Goodbye for Now

[christopher walrath]

Don't take it too hard, Lyncca. Happens to me all the time. Just ask Helen.

 

[Alleh Lindquist]

Honestly I suggest you leave. I started posting on a few forums about a month ago to increase my web links and drive up my search engine rankings. Other than that I have seen absolutely no reason to waste time on any of the forums I have been reading. Your time would be much better spent reading the good books about photography, behind the camera and working in Photoshop. You don't want photographic advice from armatures you want it from your photographic mentors whether they are people you can meet with or just view their images. Just looking at beautiful photographs and studying them will help your own understanding of creating images.

Forums are more or less just a sad way to be social.

Edit - Sorry there I go again trying to start a conflict. Actually I just mean to say you will learn more from other sources in less time that what you can learn on a forum.

 

[abraxas]

Honestly I suggest you leave. I started posting on a few forums about a month ago to increase my web links and drive up my search engine rankings. Other than that I have seen absolutely no reason to waste time on any of the forums I have been reading. Your time would be much better spent reading the good books about photography, behind the camera in working in Photoshop. You don't want photographic advice from armatures you want it from your photographic mentors whether they are people you can meet with or just view their images. Just looking at beautiful photographs and studying them will help your own understanding of creating images.

Forums are more or less just a sad way to be social.

All those words and you've said nothing of value. Tell us, please, how have your stubby little thoughts helped you with SEO? Something tells me you're far more mouth than brains.

 

[kundalini]

Honestly I suggest you leave. I started posting on a few forums about a month ago to increase my web links and drive up my search engine rankings. Other than that I have seen absolutely no reason to waste time on any of the forums I have been reading. Your time would be much better spent reading the good books about photography, behind the camera and working in Photoshop. You don't want photographic advice from armatures you want it from your photographic mentors whether they are people you can meet with or just view their images. Just looking at beautiful photographs and studying them will help your own understanding of creating images.

Forums are more or less just a sad way to be social.

Bushwa talk, but yet, you continue to post. Perhaps you should heed your own advice.

 

[Hawaii Five-O]

In theory though, if someone hates my work, is that still a compliment? As it strikes strong opinions or emotions? Isn't it controversy based on love or hate that makes art popular? Even if people hate my work they will still end up to viewing it the same way the people who loved it did.


If a member chooses to quit a forum, they are better off just leaving without telling anyone publicly I think. Because if you come back people will remember you as that person who made a public profession of quitting and will drag this fact from the abyss when you make a post or have a conflict. Which ends up with you being internet flustrated again.

 

[rufus5150]

I know a professional photographer that retired a few years ago that told me if I wanted to progress as a photographer, I should forget about the internet forums and develop my work on my own according to what I felt is right. Other than the social and entertainment aspects, the dude was right. The web is frought with wierdness and people with issues.

I've felt better about my work doing so, and am not only loathe to give critique, but reserve the right to criticise my critics. They ought not be so thin-skinned. I learn more admiring the work of my 'heroes' and doing my own research, reading and judging my own experiments. Certainly I like encouragement, and I can tell the purely social comments, but I like having friends, however virtual some of them might be. The web is entertainment. I do learn from it though, but not like some people seem to demand. One of the most valuable things I've learned on the web regarding photography is the following, "My camera, my vision, my rules." (and 'thank you' you know who you are).

I'm not sure why you quoted my post to post this reply, but I'll run with it... I only meant to say that the trend I noticed recently wasn't people asking for critique suffering from thin skin-ed-ness, but the (for lack of a better term) cheerleaders who think you should never say anything bad about a piece of work. It drives me nuts.

I think there is some value to posting here and getting feedback of the critical-but-non-encouraging variety. My very first post here, a few people gave me some real big things to think about and things that were detracting from the images I was presenting. That lead me to a few books, acquiring and learning photoshop (again, I missed it so), and what things to read up on. I wished everything I'd post would garner that quality of feedback, but alas...

I see other photographer's works and admire and study them, I read on topics both technical and artistic, work with photoshop way more than I probably should, but I also find value in posting here and hearing other people's thoughts. I am sometimes blinded by what my intention was with images that it may not ultimately be what I'm communicating with them. The internet, this forum, for all its quirky folks and strangeness, provides something that I benefit from.

Honestly I suggest you leave. I started posting on a few forums about a month ago to increase my web links and drive up my search engine rankings. Other than that I have seen absolutely no reason to waste time on any of the forums I have been reading. Your time would be much better spent reading the good books about photography, behind the camera and working in Photoshop. You don't want photographic advice from armatures you want it from your photographic mentors whether they are people you can meet with or just view their images. Just looking at beautiful photographs and studying them will help your own understanding of creating images.

Forums are more or less just a sad way to be social.

I LOL'd. Thank you! The indignant are so cute when they're young...

 

[DRoberts]

Thanks for the replies guys I actually have no problems getting critiqued. That is a big part of why I am here. Well, actually most of it. I have my friends to do the ass-kissing for me, so I come here to learn.

My problem is with the supposed pros that having nothing to say except one of a few things:
- If you take pictures for free then people expect it of everyone - so don't do that!
- If you undercharge, you are bringing down the photography community.
- How dare you raise your prices without such and such equipment, etc.
- Your equipment doesn't make you professional!

- You can't be a hobbyist if you charge anything.
- Don't call your self a pro if you aren't making your whole living at it.
- Don't use "you are a hobbyist" as an excuse (but don't dare call yourself a pro!)

Do you see a pattern here? There is absolutely no friggin' way that a new person according these people can ever get their feet into this very sacred pool.

I bust my ass and don't think I'm doing such a bad job. I can handle photo critiques, but all this soapbox, looking down your nose **** is getting old. It isn't helpful to me or anyone else.

Now, of course, would I go out and shoot a wedding? Hell no. I know I do not have the equipment (although almost) but more importantly, the skills. I will probably be looking to a pro to go assist in the near future, but it certainly won't be someone like some of the people I have witnessed in here.

See, now I bet I get a whole new arguement going in here

I remember that conversation and several others that were along the same lines. I completely agree that some people are very rude and unproductive on here, but I just decided to ignore them and help when I can and take the advice and inspiration of the "good" people on here. When you come back, do so with the attitude that you are here for you. Don't pay any attention to the idiots and take advantage of the positive that can make you a better photographer and person.
Hurry Back.

 

[Lyncca]

See, now I bet I get a whole new arguement going in here

Wow. I was pretty right about that! Well, I will respond individually tomorrow (and it will be LONG), but let me say this. I can tell the difference between those that have read each and every post and those that read 2 or 3 and chimed in at the end, because if you actually read me throughout you wouldn't have said what you did.

I guess I'm not one that says sh*t without reading every bit of a post in a discussion post before replying. Hmmm.

The funny thing is that when I reply to everyone, I doubt most that I need to respond to will actually read it before replying.

I thank those (and funny that they were some of those I was ranting about a little bit) that got what I was saying....

 

[Hertz van Rental]

I have more varied experience than you ...

I think I might surprise you there

We could turn this thread in to yet another discussion/argument on what makes for a good crit - but why bother?
The important thing is that the lady has learned to laugh again.
O/T is always a good place to go for a break... :mrgreen:


*Whoopsie!*
Just read a post there and I think someone has mis-understood me.
This happens a lot on here.
I have never sought to put people down (with one or two very special exceptions).
My main argument has always been that the term 'pro' has become debased because people use it inappropriately.
My opinions on this subject have been posted elsewhere so I won't repeat.
My view on Photography as a hobby remains the same.
What has been mis-understood here is the point I was making.
If you want to make money out of Photography or work your way up to being a professional then stop playing at it and make some commitment. I don't think that is a put-down.
If you want others to take your work seriously then you have to take yourself seriously.
You then move into that big area called 'semi-professional'.
Making the move to seeing yourself as 'semi-pro' changes your mindset and will do wonders for confidence. But it also involves accepting a degree of responsibility and making a bit of serious commitment.
If you are not prepared to do either then I don't think you should take the money and just stick at doing it for fun.

 

[abraxas]

I'm not sure why you quoted my post to post this reply, but I'll run with it... I only meant to say that the trend I noticed recently wasn't people asking for critique suffering from thin skin-ed-ness, but the (for lack of a better term) cheerleaders who think you should never say anything bad about a piece of work. It drives me nuts. ...

I thought you had a good theme to run with.

'Cheerleader' sounds demeaning though. I would just rather say something positive or not at all. I've learned that sometimes if I make a criticism, the jackals and hyenas will jump in and amplify until it becomes hurtful- then it's just a shame I said anything at all. Again, I believe internet forums are pretty much for socializing and entertainment. My photography serves my purposes adequately, and I could not care less about internet critique, but I still like to share with my photo peer group. I realize that some don't see forums in the same aspect as I, and I try to respect that.

 

[rufus5150]

'Cheerleader' sounds demeaning though.

And I think that's warranted sometimes. There are a lot of encouragement only posts in replies for critique, and when the image suffers from few objectively good qualities, these don't server the person who posted them at all.

I'm a big fan of providing critical feedback while praising an images good qualities, but the 'I'll say nice shot regardless' crowd bugs me sometimes, and it's the same pack that jumps on those trying to give some iota of critical feedback.

 

[craig]

Bye! I like your work and your posts, but I have to say this final plea is always lame. Why not just leave and not tell anyone?

If you have not logged off please keep in mind:

Photography is forever a personal journey. You must be proud of the work that you are currently doing. This will enable you to take criticism with a grain of salt.

There will always be people that take said journey very seriously (that includes me). Personal attacks are rarely personal. More like a rebuttal to a statement. More often then not photographers do not have the ability to be subtle or charming.

TPF is currently a large community of photo enthusiasts. Some newbies. Some film huggers. Some professors. Some Guy With a Camera. Some "Pros". Point is this is the strength of The Photo Forum. Ideas and comments; good and bad flow like water. Take the time to weigh the good and the bad. On closer examination you will find credibility in even the most offensive of comments.

Personally. I have found solace in this dysfunctional group of members for years. Why is beyond me. None the less I can say this site is tops for a reason. It is because of it's members. We would like you to stick around, but hey; we all have a journey.

Love & Bass

 

[Alleh Lindquist]

Sorry there I go again trying to start a conflict. Actually I just mean to say you will learn more from other sources in less time that what you can learn on a forum.

 

[Peanuts]

I have found solace in this dysfunctional group of members for years.

What can I say... we put the 'fun' in dysfunctional

 

[Iron Flatline]

Long thread, haven't read most of the responses, but here's my two cents:

- compared to every other photo community on the internet, this is the friendliest one.

- I have been a member of many communities in the last ten years, and I'm peeved by "good-bye" threads... Why not just fade away?