Thoughts on the Photography Forum & It's Direction

[Tywais]

Reading the recent comments in the Traditional Street Photography topic I though some think tank discussion would be helpful. I have planned to start one topic a week on the technical aspects of Photography such as DOF/BOKEH, meanings and effects of lens & camera settings, etc. Also to come up with more ideas to bring in new members as there really are only a handful of consistent contributors and they are a great bunch.

We used to have contests & games such as the ABC game and maybe I (we) can come up with some new ones. May need to write up a guideline such as how long to let it run, voting, etc. And just maybe I can see if George could announce the contests in a news letter to bring in new faces. Time is a bit of a problem for me but hopefully others can jump in with ideas.

Here is a good post by FracturedRabbit:

I don't think this forum is for professionals at all. Professionals are too busy trying to make a living out of photography, and there is no money to be made hanging around here. I think most of us are enthusiastic amateurs who enjoy the hobby; and as part of that we are all trying to improve (at least that's the way I see it).

Whereas there should be, and are, threads where people can load snaps on a wide variety of subjects, I also see nothing wrong with discussions and images related to various types of photography, in this case street photography. I don't see this as being overly "serious", or "professional"; we are just trying to learn and ultimately take better photos; and we can't do that unless we have some discussions and share some links and images on the subject.

If we are wanting to achieve your stated aim of helping "members improve their images", then let's have more threads like this and not less. Then maybe some more people will join in, put more work and thought into their images; and become better photographers. We don't have to be very serious, but neither do we need to be flippant and trivial; there is much joy to be had in finally achieving a great image (so I am told, I have yet to manage it).

[MJP]

No one's ignoring you T, we're still thinkin'.

[Fiddlesticks]

I find it unfortunate that there is not a photo club in my area. Fortunately we have this forum and through it we have become a group that seems to know each other somewhat and come to appreciate each other's contributions. That said, I would like to toss out an idea to consider for 2014.

I think it would be very beneficial to get together a few times each year (once, twice, whatever) at a host location and, as a group, spend a day or two shooting some of the local color (or B&W). Then in the evening, we could have time to share some of our work, have some training sessions (such as LR, PS, work flow, image organization, composition, whatever). Of course there would be ample time for food and beverages at local haunts.

I think something like this will help all of us and keep us on good terms with each other and hopefully prevent us from falling away as has been the case this past year.

All opinions are welcome!

Thanks,

Stix

[fabianfred]

I love the way this forum has really come to life this last year with all the threads for each different subject...IMHO.

[Robby nz]

This forum shows the diversity of how different people see photography.

Some see it as an art form while others just as a way of recording their own interests and everything in between.

The forum gives an opportunity to share with others what we see and how we see it.

Personally it has got me looking around for things that I think may be of interest to others.

You might say, making it less self centered.

Great forum.

Robby.

[sunshine51]

I find it unfortunate that there is not a photo club in my area. Fortunately we have this forum and through it we have become a group that seems to know each other somewhat and come to appreciate each other's contributions. That said, I would like to toss out an idea to consider for 2014.

I think it would be very beneficial to get together a few times each year (once, twice, whatever) at a host location and, as a group, spend a day or two shooting some of the local color (or B&W). Then in the evening, we could have time to share some of our work, have some training sessions (such as LR, PS, work flow, image organization, composition, whatever). Of course there would be ample time for food and beverages at local haunts.

I think something like this will help all of us and keep us on good terms with each other and hopefully prevent us from falling away as has been the case this past year.

All opinions are welcome!

Thanks,

Stix

I just ran outta likes. Plus I also reckon this is a good idea.

Fabian fred included that he likes the way this forum has come

to life in the past year and Robbynz stated "Personally it has got

me looking around for things that I think may be of interest to others."

A statement that I consider eye opening because, as a working (hah!)

photojournalista, I have tended to neglect seeing many interesting

"things" in LOS...saving what I see in neighbouring countries mainly

because I'm getting paid to lug cameras around these places and get

results concerning whatever the assignment is. I mean...people save

their earnings for years to holiday here and they take pix of almost

everything & anything while here on that holiday...I live here and

before 2012 rarely took any shots save for happy-snaps with friends

unless I was on an assignment. There's so much to "see" here...and

I'm now playing catch up for all the years I have neglected Thailand in

photographic terms. I'd be interested in a contest of sorts in any genre

where the winner would receive a gift voucher to be used at a good

camera store for gear of their choosing and am willing to kick in 5K

to 10K baht to start the "pot" off. How this would be implemented

is another matter...maybe Tywais has some ideas on how this can be

accomplished?!

[villagefarang]

I find it unfortunate that there is not a photo club in my area. Fortunately we have this forum and through it we have become a group that seems to know each other somewhat and come to appreciate each other's contributions. That said, I would like to toss out an idea to consider for 2014.

I think it would be very beneficial to get together a few times each year (once, twice, whatever) at a host location and, as a group, spend a day or two shooting some of the local color (or B&W). Then in the evening, we could have time to share some of our work, have some training sessions (such as LR, PS, work flow, image organization, composition, whatever). Of course there would be ample time for food and beverages at local haunts.

I think something like this will help all of us and keep us on good terms with each other and hopefully prevent us from falling away as has been the case this past year.

All opinions are welcome!

Thanks,

Stix

You may be able to make some contacts through ArtBridge in Chiang Rai. One friend was trying to organize some training seminars, with little success, but usually individuals with sufficient expertise want payment.

[Goompa]

Hello to all ,

My opinion is just as follows and this response may / will be edited .

Many of the followers on the photography threads are not living in Thailand , not achievable to many to co-join and correlate .

I may be flying a little bit blind here but I do believe that the major percentage of " We" , who are not professional photographers do want to achieve a better "Shot" .

Be it from constraints in time or from working in our own relevant environment to gain enough resource to get back to where we want to be , I am sure that we all want to learn and achieve more .

Not everyone has a Lumix .

Being it that sets you guys , Professional , apart from us , Hackers , is to say the least " Scary as Hell "

I for one have been left gobsmacked as per the quality and composition viewed on the various threads in the photography section of TVF.

I feel as though there are , and always will be segregation regarding this skill and knowledge ,

Admiration will ensue , will always .... but do the hackers / cowboys get some sort of praise ?

[harrry]

I like the way it has been the last year or so. People not scared to post their shots whether fantasticly good or technically terrible. It has give me a chance to see a huge range of photos of this county, places I may have gone to many years ago but am no longer able to and people going on their lives in ways that in some ways are the same as 40 years ago and in others diferent.

To me photos are a lot more than the technical spects, in fact as long as the person shows what he wants to he has done his job.

At one stage only those who thought of photography as an artform seemed welcome here. I much prefer it now.

Competitions etc are great as long as it does not lead to ordinary snaps being derided.

Edited January 8, 2014 by harrry

[Goompa]

I agree with your sentiments harry , I for one admire both those with professional prowess and those with the heart to show .

I don't want to waste anyone's time to bluntly download a showcase of happy snaps , but I do so however want to portray a feeling from a photo I have taken.

This in my opinion is mainstay to the overall continuation of the thread in which it is placed .

Sure , quality photos are what keeps us looking , otherwise it would end up a non-valued facebook enterprise I certainly do not wish to view !

Never one for competition , don't have the resource .

I am only new to TVF , so I cannot be critical so much .

[MJP]

This is truly the only forum I've ever joined that I genuinely enjoy. I don't like other photo forums, I don't actually like any other forum at all, except this one. This is the only forum I like, being that I don't like any other forums.

So long as we can have threads which are not Thai related, we're golden!

The thread 'Wide World' is a good example, because when we have to go to other places (I'm heading to London and Kuwait soon) we can still contribute examples of world class photography for the viewing pleasure of others. I shall mostly be concentrating on sand and camels soon. So expect incredibly detailed and artistic images of the back end of camels.

Light and warm hearted posting is common to this sub-forum. There's no need to get the hump.

I like Fiddles ideas. Those with the time and the expertise to help others focus on all aspects of togging to increase their depth of knowledge and capability in this field would no doubt be of benefit to all.

[Fiddlesticks]

Hello to all ,

My opinion is just as follows and this response may / will be edited .

Many of the followers on the photography threads are not living in Thailand , not achievable to many to co-join and correlate .

I may be flying a little bit blind here but I do believe that the major percentage of " We" , who are not professional photographers do want to achieve a better "Shot" .

Be it from constraints in time or from working in our own relevant environment to gain enough resource to get back to where we want to be , I am sure that we all want to learn and achieve more .

Not everyone has a Lumix .

Being it that sets you guys , Professional , apart from us , Hackers , is to say the least " Scary as Hell "

I for one have been left gobsmacked as per the quality and composition viewed on the various threads in the photography section of TVF.

I feel as though there are , and always will be segregation regarding this skill and knowledge ,

Admiration will ensue , will always .... but do the hackers / cowboys get some sort of praise ?

Goompa, I believe there is a place on this forum for everyone. Speaking for myself, I can not get excited taking photos of pickup trucks and etans BUT I enjoy looking at the images that others take of pickups and etans. Look at the incredible work done to produce the Etan Calendar. What a great idea and the calendar looks fantastic. I believe that everyone on this forum has (and will continue) to receive recognition for the images they contribute. That said, I also believe that most want to see the quality of their images improve year upon year. That happens by looking at images you aspire to and from ASKING FOR and receiving feedback from time to time.

Finally, one does not need a Lumix to take good images. You can use a simple point and shoot (or even a lowly Olympus OM-D EM-1) and still get good quality images. (Sorry, couldn't resist that Tywais/FR) But seriously, point and shoot cameras and phone cameras have yielded some remarkable images. It simply takes a good eye and heart to see with.

[Robby nz]

Was wondering MJP about your fascination with the back end of camels, is that really the direction this forum is headed, or backed, or whatever.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing your photos.

[Goompa]

I agree somewhat Fiddlesticks ,

My Mrs Goompa got a shot on the montage for the 2014 calendar with a PAS Nikkon Coolpix

Just the competition is becoming alarming in the posters point of view , maybe mine , but nonetheless alarming.

Give my right nut for a OMD EM1 , and the left for a '2'

[sunshine51]

@ MJP....

"This is truly the only forum I've ever joined that I genuinely enjoy. I don't like other photo forums, I don't actually like any other forum at all, except this one. This is the only forum I like, being that I don't like any other forums."

*

*

*

Are you a Vogon perhaps?

[samuijimmy]

Nothing much I can add to what has already been said, it's for the most part the friendliest forum on TV... .... (Along with Farm Photos!!!.... )

There have been a few hiccups along the way, but for the most part, it is a great forum, for many of us.... For me I can say, and many of us, I think, it's made us think more about adjusting camera settings... to produce a better image...

[MJP]

@ MJP....

"This is truly the only forum I've ever joined that I genuinely enjoy. I don't like other photo forums, I don't actually like any other forum at all, except this one. This is the only forum I like, being that I don't like any other forums."

*

*

*

Are you a Vogon perhaps?

On a good day . . .

[MJP]

Right scrub Kuwait.

2 minutes ago just bagged a one year project in . . . Devon!!!!

Get in!!!!

This thread has brought the MJP great luck indeed.

[Goompa]

Oh ! I hear the general forum calling me now , .... I must go .

[harrry]

Right scrub Kuwait.

2 minutes ago just bagged a one year project in . . . Devon!!!!

Get in!!!!

This thread has brought the MJP great luck indeed.

Well Devon milkmaids backsides will look better than those of the camels we hope.

[MJP]

Oh ! I hear the general forum calling me now , .... I must go .

Goomp's stay right where you are!

Shall change to happy avatar now. Pick one.

[sunshine51]

Right scrub Kuwait.

2 minutes ago just bagged a one year project in . . . Devon!!!!

Get in!!!!

This thread has brought the MJP great luck indeed.

Well Devon milkmaids backsides will look better than those of the camels we hope.

Devon milkmaids backsides????

[MJP]

Right scrub Kuwait.

2 minutes ago just bagged a one year project in . . . Devon!!!!

Get in!!!!

This thread has brought the MJP great luck indeed.

Well Devon milkmaids backsides will look better than those of the camels we hope.

Devon milkmaids backsides????

165110795_21db6ef625_b.jpg

It's a theme we can all build on and contribute to, yes.

[Fiddlesticks]

Right scrub Kuwait.

2 minutes ago just bagged a one year project in . . . Devon!!!!

Get in!!!!

This thread has brought the MJP great luck indeed.

Well Devon milkmaids backsides will look better than those of the camels we hope.

Devon milkmaids backsides????

165110795_21db6ef625_b.jpg

Leave it to sunshine to keep the images coming! Hey Mike, either of these gals look familiar?

[MJP]

^^ The one on the left is named Betty.

[Goompa]

MJP , I got this ?

[sunshine51]

^^ The one on the left is named Betty.

Udderly rediculous...she told me her name was Jane.

[MJP]

^^ The one on the left is named Betty.

Udderly rediculous...she told me her name was Jane.

That's the one on right. You're looking at them @rse backwards.

[sunshine51]

^^ The one on the left is named Betty.

Udderly rediculous...she told me her name was Jane.

That's the one on right. You're looking at them @rse backwards.

By golly MJP you're right...Jane always did have big mams...

how could I forget....

[Goompa]

I apologise for being a part of this farce , there are members to whom I am conversing with a magnitude of posts with respect I have before never seen , otherwise to admin and moderators , I did so think that this was a photography forum with insight to knowledge and that this facet had a vision to the betterment of all those involved being those that posted , or those that had the recourse to make or help those in need to direct a better / more suitable and viewable image to be admired by all those partaking ,

Seems I was wrong !