The three stages of PotN (New Member Process)

Why is this not in an OT section of the forum? Looks like the OP needs to go back to stage one of posting of forums: post in the correct section.

I dunno what stage it is, but I'm walking down the street or in a store without my camera thinking "What would be the best composition for that?" every time I turn my head. Sometimes I tilt my head and my wife says "Oh, you got a crick in your neck?"... and I say No, but I don't try to explain.

I'm in stage three of life; old enough to know that I shouldn't do it, (insert random stupid act here) but young enough to think that I still can.

alt4852 wrote in post #13069634
am i the only one who doesn't see how this thread is offensive at all?

Nope ..... I'm practically a newbie and I found it funny, and I'm really scratching my head as to why some find offensive ?


(hastily re-reads OP's first post again ...,)

kind of with craig on this. if we can't make fun of ourselves, as we've all done it..then who?

Complete new guy to the hobby, but I found it rather amusing.

Noting offensive here, folk. Move along!

I disagree.

1. Obtain gear
2. Start going broke
3. Go to 1.

Oridus wrote in post #13069555
Kind of rude to post this in my opinion. People are always going to ask simple questions, and it'll never change. They would rather have a conversation with someone to get the answer they need because that's what a social forum is... and that's what POTN is. Granted, the search button does work rather well, but that also takes away from the aspect that, again, this is a social forum. *sigh*

By the OP's theory, because I'm new and only have 46 posts, I should be in stage one still, asking tons of questions about camera bodies, and that I don't know jack. Well, I'll be the first to apologize that I don't have the knowledge and experience that you do, and I'll definitely go out of my way to make sure I have EVERY single answer to EVERY question before I even come back here, so as not to bother you with stupid newbie questions. /sarcasm.

I'm getting ready to go to school for photography, will be starting my own business eventually, and buying a decent amount of gear (a lot of which I currently have very basic knowledge on how to use, but that won't stop me from doing it), so I will be learning a lot a long the way, and have the tools to do it. But if I have a question that I feel hasn't been answered, and I cannot find that answer using the search button within a reasonable amount of time, I'm going to start a new post, or find a post relatively close to my question, then ASK that question. I don't know if you know this, but there's hundreds beyond hundreds of hours of posts to read through on some topics... something of which I don't want to sit through, especially if someone (like a lot here are) is more than happy to tailor the answer to my question to ME and MY needs for MY knowledge and MY advancement in the craft because THEY WANTED to help.

Sorry, just ranting. I'm done now.

u sound butt hurt.

I find this forum to be more noob friendly than FM...which is perfect for a noob like me! Its a great resource to learn about photography.

Thorrulz wrote in post #13069202
You left out the most important stage. Stage 4 is where you realize to get those great shots posted here, it's not the camera, lens or lighting equipment alone but the knowledge and skill you must acquire to use those tools properly. From the initial setup to the final post processing of an image the hardware is only a small part of capturing an enduring image.
Stage 4 is investing in yourself so you can use those tools successfully.

I did get my morning chuckle out of the way reading your post though.

I agree with this entire statement. But I'm not there yet.

Wow...some of you need to chill out. I'm sure JD posted this tongue in cheek.

I'll just add another phase...

The "I'm going to restrict myself to using one prime so I don't have to worry about the technical stuff and only concern myself with creating art" phase.

I think it's just some lighthearted humor. For those who are truly offended you shouldn't take this forum (or any other on the internet) too seriously.

For me, I went glass, body, lighting. And now I'm bouncing in between glass and lighting!

And there really should be a stage 4 - Software/PP - Lightroom, Photoshop, etc.

FWIW I would encourage newbies to explore all the sections of POTN. I really started getting the most out of POTN when I explored the other sections (C&C, Retouching etc..)