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loosing interest in photography forum

245

Comments

  • #32
    ValueInIreland
    Registered Users Posts: 335 ✭✭ValueInIreland


    Thanks Paddy,
    This has been the best category in an age! I agree with other posters about the sub categories - everything looks very quiet.
    Keep the faith Paddy and ignore the begrudgers!


  • #33
    Leftyflip
    Registered Users Posts: 7,463 ✭✭✭Leftyflip


    How about some of the posters put together tutorials so instead of linking to outside tutorials, there's some user generated material on here.
    Just an idea.


  • #34
    thebaz
    Registered Users Posts: 13,570 ✭✭✭✭thebaz


    Hugh_C wrote: »
    it has become dull ...

    agree, love to see a bit more challenging imagery , left off center - its become a little bit too safe - lots of technically proficient photographs and very good photoghraphers here but ... a bit more room for imagery that doesnt quite conform to the rules of good photography .. I got huge help from different members here a few years ago - wont name names , but am indebted to their help - some of who are still here


  • #35
    red_ice
    Registered Users Posts: 4,946 ✭✭✭red_ice


    PCPhoto wrote: »
    (I may consider leaving boards in the future as I feel the community is not what it used to be)

    I said the exact same thing in 2006 :p If only you were around in 2000, now THATS when boards was fun.


  • #36
    ronanc15
    Registered Users Posts: 1,279 ✭✭✭ronanc15


    Just to add some brown to my nose :D Paddy you also gave me good advice a few times, much appreciated.

    I have only become active on here the last few months really (again, long time lurker) but have been on/helping to run forums for about 6 years.

    Some points from somewhat of an outsider looking in:

    1. Bring the Workshop back into the main forum as Sloane Sweet Preschool suggested. I've missed a good few posts purely because I forgot to check the Workshop forum. Not really sure it gets enough traffic/threads to require a subforum?

    2. Also, I think a C&C sub forum is a great idea. Some people love these threads, others really appear to dislike them. This would help both sides of the coin :)

    3. Confine the legalities/copyright to either one megathread or one subforum. Expertise/learned opinion like PCPhoto's aren't easy to come by and in my opinion people should be able to bounce those questions and get genuine accurate answers. If people don't like these threads they can then easily avoid them. (Personally I sometimes get sick of looking at them unless they have an interesting twist)

    4. The Events forum is another one I continously forget exists. Is it essential that this is a forum of its own? Could be good reason for this that I'm not aware of.

    5. Finally, I think some members need to think before they type. Im not saying that everything needs to be sunshine and lollipops but if you're pointing out an area someone can improve on it doesn't kill to phrase it properly rather than blunt comments. Sometimes people forget you can't get tone of voice on a forum and can only take things at face value.

    Just my 2c

    Regards
    Ronan


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  • #37
    humberklog
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 10,394 Mod ✭✭✭✭humberklog


    On the Sub-Forums: it's pants. There's loads of threads up there I could be passive-aggressively trolling but I really can't be arsed clicking above the waist line of my monitor.


  • #38
    AnCatDubh
    Registered Users Posts: 6,392 ✭✭✭AnCatDubh


    Ah, I forgot - you guy's don't get to see all the porn spam on the main forum..... something about it being moderator only :pac:

    /yes ignore what I just typed and carry on


  • #39
    Mountainsandh
    Registered Users Posts: 6,700 ✭✭✭Mountainsandh


    I'm usually in the "too busy" stage, but have started lurking again, and I have to say I did like the old mumble-jumble format before better. That way, I "happened" on some threads that turned out to be interesting, that I wouldn't have checked out in the workshop for example. I never think of looking in the Workshop, and most of the time I'm too lazy to look in Events etc... either.

    Seems like I've missed all the fun, but all and every single post I've ever seen from PCphoto have been informative and level headed. Hope you hang around PCphoto.


  • #40
    CabanSail
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 9,047 CMod ✭✭✭✭CabanSail


    I want to say how much I personally appreciate what PCPhoto has contributed to this forum. He has been up there as one of the most helpful posters and also very quick at picking up on shonky posts and reporting them rather than taking the bait. We may not have always agreed but his opinion is respected.

    The topics moving to the Workshop, this was explained by this thread.
    kensutz wrote: »
    I agree with Paddy, the forum has become a bit stale with repeated topics (copyright,usage etc) although I find most new threads that start suddenly end up in The Workshop forum.
    smash wrote: »
    I don't really get this, it's a sub forum and a lot of topics just get lost in there because they're moved. I think the main forum should be about photography related subjects in general, then have sub forums for C&C and copyright issues.
    DaireQuinlan wrote: »
    It seemed like a good idea when it was set up, the forum was being swamped in pointless and repetitive gear threads. I don't think it's such a good idea any more, the volume of posting on the photography forum as a whole seems so have dropped off a cliff over the last few years.

    I think it's down to a combination of a couple of things, a particularly disruptive poster who was banned too late and caused a lot of people to not bother reading the forum anymore, and the simultaneous rise in popularity of twitter, which established itself as an alternative bolt hole. Most people never came back.

    It seems from the above comments that some want to move to a Camera Forum with a sub section for Photography.

    Deleted User wrote: »
    Cabansail replied pretty much saying it wasn't going to change, which is fair enough, he's a mod and gets a say in what goes, and he knows the forum/s better than I do, so I won't argue with him.

    I did reply but gave my personal opinion. Most of my posts are made as an ordinary user. When I post in an official capacity I try to make that obvious. I am not in the habit of dictating how things should be.


  • #41
    dinneenp
    Registered Users Posts: 8,099 ✭✭✭dinneenp


    Here's a small injection of fun...


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  • #42
    DaireQuinlan
    Registered Users Posts: 6,675 ✭✭✭DaireQuinlan


    CabanSail wrote: »
    It seems from the above comments that some want to move to a Camera Forum with a sub section for Photography.
    .

    Lordy no, but maybe some of the technique related stuff could be brought back from the workshop subforum to bolster traffic a little in the main forum ? I'd be happy never to see a gear thread again, leaving THEM in the sub forum would mean I could just never go there :-)
    I know sometimes though there's a confusion over the distinction, a lot of the technique related threads segue into dull dull gear threads so some discretion I guess would be necessary ...


  • #43
    nonsequitir
    Registered Users Posts: 103 ✭✭nonsequitir


    Forums are so 1980's!


  • #44
    smash
    Closed Accounts Posts: 34,809 ✭✭✭✭smash


    CabanSail wrote: »
    It seems from the above comments that some want to move to a Camera Forum with a sub section for Photography.

    I don't think anyone said that.


  • #45
    pete4130
    Registered Users Posts: 3,944 ✭✭✭pete4130


    I go out of my way to stir shít up/step on toes be honest with what I think and 99% of the time for good reason when people are being stupid think they know it allneed guidance. This is misunderstood probably 99% of the time but some people.

    There can be too much of a politeness on forums where people don't speak up if they don't like something or if something is plain shíte. They choose to just not comment on it. That just propagates an ásslicking thread mentality that doesn't really help people. If something sucks and you think so, tell it like it is but be able to back it up with relevant comments, C&C, facts and experience.

    Digital photography breeds new "photographers" so fast who read digital photo magazines, watch tutorials online that teach new skool techniques like HDR, tonemapping, bad photoshop filters and gimmicky effects that forums DO get tiring seeing the same cráp posted in cycles every year in realtion to what is in digi photo mags and whats "in" at the moment (HDR/tonemapping/topaz seems to be really in the past few months...previously it was tilt shifting a few months ago...I'm sure there could be an annual calender for crappy fad seasons?). It's actually made me more militant to keeping my images more simple and true and totally disheartened me from digital photography. Everyone is a photographer these days.

    Having a camera doesn't make you a photographer. Having a vision, skill and talent helps.


  • #46
    jonniebgood1
    Registered Users Posts: 3,577 ✭✭✭jonniebgood1


    pete4130 wrote: »
    There can be too much of a politeness on forums where people don't speak up if they don't like something or if something is plain shíte. They choose to just not comment on it. That just propagates an ásslicking thread mentality that doesn't really help people. If something sucks and you think so, tell it like it is but be able to back it up with relevant comments, C&C, facts and experience.

    This reads true
    pete4130 wrote: »
    Digital photography breeds new "photographers" so fast who read digital photo magazines, watch tutorials online that teach new skool techniques like HDR, tonemapping, bad photoshop filters and gimmicky effects that forums DO get tiring seeing the same cráp posted in cycles every year in realtion to what is in digi photo mags and whats "in" at the moment (HDR/tonemapping/topaz seems to be really in the past few months...previously it was tilt shifting a few months ago...I'm sure there could be an annual calender for crappy fad seasons?). It's actually made me more militant to keeping my images more simple and true and totally disheartened me from digital photography. Everyone is a photographer these days.

    Having a camera doesn't make you a photographer. Having a vision, skill and talent helps.
    This reads like afraid of progress. Maybe we should go back to drawing pictures on cave walls!


  • #47
    pete4130
    Registered Users Posts: 3,944 ✭✭✭pete4130


    I'd hardly call easy to use/overuse, free downloadable filters and gimmicks as progress if everyone that picks up a DSLR and digi photo magazine just keeps doing it, redoing it and then doing it again. Thats regression and repetition more than progression. Maybe I should just use my iphone and Instagram to keep up with progression?

    Photography isn't really much more than drawing pictures on walls if you trace its history. Digital is simply the most modern, easiest and most accessible means of capturing the image that was once projected onto a wall and traced. We call this the Renaissance period in artsy terms.

    A camera, any camera at all, is just a light tight box that an image goes into and gets recreated in one way or another, whether being traced onto a wall, exposed on a light sensitive piece of silve and gelatin celluloid or a digital sensor.

    Progress comes from the mind, not the camera, software, filter, plug in or effect.


  • #48
    jonniebgood1
    Registered Users Posts: 3,577 ✭✭✭jonniebgood1


    pete4130 wrote: »

    Photography isn't really much more than drawing pictures on walls if you trace its history. Digital is simply the most modern, easiest and most accessible means of capturing the image that was once projected onto a wall and traced. We call this the Renaissance period in artsy terms.

    A camera, any camera at all, is just a light tight box that an image goes into and gets recreated in one way or another, whether being traced onto a wall, exposed on a light sensitive piece of silve and gelatin celluloid or a digital sensor.

    Progress comes from the mind, not the camera, software, filter, plug in or effect.
    If you really believe that "Progress comes from the mind" then you should open up your mind and see the possibilities of some of the things you mention rather than just negative limitations.

    Progress in photography also comes from freedom to express ones self. If you apply restrictions you limit peoples freedom and that is a needless indulgence. People should not try to limit others to the same methods as they use themselves or all posts will be identical/ monotonous.

    In other words try to live and let live.


  • #49
    frozenfrozen
    Registered Users Posts: 7,878 ✭✭✭frozenfrozen


    does anyone know what lens i should get for my camera? i want to take pictures of things in colour



    I jest, I jest!


  • #50
    Cheezypuf
    Registered Users Posts: 31 ✭Cheezypuf


    pete4130 wrote: »
    Everyone is a photographer these days.

    It's that kind of eletism that puts newbies off contributing to the forum.

    I've lurked for some time, and although the majority of posts I've seen are very constructive I've been horrified to see some astonishing rudeness and aggression on occasion (I'm not referring to Pete). We all learn from diverse opinions, but it harms nobody to express these using basic manners and courtesy.


  • #51
    11811
    Registered Users Posts: 1,731 ✭✭✭11811


    Cheezypuf wrote: »
    It's that kind of eletism that puts newbies off contributing to the forum.

    Thats not elitism, thats almost more a point of fact. Its just the nature of photography at the moment, it seems all you need to be a "photographer" these days is a dslr and a facebook account. I'm a newbie as such (at it a year and a half) and wouldn't claim to be a photographer yet. I see it in no way offensive or off putting to have a slight distinction between an amateur photography enthusiast and a photographer as such - After all changing the oil in your car does not make one a mechanic.

    In the little while I have been expressing an interest in photography any professionals I have approached or talked to have (both here and else where) been supportive in my endeavors, they've pointed out that that its a hard craft to master and make a living from but never in my eyes have been elitist. I think its a question of a certain amount of humbleness and having respect for the medium. I see countless people running off buying cameras to become "photographers" without much thought behind the processes involved in creating great images. In fact I wish it was that easy.


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  • #52
    CabanSail
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 9,047 CMod ✭✭✭✭CabanSail


    pete4130 wrote: »
    Having a vision, skill and talent helps.

    Where can I buy or download these? :D

    Thanks in advance.


  • #53
    Mountainsandh
    Registered Users Posts: 6,700 ✭✭✭Mountainsandh


    CabanSail wrote: »
    Where can I buy or download these? :D

    Thanks in advance.

    I'm selling a vision, used once or twice (too busy), versatile, easy to store, folds away to nothing.
    Also looking to swap self standing sturdy BBQ for talent.
    Thanks !


  • #54
    jonniebgood1
    Registered Users Posts: 3,577 ✭✭✭jonniebgood1


    Mountainsandh wrote: »
    I'm selling a vision, used once or twice (too busy), versatile, easy to store, folds away to nothing.
    Also looking to swap self standing sturdy BBQ for talent.
    Thanks !

    Any scratches or dust on that*???









    (*=the BBQ)


  • #55
    melekalikimaka
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 10,686 Mod ✭✭✭✭melekalikimaka


    Cheezypuf wrote: »
    It's that kind of eletism that puts newbies off contributing to the forum.

    I've lurked for some time, and although the majority of posts I've seen are very constructive I've been horrified to see some astonishing rudeness and aggression on occasion (I'm not referring to Pete). We all learn from diverse opinions, but it harms nobody to express these using basic manners and courtesy.

    having a camera that can take photos, and taking images that have substance are two different things.

    Alot think, once they have a camera, they are automatically a photographer, sadly this is not true, there is alot more to it than that, sadly it seems alot feel offended by this notion and dismiss it, which understandably gets under the skin of people who have worked hard to develop themselves into a photographer, maybe the issue is those people are begining to outweigh the old breed. Maybe the meaning has changed in recent times, who know...


  • #56
    jpb1974
    Registered Users Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭jpb1974


    I always thought a photographer was someone who takes photographs :confused:


  • #57
    melekalikimaka
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 10,686 Mod ✭✭✭✭melekalikimaka


    jpb1974 wrote: »
    I always thought a photographer was someone who takes photographs :confused:

    Would you consider someone who uploads photos of their dog daily on instagram a photographer?


  • #58
    jpb1974
    Registered Users Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭jpb1974


    Would you consider someone who uploads photos of their dog daily on instagram a photographer?

    Well, why wouldn't I... it's captured light, what other qualifiers must be met?

    I am curious now - how does one find out if they qualify as a photographer?

    Are you a photographer?

    Am I?


  • #59
    jonniebgood1
    Registered Users Posts: 3,577 ✭✭✭jonniebgood1


    melekalikimaka wrote: »
    Would you consider someone who uploads photos of their dog daily on instagram a photographer?

    Do you propose a qualification criteria for people that upload photos- please digress this:


  • #60
    melekalikimaka
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 10,686 Mod ✭✭✭✭melekalikimaka


    jpb1974 wrote: »
    Well, why wouldn't I... it's captured light, what other qualifiers must be met?

    I am curious now - how does one find out if they qualify as a photographer?

    well i wouldnt.

    I believe in my opinion, a degree of substance or technical skill is required to justify the title of a photographer, to what degree, is varying on the viewer, but required.


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  • #61
    jpb1974
    Registered Users Posts: 3,017 ✭✭✭jpb1974


    to what degree, is varying on the viewer

    So... one person might tell me I'm a photographer and another might tell me I am not :confused:


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