I’ve never had this happen before so I’d appreciate any positive advice. I consummated the sale,of a camera with a fellow UHH member and mailed it Thursday of last week via USPS Priority mail. Was supposed to deliver Monday of this week although the PO doesn’t guarantee that. I keep getting messages it is running late but in transit. Its been somewhere between Memphis and Arkansas since Monday of this week. I went to the post office yesterday and was told it’s in transit and not last. Clerk said if it’s not delivered in a couple days come back and ask again. What? When is it considered lost? Yes, it’s insured and PayPal is holding the funds. This is frustrating at best.

Thanks in advance…

Gene

rcfees two thoughts here...
Become intimately familiar with your subject... Word!

Ignore any advice you receive on UHH from those who don't corroborate their inferences with imagery.
UHH is overrun by trolls that seem to have a compelling need to jump in and spew their undocumented thoughts on subjects they have virtually no first hand mastery or knowledge of...

Best advice? Patience Grasshopper...
"your first 10,000 images are always your worst." Henri Cartier-Bresson

So, I'm not concerned about myself, (I've been here long enough now to understand how it works), but I do worry a little for the new members to UHH. These members "new" to this (great in my opinion) site, quite often have very little experience with photography. Maybe they are embarking on hopefully a lifelong career path, or perhaps they are somewhat like me, an enthusiastic amature who derives a great deal of pleasure from this wonderful hobby. It doesn't really matter at this point which of these people I'm referring to. The point is this. Let's just imagine a new member for example, with very little photographic experience. They've gone out and after some research, bought the best equipment they can afford and justify. They've gone out and taken pictures of pretty much everything they can think of, and among those hundreds of shots, there are a few that they are kind of proud of and happy with. So they join UHH and look for someplace to show their work. They look through the list of options and decide against "critique", and "Photo Analysis", they don't have enough confidence for that yet, but they see the gallery, and for them it's the perfect place just to put their pictures for everyone to see, and it makes them feel good about themselves seeing their shots up there among other much better and experienced photographers. So here's where I see the potential problem. If they put their pictures there, just to simply be looked at, (like in a "gallery"), and then start getting criticized right off the bat, with total "experienced" strangers telling them what's wrong with their pride and joy, don't you think that could have a really negative impact on them moving forward? Surely encouragement would make them want to make a better picture next time, and post something new. If they think that they made a pretty good picture, but people start telling them what's wrong with it, they could get disheartened very quickly and maybe even give up before they even really begin. Critiques definitely have their place, and are incredibly useful, (I know it's helped me), but only if specifically asked for, or if you're posting in a "critique" forum. Maybe I'm wrong, perhaps you'll disagree, but I do get concerned for some of our new members. I

There was a recent post that garnered a number of responses. The post was in regard to posting critical comments in the Photo Gallery section of this site. You can find that article here: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-726989-1.html

First off, there is an art to offering critiques. One can simply do a website search for ' how to critique art '. There are many articles explaining this skill. I'm reminded of a story a friend of mine told me regarding critiques. It's a great lesson.

A friend of mine's father worked for Ansel Adams. As such, both my friend and his father attended a number of Ansel Adams receptions. On one such occasion, my friend was there and accompanied Ansel Adams as he walked down the hallway to the reception room. He was, of course, in a group of people who worked for the museum and were in charge of organizing the exhibit and reception.

As they walked down the hallway, this gentleman, carrying a portfolio, approached AA and, after greeting him, asked him if he'd mind looking at some photographs. Ansel stopped, looked around, and saw an empty bench nearby. He took the portfolio from the gentleman and indicated that they should sit on that bench together. Of course, this was to the dismay of the accompanying group. They both walked to the bench and sat down.

At this point, AA opened the portfolio and looked at each of the photographs in a rather studious manner. He then asked the gentleman if he just wanted him to appreciate them or critique them. The gentleman indicated that he's like him to tell him what was wrong with them. AA looked at the gentleman and stated, "Why don't we see what's right with them and where they could be improved."

While the assembled museum personnel kept tapping their watches indicating they needed to hurry, AA took time discussing the merits of each photograph and then where minor things could be done to improve each of them. He also included why each of those minor things would improve the photograph.

That's the kind of critique that gives one incentive to improve. It's a far better approach than expressing something along the lines of 'you wasted good photons and materials to produce that?' or 'I would have done it this way or that way.'

Anyway, it was quite interesting to see how an artist of some stature provided a critique.
--Bob