Very curious to know...

How many think that the e-books and online mentoring sessions that other photographers offer are of success or do you feel they are just another way for that person to make extra money off of those who are new or semi pro into photography? would you buy any one of them? Im not trying to get a bash session out of this by any means so please don't let it turn into that I was just curious to know what other people think of this? some examples would be like Alicia Cane "easy as pie" and her products or MCP and the mentoring she offers, crave photography mentoring etc. Some of you may not know who or what I'm talking about but for those of you who do I'm just curious to hear thoughts. Thanks!

Before purchasing them as some can be just out there to make a extra buck for the author, check the reviews on the website if it is offered on other websites besides the actual authors website. See if it is popular, each book, e-book or regular will have good or bad reviews, saves you in the end, or to save a buck, check out your local library to see what books they have.

Mr.Kenmuir wrote in post #13371315
Before purchasing them as some can be just out there to make a extra buck for the author, check the reviews on the website if it is offered on other websites besides the actual authors website. See if it is popular, each book, e-book or regular will have good or bad reviews, saves you in the end, or to save a buck, check out your local library to see what books they have.

I have done the review checks on it and it seems to be popular with many professional or not... I know that a lot of people are insecure in themselves and their business and so when someone offers a shortcut or way or answer to their problem it just seems that its almost a automatic purchase they make rather than turning to free resources such as the internet, books etc. Most of them are actually networked with one another to help get their names out there. I hear in some of the reviews that people will get the product and then say "Why didn't I think of this!" when it concerns their photography business such as pricing, PP etc. Im just curious to know why so many turn to those things rather than helping themselves or just plainly asking others around them?

I mean yes It is tempting to see what all the fuss is about but and buy these things BUT I also stop and justify the 100-200$ price tag that comes with them and think to myself, what if I get it and its stuff I already knew about or it offers me a few things but not to justify the sick feeling in my stomach about how much I spent to learn two or three things or what if it has no real value to me at all? Not that anyone should exploit what the person has sold them to other people but they all just kind of say the same thing when there is a review nothing that has real reasoning to why they bought it. I wish that someone would do something kind of like what Ken Rockwell does. Gets the product lays out its pros and cons and then a final recommendation. This would help for such products IMO.

Well in my personal experience it just doesn't work asking another person in person to help them with something. Think about it, in the city you live in, there is Photographer A and you are just as a example Photographer F, you email them asking them what they are doing to get their images so clear, what lens or backdrop or lighting they use, 10 to 1 they will not answer you as its the thing that makes them the top player in your area.

Back to the E-Books or regular books etc, people choose them because others will not help them in person so why not get it through a book, and some are not computer trained, they do not know how to surf the net to get all the free information that is all over the internet, just like a guy in his 50's you will rarely see on facebook, some people just do not know how to use the net. So they automatically go to the things they know, books, e-books where it is simple to get the information in one place. Again this is what I personal see..

If you're looking for additional trianing about your camera or photography, try your local camera store. I know mine offers beginner and intermediate classes for around $75. While the intermediate might be a pretty good refresher from time to time, they would hit topics that I am already well aware of. Of course, this may not be really answering what you are asking but I think it is going that way.

No Im not looking for help Im just curious as to why these seem to be the go to solution?

Difficult to say. As mentioned already, do your research and read reviews on the material. IMHO, a lot of these materials are just money makers for "Rock Star" photographers.

nicksan wrote in post #13371882
Difficult to say. As mentioned already, do your research and read reviews on the material. IMHO, a lot of these materials are just money makers for "Rock Star" photographers.

Yeah. Thats what it seems like to me. I know they surely are confident in what they do and have work to back it up so therefore they know they can get the extra $$$ with the ad that promotes them saying something along the lines of "Are you photo's dull and boring? do you want to learn to edit like the pro's and watch my workflow from start to finish? Well then book a mentoring session with me and I will show you how!"

to me when they say that it almost gives me the feeling that NO photographer that has worked hard to get where they are and where they are at to just give away the answers and things that they really do behind the scenes. Im not saying they don't offer something but... I don't know.

I am no "rockstar" (yet , but I help where/when I can. I think that these "e-sessions" are usually for people that are just starting out, or for people who don't necessarily want to do this for a living, but want to learn how to take better portraits.

Same thing goes for workshops offered by pros. I know that at least in this part of the country, many photographers' offer "workshops" - and they are popular. I doubt that the majority of these are filled with advanced users, but with people that want to branch out into a different aspect of photography or want to advance. I wouldn't do one of these, but that is because I am planning on offering these services. I am not doing it just for money. I enjoy photography (hopefully it conveys this in my photos), showing people these spots I shoot, and teaching people.

HBOC wrote in post #13372604
I am no "rockstar" (yet , but I help where/when I can. I think that these "e-sessions" are usually for people that are just starting out, or for people who don't necessarily want to do this for a living, but want to learn how to take better portraits.

Same thing goes for workshops offered by pros. I know that at least in this part of the country, many photographers' offer "workshops" - and they are popular. I doubt that the majority of these are filled with advanced users, but with people that want to branch out into a different aspect of photography or want to advance. I wouldn't do one of these, but that is because I am planning on offering these services. I am not doing it just for money. I enjoy photography (hopefully it conveys this in my photos), showing people these spots I shoot, and teaching people.

LOL not a rockstar! yes you are! your work is amazing