Not quite 4,000...

[manaheim]

I'm almost at 4,000 posts here.

I don't quite think I'm going to make it.

I see new people posting images that I swear have gotten worse, and other new people jumping on and saying how great they are. I sit and wonder... how do I handle this? I'd like to help, but offering critique now not only kinda picks apart the OP, but also throws anyone under the bus who has commented positively up to that point... seems anything I do will get me yelled at... maybe best to move on.

I see the same thread posted for the 1000th time, I think "Gee, wouldn't it be nice if we could sticky these occasionally? Oh no, the mods won't... I suppose I could try to reply for the 1000th time, but no one will really listen anyway I suppose"... maybe best to move on.

I see some of the oldsters feel inclined to hide and lurk vs. posting for fear of being yelled at for them daring to post images in whatever segment they choose... I could note to them again that I think they're great and I wish they'd post more, but then I wonder... am I one of the ones who contributed to their unwillingness to post? Maybe best to move on.

I get outright harassed and even get a nasty private message from someone who has been on the forum a while... someone who I had respected and I actually thought we were friendly. I could attempt to dig into this, but most attempts seem to be rebuked. Maybe best to move on.

I don't get this place anymore. I briefly felt like I was part of a community here, and now I just feel like I'm an unwanted guest. I'm not trying to whine about it... I'm just kinda baffled and I guess one of my last attempts at holding onto what I thought was here is to post yet ANOTHER pointless thread on how TPF has gone to hell in a handbasket and how I'm just not sure if it's TPF or me or both.

I'll most likely end my time here, but it's kinda sad.

 

[mooimeisie]

As someone who is new to photography, I have looked forward to people like you, who offer honest critique. I feel it's downright rude for someone to ask for critique then get upset when experienced photographers give it. Sometimes some of us newbies do post awful pictures that we think are good, because I think we get a little excited and act before we think. It's through taking evening classes, along with the valuable feedback from this forum, that I learn. I will never be one of the great photographers of the world, but I hope to be good enough to make my own coffee table book for my house.

Please feel free to give me your honest C&C on any of my photos. During the summer I'm sure I can get you up to the 4000.

 

[a.rilley]

I'm with mooimeisie on that one. I'm not exactly the best photographer around, and I look forward to having my work critiqued by the experienced community. That way I can improve my pictures and eventually become one of the "experienced" members of the world that is photography. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Whoever asks for critique and then complains when you give them a negative response, they clearly don't take criticism well. All you can really say to them is that it's constructive criticism/a learning experience in which they can better their photos. Because you're not going to lie to them in your critique just to make them feel good about themselves right? That could be the worst thing to do. Besides, if they can't handle negative criticism then they shouldn't be asking for it at all.

Just.. don't let it get to you. Some things just can't be helped.

 

[rock1424]

I'm almost at 4,000 posts here.

I don't quite think I'm going to make it.

I have been lurking on this site for the last 4 or 5 months, attempting to learn as much as I can. (I just got my first DSLR last Christmas, a present from lovely wife, and have fallen in love with photography as a result.) In that short time I have seen too many talented, gifted photographers that contributed so much to this site just disappear. I would assume their vanishing was a result of the same feelings you are currently experiencing. I would selfishly hope that you stick around, as I am always eager to read your input and value your opinions. Even though I haven't offered any of my own images for your feedback, I have learned so much from your offerings of constructive criticisms to others. I would also greatly miss seeing your photographs on here.

 

[rufus5150]

I see new people posting images that I swear have gotten worse, and other new people jumping on and saying how great they are. I sit and wonder... how do I handle this? I'd like to help, but offering critique now not only kinda picks apart the OP, but also throws anyone under the bus who has commented positively up to that point... seems anything I do will get me yelled at... maybe best to move on.

Comment on the photo. I've seen your critiques... you have the ability to critique the photo without criticizing the OP, and if people are on the attaboy bandwagon for a photo in dire need of some real feedback, don't feel bad about throwing them under the bus. They're not helping the OP at all. If people end up being rude to you about that, make use of the ignore feature. I've found it very pleasant here since I've started using it.

I see the same thread posted for the 1000th time, I think "Gee, wouldn't it be nice if we could sticky these occasionally? Oh no, the mods won't... I suppose I could try to reply for the 1000th time, but no one will really listen anyway I suppose"... maybe best to move on.

I think that's a serious 'pass the torch' issue. If we were to sticky everything that gets asked twice a day, the front page of each forum would be sticky. The ones I get tired of, I simply skip now. There's enough who have the answer who will answer until they are tired, and by then, a new batch will have arrived.

I see some of the oldsters feel inclined to hide and lurk vs. posting for fear of being yelled at for them daring to post images in whatever segment they choose... I could note to them again that I think they're great and I wish they'd post more, but then I wonder... am I one of the ones who contributed to their unwillingness to post? Maybe best to move on.

Chances are, you're probably not a contributor to their unwillingness. TPF has this thing... if you're in the upper 10% of images (the 'amazing bunch') you get feedback. If you're in the bottom 10% or always posting in the beginners forum, you get feedback. A lot of the oldersters (I'm not sure if I count, but I get along better with most of the older posters) just get that pin drop effect. If they're anything like me, I've just tired of that, and I've tired of posting on other things for a variety of reasons. I've become increasingly passive. Also, the forum change and no classic theme... ugh, blech. It's not the layout, I was used to the old icons!

I get outright harassed and even get a nasty private message from someone who has been on the forum a while... someone who I had respected and I actually thought we were friendly. I could attempt to dig into this, but most attempts seem to be rebuked. Maybe best to move on.

That sucks, but again, I'd just use the ignore button. I like that button. It's my favorite one, I think.

I don't get this place anymore. I briefly felt like I was part of a community here, and now I just feel like I'm an unwanted guest. ...

I hear ya loud and clear.

I'll most likely end my time here, but it's kinda sad.

It would be.

 

[Garbz]

I thought it was me getting grumpy but it seems like more and more my advice which you are free to take or not results in an argument. I'm trying to get around this by outright not posting in "what is my next lens" or "what DSLR should I get" threads. But I hear you. This place has changed quite a bit since I started here as a newbie a few years ago.

It's sad since there is such an amazing pool of talent and knowhow to draw on for aid here; it's even more of a shame that the respectable oldies are the ones giving up rather than the new people who ask for advice and then argue when you don't tell them what they want to here (you know who you are).

 

[JerryPH]

Chris, you know that *I* know where you are coming from... I feel exactly in the same position.

My solution was to use the iggy list more liberally, post a LOT less than I normally would and avoid the beginner's gallery like the plague. Also, I am starting to visit here less and less.

That helped for a while... but now it is starting to infect the "Beyond the Basics" section and just slowly pushing me off the edge of the cliff as well.

I've not looked and I think that I am a bit beyond 5000 posts... wow, I sometimes think I post too much.

 

[bdavis]

All the "What camera should I get" threads make me sick. They are EVERYWHERE. C'mon people read reviews on the internet, thats what its for. Why would you want someone to tell you what to buy? Go try it for yourself!

If someone told you to go buy a car, would you? Probably not. If you were in the market for a new car, you would have an eye on a few you liked, compare them, try them out, and eventually select one you thought would work for you. Same thing with the camera...

 

[Antarctican]

Please don't go. The forum would be a lesser place without the type of critique you are able to give. Try to develop a thick skin about the people who can't take honest critique well...it's a photography forum after all, and the way for posters to improve is to receive honest feedback from viewers, both the good and the bad. Your contributions are appreciated and would be missed if you go.

 

[kundalini]

Okay, just a few ramblings from me......

First off, I have a penchant for Mature Sharp Cheddar.

I have only been here, hmmm looks like two years next month, so I consider myself a youngster to TPF. Yes, changes for the better have not been part of the process, but there are a few that I get along with here and some of them have served less time than me.

Throttle back in whatever way fits. I declared not to post anymore images except in Boxer Turtle or Fight Club and have almost held to that. I fell into that "pin drop" category that Rufus mentioned. However, I do sneak in a few as examples or gags in threads others have started.

Drink tequila. It's much more fun to piss off people when Jose is talking to ya.

Anyone that doesn't get along with a man who likes milk with his monkey, can just run off in short jerky motions IMO.

Honesty is the best policy, but the Back button has saved me a few times.

Dude... burn through the thread posting until you reach the 5K club. We get to go on field trips, receive a dandy secret decoder ring and (as a male) your penis will enlarge.

Drink tequila. It's much more fun to piss off people when Jose is talking to ya.

When some little whippersnapper cops a 'tude with your comments, engage brain and wit to let them hang themselves. (remember toofpaste )

Sorry, gotta go for now.... lunch is over and the work won't stop coming in. Stick around for a while longer.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Okay, just a few ramblings from me......

First off, I have a penchant for Mature Sharp Cheddar.

I have only been here, hmmm looks like two years next month, so I consider myself a youngster to TPF. Yes, changes for the better have not been part of the process, but there are a few that I get along with here and some of them have served less time than me.

Throttle back in whatever way fits. I declared not to post anymore images except in Boxer Turtle or Fight Club and have almost held to that. I fell into that "pin drop" category that Rufus mentioned. However, I do sneak in a few as examples or gags in threads others have started.

Drink tequila. It's much more fun to piss off people when Jose is talking to ya.

Anyone that doesn't get along with a man who likes milk with his monkey, can just run off in short jerky motions IMO.

Honesty is the best policy, but the Back button has saved me a few times.

Dude... burn through the thread posting until you reach the 5K club. We get to go on field trips, receive a dandy secret decoder ring and (as a male) your penis will enlarge.

Drink tequila. It's much more fun to piss off people when Jose is talking to ya.

When some little whippersnapper cops a 'tude with your comments, engage brain and wit to let them hang themselves. (remember toofpaste )

Sorry, gotta go for now.... lunch is over and the work won't stop coming in. Stick around for a while longer.

It's a philosophy I could run with...

 

[NateS]

I feel pretty much the same. I've only been here about 2 years I think and even I can tell how much it's changed.

The sad part is that all of the good to extremely good aren't posting much at all anymore. First example that comes to mind is Doenoe. I noticed yesterday that I haven't seen anything from him in awhile....guess what....he hasn't posted any pictures since about March or something. It sucks because not only are we overrun with noobs asking the same question that is literally in a thread 2 posts down from theirs, but the good members aren't posting much anymore at all.

Then let's look at the caliber of pictures being posted in the forum now. Few of the good members on here post photos very often if at all....even like Kundalini said about not posting except for the Turtle Boxer, etc.. This means I spend all my time looking at new photos and most of them aren't great. It's good to have new members posting and wanting to learn, but when 80-90% of the forum is consumed with these sub-par photos (at best) it just get's tiring. The fact that they get their panties all twisted when you try to offer some advice makes it even worse.

Oh, and it ticks me off to no end when a new thread is started asking if someone should get a D40 or XS to which I reply (1st reply) with..."do a search, been answered 1000 times"......followed by 3 pages of posts with people answering the question. STOP ANSWERING AND TELL THEM TO SEARCH....then maybe we'll see less of them or they will die out quickly instead of continuing for 3 weeks.

 

[Chiller]

I wont come here to post images, or participate in the reindeer games anymore, but do stop in to say hi to friends that still stalk this place or I might read the locked threads for a laugh. Sadly, it looks like my days are over here too, as I have realized this is not the place is was and has changed for the worse.
I have found better learning tools with less attitude(they are called Google, Youtube(yeah...they have tutorials), and even those old fashioned things called...."books")...and for you Nintendo generation...they are made of paper and some even have pictures.

Over the last little bit, I realized that forums are nothing more then a disfuntional social place for people who .....oh never mind...that will just offend somebody.

Get out....see the sun....take some photos and enjoy your damn life, cause it is too freekin short. There is a world out there, that is more fun, and much more enjoyable then sitting on here....specially this forum. :lmao::lmao: And you will find....you will be much more happier.

Alright...lunch is over, back to my crypt for a nap.

 

[EhJsNe]

Ive been here for around 7 months....and Ive noticed how much it has changed!

Ive gotton sick of the beginners forum becoming "Ahy do my pictures suck" and "How can I make my pictures better" forum. Only a few of the posts are actual questions. (not saying my pictures are any better...I do have some crappy shots....but Ill admit it and I have a good handfull of cool shots. And then a small handful of Amazing shots...and 2 shots that I would have made into a poster and go on my wall)

THen I get annoyed because I can only intelegently respond to a few of the pots in the "Beyond the Basics" becaues most of those are about flashes and wahtnot.....

And by then Im to sick of the site to go onto the discussions...and then rest of the form.

There should be a sub-forum in the beginners forum FOR NOTHING BUT C&C. It would save me the time of sorting out the C&C...
And if I do decide to respond to a C&C thread...I cant be blunt about things...I have to be nice and beat around the bush....

I did however find it fun to go into the beginners forum and check to see how many of the pictures were taken in AUTO or a scene mode Its quite amazing how many there really is!

 

[NateS]

I wont come here to post images, or participate in the reindeer games anymore, but do stop in to say hi to friends that still stalk this place or I might read the locked threads for a laugh. Sadly, it looks like my days are over here too, as I have realized this is not the place is was and has changed for the worse.
I have found better learning tools with less attitude(they are called Google, Youtube(yeah...they have tutorials), and even those old fashioned things called...."books")...and for you Nintendo generation...they are made of paper and some even have pictures.

Over the last little bit, I realized that forums are nothing more then a disfuntional social place for people who .....oh never mind...that will just offend somebody.

Get out....see the sun....take some photos and enjoy your damn life, cause it is too freekin short. There is a world out there, that is more fun, and much more enjoyable then sitting on here....specially this forum. :lmao::lmao: And you will find....you will be much more happier.

Alright...lunch is over, back to my crypt for a nap.

See...these are the ones that make me sad. You're photos are always amazing and stunning to no end. I hate that they won't be posted here anymore.

I'm far from the best photographer, but I have probably learned all I can from this forum since most of the OG members don't post anymore.....I'm still here from now, but I have a feeling I won't be far behind the others.