Decorum in the forum?

EOSAddict wrote in post #2393140
Repeat after me....

My name is J T, and I am a POTN-aholic

Hahahaha Not that I am trying to avoid the obvious truth

Yes, I'm addicted
A self confessed PotN-a-holic

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.

Boy, do you have that right! There have been so many times when I was composing a shot and thought "... horizon level, foreground element, etc, etc" all things I learned from reading the critiques provided by the photographers on this forum that I especially admire (the Scotland group, especially Dimitri who has taken the time to help me with LOTS of photograph, Lesmac, Sparker1 and way too many more to mention!)

I think you can get as much from a critique of someone else's photo as you can from a critique of your own. And like Dimitri has pointed out, if you find something you like, ask questions about how it was done. I have never found a single person here who hasn't provided information when asked.

I'm new to this forum, but not to photography. One thing I did notice is that there is too much "nice shot".....I do it myself. It's fine to do so, but I like to hear what specifically people like about it, what set's it apart as a good shot or not.

If we consider experience and knowledge on a scale, beginner to hardened experience.......I think as long as you are polite, everyone can pass judgement....in fact in my view beginners should be commenting more and giving critical apprisal, as they have not been exposed to the techincal issues (which in my view do not fit all circumstances), and so the beginner is just looking at a shot and giving an opinion based on a natural reaction. On the other hand, shots that are poor or could be better will also benefit from a more experienced opinion which is why people come to the forum, surely.....to learn and share with others.

I think you can be critical, but constructively and in my view folk need to appreciate that people have different views and that there are no 100% rights and 100% wrongs.....what looks too busy to one, might be of much interest to another.

Sorry J T, yours was the first name that came into my head who replies regular as clockwork in my posts...not that I have to post, I can go without, I just don't want to...

Duncaji wrote in post #2393604
If we consider experience and knowledge on a scale, beginner to hardened experience.......I think as long as you are polite, everyone can pass judgement....in fact in my view beginners should be commenting more and giving critical apprisal, as they have not been exposed to the techincal issues (which in my view do not fit all circumstances), and so the beginner is just looking at a shot and giving an opinion based on a natural reaction. On the other hand, shots that are poor or could be better will also benefit from a more experienced opinion which is why people come to the forum, surely.....to learn and share with others.

I've read this thread from the very beginning and this particular statement really struck me. I never really felt like I was experienced enough to comment on a picture. I mostly read what others say and learn from that. After reading the above post I feel that I should share my initial reaction to the picture and if one of the other more experienced posters disagree with me I can learn from that as well!!! I always felt like the little fishy here because I don't have a big fancy camera, but I need to stop thinking that way. I prefer to spend more of my time here because you guys tend to take the time to really explain why you like or dislike a shot and that is how I have learned more. Plus Jim (JT) has been nice enough to help me through emails and IM's as well. I will try to make a conscience effort to participate more as well. I don't get out much to take photos so I probably won't post as many photos as most of you do, but that doesn't mean I'm still not learning from being here.

Cindi wrote in post #2394079
I've read this thread from the very beginning and this particular statement really struck me. I never really felt like I was experienced enough to comment on a picture. I mostly read what others say and learn from that. After reading the above post I feel that I should share my initial reaction to the picture and if one of the other more experienced posters disagree with me I can learn from that as well!!! I always felt like the little fishy here because I don't have a big fancy camera, but I need to stop thinking that way. I prefer to spend more of my time here because you guys tend to take the time to really explain why you like or dislike a shot and that is how I have learned more. Plus Jim (JT) has been nice enough to help me through emails and IM's as well. I will try to make a conscience effort to participate more as well. I don't get out much to take photos so I probably won't post as many photos as most of you do, but that doesn't mean I'm still not learning from being here.

Great to hear Cindi!
Newer members should definitely feel they can contribute without rebuke - you never know if someone is another Ansell Adams! Everyones opinion counts just as much as the next person.
I try and comment on a lot of pictures even though I'm not a great photographer simply because I think it's nice when different people give their opinions of my work so it'd be nice for others to have the same thing.
I made a thread a little while ago about London Bridge, and it was amazing to see how many people were split down the middle with the two shots I posted - it just shows everyone's different; everyone's opinion is equally valid.

Cindi wrote in post #2394079
I've read this thread from the very beginning and this particular statement really struck me.

Me too!

Cindi wrote in post #2394079
I never really felt like I was experienced enough to comment on a picture. I mostly read what others say and learn from that. After reading the above post I feel that I should share my initial reaction to the picture and if one of the other more experienced posters disagree with me I can learn from that as well!!! I always felt like the little fishy here because I don't have a big fancy camera, but I need to stop thinking that way......

You absolutely must stop thinking like that! I value people's honest reactions to my photos however much photography they do themselves. We all have something different to offer.

Quite often I find it usefull, if not valuable, to show my pictures to friends or family who have no cluse about the rule of thirds or leading lines or light or any of the things we consider when creating a photo. Often the comments are suprisingly negative, especially for those perfect pictures you think are gods gift.

In short, all comments are welcome from all levels of experience as people know what they like and only them.

Mike Bell wrote in post #2394351
You absolutely must stop thinking like that! I value people's honest reactions to my photos however much photography they do themselves. We all have something different to offer.

Agree, and I'd like you to comment on some of my photos.

I've posted them in Critique Corner and in Macro.

Thanks
James

rudgej wrote in post #2393079
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.

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.

I second that and i for starters do it (or used to) quite often , but if you really get my meaning , from what i wrote above , i`m basicly talking about the arogant ones , the ones with the atitude of....whats wrong with my picture and noone comments on it.

Can you see my point now ?

Sorry , i was refering to mij

Cindi wrote in post #2394079
I always felt like the little fishy here because I don't have a big fancy camera, but I need to stop thinking that way.

Yes, you DO need to stop thinking that way! Remember, it's not the camera that makes the photographer... (although I'd still love to have a 5D! )

I was reading the current issue of Popular Photography today and was looking through the winners of their photo contest. In one of the categories, the winner used a P&S! It was a fantastic photo, too.

I doesn't matter if you're using something YOU don't think is up to par with everyone else here. You can still take take fantastic compositions regardless of which camera you have.

Neilyb wrote in post #2393134
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.

,oh yes,i`ll second that.
Congr. to Cannedheat who started it.

J T wrote in post #2394944
I doesn't matter if you're using something YOU don't think is up to par with everyone else here. You can still take take fantastic compositions regardless of which camera you have.

You are absolutely right Jim. Thanks for that.