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WHY?
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Nov 10, 2011 10:11:24   #
blueeyes3515 Loc: WV
 
I have to wonder why sooooo many people are quitting this forum?
For instance DB, Bob, and so many others that had so much to offer just up and leave the forum!!
Can anyone offer any explanation as to why so many have decided this forum is just not for them?

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Nov 10, 2011 11:05:50   #
phoneguy55 Loc: upstate NY
 
I have only been involved in a few other "photo" forums before this one, but they all seemed a bit colder and less inviting. Lots of ego and chest puffing and denigrating comments to those who had entry level questions...or when the same question would be posed by new members who didn't know a certain subject may have been discussed at length a few days before.
This seems to have started out to be so much more personal and forgiving to newbies, while technical enough for advanced amateurs to get lots of help at the same time. I would think that becoming "less active" ....would make more sense than just leaving altogether, but I guess if something causes more grief than enjoyment, you have to move on. For now, I still feel a camaraderie of sorts.....but if that ever goes away then I would move on too.

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Nov 10, 2011 11:38:06   #
sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant
 
bob was thin skinned, i didn't know db had quit, alot of what I would call the advanced amateur or even semi pros have left for a less newbie sight i guess. combined with the same questions and similar photos posted over and over again, and a rash of cyberbulling that the bullies seem to have gotten away with it (especialy one seriously psychotic fatal attraction level female wack job who is still on this site.) and it has probably turned off a lot of posters. I know my posting is way down and i am very selective on who i respond too. Now when someone asks for a crtique, i wait and see how they respond to others before offering my own to avoid another wak job. when the site was smaller it was freindlier and more cozy.

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Nov 10, 2011 12:20:55   #
keyboard51 Loc: Bull Shoals Ar
 
I just joined and find it a refreshing change

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Nov 10, 2011 12:26:24   #
tk Loc: Iowa
 
Sinatraman, thanks for sticking it out. I haven't been here long but I do see where a pro would/could get bored answering the same questions and simply be ready to move up. I am grateful for those who still want to share their knowledge and experience. Now, if only I had the patience to read my manual.

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Nov 10, 2011 12:55:12   #
blueeyes3515 Loc: WV
 
I too can see why they would get tired of answering the same questions over and over again. But that is no reason to quit the forum, instead just let someone else answer the question that time.
People deserve to be able to ask questions, and ask for critique, ask opinions, ask for advice, and most of all share what you know with others. I am willing to share all I know with others, because I also had to learn somewhere or someone.

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Nov 10, 2011 13:13:07   #
traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.
 
I'm still classified as a new user. I too see the same questions over and over again, asking for critiques, what lens should I buy.......etc. I will provide my knowledge to anyone who asks AND I too will ask questions if, in my research, I can't find the answers.

I fully agree with blueeyes. You got to start somewhere and this seems to be a pretty good place to start.

blueeyes3515 wrote:
I too can see why they would get tired of answering the same questions over and over again. But that is no reason to quit the forum, instead just let someone else answer the question that time.
People deserve to be able to ask questions, and ask for critique, ask opinions, ask for advice, and most of all share what you know with others. I am willing to share all I know with others, because I also had to learn somewhere or someone.

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Nov 10, 2011 13:23:17   #
Dunatic
 
Personally, I think it was more the "bullying" that got to people rather then answering the same questions over and over again. When I started the forum, I used the "search" a lot in looking for threads that already might exist about something I was interested in before I asked the question. In fact, I have very few posts in which I started. But, when I did ask for advice on a wedding I was to shoot w/o using a flash, I got many responses right away. So, the help is available here...people should maybe be aware that they can search for a topic first before posting. I searched for "models" and got a lot of information.

As far as those leaving because of bullying, I that appeared to be a few weeks back when the first photo contest was running. One was fighting with the moderator of the contest and it got ugly which turned many, many off the the forum. Also upsetting to me around this time, my mentor - Yopper decided to limit his participation on here. Unfortunate for all of us because he was a wealth of knowledge. Anyway, that is my take on it. I will try to give constructive criticism - ONLY. I do not believe it beating up people. I tend to be more of a teacher and I am inspired by the creativity people show in their artistic approach to photography. Cheryl

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Nov 10, 2011 13:35:58   #
sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant
 
yooper took a sabatical to spend more time with his wife who travels alot. he will be back. I do agree he has a wealth of talent and expertise in areas of photography that i rarely shoot, and i for one look forward to his return.

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Nov 10, 2011 13:39:03   #
JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA
 
blueeyes3515 wrote:
I have to wonder why sooooo many people are quitting this forum?
For instance DB, Bob, and so many others that had so much to offer just up and leave the forum!!
Can anyone offer any explanation as to why so many have decided this forum is just not for them?
I'm not sure DB has left - her last post was on the 7th..unless someone has gotten a PM from her or something. Bob appears to have gotten fed up again - but that's just the way he is/was - great shooter, but a little impatient with idiots. I thing Gessman is away from his PC for a couple of days. Tilde is running amok all over southern Delaware. Yooper's inputs will be missed, he also was a highly proficient snapper. Rache, MWAC and most of the others are still around, as far as I can tell. With over 8,000 registered users, it's a far cry from the ~150 that were here in the week after Labor Day.

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Nov 10, 2011 19:28:24   #
Country's Mama Loc: Michigan
 
I did see a post where they said several women were leaving because of the boudoir postings. Not sure if those were removed or not and not sure who left because of them.

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Nov 10, 2011 20:41:40   #
Dunatic
 
I know that was the "claim" of one person saying that 14 had left; however, Admin rebuffed that. Who knows, hope not. Cheryl

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Nov 10, 2011 23:08:35   #
Lmarc Loc: Ojojona, Honduras
 
JimH wrote:
blueeyes3515 wrote:
I have to wonder why sooooo many people are quitting this forum?
For instance DB, Bob, and so many others that had so much to offer just up and leave the forum!!
Can anyone offer any explanation as to why so many have decided this forum is just not for them?
I'm not sure DB has left - her last post was on the 7th..unless someone has gotten a PM from her or something. Bob appears to have gotten fed up again - but that's just the way he is/was - great shooter, but a little impatient with idiots. I thing Gessman is away from his PC for a couple of days. Tilde is running amok all over southern Delaware. Yooper's inputs will be missed, he also was a highly proficient snapper. Rache, MWAC and most of the others are still around, as far as I can tell. With over 8,000 registered users, it's a far cry from the ~150 that were here in the week after Labor Day.
quote=blueeyes3515 I have to wonder why sooooo ma... (show quote)


I hadn't heard about DB, but I sincerely hope she didn't leave! People do come and go, and sometimes just for a break. Most that have stayed are good people who enjoyable to have around. And I'm sure Tilde is "running amok" WHEREVER she may be! (That's meant in the very nicest way, Tilde! ¡Palabras de cariños!)

I got here the last week of September and it was a very warm and friendly place. There was a while when a couple of serious nutcases made life a bit miserable. I considered leaving, too, but after laying low for a couple days I decided I won't let a few bullies determine my actions. I don't think answering the same questions is a reason to quit. People come here to learn something they didn't know before and many have the exact same concerns. The fact thay they don't see, or know about, the search feature is no reason to call them idiots or worse. If I have an answer and want to respond, I will. If I don't feel like taking on the role of mentor, then I don't have to give an opinion. It's very easy for me to get embroiled in the little personality tiffs, so I have to make a concious effort not to respond to a few things that I know might be trouble.

Anyone is welcome to PM me and if I have a helpful answer, I will always respond. If I don't have anything to offer, I will answer to say so. If someone just wants to start or continue a fight, I will certainly ignore them.

Since the forum is relatively new none of us have been here THAT long, and we were all newbies not long ago. I welcome all new people and offer a "laurel, and hearty handshake". Any and all of my meagre expertise is up for grabs, even if I just said the exact same thing to the last five people.

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Nov 11, 2011 08:15:58   #
hobbycam Loc: Now in "Hollister, Ca."
 
I have been a member since sept. and I have not been very active. You may call me a lurker. I generally watch the post and if someone has answered the question. I dont comment. I know that many have a lot of experiance and I have learned from them also. I for one do not mind answering questions that have already been answered in past posts. I enjoy passing my knowledg to others that need it.
If we are to be teachers/instructors tonew comers, I think that reduncey in the forum will happen. So I do believe that we should be p[atient to new comers whether they are passing through or new members.

MHO :-)
May God Bless

hobbycam aka Larry

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Nov 11, 2011 16:56:25   #
Country's Mama Loc: Michigan
 
[quote=hobbycam]I have been a member since sept. and I have not been very active. You may call me a lurker. I generally watch the post and if someone has answered the question. I dont comment. I know that many have a lot of experiance and I have learned from them also. I for one do not mind answering questions that have already been answered in past posts. I enjoy passing my knowledg to others that need it.
If we are to be teachers/instructors tonew comers, I think that reduncey in the forum will happen. So I do believe that we should be p[atient to new comers whether they are passing through or new members.

MHO :-)
May God Bless

hobbycam aka Larry[/quote]

Thank you for your comments. I so agree. And not just new comers, but those of us who take awhile to learn things. Sometimes I need it repeated a few times.

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