olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

She's probably absolutely correct.... maybe a reason for one last camping trip!!!!

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

I think your observation is spot on. I think it’s gotten a little long in the tooth as they say. I am not seeing a lot of fresh new ideas just more rehashing of old subjects. Replies are much more snarky and caustic.(I realize my response here falls into that category). I think the level of photography has declined. I can’t remember when the last time an image posted really “wow’d” me. I used to come here to find inspiration in the images. Now what I am seeing is somewhat mundane and snapshotish.
Too many complaints about things like B&H deliveries being 1 day late.
I recently posted a question about a software issue I was having and a got several guesses as to what the problem was. I posted the same issue on another forum. With in minutes I got several replies from actual experts and brand ambassadors who actually identifeid the problem and told me step by step how to fix it. (It ended up being my own stupid user error). Not that I didn’t appreciate the UHH replies for help. Just saying it appears the level of this forum has dropped.
What is interesting is the other forum I belong to is loaded with industry icons as moderators Names we all know who are willing to help. But their rules are if you are not nice you can’t participate. Sarcasm and condescending comments are not tolerated. Where are the moderators? I have seen some pretty nasty replies that go unnoticed.
I find myself “dropping” in there several times a day just to see what is new. Something I used to do here. I now only open up my digests here maybe once a week.
I suspect many of the top members that used to lend their expertise have gotten fed up and moved on.
I am not saying this to slam UHH. I hope UHH takes a look at it self which means the members as well as the forum and asks what can be done to get it back on track.
Just my 2 cents. I apologize if I offended anyone. I would just like to see this forum return to what it once once and not continue down the path of the Facebook for grumpy old photographers.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I think the site has grown more and more boring. I used to go here much more but now turn to other sites much more often as they offer more interesting discussions and a much higher quality of images. I agree with a lot of what has been said but I think some of the "moderators" on this site have contributed to its decline, not helped it. I think when moderators begin to believe they "own" the site or have more "rights" than others the site declines. When I started with this site some years ago at least the arguments were interesting, although many were actually "eyebrows-raising" in nature to be sure, there were times when I almost spit my morning coffee out! I think many photographers who have knowledge that could be shared have left this site as the photographers on it seem to be more social-media interested rather than photography-interested. I just shake my head at some of the questions, like "what type of bird feeder do you use" that got hundreds of answers!

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

When the lockdowns started, I put down the camera and picked up the guitar, so stopped logging into UHH for a few months. When I picked the camera back up and started logging in again, I found out I hadn’t missed anything. Same redundant posts generating 5 to 10 pages of garbage responses. Posts being hijacked after the first page or two. OPs asking questions that could easily be answered with a Google search or a look at their manual. I’ve stopped posting photos because the feedback is less than useful. Many to many sections that are poorly attended in this forum. So, I still log in once a day and do a quick review, but I’m not getting much out of it. At least , this is an interesting post.

SteveG Loc: Norh Carolina

I do the same but the site has definitely gone down hill

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

It’s still a nice community, except for a few not so nice people. Same as all communities.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The observation of the opening post suggests that it is "someone else's" responsibility to make the content more interesting. Why the passivity? Why not be proactive and create topics (whether asking, learning, teaching)? Everyone has equal opportunity to post new topics.

A note about moderators - these sections of UHH are managed solely by the site owner (user name ADMIN): main discussion, general chit-chat, links/resources, buy and sell, contests/ challenges, photo analysis, Nekked Ladies and The Attic.

If anyone has a complaint about a topic or a posting within, there is a "report issue" button below each entry.

There are about 30 volunteer-managed sections. You can find the list, along with manager names, in "all sections" at the bottom of this page. However, not all manager names listed are up to date. For example, Critique Forum has had little to no management* for several years.

*you can enter any user name to the link at top of page to review their posting history.

A last note about volunteer-managed sections: most have pinned topics on their "home" page which outline the section's purpose, along with guidelines/rules for behavior and posting. Each is run independently within the overall Ugly Hedgehog rules.

Don't be so passive, folks. Get out there and create topics!

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

First. Thank you to the volunteers. Second, I agree with the above.

Don’t be so critical. Contribute. Criticisms that are not constructive are the waste of time.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I occasionally receive UHH advertisements when on the web. It is clear that the atmosphere here is exactly what the administrators are seeking and promoting to potential new users. I am OK with that as long as folks are ultimately both teachable and willing to share knowledge that they may have.

It is my practice to post only to things that I have confident personal knowledge about. That doesn't mean that I'm always correct, but I will never just "blow smoke" or hypothesize about something unless I clearly state that's what I'm doing. But there is a huge amount of absolute misinformation shared here. And when folks discover that, they leave (and rightfully so).

I've just gone through a time here of being very frustrated with this misinformation, frequently very visibly so. Came close to leaving a couple of times. But as long as there are a few trying to learn and also willing to share new things with me, I'm willing to stay.

To me, the biggest problem is folks who obviously have no knowledge around a problem venturing information that is diametrically incorrect. Motivation to help is admirable, but providing bad information is not. Folks who come to the site seeking assistance aren't likely to have a very high tolerance for these problematic replies. That's why I never reply to Canon or Sony or Panasonic or Olympus inquiries, except on rare occasions in very general terms or perhaps to ask a clarifying question.

It has also been my experience to have asked a very specifically framed and worded question and received answers having nothing to do with that question.

In amateur radio, we have a guideline that says something like "be sure you are spending at least 10 times as much time listening as talking." That's a paraphrase, but you get the idea. It's aimed at those folks who just like knowing their voice is going out over the air, whether they have anything to say or not. Something like that could be very wisely applied here.

Finally, I've ranted before about lore and misinformation. I don't know how many times I've read here that "you don't hear artists talking about their brushes and paint all the time." That is a blatantly false statement made in blind ignorance. I know three artists very well. Really good artists. They are teachers as well. Not much gets them as excited as discovering better brushes, or paints or watercolors with more pigment and less "other stuff." So stop it! Two of them are also photographers. They are looking very hard for cameras that will do better for them that they can afford on their limited budgets. It is fun to look and consider with them.

So yes...this is social media. But that is no excuse for bad behavior. I would like to see us all gently hold one another accountable to do better.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Here's the problem as I see it.
There is too much negativity, resignation, and pessimism expressed by some members on this site, rather than positivity, constructive participation and optimism looking forward instead of pining for the past.

My advice to the OP and others is, rather than complaining about the content of the forum or just packing it in, do something about it. Satr a thread that stimulates different conversations, other than "waht camera or lens to buy, etc". What are YOU interested in conversing about? I'm certain you will find like-minded people with similar interests or folks interested in something different.

It's importat to realize that not everyone on this site is not an advanced amateur or professional photographer so many elementary, perhaps redundant questions and topics will arise. You have a choice to ignore them and move on or pitch in and become a mentor and help the newcomers.

This forum is not a "school" per se, - there is no curriculum or lesson plan, nor is it a paid consulting resource. The content, for the most part, is generated by the members. So...GENERATE something! Scan the topics for something that interests you or check out the volunteer initiated and moderated specialized sections or better yet, start one! Devise a plan and present it to the admin.

I am a professional photographer with over 55 years of experience and still working. I have seen many posts and questions that are definitely "rookie" stuff and many statements and answers that are simply wrong or very questionable. Believe it or not, some of the same things even emerge in professional circles and association activities so, we just have to do our best to inform folks and work around some of the distractions.

We have to either ignore or confront the "trolls", depending on your personality and they, in time, will go away, As for the folks that can't keep a civil tongue in their heads- it's probably too late to reform them- just ignore or report them.

In this difficult era of the pandemic, an insane political environment, and social and racial unrest, we all should be pleased that we have the internet and this and other forums to keep our interests in art and technology alive and help make the isolation and restrictions more tolerable.

Right now, I am contributing my work (pro-bono) to publicize contributing to food banks, pandemic related causes, charities and health care workers' issues. Perhaps a thread on waht we photographers can do to make fols aware of all these vital causes might be interesting.

As the lawyers say- "govern yourself accordingly". Stay well and safe.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

Thank you. Well said.

srt101fan

I see a downside to the proliferation of sections in UHH. Suppose you want to post a photo and hope for a meaningful discussion that might include critique, content, intent, background, technical issues, processing questions, etc, etc, etc.

Where do you post it? If you go to the Main section, Admin will move it to Gallery. Can Gallery be a place for serious discussion around a picture or is it thought of more as a place to get nice, friendly affirmation?

The problem with other sections, like For Your Considerations, is that you can't reach a large audience.

So, what to do?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I have seen excellent feedback given in Gallery. I think success is often based on how you word your opening comments; you need to be concise and clear with your request.

Haydon

Maybe a better question to ask is, "What can I do to improve UHH?" since you feel that it's sliding the wrong way.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Yes! Thank you

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