takes 2–3 days to move a submission through the system, but is there a defined timeframe for each step? Specifically:

1. Total Votes:

   • How many total votes are typically cast during the member voting phase? Is the 60-vote threshold based on the first 100 votes, the first 1,000, or is it independent of the total?

2. Time Constraints:

   • Is there a specific time limit for member voting, or does a photo remain in the voting pool indefinitely until it accumulates 60 votes?

Expert Curation Questions

I'm also curious about the mechanics of the expert curation process:

• Evaluation Scope: How many Senior Curators typically evaluate a single photo? Is there a minimum number of curators required for a decision, and is there a time constraint for experts to complete their evaluations?

• Influence of Top-Rated Curators: Compared to others, how much more influence do top-rated Senior Curators have? Are their judgments weighted significantly higher in the final decision-making process?

• Publication Rates: Finally, what percentage of submissions advance from the Senior Curator stage to being published? Having insight into this would help set more realistic expectations for contributors.

Bias Toward High-Ranking Members

Lastly, I'd like to understand how the system ensures fairness across all contributors. Do high-ranking members receive more leniency during evaluations, or is every submission judged strictly on its merits? I ask because I've encountered critiques where members expressed frustration about published images containing "fatal flaws." Understanding how these decisions are made could shed light on whether reputation influences outcomes or if all submissions are held to the same standard.

Final Thoughts

I want to emphasize that my intention isn't to learn how to game the system but to better understand how the dashboard metrics relate to what's happening behind the scenes. The gauges provided to members feel disconnected from the actual process. It's like speeding down the Autobahn with a thermostat for a speedometer—not only is the information irrelevant, but we're given two meters that always read the same thing.

Since this is a paid site, I believe it's fair to know what I'm paying for. Is there truly no fixed structure to the process, with decisions being made as needed, or is a consistent framework in place? Any clarity you (or 1x administrators) can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Jim,

You asked many questions that I can't answer.  I'll offer what little I do know, and some informed guesses.  I'm one of the Senior Critics, but we are not given any information about how Curation works.  

You wrote "There are 15 permanent Senior Curators"  These are the 'Head Curators' to differentiate them from the 'Senior Critics' who have nothing to do with the Curation process.

You asked about 'Member Voting Threshold' and wrote that 'An image takes 60 thumbs-up votes from member curators'.   I'm not sure that's accurate since 1X had its major update - about three years ago now.  In the earlier version there was a threshold of 60 votes, and the scoring system was simpler.   I don't know if there's a threshold now.  After the update the Curation process was taking a week or more.  Members complained, and somehow the time was reduced to 2-3 days.  Perhaps the threshold became a fixed time rather than a fixed number of votes, or a lower number of votes.   I don't know.  The Curation process was simpler in Classic 1X - only two steps, and I think it was algorithm free and pie-chart free as well.  There was just one critique section. Now there are two - one where members are invited at random to comment, and one where the team of  Senior Critics toil tirelessly.  

You asked 'How many total votes are typically cast during the member voting phase?'   It would be useful to know, but unfortunately we're not told that number.  At another site - 100ASA.com - the number of votes is shown, so it must be possible to do that.  

 
You asked 'Evaluation Scope: How many Senior Curators typically evaluate a single photo?'  If you meant 'expert' curators, that number is not given either.   A sidenote - to become an 'expert' curator, the only qualification seems to be accumulating 70,000 points.  That sounds like a lot, but it isn't really.  I think I'm considered an 'expert' curator, but I've never been notified of that or given any sort of training or testing to see if I actually know how to judge a photograph. 

Another of your questions - "Influence of Top-Rated Curators: Compared to others, how much more influence do top-rated Senior Curators have?"   And another one I can't answer.  In the FAQ it's said that there is a 'built-in' test to judge the accuracy of the expert curators votes.  I don't know how this test works, but I fear that it is designed to see how often the curator votes like the majority does.  That seems a recipe for clichés.  Personally I like to vote 'no' for photos I feel I've seen a thousand times before, and 'yes' for those that show a faint spark of creative originality, even if they're technically less than perfect.

 
To your question, "Finally, what percentage of submissions advance from the Senior Curator stage to being published?" . . .  in the classic version of the site it used to be advertised that less than 5% of submitted photos were published.  I'm not sure if that's similar in the updated version of 1X. In classic 1X, members could put photos of their choice in their personal galleries even if they were not published.  

Regarding the dashboard metrics - pie charts, percentage scores, and feelings - that seems like it would be useful information, but I suspect it's often misleading.  Some members have reported in the Forum that they posted the same photo twice and got radically different scores.  This comes back to not knowing how many members vote.  If only a few members click then the summaries won't be of much use.  Imagine if you were exhibiting in a physical gallery and asked a hundred people what they thought of the photographs.  That would be good information . . . . but what if you only asked two or three? 

 
You wondered if there is a 'bias toward high-ranking members'.  I would like to think that the Curation process is completely fair and unbiased.  In member curation the photos are presented without member's names.  I believe that the Head Curators can see the names.  Recognizing a name might subconciously influence their decisions.  Again, I don't know.  

I loved your comparison of the dashboard metrics as 'speeding down the Autobahn with a thermostat for a speedometer'.  Perfect!  
I'm sorry that I don't have answers for your questions.  The Curation process is far from perfect.  I had proof of that this morning when yet another of my (exellent-in-my-opinion) photographs was rejected.

 
You might try messaging crew members with your questions - Head Curators, Moderators, etc.  They're all in the 'About' section.  

. . . . Steven T.   

Thanks, Steven, for your feedback ... again.

I thought this forum was for getting and giving information to the site administrators. We'll see if they respond.

Do you know a site called Rate My Photo uses an AI algorithm to score submitted images on a scale of 1 to 10?  The score comes back in seconds rather than days. However, their scores do not correlate with success on 1x. - jw

Jim,

Thanks for the 'Rate my Photo' tip.  I tried it with several 'abstract' images, and the result was 'your photo was very aesthetic' each time.  That's a fuzzy word. 

I see  you've just joined 1X in October.  Welcome!  

. . . . Steven

Hi Steven,

Thanks again for your thoughtful responses to my earlier questions. After reflecting on the insights shared here and my own experiences, I wanted to take a moment to address a few broader observations about 1x's platform, especially in the context of curating and feedback mechanisms. I hope these thoughts will help spark productive discussions about potential improvements.

Rate My Photo (RMP) and Metrics

To clarify my earlier mention of RMP, their AI algorithm assigns scores on a logarithmic scale (1–10) with specific weight given to aesthetic and saleability factors. For example, a score in the 7–8 range might receive feedback like "Your photo is very aesthetic," which, while vague, is intended to assess commercial viability for stock photography quickly.

While RMP's goals are distinct from 1x's focus on artistry, it demonstrates how specific, actionable metrics could help photographers better understand their submissions' strengths and weaknesses. Currently, 1x's feedback system feels opaque, offering little insight into what worked, what didn't, or how close a submission came to being awarded.

The Lean Platform Hypothesis

From what I've observed and learned here, 1x appears to be operating as a lean release platform—rolling out features and adjustments reactively based on user feedback rather than adhering to a well-defined, forward-thinking roadmap. For example:

• The recent addition of the search feature addresses a long-standing gap and highlights a reactive approach rather than a proactive strategy.
• Changes to the curation process, including revised thresholds and expert curator qualifications, seem to have evolved organically without being documented or communicated.

While this flexibility has merits, it can frustrate contributors who rely on consistent systems to guide their efforts.

Curation Structure Concerns

Based on the responses here and my observations, I suspect 1x lacks a well-reasoned structure for its curation process. Specifically:

• Expert Curator Status: The current qualification—70,000 points—is a volume-based metric that does not formally evaluate a curator's skill or align with 1x's stated goals. This diminishes the credibility of the curation process and raises questions about how 1x ensures consistency and fairness.
• Feedback Mechanisms: While tools like the line graph showing agreement rates are interesting, they remain hidden from most users and do little to offer actionable insights.
• Quality Assurance: Without training, testing, or recognition for expert curators, how does 1x maintain the standards necessary to host the "best photographs in the world"?

If 1x Aims to Be the Best…

For 1x to truly establish itself as the premier platform for the world's best photography, it must address these structural gaps. Here are a few actionable steps that could elevate the platform:

1. Transparent Metrics: Provide contributors with clear, actionable feedback about their submissions. Even a basic scoring system like "composition: X/10, mood: Y/10" would offer more guidance than the current binary metrics.
2. Quality Training for Curators: Establish training or certification for expert curators to ensure consistent evaluations and maintain high standards.
3. Real-Time Feedback Dashboard: Replace or supplement the popularity percentage with more meaningful, granular data directly related to the curation process.
4. Proactive Development: Shift from reactive fixes to a proactive roadmap that anticipates user needs, focusing on transparency and user experience.

I hope these thoughts are helpful, and I'd love to hear your perspective. If 1x leadership is open to feedback, I can contribute ideas in more detail. Thanks again for your time!

jw

hola mi nombre es toni cascales, para empezar la parte del menu es bastante confusa y poco intuitiva es cirto que solo llevo un dia pero me resulta por ejemplo en la ayuda no hay informacion para el novato, en el sentido de funciones, estoy evaluando lara seguir o no en 1x asi que toda la ayuda seria bien recibida, por ejemplo si cada foto tarda dias los que teneis tantas llevais media vida? ¿ que aporta a las imagenes la curacion? cosas asi para entender como funciona 1x gracias

Translation . . . . .  "Hello, my name is Toni Cascales. To start with, the menu is quite confusing and not very intuitive. It's true that I've only been using it for a day, but I find that, for example, the help section lacks information for beginners regarding functions. I'm evaluating whether or not to continue with 1X, so any help would be appreciated. For example, if each photo takes days, do those of you who have so many take half your life? What does curing do to the images? Things like that to understand how 1X works. Thanks."

Hello, Toni, and welcome to 1X.   As you wrote, the menu is not very intuitive, and the help (FAQ?) section lacks information about functions.  To learn how the site works we  have to explore, click on things, and ask our questions in the Forums.  It will begin to make sense after a while. 

Curation is explained in the FAQ, but some details are not told there.  The percentage score is apparently not considered when the Head Curators make their decisions to Publish or Award a photo.  The comments, pie-charts, and percentages are often not very useful.  The Curation process takes a couple of days, and we're only allowed to post one photo at a time there.  The idea is that we choose only our best work to submit.  Most photographers have thousands of 'pretty-good' photographs, but not that many 'excellent' ones. 

It's not the best website, but the photographs are generally very good - and some are inspiring and make us want to work harder at our craft and art. 

You may not yet have discovered  the 1X 'Critique Forum'.  There's a team of volunteer Senior Critics  there who will  offer their opinions, ideas, and editing suggestions for your photo.  If you want to check that out, click  the blue button, 'Critique Forum' that appears on some pages - or go to 'Forums>Sections>Critique'. 

. . . . Steven T.

Hi Jim, Steven, et al

The thing which strikes me is how very helpful Steven has been in taking so much time and effort to explain 1X.Com's uber-mecurical curation system. Axiomatically, that is a tribute to him but my main point is that none of what he offered should be necessary. 1X.Com (or any crit site) should have an easily-understood, transparent, logical and unambigious system. It should not need ludicrious faux-statistics, zillions of discussions (such as this and all those previous ones) and intricate explinations. These seem to me all major faults and why I have been so disappointed in it since joining. Don't take me wrong: there are some excellent aspects of 1X.Com, too (e.g. the forum Steven suggested, which is superb) but I find the main curation-system dreadful.

All the best. Cheerio.