membership requirements!

mugfaker · Jun 29, 2012

With a view to not wasting anyone's time, may I ask, is there a minimum camera level that is expected of members. Mine is not the most sophisticated, but it is a little bit up from my original digital Sony point and shoot. It doesn't do "Raw". (Not that I understand what "raw" is or how to use it)
The bit of post work is done with Corel Photopaint 12. I have Photoshop7 but not a clue how to use it.

Am I likely to be on the correct forum here, or should I be looking elsewhere for guidance?

mugfaker.

jwbryson1 · Jun 29, 2012

Welcome to the forum. This forum is for users of all makes and sizes, with all makes of camera. Truth be told, I'd guess that 90% or more of us use an SLR camera, but there is no reason you cannot participate.

Welcome.

pixmedic · Jun 29, 2012

I was under the impression that this forum catered to all levels of photography experience and equipment.

Patrice · Jun 29, 2012

All we ask is that you don't come back with your second post asking advice about shooting a wedding with an instamatic a day and a half after turning pro and two days after graduating from 12th grade.

(You do realize the above is in jest?)

Welcome.

SCraig · Jun 29, 2012

Patrice said:
All we ask is that you don't come back with your second post asking advice about shooting a wedding with an instamatic a day and a half after turning pro and two days after graduating from 12th grade.

(You do realize the above is in jest?)

Welcome.

Yeah, we've already done that twice this week

The only problem with a non-DSLR is that most of the things you read here aren't going to be pertinent to your camera. Additionally, since most people are accustomed to people having SLR's (digital or otherwise) a lot of the advice you may get will assume that you are using one. It might be a good idea to mention your camera type in your signature line.

Other than that have fun and welcome.

mugfaker · Jun 29, 2012

pixmedic said:
I was under the impression that this forum catered to all levels of photography experience and equipment.

I appreciate your comment, however, the question was directed at the Digital Camera equipment level mainly, not photographic experience. I am converting from film to Digi. I learnt my photography in the sixties, exposing half plate sheets.when I moved to digi, my film kit included 6X6 Mamiya, Konicas and Pentax. Until 1998 (ish) I was a specialist freelance. So I know a little about photography...but less than a little about digi. Hence the question. My camera was a gift to an old snapper.

KmH · Jun 29, 2012

What's Digi?

You are already a member, so of course you qualify.

pixmedic · Jun 29, 2012

KmH said:
What's Digi?

You are already a member, so you qualify.

I think it means "digital"

sovietdoc · Jun 29, 2012

It doesn't matter what you shoot with as if your questions relate to photography in general, it's the same if you're shooting on an iPhone or on a pro DSLR. People here can help.

mugfaker · Jun 29, 2012

Patrice said:
All we ask is that you don't come back with your second post asking advice about shooting a wedding with an instamatic a day and a half after turning pro and two days after graduating from 12th grade.

(You do realize the above is in jest?)

Welcome.

I liked that! Was a pro from 1970s to late ninties. Done A "few" Weddings, taught a few night school classes and left 12th grade in 1958, so a little more than two days. (not a jest!) hated doing weddings and yes managed to cock up one! I turned my back on my camera when someone was looking at it. that was silly.

Overread · Jun 29, 2012

As others have said we don't have any restrictions on what camera you need to take part. In fact we have quite a few members who sign up to take part before they've even had a chance to purchase their first camera.

The forums are here for people of all levels and backgrounds and are simply a place to share and interact with others of a like mind about the subject of photography. Heck we've even a thread in the mods section where we are debating if we should add a section to cater specifically to the use of/discussion of phone cameras - so we are certainly aiming to make the site as open to all as we can.

That said the majority will have DSLRs or similar kinds of camera, so, as said, some of the tech advice will be geared toward those kinds of cameras. A simple mention of the tools you use on threads where you want critique/advice can help people know what it is you're using and tailor advice they give to that. Or if you just want to share and don't want critique then we've our "Just for Fun" gallery which is there purely to show the photos you've taken without getting any critical evaluation back.

mugfaker · Jun 30, 2012

Overread said:
As others have said we don't have any restrictions on what camera you need to take part. In fact we have quite a few members who sign up to take part before they've even had a chance to purchase their first camera.

The forums are here for people of all levels and backgrounds and are simply a place to share and interact with others of a like mind about the subject of photography. Heck we've even a thread in the mods section where we are debating if we should add a section to cater specifically to the use of/discussion of phone cameras - so we are certainly aiming to make the site as open to all as we can.

That said the majority will have DSLRs or similar kinds of camera, so, as said, some of the tech advice will be geared toward those kinds of cameras. A simple mention of the tools you use on threads where you want critique/advice can help people know what it is you're using and tailor advice they give to that. Or if you just want to share and don't want critique then we've our "Just for Fun" gallery which is there purely to show the photos you've taken without getting any critical evaluation back.

Due to pressure of business, I had to more or less stop taking photos and become a very inactive snapshotter, taking a minimum of snaps of the family and pets. I received a digital snap shot camera for my 60th, and rekindled an interest,albeit with limited scope and still minimal time to spare. I have a little understanding of digital photography although a reasonably sound understanding of film photography with which at one stage I held an RPS Distinction.
I have now "upgraded", or should I say my wife "upgraded" me to a camera that would give me more scope and remain within our budget. I have a Fuji Finepix and enjoying it. However, I am unsure just how close to film photography digital photography is.

I set the camera to take large images, and fine images, I do post processing in Corel Photo Paint 12, where I crop to the image I want. If I am posting to a forum or using the image on the web, I re-sample to a lower resolution. I have Photoshop seven but don't understand some important parts in it. My camera appears not to work in "Raw", whatever that is, but produces Jpegs.

Without being too obstructive, may I please clear up a very important point. My budget is nil, and although if I won the lottery I would have the best I could find, I have to live with what I have. If the only suggestion is to buy this, that or the other, that only costs xxx, the suggestion is pointless as it cannot be done. no ifs, no buts, no budget!

That's the main reason for asking about membership requirements. I don't have a big name SLR, and I don't have the where with all to get one. I do enjoy photography and am looking forward to being a useful contributor...eventually!

480sparky · Jun 30, 2012

If you got a pulse, along with an internet connection, you're in!

Rick58 · Jun 30, 2012

The camera you use isn't important. What's important is your enjoyment in producing images. I'm new here myself and have gotten into discussions on several threads and have been made to feel very welcome. From one newbie to another...Welcome!