cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Even so, Linda, you have to have known that, sooner or later, someone would have "nominated" you.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Are you asking did I have my non-acceptance speech already prepared?

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I have to say a couple things. I know I started this thread, but I said I really have no expertise in this area. That is why I would not try starting one. This forum (any forum really) should be moderated by someone with a couple of qualities I do not possess.

1) a solid understanding of the subject as demonstrated by past posts and photos.

2) the ability to speak strongly and yet kindly in providing guidance as demonstrated by past posts.

Both of these qualities you appear to have in abundance, Linda. Especially the second. You seem to never get baited into foolish and pointless verbal battles. I would likely subscribe to any forum you would moderate.

I second (or is it 20th) this nomination.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Your supportive comments are greatly appreciated, D. I'm currently in the process of writing a draft (mission statement, guidelines, rules) that I plan to post as a new topic as an exploration of what people might want from the section.

It doesn't make sense to me to start a forum solely to separate landscapes from birds, so it will be interesting to know if there are new ideas. Would the section be a mash-up of Gallery (simple thumbs-up) and For Your Consideration (feedback, suggestions for improvement, with/without edits)?

In the meantime, Cany143 has written eloquently regarding, "Why is photography so rarely discussed on a photography forum?"
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-565506-3.html#9626719

.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Not specifically. But anyone who is reasonably aware on this forum knows you to be a wealth of photographic info (honestly, where do you find some of that stuff?), as well as a voice (lone voice??) of reason and calm in the tumultuous sea of photographic opinion and photographers' egos. I suspect that you would win by a landslide (pun intended).

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I can't speak for anyone but myself, but it seems to me that we as photographers are really sort of an "odd lot." And I don't really mean this in any sort of a bad way. But we share some characteristices with model railroaders, coin collectors, and others that just make us appear "different." It seems that this is true to one level or another with almost any person or group who has deep interest in a subject and who follows that interest. Many times, we pursue it as an individual, but there comes a time when we either need (or want) to learn a new critical skill or get past some bump in the road that we just can't conquer on our own. We also occasionally have a need to share what we have learned, especially if it involved getting past one of those obstacles, and especially if doing so required considerable expenditure of effort and energy. Both of these are pretty natural, I think, but the result is that we end up needing to have interaction with others who understand the significance. Most "laymen" cannot. So we need to find others who understand.

The result is that we find our way to a forum like this or perhaps a local photography club. As is the case in life in general, we meet some people, know of a lot of others, and slowly build a few relationships that may include a higher level of trust and respect. While it is not reasonable to expect that all of our relationships would be at this level, it is reasonable to expect that we be respectful of each other, just as we would expect others to treat us with respect. That does not mean that we cannot disagree, and it does not mean that we shouldn't each expect that someone else in the group might have knowledge that exceeds our own. Complicating this is that the process of photography is one that includes many equations and many variables. If you can remember back to Algebra II, that means that there may be many solutions, each equally valid. Just because your solution is different from mine doesn't mean that yours is better than mine. It also does not necessarily mean that mine is better than yours. Instead of each of us digging in to support our own solution, there is a lot more value in both of us seeking to understand the other approach. In the process, we have each doubled (perhaps) our knowledge of the subject.

As an example, I'll share this experience from last month. Our local photography club runs a series of competitions throughout the year. I'm not big on photo contests, but have been trying to enter as often as possible, because I believe that supporting the club's activities is important. Last month's contest was an open print competition with no prescribed theme. My entry was an image of a fairly well known formation in Big Bend National Park known as Mules Ears photographed under a developing thunderstorm. It didn't do very well in the competition, which didn't necessarily surprise me, because there are a number of much more accomplished photographers than me in the club. But I did not appreciate some of the judge's comments. She said that the colors seemed to be from a contrived archaic palette more suited to the 1970s and implied that the image was significantly over processed. She also said that the yellow needed to be pumped up to create more pleasing colors. In fact, the image was only very minimally processed, with the exposure bumped up a little bit and very minor cropping done. The palette that she didn't like represented the scene as it appeared in the very moist and unsettled conditions of the day. Additionally, the green of most desert plants does not have a lot of yellow. It doesn't bother me a lot that the judge didn't like my print. It does bother me that she jumped to some incorrect conclusions to support her dislike. (And yes...I'll post that image if there is a new Landscape Forum.)

I had a boss once who always told us that we should seek first to understand, then to be understood. He wasn't always good at following this principle, but at least he knew it. My hope would be that we might model that approach in a new forum. As I have said other places here, we are facing a decline in our hobby and profession. I'd like to see us be strong ambassadors for it...agents helping others grow their interest and commitment.

I am not campaigning to be moderator of the new group. Too many shortcomings for that. But I will commit to help whoever that might be and will energetically support the group as long as it proceeds in a constructive direction.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I must say, as the OP, that my attention has shifted from seeing a Landscape forum to seeing any forum moderated by Linda From Maine. While I have always enjoyed her style, this conversation has shown how incredibly well suited she is to this kind of endeavor!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

More wonderfully thoughtful, well written food for thought, Larry. A July topic by DavidPine has many stories similar to your contest experience:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-544398-1.html

Also, I've read articles by those who critique professionally who readily admit most of what is provided is opinion-based and biased to the critiquer's personal preferences.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I've judged a few photo contests. I've entered a few. I've juried a few. No matter how un-biased I try to be, I have to admit that my decisions are always in some way dependent on my personal preferences. One of the tests of maturity is being able to either see past those preferences or accept others' preferences as being equal in value to our own.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I've posted a separate main forum topic with some specific ideas. Please read and contribute!
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-565927-1.html

Many thanks to dsmeltz and all.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

And I think this thread has served its purpose and run its course. If you want to provide input, I suggest you all head on over to Linda's new topic!

Thanks to everyone who responded. And thanks to Linda for moving this forward. Ideas are nice, but execution is so much more.

GPS Phil Loc: Dayton Ohio

"Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?" Henry David Thoreau.

Phil

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I would also like to see a landscape as well as a B&W.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

To anybody still following this thread, the new landscape section is up and running (LINK).