Potential Photography Basics Tutorials

[snowbear113 44]

New members to TPF often want to learn how to get more out of their photography. In addition to our existing members passing on their knowledge and experience, it has been suggested that we develop a series of self-paced tutorials to assist them.

The target audience are those people who either don't know how to use manual modes or want to improve their shooting by learning the basics of exposure, DOF, composition, etc.

We would like our members to answer the poll, and post additional comments.

The forum pollis limited to a single question. We've tried to cover both survey questions with the poll question.

1. Do you feel that tutorials forum would be beneficial to TPF?
If no, please share explain why not.

2. Do you feel there will be a demand for the tutorials?
If no, please share why not.

 

[cgw114 139]

Questions...
How do we go about choosing topics, designers and designs?
Aren't we obliged to attach tutorials? Who will handle these?
How's "enrolment" to be managed? Limitations on critique and technical assistance?

 

[snowbear113 44]

We have a general outline of subjects drawn out. I've done this type of tutorial and will also pull from my University into classes.

The plan is for the team will develop the lessons, post them in the "Classroom" forum and let participants post the results if the assignments (like "post photos with two or three different compositions"). Enrollment isn't a thing: participate as often as you want. C&C will be a bit tricky, as we have seen. Hopefully some of the more knowledgeable and active members will come in.

This is not costing anything but some volunteered time.

Worst case, we can provide links to other resources, including videos, and go to a Tips and Tricks format.

 

[cgw114 139]

"...participate as often as you want. C&C will be a bit tricky."
And that's the rub. C&C to be on or offline? Anyone who's taught knows how labor-intensive
this can get. That's the point to limiting numbers in any of these modules. Worth a try but only with a shared understanding of how, ideally, a tutorial works.

 

[snowbear113 44]

Shall I sign you up for the team?

 

[cgw114 139]

Any other takers??? Need a CV?

 

[terri31 2]

Any other takers??? Need a CV?

This poll isn't asking for takers. This poll is only for gauging interest.

 

[snowbear113 44]

Any other takers??? Need a CV?

If you are interested in helping, please send me a DM. The same for anyone.

This poll isn't asking for takers. This poll is only for gauging interest.

He has answered it.

 

[denum114 139]

This is to explain my votes on this. I don't believe it will be a benefit to the forum if it is not video's based. If we are targeting newbies, who will likely be younger folks, and very prone to youtubing their way to an answer, it will need to be videos. There are countless videos online for them to access immediately. I firmly believe we are in an 'information on demand' era where many people, and especially younger folks, seek the satiation of their curiosity in quick, short-duration, small scope, sprint like fashion.
People are starting to use AI more and more. I think, ultimately, this is where we're headed. No need for folks to interact with a forum for advice, or tutorials. Just ask ChatGPT and presto, you got your instant answer, and probably with a video. If we are not there yet, it won't take long.
As for my answer regarding whether there will be a demand, or not, I say that all depends on whether we can keep up with what society wants...AI.

Just my dos centavos

 

[Hardus Nameous112 61]

I think it would be beneficial to the site. As it's a website for and about photography it make sense to have some tutorials, especially nowadays as many people have only used phone cameras or something nearly totally automatic. At the very least it could reinforce that this site welcomes all levels from passing interest to professional. Although there's already sources of information out there not all of them are good (or even correct); it could even help someone stumble across the site.
As long as the information is correct, I see no downside.

 

[rf03]

As a new poster here I will offer my two cents worth respectfully. In all honesty, while I am certain there is every level of photographer on this forum, if you are here I presume you probably have a basic grasp of the fundamentals of exposure, composition, etc. If you don’t, there are thousands of YouTube videos that will bring you up to speed in no time. The forum can definitely identify some of the best videos and provide links so those members who need to brush up on fundamentals can view them.

What I would like to see is a place where the more accomplished photographers can post selected photographs using different techniques like silhouettes, the use of negative space, panning, etc., with a detailed explanation of how the shot was achieved, and what settings were used. This type of information can help members move to the next level.

 

[cgw114 139]

There's already a pile of well-produced online instructional videos available now.
Can we instead workshop the idea of a series of episodes where, as suggested above, a photo is
discussed and broken down by its maker? Could be more engaging and instructive
than "How to Fix a Leaky Faucet" DIY-style material.

 

[denum114 139]

As a new poster here I will offer my two cents worth respectfully. In all honesty, while I am certain there is every level of photographer on this forum, if you are here I presume you probably have a basic grasp of the fundamentals of exposure, composition, etc. If you don’t, there are thousands of YouTube videos that will bring you up to speed in no time. The forum can definitely identify some of the best videos and provide links so those members who need to brush up on fundamentals can view them.

What I would like to see is a place where the more accomplished photographers can post selected photographs using different techniques like silhouettes, the use of negative space, panning, etc., with a detailed explanation of how the shot was achieved, and what settings were used. This type of information can help members move to the next level.

Great idea.

 

[gk fotografie1]

I don't think this will benefit TPF, because I understand TPF isn't going to hire professional, qualified photographers to create tutorials, and although it is by no means my intention to offend members, I don't see professional, qualified photographers on this forum capable of doing anything like tutorials. Besides, how would things work? Members would be given an assignment to take a photo using a specific technique, and then all members (or exclusively the person who wrote the tutorial?) could give their opinion, advice, or constructive criticism on it...
In effect, that boils down to a kind of glorified C&C gallery, an initiative that never really took off and has essentially failed.
So, I don't believe in this initiative, no matter how good the intentions might be!

Furthermore, I strongly doubt whether there is really a demand for this; perhaps there will be 3 or 4 people who participate enthusiastically in the first few weeks, but after 3 months the enthusiasm will be gone, and then what? The idea of tutorials appears to have suddenly come about due to a comment from just one person; it is remarkable that in the 11 years I have been on this forum, I have never heard anyone else mention something like tutorials.

Beginners ask questions via the beginners' forum, can also ask for advice themselves in any thread they open on the forum, and can learn a great deal by sending PMs to members or asking direct questions on the forum. It seems as if current generations want everything handed to them on a silver platter without wanting to do anything themselves. Take a bit more initiative, I'd say!

In my younger years, I very often asked Dutch (famous) photographers and photojournalists from major newspapers how they had taken certain photos; I always received an answer and was also regularly invited to visit photo studios, as those people actually thought it was great that such a young guy was interested in photography. There is (apart from all the rubbish that can unfortunately also be found on the internet) much more information available nowadays than back when I started my analog photography hobby; in those days, you obtained knowledge from a number of domestic and foreign photography magazines, books in the library, sometimes courses offered by photographers or photo dealers, and of course by taking a lot of photos or by joining a photo club.

I therefore do not quite understand this shift on the forum.
"Why would the forum benefit from tutorials?" would therefore be a better question in my eyes. For the time being, I do not see the enthusiasm for this new initiative spreading to the members on this forum either.
Of course, this is my personal opinion and no one on this forum has to agree with it, oh well, ultimately I also think: what does my opinion matter anyway?

 

[cgw114 139]

Hoping the

I don't think this will benefit TPF, because I understand TPF isn't going to hire professional, qualified photographers to create tutorials, and although it is by no means my intention to offend members, I don't see professional, qualified photographers on this forum capable of doing anything like tutorials. Besides, how would things work? Members would be given an assignment to take a photo using a specific technique, and then all members (or exclusively the person who wrote the tutorial?) could give their opinion, advice, or constructive criticism on it...
In effect, that boils down to a kind of glorified C&C gallery, an initiative that never really took off and has essentially failed.
So, I don't believe in this initiative, no matter how good the intentions might be!

Furthermore, I strongly doubt whether there is really a demand for this; perhaps there will be 3 or 4 people who participate enthusiastically in the first few weeks, but after 3 months the enthusiasm will be gone, and then what? The idea of tutorials appears to have suddenly come about due to a comment from just one person; it is remarkable that in the 11 years I have been on this forum, I have never heard anyone else mention something like tutorials.

Beginners ask questions via the beginners' forum, can also ask for advice themselves in any thread they open on the forum, and can learn a great deal by sending PMs to members or asking direct questions on the forum. It seems as if current generations want everything handed to them on a silver platter without wanting to do anything themselves. Take a bit more initiative, I'd say!

In my younger years, I very often asked Dutch (famous) photographers and photojournalists from major newspapers how they had taken certain photos; I always received an answer and was also regularly invited to visit photo studios, as those people actually thought it was great that such a young guy was interested in photography. There is (apart from all the rubbish that can unfortunately also be found on the internet) much more information available nowadays than back when I started my analog photography hobby; in those days, you obtained knowledge from a number of domestic and foreign photography magazines, books in the library, sometimes courses offered by photographers or photo dealers, and of course by taking a lot of photos or by joining a photo club.

I therefore do not quite understand this shift on the forum.
"Why would the forum benefit from tutorials?" would therefore be a better question in my eyes. For the time being, I do not see the enthusiasm for this new initiative spreading to the members on this forum either.
Of course, this is my personal opinion and no one on this forum has to agree with it, oh well, ultimately I also think: what does my opinion matter anyway

I guess this means you dislike the idea?