Dadyassa Loc: Spain

:thumbup: :thumbup:

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

No one has said anywhere at all in this thread that the we were looking for a way to "only show off photos of more skilled photographers". You have built a strawman.
What was suggested was a way to selectively show off the better photos so they don't get lost amongst the grandmas, babies, flowers and Aunt Mabels cat.
Yes people come here to improve their skills.
One of the ways of doing that, is looking at better photos, analysing why it is a better photo, why it "works", and figuring out how to do that yourself.

nat Loc: Martha's Vineyard, MA

:thumbup: :thumbup:

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Lighthouse, exactly.
Right now, there are about 10 different galleries. I for one, rarely see them. When I do, some of what I see is impressive photography. many in those gallery users compete outside of this forum. And when they do, they send their BEST work, that's what competing is. If you are shooting at a level of nine, you can't expect to get much help from somebody shooting at a level of two, and posting only shots of Grandkids, but like to comment and critique on everything they see. Nothing wrong with that type of participation, but the more advanced have nowhere to go. So they stay in the BIF gallery or macro, or underwater gallery, or...., where they can help each other.
When I was competing at the club "basic" level(the lowest beginner level), I was in awe of those at the Master level(the highest level). The mastery of the use of color, composition and vision, just blew me away. I slowly start to tweek my methodology because of it.
If all of those gallery prize winners could display those prize winning shots, complete with an explanation and Exif, along with the ability of all to ask questions, what a huge learning tool that could be. Even PP methods could be discussed, or lack there of. It would not be a place to say"great shot", we'd already know that. A person would not be there to get confirmation, an outside impartial judge already did that, but for others to be inspired and learn from their work
I'll agree, all it takes is, "light, color and composition". And if that's ALL it took, we'd all be Ansel Adams.
Currently, we see a title to a post, "our very own John Doe is a winner". If somebody else doesn't announce it, we'd never know. Give that person a place to proudly post their work, without feeling like they are selfishly blowing their own horn.
That gallery would not be for everybody, nothing ever will be. I dont think it would be the most used gallery, that will still be the general Photo Gallery, but I'll bet it would be the most viewed.
I don't look at other sites. But I think other sites accomplish this by being exclusionary or for professionals. That would leave most of us out.
Let's do this.
SS

D-Train Loc: Bend, Oregon

Well except for the "color" part, you're right. Ansel Adams was THE master of black & white photography. Maybe he also took color photos, but that's not what he's generally known for.
:wink: :thumbup:

Nightski

D-Train ... Every time I see your avatar, it just cracks me up. Sorry for going off topic, but I just had to say it. :D

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Hmmm, D-train, black and white aren't colors?
SS

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Yes, he needs a little black mask, so he could be a Cat burglar.
SS

nat Loc: Martha's Vineyard, MA

Looks like an imminent cat-astrophe!

D-Train Loc: Bend, Oregon

I was going to stay out of this discussion because I'm very new here but I guess you guys won't mind hearing the perspective of a new forum user, will ya? :D

I have noticed that there are definitely different demarcation points in the forum. Some areas the more experienced photographers visit, some areas are for the "Aunt Mabel" and her P&S to post pictures of her grandkids.
Case in point, the "starts with the letter "O"" thread. It seems that's mostly this type. People that want to post a response to every single post so they can get their post count up I suspect. That's very tedious and makes me want to stay away from this forum since it's not helpful. You would think these folks get money for having lots of useless posts or something. I've slogged through that thread and there are maybe 3 or 4 useful posts out of something like 10 pages of posts. Nobody sticks to the letter "O" rule, or they post something stupid like "photos taken in October" or "Old Man" or some other such nonsense. It seems they are more creative in figuring out a way to say the photo has an "O" in it than they were in taking the photo in the first place. And yes, I was also guilty of this faux pas myself with my post in that thread, but that's not what I hoped this forum was for.
I was hoping to learn from people more knowledgeable than myself and it seems I can certainly do that, I just need to spend the time to find out where those people reside and stay away from the P&Sers and their horrible photos. Those people can't help me.
I don't have a lot of picture taking experience but I have a lot of the theory under my belt. Heck I read "the joy of photography" 30 years ago, so I've always understood the relationship between depth of field, aperture, shutter speed, focal length, etc. I just need to practice. Right now I'm definitely a "snapshot" taker wanting to learn to take a great photo. It's that invisible line I'm hoping to cross.
I don't even know the rule of 3rds right now but I'll learn it. I guess if you don't have the eye, or the vision to see life through a camera lens I will never get past the "snapshot" stage, no matter how much I've spent on camera equipment. So any pointers on how to avoid the riff raff and how to find the truly helpful parts of this site would be appreciated.

Nightski

LOL .... :lol: :lol: :lol: Sorry D-Train. It is funny.

D-Train Loc: Bend, Oregon

Thanks Nightski, it cracks me up too. I'm a major cat lover! :thumbup:

Here's another favorite cat photo. He looks pissed! LOL!

D-Train Loc: Bend, Oregon

Well....I guess so, but you know what I mean. :thumbup:

D-Train Loc: Bend, Oregon

I think he is a "cat burgler" trying to break in and steal all the cat treats, but he got caught. He'll probably get thrown in the kitty now. :lol:

Nightski

D-Train, I think you've hit on a very important issue. The response to every poster in each thread is definitely annoying. But I do it. I say thank you to every person that comments on a photo I post. Why? I get people that pm me thinking I missed their comment if I don't. I certainly don't want to offend anyone. I appreciate every comment. I wish there was a way that we could get away from this. A site wide declaration that we will do a summation thank you. We will only respond individually to questions, or to clarify something. This keep posts on the front page twice as long if it became new forum edicatto thank only one time.