Mentoring system suggestion

[Overread15 3]

Chris and Amanda - I see this as being a more formal system and so I think those that sign up (the students) will be looking for more serious comments and also looking for a good dialogue with the mentor - rather than just quick one post "great shot" responces - certainly the people who have put themselves forward to be mentors have not given the impression that those are the types of comments that they are looking to give either.
As for regional matching - I think that as this is such and international forum such an idea has merrit, but I don't think its something that is really practical = though certainly people can meetup if they can, but I think it better to match interests rather than locations

 

[That One Guy]

i would be willing to help out all that i can. those of you that have seen my work, would you consider me to be a good candidate for a mentor?

 

[flygning]

I think that this is a great idea, as long as the mentor and the student are willing to put some effort into it.

Perhaps it could be set up so that the mentor dedicated a certain amount of time, or number of messages/posts, or some other measurable yardstick, per student they agree to help out. Anything above and beyond that first agreed level of "service" would be completely up to the mentor and would not be expected by the student.

Perhaps, to ensure there would be only serious students, and to make it worth the while of the mentor, there could be a monetary system in place. Something through paypal would be simple-- I pay someone a certain amount of money for their time and effort, and I get quality feedback and I learn something. It wouldn't even have to be a lot of money.

I think something like this would work as long as it were set up well. As for the critique thread, I haven't gotten a single comment on anything I've posted, so a dedicated mentor who was willing to put up with some confused questions would really help me out.

 

[Overread15 3]

I don't like the idea of attaching money to this - its like attaching a seal of approval to the mentors and would have to go through the site - at which point there are more complications (a student complaining that thier mentor is not good enough etc...)
I think the essay idea has merrit - possibly a post count or membership time as well for students could be put in place

 

[plentygood]

I think involving money would just be asking for trouble. Someone would get their feelings hurt, feel like it's not worth their time and money, etc. and want money back. Not to mention, hardly anyone would want to pay for critiques. I'd personally love to get hardcore critiques on my photos that I don't get now (hence, I hardly post my pictures anymore) but I'm not going to pay for someone's opinion online.

 

[christopher walrath]

I don't want any money. I'm gonna be a little more in depth than 'Kudos on the Boff Composition, Mitsy. Smashing imagery!' (PUKE!)

I see someone PMing me, having seen somewhere what I can teach and knowing what they want, having similar interests photographically. They may choose me because they live near me, may not. But if it is someone who is willing to learn then the transaction will benefit photography in immeasurable quantities. And I wanna do my part.

 

[Alex_B]

Perhaps, to ensure there would be only serious students, and to make it worth the while of the mentor, there could be a monetary system in place. Something through paypal would be simple-- I pay someone a certain amount of money for their time and effort, and I get quality feedback and I learn something. It wouldn't even have to be a lot of money.

While I see and understand the idea behind this, i agree that money means asking for trouble. This will have so many implications, even probably for the owners of this website ... big no no.

Also, it changes the mentor's attitude. If I do something for free, then I know it is a sort of gift or donation from me, so it comes just from my goodwill and I can put a lot of effort into it.

If however I get money for something, then at some point I will start asking myself, what is my hourly income from this? Does it pay off? And then effort will certainly go down.

 

[christopher walrath]

Yeah, I'm with Alex on this money thing. This idea totally feeds into my whole 'pass it on' philosophy of things, especially with photography. I would never ask for a cent more than it might cost me. As long as it is advice and free research and mentoring and tutelage, no income is required. And I don't foresee this going further than that. Of course that would be on a case by case basis.

 

[christopher walrath]

So can we get a roll call started of those interested in participating as mentors? This might give us an idea as to whether or not this thing could fly and we can go from there.

 

[christopher walrath]

Duh, number one here.

 

[Overread15 3]

I'll setup a list in the first post as people opt on for being mentors

 

[Peanuts]

I would be available to mentor one or two individuals who are serious about their photography If a write up about myself is needed I would be happy to do so

 

[Joves]

It sounds like a fairly good idea. I for one am never here enough, I used to do this with kids who wanted to be astronomers. Then I had more time and, it was a week-end thing. I pretty much miss doing it.

 

[Terri Walsh]

Again, I would love someone to help me out. I really want to start a business by next year (pregnant) and I just dont want to do so until I am READY!!!!

 

[That One Guy]

Again, I would love someone to help me out. I really want to start a business by next year (pregnant) and I just dont want to do so until I am READY!!!!

I am sure any of us would be more than willing to help. If you have specific questions, you could always send a pm to those on the list until the mentor program starts