Searcher Loc: Kent, England

After watching a bonfire display in early November in damp cold conditions alongside thousands of people, I contracted a virulent influenza virus. A short remission of symptoms in early December followed by a renewed attack just before Christmas has left me in the main - bed ridden. Coming back to the Hog now as one of the walking wounded, I wonder what on earth has been going on. Three long standing members have either left or been forced to leave their membership and a good deal of nastiness appears to have been directed at the Critique Section. The Post Processing section is merely limping along instead of galloping which brings me to the point of this post:

Is it worth while maintaining the PP section?

I am aware there are a handful of members who dislike the whole idea of sections - it is a shame because some of those members have an abundance of knowledge, however I totally respect their opinions.

Most questions regarding PP are asked in the Main section whilst most PP demonstrations are given in the Critique Section.

I have revised the layout of the Tutorials & How To Do It index" and have endeavoured to make them easier to search, but do they generate enough interest to make them worthwhile?

I am not looking for accolades but for constructive criticism and an answer to these two questions:

"Do you want the PP section to continue - will you support it?

Should the PP section be allowed to simply grind to a halt?"

The PP section was designed as a place for sharing expertise and techniques amongst both experts and novices alike; for discussion of the various technologies; for people to learn both the simple and the complex methodology of post-processing and to become aware of the many and varied tools and software available to them to achieve those ends.

Just in case you would like to have a quick look before commenting here are the links:

Use this link to come in and have a look round: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-116-1.html
Use this link to go straight to the Tutorials and Tips index page: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-156310-1.html
Use this link to go straight to the Free Software Index: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-168252-1.html
To subscribe to the Post-Processing Digital Images section, click this link http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/
Click on "All Sections" and scroll to the second-to-last item: Post-Processing Digital Images and click to subscribe in the appropriate box.

Hankwt Loc: kingsville ontario

Searcher I for one feel the PP section is a valuable resource especially for some of the newcomers to the world of PP It provides a good starting point for info and some tutorials. Sure alot of PP talk happens in the Photo and Critique sections - its a natural fit. I for One find your efforts worthwhile.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

keep it.. up to you man..

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I am one who DOES like the idea of sections, so I can FIND something instead of just hoping to run into it. I like the PP section, and look at it just about every day.The resources you've gathered here can be a huge help to any photographer at any skill level. I think it's too soon to give up on it. The somewhat overlapping relationship between it and the Critique section is still developing, and can keep getting better if the participants (and leaders too of course) are purposeful in helping shape that. Some branches and shoots of this pair-up will need to be pruned or shaped, but the sections could end up as highly complementary to each other. Critique should never devolve into a processing party, but demonstrating crops and variant processes can help improve an image. We sometimes destroy a well-captured image with poor processing and when we do, that should be part of critique.

The way this whole UHH forum is set up (where you have to subscribe to sections to see them, and there are no threaded views) makes it kind of complicated for new members to figure out how to get their questions answered. I gave it up for a long time before I jumped back in, and I returned mainly because of this section and the Critique section which do make sense to me. Messages like this one can help call members' attention to the existence of this resource but we all need to help you.

i can't shed much light on the nastiness, but things have seemed pretty volatile, with a lot of take-no-prisoners forum wars that seem related to old squabbles or something because they seem out of proportion to the subject being discussed.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks so much for the re-cap, Searcher. I didn't realize there was a tutorial section!

Having just posted a question in the pp section and receiving your valued response, I whole-heartedly endorse it :)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I know why you got sick. You have my sympathy.

1. November
2. Damp
3. Cold
4. Thousands of people.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

The trouble with 'private sections' is that they are not advertised correctly. Few are aware of their existence and fewer know how to setup their 'welcome screen' in order to have it displayed when one first comes in.

It is not about needs, popularity or support demand but ease of access.

As to the folks who have quit the board, I am only aware of Esther. The CC forum has changed for the better as the OP there have listened to some of the justified critics. I did not see personal attacks but then again I do not pay attention.

Should you keep the PP open? Yes.
Will it be a success as popularity goes? No.

PP is seen by many uninformed, unintelligent folks as a crutch vs the equivalent of lab work. UHH apparent predominant point of vue is: Take the picture right in the first place and you will not need it. That is something I fight against all the time as for me it is accepting mediocrity.

On a slightly different subject I refuse to support PSE, any version as, after using it to help folks, I realized how crippled this adobe program really is. Instead I will try to help with both Photoshop CS6 and CC as well as GIMP (That I have to relearn now).

Frapha Loc: Tulsa, Oklahoma

For me, the PP section is a valued resource -- hope to see it remain. Perhaps ADMIN should consider moving all those new posts about PP issues which appear in other sections, to the PP section. ......... it would help direct folks (especially new folks) to the PP section for their questions, etc.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

you have to subscribe to all but main, to even see it.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

You have to click on "all sections" to initially find it, but don't have to subscribe to all.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

oh ok . thanks :thumbup:

snails_pace Loc: Utah

I wonder if it would be good to expand this section to include photo-compositing art work. A few examples have surfaced recently in the photo critique section.

It is under-appreciated on this forum ... most general art work forums have a photo-composite category.

When I enter the Audubon photo contests I adhere strictly to the rules ... photos submitted must be a true representation of what was seen through the view finder ... nothing added or taken away ... "normal processing" ... whatever that is. I guess I'd better not digress into all the inconsistencies in the rules.

At any rate, some of my favorite photos have been post worked to the point where they might better be characterized as photo-composites.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Photo composites are definitely encouraged, its all part of PP and there are some good examples already there.

Post one or two in the section, but be prepared to explain how you did them!

busted_shutter

:thumbup: :thumbup: I whole-heartedly agree!! Both sections have their invaluable input. We are all here to learn...share...and learn some more...then repeat. Or at least we all should be!!

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

While I don't use the PP section in particular, I think all the sections should be maintained for anyone's use and it may help someone new to photography...and while I don't have trouble navigating the site, maybe making this the main page rather than the more "closed" version might help...?