Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
What can we tell them?
Page <prev 2 of 2
Aug 11, 2019 14:45:27   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
via the lens wrote:
If that were actually required then no one could ever give any answer at all!
I often ask questions to clarify the facts and issues. Unfortunately, a couple dozen guesses have already been suggested, often in conflict each other because the different members have made different {unspoken} assumptions.

Reply
Aug 11, 2019 14:59:55   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
rehess wrote:
I often ask questions to clarify the facts and issues. Unfortunately, a couple dozen guesses have already been suggested, often in conflict each other because the different members have made different {unspoken} assumptions.


And the OP may take days to respond...

Reply
Aug 11, 2019 15:32:39   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
Longshadow wrote:

And the OP may take days to respond...

so we have the choice of being patient or answering in ignorance.

If it is important to the OP s/he will answer soon.

Reply
 
 
Aug 11, 2019 15:37:19   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
rehess wrote:
so we have the choice of being patient or answering in ignorance.

If it is important to the OP s/he will answer soon.


Reply
Aug 11, 2019 16:17:22   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
gvarner wrote:
Some OP's clearly lack a basic understanding ...


That is so true. When we don't know what don't know it is hard to formulate a coherent question. A conversation with the OP would be ideal, but unlikely to happen around here. By the time somebody asks for more information and the OP responds two dozen people may have chimed in with answers with varying degrees of accuracy.

Something that might be helpful that I have seen elsewhere is having the expert(s) point out the correct answer and locking it in place directly under the original post. In some cases the replies are then cut off.

---

Reply
Aug 11, 2019 16:54:50   #
via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP
 
Bill_de wrote:
That is so true. When we don't know what don't know it is hard to formulate a coherent question. A conversation with the OP would be ideal, but unlikely to happen around here. By the time somebody asks for more information and the OP responds two dozen people may have chimed in with answers with varying degrees of accuracy.

Something that might be helpful that I have seen elsewhere is having the expert(s) point out the correct answer and locking it in place directly under the original post. In some cases the replies are then cut off.

---
That is so true. When we don't know what don't kno... (show quote)


We have an "expert" section that does just that sort of thing; I think one section that is "elite" is enough. Yes, people do give incorrect, but well-meaning, answers but generally someone will chime in with the correct information. It is up to us, the reader, to discern what a correct answer may be. I would never rely on this forum, expert section or not, for all of my information or even for the majority of it. I would research, read, study and check with others, too. I often hope that other posters do the same. Everyone wants to "weigh in" as an expert, it appears to be a "human condition."

Reply
Aug 11, 2019 17:02:28   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
via the lens wrote:
We have an "expert" section that does just that sort of thing; I think one section that is "elite" is enough. Yes, people do give incorrect, but well-meaning, answers but generally someone will chime in with the correct information. It is up to us, the reader, to discern what a correct answer may be. I would never rely on this forum, expert section or not, for all of my information or even for the majority of it. I would research, read, study and check with others, too. I often hope that other posters do the same. Everyone wants to "weigh in" as an expert, it appears to be a "human condition."
We have an "expert" section that does ju... (show quote)


The issue is that a new member wouldn't know about 'ask the expert'. A person asking the most basic question would be hard pressed to discern which is the right answer. This thread was started discussing those folks who don't even know what information to give when asking a question.

As a member for six years I'm sure you have little problem navigating the forum.


---

Reply
 
 
Aug 11, 2019 17:06:25   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
Here's the thing (or at least one thing)...part of not knowing includes not knowing what question to ask, or how to best ask the question. Many times the problem is that the inquirer must understand a completely different principle or question before there is any hope of really grasping or understanding the answer to the question being posed. That's why online learning is really not a good substitute for face to face learning of new or complex or difficult subjects. It's also why I have really pulled back from my activity here and am reinvesting my time and energy to working in person with young people and young adults to help them along their photography journey.

As much as I sympathize with the OP, I also think that many here may contribute to the problem by not really paying attention to what is asked. Time after time, I see responses to questions that don't respond to the question at all, but rather take an opportunity to argue a favorite position or fill a reply with something unrelated or loosely related.

A really valuable tool that I've learned about at the school where I've been substituting a lot is the technique of asking "clarifying questions." This isn't anything new, but this is the first time I've been in an environment where these questions are truly valued. Maybe we could adopt that here and decide that it is less important for others to see us give an impressive answer to a question and more important to focus on the inquirer and address the real need. And if they don't care enough to answer our questions, they don't get an answer to theirs.

Before everyone jumps all over me here, let me reassure everyone that I believe the question being addressed here is valuable and important. My intention is to try to apply my suggestions to myself before having any expectations of what anyone else might do. We need more folks in our hobby. We to nurture those who want to be part of us.

Reply
Aug 11, 2019 17:06:32   #
via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP
 
Bill_de wrote:
The issue is that a new member wouldn't know about 'ask the expert'. A person asking the most basic question would be hard pressed to discern which is the right answer. This thread was started discussing those folks who don't even know what information to give when asking a question.

As a member for six years I'm sure you have little problem navigating the forum.


---


Makes a case for a Photography 101 section I guess, "staffed" by "experts."

Reply
Aug 11, 2019 19:04:04   #
luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC
 
Does anyone visit or participate with the forum Cambridge in Colour? They have a very nicely set up and informative tutorial section. If something similar could be set up here it would greatly help beginners (and those that just want some basic information) get started and may lessen the amount of repetitive questions that bother so many on UHH. If the newcomer/beginner doesn't find the answer could a link be set up to alert our experts to the needs of person; handling them via PM or possibly through a thread that would benefit others?

Another interesting forum is DPreview. They have sections related to specific camera brands and the camera levels (i.e. Nikon FX, Nikon DX, Canon Rebel, Leica etc). Would having sections that are more specific be more of a benefit?

Both of these forums are heavily moderated to control spam and trolls. It would be nice to see this forum become a positive destination for learning photography.

Reply
Aug 11, 2019 19:44:25   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
Basically two approaches:
1. blunt and direct - correct them or ask questions designed to get the correct terminology. Such as "You said...xyz. Did you mean ...abc?"
2. polite way, just use the correct terminology without mention of their wording and let it get absorbed by them - may take a few tries.

Both methods assume* that you can figure out what they were talking about.

*We all know the drawback here. What you think they said may not be anything even close to what they were trying to say. Then we have a mutual misunderstanding society.

Reply
 
 
Aug 11, 2019 19:54:00   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
robertjerl wrote:
Basically two approaches:
1. blunt and direct - correct them or ask questions designed to get the correct terminology. Such as "You said...xyz. Did you mean ...abc?"
2. polite way, just use the correct terminology without mention of their wording and let it get absorbed by them - may take a few tries.

Both methods assume* that you can figure out what they were talking about.

*We all know the drawback here. What you think they said may not be anything even close to what they were trying to say. Then we have a mutual misunderstanding society.
Basically two approaches: br 1. blunt and direct -... (show quote)

Especially when title and text are inconsistent.

Reply
Aug 13, 2019 07:14:23   #
Photocraig
 
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Oh...and what's really a bummer is when the OP asks a rhetorical questions, gets 50 response, ignites a riot, and never even comes back to report on his or her progress and what's worse, never says "thank you"! The should be a algorithm that automatically banishes them form afterforum after repeated "violations"! They woud simply receive a notice that reads "Go away you unappreciative ingrate" every time the logon thereafter.
Oh...and what's really a bummer is when the OP ask... (show quote)


E.L., that's why I love that little wheel on my mouse so much! Rhetorical question? Scroll by. It's people. It's how they do things. The need for clear concise written communications has receded into antiquity--no offense fellow antiques.............

Reply
Aug 13, 2019 07:51:10   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
Photocraig wrote:
E.L., that's why I love that little wheel on my mouse so much! Rhetorical question? Scroll by. It's people. It's how they do things. The need for clear concise written communications has receded into antiquity--no offense fellow antiques.............
yes, we can mostly avoid all kinds of people once we identify them - even bullies.

Reply
Page <prev 2 of 2
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.