I grew up in Fairfield, NJ, back when there was nothing there but the Passaic River! Willowbrook Mall had just been built the year we moved from Fairfield. I doubt there were any camera stores in town at that time! I haven't seen or heard mention of Fairfield, until this post, for many years! That's all I have to contribute to this conversation!

would LOVE to have her recipe!

allow me to approach this from a very different point of view... I do a lot of counseling with individuals and families. One day a grandmother came to see me, concerned that her grand children (who were living with her at the time) didn’t respect her properly. As we talked, I eventually asked her which she desired more - to be loved, or to be respected? I explained that if she chose ‘loved’, respect would follow. But if she chose ‘respected’, love wasn’t a guarantee. Because she chose ‘love’, her grands adore and deeply respect her, today.

As I was starting in photography, I didn’t have much of a clue what I needed to learn. I couldn’t even read a lens! Composition, light, these were the things I focused on. I first needed to learn to “see”. By happy coincidence I made some ‘good photos’, and that spurred me on to want to learn the “how” and the “why” those pictures worked.

In short, I chose the equivalent of “love” over the value of “respect”, and in the end, I gained both.

HA! I'm not sure I want to know how it is you know this!

I've come to recognize that there are many in this forum for whom 'computer' is not their first language! I suspect some of our older members (and I'm 65!) may find posting a bit daunting! Here again I'm tempted towards "grace"!

BebuLamar, I also notice that tendency! As well as those who ask questions that seem to suggest little willingness to look in the manual, or do a simple Google search! Those types of posts can confuse and even bother me. However, it is seldom helpful to me to make an assumption about why they haven't done this or that.

Regardless, the one thing we can each control and determine is our response to their question. Surely there must be better alternatives to "look it up yourself, idiot!" (which, by the way, is not a direct quote from anyone!).

that's an interesting thought! I tend to suspect that people are 'more themselves' when anonymity is available to them. I also tend to believe that how we each behave in the small spaces of life is a microcosm of how we behave throughout all of life. (of course, this can change over time.)

And that's my experience as well. I know who to look for. The thing is, often, the information they present is really helpful and good! How much better would it be if they could choose to be gracious in their offering!

Well Longshadow, that's my concern as well! If this way of expressing themselves in normative for them (embedded in their character), then it stands to reason that they treat their friends, their families, probably most everyone but themselves, in this condescending, superior manner. And that's a sad reality, because while we may learn to expect it, no one welcomes it... no matter how informative they might be!

Ah Linda, you are far braver than I! There are some images I simply do not want in my mind! Thanks!

Bob, yes, you are right! I've learned, over the years, who will provide help; who will be encouraging; and who will need to be right! And I know that in every group (even within families) there will be 'that person' who just has to let some inappropriate word or response fly. They just can't help themselves, or so it would seem.

But it does get wearing to see it on desplay, post after post after post. Perhaps I'd just reached my threshold today!

Well, I considered posting examples, but I'm not anxious to call individuals out! That too seems petty. I can say that in today's forum I read through multiple posts where responders seemed to just need to set others straight, to correct their obvious lack of knowledge, etc.

Truthfully, I am only bothered because this kind of communicating strikes me as a deeper issue of character. In my 'day job', I work to help people consider their impact on others, to help form their character in supportive, helpful ways. So when I see what appears to be a failure of character (from my limited perspective), I regret the negative impact they are making on others.

But thanks for your perspective on this, Dennis!

For many years, I've been a part of the 'silent community' of UHH. I've posted a question or two; added a few pictures on occasion, but I read the forums every day. Like so many others, I've learned a great deal and viewed some amazing photos! But sometimes... sometimes I'm so surprised at the general meanness of so many!

Questions get asked that seem reasonable to me, only to be met with stinging words of rebuke. It seems many are simply offended that such a question was even asked! Unfortunately, it also seems like when someone responds to a question with a snarky comment, the person who posted the question just has to take the bait and respond in kind.

This is a topic that's been identified any number of times before. I seldom consider posting here because it doesn't always feel like a safe community in which to ask my legitimate, though basic question, lest someone be offended by my inexcusable lack of knowledge. I'm ok with you being smarter than me! But do we need to approach others as righteously-superior?

Perhaps we should create a new forum category for "the smartest voice in the room". At least that way you could all build your arguments for why your opinion/point of view/experience proves you to be "the smartest voice in the room". For the rest of us, we're hoping to learn a thing or two, without having to slog through what reads like 5th grade recess arguments.

OK, that's all. thanks so much!

Right, I see that. I was thinking of 'includes more surrounding area' as the 'larger' photo, while the magnified central portion as the 'smaller', cropped surrounding area. but all in all, I get your point! Thanks!

Ok, I get that. However, I find this makes lens selection for an APS-C camera more difficult! I have to take into consideration the impact the smaller sensor will have on the mm of the lens I'm wanting to use. The extra reach is nice on the long end, but the loss of width on the short end can be challenging!