rcarol

Well said.

Bipod

If you all know enough about post-processing to evaluate Serge Ramalli
expertise, how come you need his instruction?

Does he work for Adobe (or any other processing software vendor)?
Has it go access to the Photoshop source code? Is a computer scientist?

So basically, he read the manual. Why can't you read the manual?

Oh...I forgot...he's on YOUTUBE! That's the only qualification that matters.

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

If your irrational diatribe is directed at me, first off, I never said I was an expert.

If you read, comprehended, and understood what I wrote, you would clearly see that I said was "When I first started using Lightroom, I Googled "Lightroom tutorials" and his tutorials were one of the first to show up in the Google search, so I watched one. I found it quite useful and informative, and I found many other videos covering different topics helpful as well".

Secondly, what manual are you talking about? Your words.... "So basically, he read the manual. Why can't you read the manual?". When I bought LR4, I did not get any manual on how to use Lightroom with the software CD. So I did what most people do, I Googled LR tutorials, and his came up along with others. Again, if you read my words and understood what I wrote, you will clearly see that I also said I watched 4 other photographers tutorials as well. The rest of your response is pretty illiterate and poorly written, pretty much on the verge of making no sense at all.

Go back and read what I also said in the third paragraph about everyone having their own style, and that includes shooting, post processing and teaching. One persons style may not appeal to everyone, but if someone can learn something, and then use what they learned and apply it as it appeals to them, whats wrong with that?

Sure there are people on the internet and on YouTube that post misleading, wrong, false information, but I found his tutorials and those from others to be helpful and informative. If it helps me or someone else by watching, that's all that matters. If you don't like him or prefer to get your info from another source, that is your prerogative and you are free to do so. This is just another dimwitted rant that is similar to the rest of the BS posts that you put on here.

MDI Mainer

These tit-for-tat exchanges are becoming tiresome. The best rule is: If you don't have something new, substantive and/or constructive to add to the discussion, just keep quiet.

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

And your exchange adds nothing either, so take your own advice. Either that or don't read them if you don't like them.

Bipod

Wow--what a smack-down!!! GIve aellman the Winged Eaglc Championshsip Belt!

Obviously, this poster thinks qualfiiecations are unimportant. And that's all is well
and good in phtogoraphy and in America. Fine that's his opinion.

Obivously, he's a scientist--and maybe an M.D. too (although he has never
posted a word about science or medicine).

So perhaps he can tell me: which Youtube star gives the best medical advice?

And obiously, he valaues style over content--nothing can be turue or important unless
tt short and snappy:. a sound-bite.

America, put your faith in sound-bites--they never fail! Oh wait, you already have

dvdnj

ha ha! The OP left the room, days ago. He/she doesn't give a hoot what any of you are saying. LOL! Let's all move on to a new topic to follow.

Bipod

What nobody seems to comprehend is that manuals are written with input from the engineers
who designed the product (hardware, firmware or software) and the QA people who tested it.
Usually nobody outside the company has this level of access to product internals.

It's not just a matter of finding a Youtube "expert" who's style appeals to you. It's a mater of
finding someone whose knowledge of the product goes deeper than user level---someone who
knows how it works! Even if the guy on Youtube read the manual, his interpretation of it
may totally miss the mark (like the hospital volunteer "candy striper' who thought "cc"
stood for "cups of coffee").

There's a limit to what someone can learn about a complex system by playing around with the
controls and seeing what happens. The people outsiders who know the most about a product
aren't it's users--they it's outside mechanica or repairman. Style can be important in communicating
information--but not as important as having correct information. The blind leading the blind
just won't do.

Sure, it's important to have a doctor you like. But it's even more important to have a doctor who is
a medical doctor or surgeon (M.D., D.O.).. Even better if he's board certified.

I'm sure you'd be unhappy if the pilot-in-command on your airline flight didn't have a pilots
license--he leanred by watching Youtube videos.

See, a pilot isn't just someone who knows how to operate an airplane: it's someone who also
knows what pilots need to know about aeronautics, navigation, weight & balance, avionics,
radio use, landing procedures, meteorlogy, air traffic control procedures,and FAA regulations.

Sure, you don't need a map to enter a destination into a GPS. But do really want a pilot
who can' read a map?

At any moment, that GPS (or any other nav aid) can stop working. And the pilot still has
to fly the airplane to its destination safely.

Technology is great--but all technologies have limitations and none of it is 100% reliable
(least of all software!). So [/i]technology is never a substitute for knowlege and training
by qualified instructors[/i].

A know a lot of people are threated by the idea that a workman still needs to understand his
tools, and that training and qualifiations are still important.

It's those damn elitest intellecutals and socialists, trying to take away our right to fly airliners!

Bipod

I'm so happy my little dog, Tom, is followng me around again!

But I don't unerstand why when he barks, he brays like a donkey.
Should I take him to the vet?

Speak, Tom, speak. Good boy!

Bipod

null

Bipod

Do you just like to insult people? WAIT, are you really Triump the Insult Comic Dog?

Alas, no. Not funny or clever at all--just insulting. Great waste you time,--it's your life to waste.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

You should ask “yourself” that question. What do you think you are doing in your posts in this thread?

But as a typical narcissistic personality, the thought that you are insulting not only the person in question, but everyone else as well who likes his videos, would never cross your mind.

Wake up lady, why do you think you are alone and lonely? A more appropriate username for you would be

‘The Bitter One”

Haydon

I really don't understand the animosity toward Serge Ramelli. I've periodically followed him over the last 5 years and always felt he was more than willing to offer help to those who are starting out in Lightroom. He's had a few #1's on 500 Pixs and has made several guest appearance on Kelby 1 with Scott Kelby. Does anyone think Scott Kelby would bring on a guest he didn't respect and jeopardize his empire? I may not follow Serge anymore but he gave me some good pointers when I first started out.

Every photographer has to make a living to follow their dreams whether it's doing workshops, selling images or presets. To those who don't like Serge, I'd highly recommend showcasing your own images and remove all doubt with your own qualifications. Otherwise it appears as a jealous act with a senseless purpose.

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

To the OP:

You are asking about a certain course of study in photography by a particular instructor and I assume you want a review of that course or the teacher and possibly some alternatives or other suggestions. You state that you prefer using your camera in manual mode and you would like to improve your technique. This is a perfectly legitimate question and deserves a comprehensive answer.

Many folks here have mentioned that PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT and that is certainly true. Theory, however, is important as well in that you can learn certain concepts and understand WHAT TO PRACTICE- you can set goals and monitor your progress. Yes, practice makes perfect but you need to know WHAT to perfect.

Unfortunately, questions like yours, on this and other online photography forums oftentimes lead to a few " troll wars", unkind commentary about certain instructors ethnicity or language skills and a long list of courses, "GURUS", web site links and suggestions- all well-meaning- I hope, but one important element has been sorely left out- YOU! So...I have some vital question for you:

Firstly- What kind of photography are you mainly interested in? It is difficult to recommend a course of study or a practice methodology if I don't know what you are up to. You want to improve your skill in manual camera operation and that is great. So...again what level are you at right now? What do you feel is lacking in your knowledge base or actual skills? What do you feel are your attributes and shortcomings (photographically speaking)? What are your goals- short and long term? Are your main concerns in the technical aspects such as exposure, tonal range, action-stopping ability, focus issues such as depth of field, lens choices as to focal length, etc.? Are you more interested in aesthetics such as composition, lighting applications, color harmony, contrast issues, or perhaps the psychological and perceptional aspects and issues? Perhaps all of these things?

Are you into portraits, landscapes, still life, macro imaging, street photography, photojournalism, nature, wildlife, figure studies, what inspires you most?

This may sound like an oversimplification but mastering photography is like learning to drive a car. First, you learn the rules of the road and the basic controls of an automobile. Even if you pass the written exam with a mark of 100% you just can't get int a car and drive down the highway- you are gonna crash. So you get with an instructor and practice- you get the feel of the car and the road, you learn to drive ahead, steer correctly, how to smoothly accelerate t a and brake. You may lean MANUAL gear shifting and clutch control. Then, all ther rules that you have learned begin to gel in your mind and make sense. You master the physicality of controlling the car and certain skills become second-nature. If you want to drive an 18 wheeler transport truck, you will need an advanced training

Sometimes when folks offer advice on courses, books to study, the work of accomplished photographers to investigate, they immediately get right into very advanced, complex and sophisticated levels. Analogy again- it's like reading up on high-speed motorsports and, police interceptor driving strategies before you learn to back int a parking space. Or they will go highly scientific and get into heavy-duty computer technology, the science of lens manufacturing, advanced electronics or how photography affects the ecology or the geopolitical aspects of importation of photography equipment- too much. Or...they pine for the good old days and tell you to go back to the darkroom. Last analogy - I promise! They tell you to buy a vintage Rolls-Royce because it has an instrument panel has real gauges instead of "idiot lights" so you can monitor the fuel mixture, the actual engine temperature, oil pressure, and RPMs. You'll be so busy look at the dashboard that you will surely crash! Some automatic camera features are very helpful if they are not used as a "crutch" and if you understand manual operation you will know exactly how to employ the automation and how to override them when necessary.

If you tell me what you are up to- I can make some educational and practical practice/shooting suggestions.

When I was taking courses in professional photographic techniques, my best instructor in photographic composition spoke in a very pronounced German accent and would occasionally lapse into his native language in the midst of a lecture. He ran through certain lesson at 1000MPH! His work and teachings were excellent and very inspiring so it was worth the effort to understand what he was saying. Thank goodness photography is a VISUAL art.

Bipod

Huh? What "animostty"? Is everyone who criticizes something automatically "guilty"
of animus? That reminds me of a certain politician...."haters! haters!".

If someone claims to be an expert on Lightroom (or any software), it is reasonable to ask
how that person acquired his expertise. Did he work for Adobe? Does have access to the
source code? Is he a expert on image processing algorithms? Perhaps a computer scientist?

The burden of proof is on the guy who makes money by claiming expertise--not on the person
who asks what are his qualifications. Someone who says "Do you care if your doctor is qualified?"
doesn't have to be an M.D. He just has to have common sense. It's a reasonable question.

The fact is that it is difficult to evaluate software by just playhing around with it. Most of what
happens in sofrware is hidden from the user. And degredation of images is hard to detect without
rigrous testing.

Perhaps you would like to offer a cogent argument instead of the ad hominen irrelevancy?
Nothing personal. But the idea of intelligent discourse is to produce light, not smoke.