Grumpiness

Thanks, Derek. Such a sensible and level response to so much that has been posted. Your sentiments are also mine. From my own experience the best advice to give to a newbe, (Martin) who has got the basics wrong is to advise them to join a camera club where comments on their efforts can be made and received face to face with a laugh or two, plus a demonstration of how better to take photographs. It is so very difficult to make points on paper where the explanation can easily be lost and mis understood. I post on my Gallery for others to enjoy, and comment if they feel so moved. Photography isn't all about getting it perfect, it is also about conveying who you are and how you view life and what makes you feel good.

I suppose this was directed at me. Maybe you misunderstood me when I responded to EricP.
In itself there is nothing wrong with posting pictures, that don't cut the mustard.
If....as an example a member,new to photography wants to learn and progress in his/her ability to take better pictures, by all means post them in the my photo's section and ask for C&C. Very often good advice is given, suggestions are made or with permission examples are posted to see what is done to a picture to improve it.

I take the trouble to help out (as a some members will confirm),if I can. Often by detailed explanation and examples of the picture itself. Very often I get a big thanks and witness the progress that member is making in the following weeks/months.
I will not give the advice to seek their luck elsewhere or join a camera club, because I think there is more than enough quality around here to help, advice or be constructive in their criticism.

I do take a stand to the overwhelming pampering that is going on, in certain posts which in itself only proves the lack of..........
(you can fill in the blanks ) Somebody called it: Sycophantic praise !

Now we are at page 6. A topic started by George as a result of noticing a tendency happening, on this forum. Every one can read it and draw his/her conclusions. But basicly George simply asked to take a moment, and ask our self if we are happy with the way things are turning lately.
And really......Is that to much to ask? Personally...I don't think so.

Martin.

Goodness me, I've ploughed my way to page six!

I read George's post with admiration and enjoyment. He put into considered words my own thoughts about this forum in recent weeks and it hasn't surprised me at all that Cloudhunter would once again be somehow inflamed by the accurate use of language. For the life of me, I cannot imagine why unless he just doesn't really understand what is being said.

If I found a forum that didn't suit me I would move on or, indeed, start up my own one.

Paul, I think you should read this thread again.

It didn't start as a "George Rant" and hasn't descended into a war. It's been an intelligent and rational discussion, apart from one exception perhaps.

My goodness, that will seem a confusing comment, as someone just posted a message and then immediately deleted it.

Ah well, that's OK then.

Martin...In no way was my comment a critism. I stated that in my experience... and my experience of joining a camera club has been a very positive one. Maybe that is not your experience and that's Ok. I know from personal experience how easily a comment or intended critism of a picture can be misconstrude. We are all different and both processes can work. Without question, a face to face session with an experienced photographer must give benefits over a remote session, but lets not make more of my comment than I meant, please. There is more than enough contention through this thread without us falling out over my opinion.

Thoramay,.....relax I didn't take it as criticism. I had the feeling some extra explanation was needed, nothing more. We don't have a fall-out over either one of our opinions. There is no need for.

Martin.

I think you silenced him Peter.....no signs of the hordes of the 'let's beat up George brigade' he refers to...

I hope that peace has returned to the forum, it's not a place to bring negativity.

Hang on......

Oxymoron alert

The silence.............indeed is overwhelming

[/quote]I think you silenced him Peter.....no signs of the hordes of the 'let's beat up George brigade' he refers to...[/quote]By making this remark you are just trying to provoke another outburst,IMOand so are you,IMO

G:

I often agree with you, however re this:

"but I do take exception to the slovenly and discourteous manner in which some people express themselves"

IMO you are making some great assumptions here..heard of dyslexia?

cheers Steve.M.

Yes, he did. he referred to it in the same post as you are quoting from.

Martin.

Martin..thanks, the post was sooo long I became a little bored after a long day at work....cheers Steve.

Dear all, I am quite new to this group but it would be a shame if I felt that I couldn't pass an opinion or make an observation. In many ways all things move on & we don't live in a perfect world. I agree with the need to keep some standards but to make too much of issues such a grammer does seem to miss the spirit of the hobby. Are we writers or photographers? Am I wrong or are most of the people here over 40 & male? Maybe that's the nature of our hobby. But things are changing. There are far more women taking to the hobby these days & some as a profession. In our house my husband is the one who takes the holiday snaps whilst I strive to improve my understanding of the art of photography. But! I would like to say that if we aren't too careful in what we wish for we might just get it. I used to be a licenced radio ham but that hobby is now very much the place for old men which may well be the death of the hobby. Language does change with time, my son & daughter use text speak. I don't like it but how else does language evolve. If it didn't then we would still speak in olde english wouldn't we? By the way I am also dyslexic & I'm certainly not a "chap", would it be correct to refer to all on the forum as "girls". I always try to think before I type & I can tell you it took me ages to check this. Minds work best when they are open. Maybe there is room for all?
Caz

There is definitely room for all, and photography is not a male dominated area at all.

For example, our Photo Society has huge numbers of female members, as does its committee, and the mix is not yet 50/50 but it's certainly heading that way!

As for age, we never know people's age on a forum, only what they tell us!