Mentoring for Newer Photographers

I see what you mean - but I dare say if you ask a specific question then people will look at it and quite possibly take a wider view and work out what the actual issue is.

I think the psychology of a specific question will encourage people to look and then give suggestions.

Of course as always I could be totally wrong!

Mike

If you want an in-depth appraisal then just ask and we'll all chip in I'm sure. Well, not all, nearly 10,000 registered members would be unlikely all in one go!

And perhaps a bit daunting if they did

Not in this case, I think!

I think this forum is quite good for giving advice - "quite" because we do suffer a bit from "great pic" syndrome at times.

However, it works both ways. The "Your Photos" section does attract a lot of pictures where the photographer seems to want to show off his work rather than invite criticism. That's OK - "Your Photos" is much more accessible than the Gallery - but perhaps we need a "Critique" section where the sole reason for posting is to seek constructive feedback and ideas.

G

I have an ology in being wrong, well according to my OH I have.

Think I was thinking of real beginners who are new to a camera, my problems are usually to do with trying to expand my subjects or getting used to new equipment - don't mean my work is perfect more that a C & C will help as will people telling me if they just don't like it as long as they say why. But if you are really new then you often have no idea you are going wrong let alone how to ask for specific help - when I look back of shots I thought were really good last year I am embarrassed you have to learn to be self critical as well as how to correct the problems.

It needs approaching with some care as, as george mentions, some posters don't want a critique, they just want appreciation.

Others do want a critique and judging which is which can be tricky and lead to some offended members.

If you really want a critique for good or bad then do please say so.

Like George said a C&C section might do the trick, it will pull the group apart. Since it's quite clear what the section is about the "great pic" syndrome might not come up there.

I know for myself that I don't look very often in the your photo section anymore because more people are showing there photo it seems then that they need help with anything and I don't have an awful lot of time anymore
A C&C section would be visited by me daily, simply to see if I can help a hand somewhere.

I dont know whats bothering you, I've been snapping for years and look back with embarrassment at shots I took last week

As for the topic at hand, I think things work just fine as they are, specifically creating a dedicated section could create more problems if a minority of newbies see it as a god given right to ask and get 1-1 help.

This is getting to be very interesting. The notion of mentoring on a one to one basis is very attractive to a 'begginer', like me. Small bites at a time. Camera specific. One issue at a time, e.g Composition, Sharpness. Working with the kit that we have, not with the ideal or the kit we would like. Honest, practical, achievable. I am very interested, as a recipeint at this stage, in time I might then be able to mentor another ' beginner'.

The mentoring idea certainly sounds very interesting. I have been only taking photos for around three years and I know that there is a lot more for me to learn so I have only just started work on the computer and when you are sixty there are so many things that catch you out.

I'd certainly be willing to help.

There was also this thread, which was sort of along similar lines but from perhaps more of a technical point of view, and was once a sticky. Still applicable as far as I'm concerned.

Dan

I like the idea...but then I would. I'm still heavily on the "Need Help" side of the fence.
I think it might become a burden to those on the "Able to Help " side; and, to be honest, the C&C in "Your Photos" seems to work quite well, when C&C is asked for.

For me Your Photo is a place for CC...and gallery is a place for showing.
So I have seen lot of members describing the places.
But when I look at the forum main page then the description of YOUR PHOTO is :
Post pictures taken using Pentax related equipment to show its capabilities here

May be its really time to make corrections. And explane what is ment for what.

Your photo is the place for C&C for me to but like you said you can post any of your photos you like not merely for C&C purposes.