Survey: Help shape the next version of PortraitMode

We’re planning the next round of changes to PortraitMode, and we’d rather build what you need than guess. We have a short survey for you at the bottom of this page. It takes about three minutes, and we read every answer.

What we’re trying to learn

  • Website or app? How you use PortraitMode shows us where to spend our time.
  • Which screens you use. The app has Recent, Explore, Following, Search and Featured. We want to know which ones you open, and which you never touch.
  • One feed or several? Would you rather have one simple screen that mixes recent photos with photos from the people you follow, or do you like them separate?
  • What’s in your way? That could be uploading, getting feedback, finding photographers worth following, or anything else.

Why ask now

PortraitMode has moved fast over the past couple of weeks, and we want to make sure that speed goes in the right direction.

We’re a small team of two, so we can’t try everything. Your answers decide what we build next, and what we leave alone. If a screen is working for you, we’d rather not “improve” it by accident.

What happens with your answers

We’ll read them, look for patterns, and write up what we found in a follow-up post. We’ll also say which changes we’re making because of them, and which ones we’re not, with reasons.

If there’s something the survey doesn’t ask about, please leave a comment below.

Thanks for being part of PortraitMode.
David

Tell us what to build next

1. Are you posting on both, PortraitMode and Instagram?
2. How often do you open PortraitMode (App and/or Website)?
3. What do you mostly come here to do? Select all that apply
4. Which device do you use PortraitMode on the most?
5. App: How often do you use the "Explore" tab?
6. App: How often do you use the "Following" tab?
7. App: How often do you use the "Search" screen?
8. App: Would you prefer one combined feed (recent photos plus the people you follow) or separate screens?
9. What gets in your way? Select all that apply
10. How likely are you to recommend PortraitMode to a photographer friend?

15 Comments

  • 1. I post on both. Nevertheless I appreciate the feedback on portraitmode a lot more. Instagram is just for visability.

    2. I open Portraitmode at least 1-2 times a day.

    3. All answers

    4. iPhone and MacBook (Web)

    5. rarely

    6. rarely

    7. rarely

    8. I’d prefer a combined feed so I can see photos of unfollowed photographers

    9. uploading photos

    10. definitely

    I would love to upload photos from my MacBook in full resolution and have them like sized down by portraitmode. At the moment I have to export my photos in Original Resolution for my storage and also do another export in reduced resolution for portraitmode.

    • Fun fact: we just added something like that in the latest version of the app. If you go to your profile and tap the three dots, you’ll see a new menu item called “Invite a friend”.

      But I’m guessing you’re looking for a quick way to share your own profile, is that right?

      Cheers,
      David

  • David , i can only speak about PC / DESKTOP Viewing but is there anyway you could implement a function for NO RIGHT CLICK SAVE AS … posting any but especially the high res versions of images and anyone can come along right click and save and download the photos.

    • Unfortunately, this wouldn’t really work. Anyone with a little technical experience can get around it easily.

      There isn’t much we can do to prevent it completely. But if someone does use your photo, they have to credit you, as stated on our License page. That’s about as much as we can do.

  • 1. Not much on Insta. Just joined here.
    2. Joined here very recently. Once in two days or three at the moment,thats also because of my health issues.
    3. Everything applies.
    4. Android phone.
    5. Yet to get a full hand on all the functions in the app.
    6. Same as answer to above fifth point.
    7. Same as above.
    8. Combined feed.
    9. Not sure yet.
    10. Definitely. Already suggested and discussed in some of my groups.

  • I believe this is a great platform with great potential.

    No doubt finance plays a significant role.

    Allowing or offering monthly subscriptions would be great too as oppose to the annual billing.

    That aside, functions such as swiping to the left or right when viewing own portfolio would be a nice feature.

    A bit more customisation to profile page like a banner would be nice too.

    May be even consider a beat photos section by the photographer too may be a nice addition.

    Also, perhaps offer a section for mobile photography to separate from DSLR / APS-C (MFT) cameras.

    Do offer the community more opportunities for input.

    I value this platform and I’m confident I’m not alone.

  • The issue may be at my end, but i notice when viewing uploaded photos on my desktop they don’t seem to be at the same resolution / sharpness on Portrait Mode as on other sites like Google Photos. Has anyone else reported this? Any clues? Thanks for the great platform! Kind regards

    • Thanks for reporting this, and you’re right! New uploads should already look better, especially colour-wise, thanks to a change we made a few days ago.

      As for sharpness: the feed and popup show a smaller, compressed version of the photo, which can look soft on high-resolution screens. We’ve just improved this for the feed and are looking into the popup next. Thanks for the kind words!

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