BIGRO Loc: NYC

I have been taking pics for over 20 years but in auto mode until I decided to take the plunge into full control of what I envision. I don't get paid for anything, this is my hobby. The average person getting into photography has no idea how vast and complex the various styles of this art can be. Nor do they realize how expensive things can be and it becomes a snowball effect in efforts to get the latest and greatest or something used that's just better than what they have to serve their needs while on a tight or non existent budget.

As I peruse through the numerous posts, those I try to learn from, there are 3 groups that reply. The obnoxious and belittling, the informative and helpful, and the debate happy camp that changes the whole subject. This always makes for interesting reading except when it goes left and certain people take things to another level for no reason.

For those that share their knowledge, I am grateful and I hope you take pride in knowing you are a major part of development. For those that critique without explanation, what's the purpose of your response? Please critique yet state what is wrong and better yet how it can be better and if possible give examples. For those that just belittle and have nothing positive at all to say, why bother responding? A picture is worth a thousand words but silence is golden.

This is not posted to start a huge debate or be disrespectful. I've read some innocent questions and watched the op get blasted. Not everyone is tech savvy and has the instinct to check the search function for previous posts. Nor is common sense to be assumed. Some deserve what they get but before going onto a verbal launch, even if its common sense to you, maybe you (for those this applies) can use just a tad bit more honey than vinegar. Teaching photography is like teaching a teenager to drive, it takes great patience.

fotobyferg

Agree....UHH is one wild ride, and I’ve only been here @ 2 months. Your observations, imo, are spot on!

chevman Loc: Matthews, North Carolina

I too have observed the same things and what you have said here has been stated very well. Hopefully it will work but sadly there have been a few other recent threads along the same lines and and as far as I can tell everything remains the same as always!

BlackRipleyDog

Agreed. Sometimes, being equated to a war criminal for one's take on a subject is just a big buzz-kill.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Hope that you get the help here that you are looking for. But for sure, if you test the waters, you should have thick skin.

photomom Loc: Southern CA

Love the post - it's the same thing on any site or social media..... there are types that reply and why they reply. Life is short - kindness rocks!!!! EVERYONE is on their own journey, let's make it peaceful!!!! Happy 2018!!!!

mrussell

I don't know what post you are referring to, but if you have spent any appreciable amount of time on the interney, you will have to admit that some people who use it are properly compared to a war criminal.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Well stated. Hopefully it may encourage a bit more compassion and humanity. All Teaching requires patience.
Mark

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

Completely agree. There are some very snarky people on this site. My two cents: don't assume everyone knows the acronyms you use, just spell it out, at least for the first time it is used.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

It parallels real life.

canon Lee

HI. BIGRO. Please stay here as we all know of these types. My observation is that those that belittle fit into the perfect slogan.." GET A LIFE"..

TonyBot

Ahh, Bigro, how right you are! I just take the good with the bad and don't try to continue a *flame war*. Learn what you can (and there is certainly a lot of knowledgable and thoughtful responses here) and chuckle about the rest. We are a world of varying opinions and methods of responding. I try to remember that knowledge and expertise comes not from doing everything right, but by knowing - usually through experience - what is *not* right. (Now, I have spoken the philosopher in me, and can off of my high horse!)

Michael1079 Loc: Indiana

Good observations. As with others who have responded, it is common that these thoughts could apply to many other sites across the Internet.
I hung around UHH as an 'unregistered' observer for over a month, reading the posts. What convinced me to join is the breadth of knowledge and artistic ability of many of the members here. I've been in to photography since I was 21 YO - I'm now 61 - and I am learning tons from the good people here.
There is a town in Southern Illinois that has a sign as you come into the city limits. It reads something like, "Welcome to Eldorado: Home of 4,536 friendly people and one ol' sorehead." You have to take the good with the bad but, fortunately, UHH has a predominance of friendly people!

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

well I am here every day.I do not own a camera but I enjoy looking at the work of members here. And the friendship and help offered is amazing.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

No camera? What ever made you join a photo forum?