Dossile

I appreciate all the comments on UHH, but particularly from professionals, individuals who have talent enough to part people from their money. I learn a lot and it is changing my photography. Thanks to everyone. We can all learn, so hopefully the few will tap down their snarky comments. An example:

Just before stepping into the Sistine Chapel, in the Papal Chambers, is a fresco (painting on a plastered wall) by Raphael called The Philosophers. It consists of groupings of men dressed in classical garb conversing in a Roman courtyard. Each man represents a famous philosopher or scientist. Raphael used the faces from the most notable men of the era as models for The Philosophers. Michelangelo and Raphael were hated rivals and so Michelangelo was left off the fresco. The fresco was almost finished when Raphael was invited to the unmasking of the first half of the Sistine Chapel. Legend has it that Raphael walked out of the Sistine Chapel after seeing the great masterpiece, took a palette and spread plaster across the center of his painting. He then painted Michelangelo in the very center, a lonely misanthrope, hand to chin, leaning on his knee. You can still look from above the fresco and see the bare, unpainted edge where Raphael covered the original with plaster and transformed his art to include Michelangelo at the very center. Art historians say that Raphael forever changed the dynamics of his art after viewing that first half of the Sistine Chapel. He never used his old style again. Michelangelo also dramatically changed how the second half of the Sistine chapel was painted after seeing his painting from the floor. If you look at the ceiling, the two half’s are very different in the size and dynamics of the figures painted. If Michelangelo and Raphael can learn, I certainly can approach UHH professionals and amateurs alike humbly and learn. Both seem to gather unnecessary barbs. I sure enjoy the site and the perspectives despite the few.

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

Well said.

nikonkelly Loc: SE Michigan

very well said! I left UHH for a couple of years because I was fed up over the fighting... I was just about to leave again and then I saw this. maybe there is hope yet.

Quinn 4

Well done! Light in the dark, I still thing about check out of UHH. Let see if more lights will come through to push back the darkness.

Steve DeMott Loc: St. Louis, Missouri (Oakville area)

Personally, I think all the bantering is kinda funny. All the "old grownup" people arguing over something that, far the most part, just don't matter.

d3200prime

You hit the nail on the head!

Sugar'sDaddy Loc: Hannibal, MO

Thank you Dossile for your post. I feel exactly the same way. Unfortunately, we are talking about some huge egos that won't be outdone by another huge ego. On one of my last post, it was hijacked by a couple of these arguing over a trivial point. Why? Nobody learns anything. Nobody takes better images because of that. Nothing is gained. Why do some have to think they are so much smarter that everyone else? I've noticed too, that these people rarely, if ever post anything of their own. Probably because they fear the same ridicule they like to heap on others.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ariel

To compare posts here with renaissance master artists is a joke at best. Those masters were concerned with the art as a reflection of their own insights, as form, as philosophy, not which brush to use , posts here are concerned with f stops , which camera to use
as if the camera takes the picture, which lens to use for yet another dreary sunset .

Dossile

Ariel wrote:
To compare posts here with renaissance master artists is a joke at best...

I think you miss the point. The story is an example, an illustration, of learning and change by exceptionally talented individuals. Examples of arrogant, talented individuals learning and changing could be had in the military, academics, literature, etc. I think the Raphael/Michellangello is a great story of those who are arrogant with cause recognizing talent and learning despite their ego.

My point is that a few here on UHH are arrogant without cause, and too frequently go about clearly showing it.

Ariel

I have not found anyone one to be arrogant without cause but have found many to be ignorant to the history of photography and
art in general . But perhaps this is the place for many to exchange not ideas but prejudices . Like a chicken coop , they
get all loud and excited when disturbed then settle down to the usual mundane once the threat of an idea has passed .

nikonkelly Loc: SE Michigan

As I read the OP, this is the exact type of comment that they were speaking to... it starts like this and then blows up in our faces. For many years now, we have been a society of "man are they nuts..." and then we lambaste them with both barrels of a double barrel shotgun. This is place where we are to be always right... but rather always civil. And if we cant be civil, then maybe we are in the wrong place. We are all guilty of being rude at some point, but let us apologize, and then move on rather than ignoring our mistakes and and continuing to belittle others. Just my unpopular take on a group that has to seemingly always be right. Now go ahead and be head me... I am asking for it from anyone who thinks that I am wrong... not right... but wrong.

Dossile

Thanks for the comment nikonkelly. I think you keep your head. Nothing can be done about those who are rude or unkind, short of a moderator intervening, except to ignore them and enjoy the more thoughtful and knowledgeable comments that improve our skills, minimal as they might be for some. I hope for those who are more skilled, that they will stay for the sake of us who have much to learn.

Ariel

You can't make an omelette without breaking the eggs.

nikonkelly Loc: SE Michigan

But if you crush the egg, then you have a bunch of shells in your now useless omelette.