Decorum in the forum?

Mike Bell wrote in post #2391127
1400 posts and all he can find to do is lurk while honest folks make simple mistakes - see - I can attach gifs properly!
[ HOSTED PHOTO DISPLAY FAILED: ATTACH id 130339 does not exist. ]

haha touche

And you're one up on my anyway, I've no idea how to use PotN's upload tool

AdamJL wrote in post #2391175
haha touche

And you're one up on my anyway, I've no idea how to use PotN's upload tool

LOL! I pinched those gifs from Cat's posts in one of the chat threads. I had no idea how to insert them so just experimented - you caught me at one of my silliest attempts!

I have to get my 2 pence worth in here. If it wasn't for some of the members in here, leaving CC and telling me how to improve Id be a bit hacked off. I know I havent many posts,but we all have to start somewhere. I think that the constructive criticism left here is the way forward.Yea its nice to get a pat on the back, and a well done reply,but its not making my photography any better. Isn't this place here fofr others to help others, and not just their ego. And for thoes of you who have helped me improve, through comments, pointers, and criticism, Thank You.

Marc

if there's no mention of C+C requested at all...I consider it to be a shared photo...as in: "look at this picture I took today, i thought it was pretty interesting". I usually thank them for sharing, ask some questions about the location or whatever and leave it at that. i don't assume that they want it to be critiqued unless it's asked for.

i almost feel bad for new folks who share their photo without expecting to have it critiqued and recieve critisism, constructive as it may be.

just my personal take on it all....C+C welcome

suomi7777 wrote in post #2391301
i almost feel bad for new folks who share their photo without expecting to have it critiqued and recieve critisism, constructive as it may be.

just my personal take on it all....C+C welcome

Im not so sure about that. Before I started posting my own photo's, I trawled through others posts, and read a lot of the comments left, and others I know have done the same, so I was kinda expecting anything when I posted... And so far,nobody has said anything to upset me. (Except maybe a comment about my signature...

dv2004 wrote in post #2389479
i also mentioned questionning,and don`t tell me that when you see a picture (any picture) you don`t have anything to ask ?
Then that means that you are perfect.

I completely disagree. Very rarely do I have anything to ask, but that does not mean I think I am perfect, far from it. My mind just does not think that way and I learn much better by experience. It would only be when I am trying to do something and run into difficulty that they would occur to me.

That is part of my point, we are all different and some people will be shy and quiet, others will be bold and opinionated, while most will fall between the two. When people do not post it is always simply because they are rude or selfish. There are probably also cultural differences too that make the difference between whether someone is likely to comment or hold back.

dv2004 wrote in post #2389479
I never mentioned advice,i said CC which means comments and critisism.

Sorry, I misunderstood that as I took CC to stand for Constructive Criticism.

dv2004 wrote in post #2389479
,i wonder how these people know each other so well...they go around the way i`m talking about perhaps

Maybe that is how they got to know each other. But the sort of thing I am referring to is when you get particular groups of people who talk to each other about things they did together away from the site, about conversations they had on here in the past, telling in-jokes, or go off-topic for personal banter.

There is nothing wrong with that, it is perfectly natural and happens on every forum, but for new people it does make them feel like they are intruding into a private party until they get to know the characters on the site. I have enough experience with various online communities to know that a lot of people react that way. They need time to feel they become part of the community and take a more active role.

When it comes down to it, I have no intention of posting "nice shot" or equivalent comments on everything I look at just because it is somehow expected. I am happy to answer questions where I feel I can be helpful, and if I see shots where I do feel I have a comment, suggestion, or question to add then I will post it. And sometimes that will include seeing a picture that I like so much I think it really deserves a "nice shot". But if people wish to 'blacklist' me for the majority of threads I look at and say nothing then they are free to do so.

Michael.

Hi,


When I first read the thread the terminology "suffers the same disease as other forums" made me raise my eyebrows. At first I thought the decorum notation was referring to flaming... which POTN is completely and unequivocally unique in that respect for there is virtually none. Then I read on...

The bottom line is that POTN has become a very large entity for photographers the World over. To gain this much momentum, professionalism, enthusiasm, decorum call it whatever you wish, is a tremendous feat.

For newcomers to this forum, YahooGroup, MySpace etc., the technique is always the same. Sit on your computer chair and watch for a while. VBulletin software has some neat helpers for those even on a first visit. Number of posts for example, date of joining, location, signature displaying equipment, perhaps their personal website. These are all tell tale signs that the poster isn't a one hit wonder. Believe me POTN has some of the best photographers in the World right at your fingertips in your livingroom for free.

I don't subscribe to the belief that a newcomer here cannot quickly ascertain the flow of postings and their subsequent replies. Just waft through half a dozen topics and you will see a definite pattern of what is the norm here. Some folks give you a pat on the back, others a more technical description of why they like/dislike the picture. Few, very few, are downright rude.

I was given my first SLR camera in October 1972 when I was 12 (that makes me 46). I did it professionally for many years in Scotland before coming to Canada. For me having a camera around my neck is like breathing. I don't have to think of the basics nor some complex stuff either. I have worked with 4x5 inch monorails, Hassleblad, 6x7cm 35mm you name it... but that does not make me a brilliant photographer and someone who knows everything at POTN. I have learned and been inspired by the incredible talent that grace these pages. I have been humbled by images taken by folks 20 years my junior.

In April 2005 I was a newbie here just like you. I asked a few questions, I sat back and watched... then bit by bit I returned the favours, posted some pictures, linked to my stuff, commented on others in the same respectful fashion. It took some time... and time is what folks in here are giving of themselves. They are giving their time to help, to post, to compliment and to criticise. The least you can do is give some of your time in return... time to post, time to learn the decorum and give this place a chance.

It's an unbelievable feeling to be sitting crouched in wet snow in Arctic conditions, waiting for the Sun to come up... staring through a fogged up eyepiece, being mindful that no bare skin touches the tripod legs... then in a moment of bewilderment a memory runs through your head... "Remember to watch out for this...and try this instead of that". A tip flashes past from a friend in POTN... someone you will probably never meet who is thousands of miles away... because here you are .. a little dot of insignificance on a huge ice shelf... and that guy who took the time to post ... has helped you make the shot.

That my friend... is the brand of decorum that you will find in here.

Cousin... who is not as daft as he pretends to be.

Also, some may not have any real CC for the picture...or may not feel qualified to CC...

I most ooohhhh and aaaawwww, just cuz most peoples stuff is so much better then mine, or if I dont really like a picture I dont feel qualified to say it wrong cuz I figure I am usually wrong...

and when you say something "wrong" on here people are always too happy to point it out and that scares away alot of cc's...

mij wrote in post #2391359
... but for new people it does make them feel like they are intruding into a private party until they get to know the characters on the site.

Michael.

I do think Michael brings up a good point. For those who have been here for a couple of years... or eternity... this is a good opportunity to realise how we are coming across to new folks.

Perhaps when we see a post where the member has only 5 or 6 posts... we should all band together and welcome them. Give them a boost and perhaps one day they will be teaching us a trick or two.

Good point Michael and I for one will try harder to make "low number of posts" members feel more welcome.


Yer Cousin - the one you like... not the one you hate.

Cuz, when I read the following quote in my train thread, I thought "Man, he REALLY knows what it's like!"

But then I read this...

CousinMadness wrote in post #2391585
It's an unbelievable feeling to be sitting crouched in wet snow in Arctic conditions, waiting for the Sun to come up... staring through a fogged up eyepiece, being mindful that no bare skin touches the tripod legs... then in a moment of bewilderment a memory runs through your head... "Remember to watch out for this...and try this instead of that". A tip flashes past from a friend in POTN... someone you will probably never meet who is thousands of miles away... because here you are .. a little dot of insignificance on a huge ice shelf... and that guy who took the time to post ... has helped you make the shot.

Man, you REALLY DO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE!

Thanks again for sharing something that I can relate to. Lemme tell you about Arctic conditions last Friday when I was on a beach with 20-30 mph sustained winds, subzero windchills, snow and sand blowing everywhere, for 2+ hours waiting to get a sunset shot that I had a feeling would be beautiful! All I have to say is....it was worth it.

J T wrote in post #2391695
Cuz, when I read the following quote in my train thread, I thought "Man, he REALLY knows what it's like!"

But then I read this...

Man, you REALLY DO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE!

Thanks again for sharing something that I can relate to. Lemme tell you about Arctic conditions last Friday when I was on a beach with 20-30 mph sustained winds, subzero windchills, snow and sand blowing everywhere, for 2+ hours waiting to get a sunset shot that I had a feeling would be beautiful! All I have to say is....it was worth it.

Well thanks JT. Next month you will be celebrating your 1st anniversary at POTN. Your postings are a testament to your solidarity and reliability as a true photographer. You care about what you do, what you say and deliver it in a non obtrusive manner.

There are many folks in here that do an equally brilliant job in their own style. Too many to mention but Les McLean, Dimitri, Buggbairn, PhotosGuy, John Rudge are a few that are on the tip of my tongue. They never make you feel stupid and there works are genius in their own field.

There are many more that make me smile when I see their name for they are simply brilliant... although they think of themselves as less than average. What a fantastic place we have in POTN to hang out.

I have pondered the thought of writing a post of thankyou's to those that have stirred a part of my creativity and appreciation... perhaps now Christmas is near... it would be an appropriate time to do so.

Thanks JT... for making my day!

Cousin... who sometimes can be simplymental... er I mean... sentimental.

mij wrote in post #2391359
Maybe that is how they got to know each other. But the sort of thing I am referring to is when you get particular groups of people who talk to each other about things they did together away from the site, about conversations they had on here in the past, telling in-jokes, or go off-topic for personal banter.

There is nothing wrong with that, it is perfectly natural and happens on every forum, but for new people it does make them feel like they are intruding into a private party until they get to know the characters on the site. I have enough experience with various online communities to know that a lot of people react that way. They need time to feel they become part of the community and take a more active role.

I can appreciate your point here but at the same time the cameraderie you get between regular posters from all over the world and in all likelihood with whom you'll never meet, gives these forums a very friendly nature. This is probably a significant factor in the almost complete absence of flaming, and the longevity of many members that has contributed to these forums being such a success.

CousinMadness wrote in post #2391670
Perhaps when we see a post where the member has only 5 or 6 posts... we should all band together and welcome them. Give them a boost and perhaps one day they will be teaching us a trick or two.

Martin is correct here and in many cases with new posters, you already see a lot of "welcome to the forums" posts and friendly feedback. Hopefully such postings will welcome the new people and make them feel comfortable in amongst the in-jokes and personal banter of the regulars, and in time they will join in too. For instance, just look at some of the joking in this thread, and in many cases, the same people have physically met each other as a consequence of these forums, and built bonds that have allowed them to both make friendships and improve their photography skills.

Cousin, very well put, especially your #67.

Let's not forget that POTN has over 80,000 members! Some rarely show, some dip in and out, I guess there is probably a core of a thousand or so 'regulars' (addicted?). I always make the point of welcoming newcomers whether in share or chat, even ifits just a 'hi, welcome, you will never see your credit card again' type post

EOSAddict wrote:
Let's not forget that POTN has over 80,000 members! Some rarely show, some dip in and out, I guess there is probably a core of a thousand or so 'regulars' (addicted?).

We are not addicted, we just can't leave this s**t alone

Great thread by the way, doesn't change my outlook on posting, helping and learning but still interesting to know how people are reacting to stuff that gets posted on here.

Repeat after me....

My name is {insert name}, and I am a POTN-aholic