Typical!

[AJR SIMPSON]

Spent the last week bidding on wide angle zooms for the camera while wrestling with the thought, do I want or need to go wider?
I've always had a feel for not going wide but recently had a couple of times I'd wished for a few more degrees, hence the half hearted bids.
Missed out on 3 on Sunday due to my tempered bids with my half hearted interest.
So Sun night I put a highest bid offer on a lens finishing today which wasn't the highest I'd offered and decided it was the last effort I was going to make.
So at 5-30 today I won! That's not the Reason for the title.

The ironic reason is that in the meantime last night I read a few more posts and threads and decided I've had enough of the photography B-S.
The duplicity and pettiness has taken it's toll for the last time.
Ah well time to spend my time more productively on something else and an extra lens to be thrown in the back of a cupboard,
TYPICAL.

 

[andyred]

Spent the last week bidding on wide angle zooms for the camera while wrestling with the thought, do I want or need to go wider?
I've always had a feel for not going wide but recently had a couple of times I'd wished for a few more degrees, hence the half hearted bids.
Missed out on 3 on Sunday due to my tempered bids with my half hearted interest.
So Sun night I put a highest bid offer on a lens finishing today which wasn't the highest I'd offered and decided it was the last effort I was going to make.
So at 5-30 today I won! That's not the Reason for the title.

The ironic reason is that in the meantime last night I read a few more posts and threads and decided I've had enough of the photography B-S.
The duplicity and pettiness has taken it's toll for the last time.
Ah well time to spend my time more productively on something else and an extra lens to be thrown in the back of a cupboard,
TYPICAL.

Well first of all, well done on getting the lens you were after, but do use it, don't throw it in the back of the cupboard...

Personally, i'd take no notice of certain threads / people / posts if its starting to get under your skin - either browse / contribute to other threads or just leave them alone and enjoy others photos to give you inspiration...

Enjoy your photography - you should do it for you and your family / friends, personally wouldn't worry about others...

 

[simon ess]

The ironic reason is that in the meantime last night I read a few more posts and threads and decided I've had enough of the photography B-S.

I'm sure I must be misunderstanding you.

Are you seriously saying you're giving up photography because of some of the stuff some people say on an internet forum?

 

[kendo1]

There's an ignore button

I never use it, but I'm impervious to what people think or say , especially on an internet forum.

 

[Phil V]

I'm sure I must be misunderstanding you.

Are you seriously saying you're giving up photography because of some of the stuff some people say on an internet forum?

Could this be true?

Jeez.

This forum and my photography are 2 distinctly seperate entities.

 

[AJR SIMPSON]

I could say some of the comments or feeling in them prove my point
You guys are respected established photographers, I'm getting into photography and trying to get better but lack knowledge and confidence in what i'm doing so rely on some feedback.
I'm grateful to those who contribute and help those like myself we are not all gifted and naturals.

I'm not saying anything has been directed at me so it's not about being thick skinned, it's not simply about things being subjective and open to interpretation.
I'm happy to have my photo's ripped to bits when I post because I know i'm rubbish, if it's justified and helps improve what I'm doing. I'm even thankful for the pleasure.

Then you get something that looks like it's taken by a 5 year old with yellow crayon added round the sun, poor exposure and the sea at a 5* list described as a good composition!
Call me naive it makes you wonder what to believe, have I improved or am I going nowhere.
It's not just the one case but it's a regular thing, there are vastly differing reactions or volume of replies that just don't stack up at times.
There were a few last night that were just the final straw,

The forum is partly the inspiration and guide for my improvement and enjoyment so without that why bother trying to take photos?
I can use my phone for snaps in the pub or other mundane shots.
Cheers

 

[Phil V]

I could say some of the comments or feeling in them prove my point
You guys are respected established photographers, I'm getting into photography and trying to get better but lack knowledge and confidence in what i'm doing so rely on some feedback.
I'm grateful to those who contribute and help those like myself we are not all gifted and naturals.

I'm not saying anything has been directed at me so it's not about being thick skinned, it's not simply about things being subjective and open to interpretation.
I'm happy to have my photo's ripped to bits when I post because I know i'm rubbish, if it's justified and helps improve what I'm doing. I'm even thankful for the pleasure.

Then you get something that looks like it's taken by a 5 year old with yellow crayon added round the sun, poor exposure and the sea at a 5* list described as a good composition!
Call me naive it makes you wonder what to believe, have I improved or am I going nowhere.
It's not just the one case but it's a regular thing, there are vastly differing reactions or volume of replies that just don't stack up at times.
There were a few last night that were just the final straw,

The forum is partly the inspiration and guide for my improvement and enjoyment so without that why bother trying to take photos?
I can use my phone for snaps in the pub or other mundane shots.
Cheers

There's always a few eejits who will post 'nice shot' at any opportunity.
It's easy to ignore.

 

[Yardbent]

.... I'm (getting into photography and) trying to get better but lack knowledge and confidence in what i'm doing so rely on some feedback.
I'm grateful to those who contribute and help those like myself ............
......
---- so without that why bother trying to take photos?
I can use my phone for snaps in the pub or other mundane shots.
Cheers

Andrew
last month for the first time EVER i pressed the 'ignore' button - you can too...

anyway - point 1 above
thats why many of us enjoy being here

point 2 - sorry but you are wrong
the Forum wasn't here in 1960 - didn't stop me taking photographs - OK maybe they NEEDED help/critique but so what..?
dont take mundane shots - stay here and take better shots..........

 

[OldCarlos]

Andrew
last month for the first time EVER i pressed the 'ignore' button - you can too...

Yeah, but he won't see your comment.

 

[Sejanus Aelianus]

The ignore button is great. Only problem is that it doesn't seem to be reported back to those ignored, so you don't know how many people you've annoyed!

 

[Stuart Mc]

Then you get something that looks like it's taken by a 5 year old with yellow crayon added round the sun, poor exposure and the sea at a 5* list described as a good composition!
Call me naive it makes you wonder what to believe, have I improved or am I going nowhere.
It's not just the one case but it's a regular thing, there are vastly differing reactions or volume of replies that just don't stack up at times.
There were a few last night that were just the final straw,

I hope it wasn't mine I put on there that were terrible that's put you off!
Seriously though I'd take some of things on here with a grain of salt, I haven't been on here long and can already see some questionable feedback from people which as you say doesn't stack up at all. It certainly shouldn't be reason to give it up, it's just a forum at the end of the day and your photography is yours alone and should be for your enjoyment.

 

[AJR SIMPSON]

I hope it wasn't mine I put on there that were terrible that's put you off!
Seriously though I'd take some of things on here with a grain of salt, I haven't been on here long and can already see some questionable feedback from people which as you say doesn't stack up at all. It certainly shouldn't be reason to give it up, it's just a forum at the end of the day and your photography is yours alone and should be for your enjoyment.

Naw Stu, yours are good, mine are s***e.
Mibee I'll take a time out for a while and see.
I'll still keep an eye out for the sheep on Flkr

 

[Stuart Mc]

Naw Stu, yours are good, mine are s***e.
Mibee I'll take a time out for a while and see.
I'll still keep an eye out for the sheep on Flkr

Aye I'm going to have sort a separate folder for them on flickr!

I'd stick with it though honestly, validation on here isn't something to strive for. It's very helpful to get feedback (good or bad) from those who obviously know what they're talking about, I'd just focus on those and filter out the rubbish. Just use it as another source of information to improve your own photography and don't get hung up on other people's stuff. I'm learning that photography is overwhelmingly subjective at times and what fits the bill for one person misses completely with another. What I often find more than anything is that comments in critique seem to be heavily weighted towards PP rather than composition/technique etc which is very much a personal taste. If you see a photo which is obviously lacking a bit of technical skill with sloping horizons/blown highlights etc. just help them and give an honest opinion, even if there are some sheep out there who'll just say 'nice shot' at anything. Either that or as mentioned earlier just ignore them. Would be shame to see you not posting on here I've only been here a short time and seen some really nice stuff from you.

 

[munch]

One of the problems is a photograph is always subjective. So just because someone criticises it doesn't mean it isn't any good. Never got any of Salvador Dali "art" but many rave over it. I have only posted a few photographs on here, mainly because by and large I know where I have gone wrong technically. I take photographs for me and if I like them, I really don't care what others think.

 

[Sejanus Aelianus]

There are many pictures on here which make me think: "I'd be happy to have taken that myself". Clicking "Like" allows you to signal this to the photographer, without having to verbalise why.

 

[Eltheza]

There are many pictures on here which make me think: "I'd be happy to have taken that myself". Clicking "Like" allows you to signal this to the photographer, without having to verbalise why.

Very true - me too!

 

[gramps]

I could say some of the comments or feeling in them prove my point
You guys are respected established photographers, I'm getting into photography and trying to get better but lack knowledge and confidence in what i'm doing so rely on some feedback.
I'm grateful to those who contribute and help those like myself we are not all gifted and naturals.

I'm not saying anything has been directed at me so it's not about being thick skinned, it's not simply about things being subjective and open to interpretation.
I'm happy to have my photo's ripped to bits when I post because I know i'm rubbish, if it's justified and helps improve what I'm doing. I'm even thankful for the pleasure.

Then you get something that looks like it's taken by a 5 year old with yellow crayon added round the sun, poor exposure and the sea at a 5* list described as a good composition!
Call me naive it makes you wonder what to believe, have I improved or am I going nowhere.
It's not just the one case but it's a regular thing, there are vastly differing reactions or volume of replies that just don't stack up at times.
There were a few last night that were just the final straw,

The forum is partly the inspiration and guide for my improvement and enjoyment so without that why bother trying to take photos?
I can use my phone for snaps in the pub or other mundane shots.
Cheers

You are giving far too much importance to what other people think!

 

[seriousrikk]

You are giving far too much importance to what other people think!

I think this is the most poignant comment on the thread, and exactly what I was thinking.

If you want to take photographs, you do it because you enjoy the results. I have always thought photography as a hobby is a very personal journey. It matters not one single jot what anyone else thinks about your photographs unless you want it to. If you like a shot, enjoy it.

If you are not completely happy with a shot, post it up for critique to see if anyone can help you make it better next time.

Using photographs from other people as inspiration is a track to improving your own photographs. Comparing your photographs to someone elses (and the opinions of someone elses) is the road to misery because there will always be a) photos you look at and think are way better than yours and b) photographs you don't personally rate that other people lament over. See point above about photography being a personal journey.

Here is a question. Do you take enjoyment from the creation of a photograph that you are happy with, or from other people looking at your photograph and liking it?

 

[Bobsyeruncle]

You are giving far too much importance to what other people think!

That is so true. I have taken many many photos over the years that have given me so much pleasure, either because of the memories, the people in them etc etc, yet I know if I posted them in here that they would be slated by some folks, as they're far from being technically good.
Everyone likes things for different reasons, and the same goes for dislikes. At the end of the day, there is really only 1 person that matters in my case, and that is me

 

[TimmyG]

something that looks like it's taken by a 5 year old with yellow crayon added round the sun, poor exposure and the sea at a 5* list

So why not leave critique to that effect? You don't have to agree with the other posters and you never know, you just might get the OP to stop and think about these things the next time they push the shutter button.

 

[THIRTYFIVEMILL]

There are a lot of different kinds of people and photographers on these forums and you'll have a few you become "friends" with and some who will undoubtedly rub you up the wrong way. People come on here in varying moods and states of life and that often affects the way they post. I've been guilty of posting the odd grumpy comment and then regretting it when a bit of rest and respite had cleared the cobwebs. Don't take things posted on a forum too personally. That's not always easy to do, I know, but the fact is most members who will post on your threads don't actually know you personally.

Most importantly, though, a forum shouldn't be your motivation for any hobby or interest. The motivation should be the fun and fulfilment you get out of the hobby itself. Forums then become a side interest where you can meet individuals with the same hobby. Don't make the mistake of thinking that people with the same hobby are "like-minded", though. They're often not and just as in all walks of life, some are nice, some are not so nice and some are downright xxxxxxx.

 

[Bazzle]

Just my 2p Andrew be proud of your hobby and your craft.

I use this forum for help and advice and critique when I feel like it but at the end of the day I'm happy with being out taking the pictures. I too feel sometimes you struggle to get necessary feedback when you want it but having been around forums in various shapes or forms on a variety of subjects mainly reptiles and fish there are always a few who without malice that never realise that the written word is far more dangerous than the spoken one, When we have a true conversation we not only hear but see body language which fills the picture so we understand a context, but write a sentence on a forum and out of the people that read it there will be those that interpret it in different ways dependant on their mood. I have been guilty myself of sticking my size 12's in it, blundering in before engaging the brain.

So just enjoy your hobby for yourself get the enjoyment for you and my advice .... let the rest of us go take a long walk off a short pier when needed use the ignore button

 

[Yardbent]

hmm .......well if i was one of the posters above who took the time to comment after AJRs last post yesterday

I'd be somewhat perplexed to learn he was logged on at noon today - but deemed any reply wasn't necessary

 

[Stuart Mc]

I'd be somewhat perplexed to learn he was logged on at noon today - but deemed any reply wasn't necessary

Just 'cos he's logged on doesn't mean he has to comment on something, bit of a daft comment really.

 

[Yardbent]

Just 'cos he's logged on doesn't mean he has to comment on something, bit of a daft comment really.

so is that how you think.?

it is only common courtesy to reply to feedback on your posts....

 

[Stuart Mc]

so is that how you think.?

it is only common courtesy to reply to feedback on your posts....

Of course it's courtesy, but there could be any number of reasons why someone doesn't respond, many times I've left my PC running and logged in and had to attend to a screaming 3 year old having a meltdown, does this mean I'm ignorant?

If it had been a week or so and the OP hadn't responded then you might have a point but it's pointless speculating on something you've absolutely no clue about. Given his topic concerned is regarding leaving a forum it's not exactly perplexing that he might be reading these comments and deciding he really doesn't want to continue on here, hence no response. Comments like yours are probably part of the reason he might want to leave.

 

[viv1969]

hmm .......well if i was one of the posters above who took the time to comment after AJRs last post yesterday

I'd be somewhat perplexed to learn he was logged on at noon today - but deemed any reply wasn't necessary

Several times he has been advised, on this thread, to not let the forums get in the way of his photography or to let comments get him down, (good advice)....even to deploy the ignore button...

Perhaps he has merely decided to follow that sage advice.

 

[Nostromo]

Wasn't the original post more about people's favourable critique of others photos (when clearly they have many faults) and how that made him feel.
If that's the case he should point these faults out. Whether you are new to photography or not.

 

[TheBigYin]

Just 'cos he's logged on doesn't mean he has to comment on something, bit of a daft comment really.

perhaps it's a generation thing - i'm more of an age similar to John, and often find it slightly annoying when people don't at least acknowledge when someone has spent time and energy to give advice.

I hesitate to say it, but we probably had good manners knocked into us a little more rigorously than more "enlightened" generations

 

[THIRTYFIVEMILL]

Wasn't the original post more about people's favourable critique of others photos (when clearly they have many faults) and how that made him feel.
If that's the case he should point these faults out. Whether you are new to photography or not.

One of the inherent problems with forums is that people flock together into cliques. If you're part of a particular TP clique then many of your images will attract plenty of comments, often encouraging. If you're not yet established in a clique then you'll get a the odd random comment which may or may not make any sense. I mostly post in the macro forum and have now gotten to know many who post there. If I post an image in another forum on TP I'll always get far fewer comments than if I post in my "home" forum, so to speak, or in the X-T1 forum thread. In the critique forums that can feel alienating to someone who posts a good image and gets virtually no response, especially when a regular posts something fairly bland and gets a great response. Unfortunately, though, that's what humans do so you just need to keep your head down until you're more established, I guess.

 

[THIRTYFIVEMILL]

perhaps it's a generation thing - i'm more of an age similar to John, and often find it slightly annoying when people don't at least acknowledge when someone has spent time and energy to give advice.

I hesitate to say it, but we probably had good manners knocked into us a little more rigorously than more "enlightened" generations

I agree with that 100% and I do thinks it's generational. I wouldn't dream of not thanking someone for replying to my thread asking for advice but it's a manner that hasn't been knocked into everyone, unfortunately. On at least 2 occasions I've spent over an hour of my time trying to help someone find info on the net and on both occasions the effort was barely acknowledged. Long gone are the days when "please" and "thank you" were par for the course.

 

[AJR SIMPSON]

hmm .......well if i was one of the posters above who took the time to comment after AJRs last post yesterday

I'd be somewhat perplexed to learn he was logged on at noon today - but deemed any reply wasn't necessary

There's a nice attitude for you!
I won't lie, I did check a few replies when not logged in but not all of them previous to you pointing out I'd logged on. I am weaning myself off and not going cold turkey by having the occasional look on landscapes but it greatly reduced.

The reason I showed as logged on was because the computer I used on that visit had me logged on automatically so I had to undo that. I reckon I still have 6 devices where I'm auto logged on and I can't be bothered going to do them all at the moment, I'll cross those bridges as I reach them. I might even log on occasionally to see if I've any PMs to reply to and please forgive me if I don't come on to say hi!

 

[AJR SIMPSON]

One of the inherent problems with forums is that people flock together into cliques. If you're part of a particular TP clique then many of your images will attract plenty of comments, often encouraging. If you're not yet established in a clique then you'll get a the odd random comment which may or may not make any sense. I mostly post in the macro forum and have now gotten to know many who post there. If I post an image in another forum on TP I'll always get far fewer comments than if I post in my "home" forum, so to speak, or in the X-T1 forum thread. In the critique forums that can feel alienating to someone who posts a good image and gets virtually no response, especially when a regular posts something fairly bland and gets a great response. Unfortunately, though, that's what humans do so you just need to keep your head down until you're more established, I guess.

I am replying to this as in my mid 50s I was brought up to show respect too and this is a bit of a general reply to those who took the time to comment.

As pointed out by you and others (forgive me for naming everyone but to reply to every point might get a bit longer than required) that upbringing is part of the problem I had, the slight cliqueishness of forums and the lack of replies compared to the case I mentioned. It wasn't just that but a few other things and I wasn't in the best off moods at the time so I over reacted a little, I would have just shut up and gone away but the Irony of getting the Lens after failing on so many just seemed to cap everything off.
As I've said I've nothing against anyone personally so I'm not looking to block anyone but if you think I'm an arse, feel free to block me.

Thanks to everyone who contributed which is in general proves the positives on the forum. I will be stepping back a bit from the forum and obviously need to thicken my skin a bit.
I received the Lens today, and have already used it so the gear might not be on it's way to the cupboard yet.
Thanks again for the positive posts

 

[Stuart Mc]

perhaps it's a generation thing - i'm more of an age similar to John, and often find it slightly annoying when people don't at least acknowledge when someone has spent time and energy to give advice.

I hesitate to say it, but we probably had good manners knocked into us a little more rigorously than more "enlightened" generations

To be clear, I'm not in any way condoning not responding to advice on here, which I acknowledged in my next post - I was merely responding to the tone of a comment which I felt made the OP look like he's on some sort of time limit to respond because his name happened to show him as logged in. I'm not going to rehash my last post as I made myself pretty clear, other than to say sometimes it's not always possible to respond, and speculating about it when the person knows nothing of the OP's personal circumstances (to me) seems bit petty and silly. I think the part you've quoted is being taken a little too literally.

 

[THIRTYFIVEMILL]

To be clear, I'm not in any way condoning not responding to advice on here, which I acknowledged in my next post - I was merely responding to the tone of a comment which I felt made the OP look like he's on some sort of time limit to respond because his name happened to show him as logged in. I'm not going to rehash my last post as I made myself pretty clear, other than to say sometimes it's not always possible to respond, and speculating about it when the person knows nothing of the OP's personal circumstances (to me) seems bit petty and silly. I think the part you've quoted is being taken a little too literally.

I actually agreed with your post Stuart. People do need a little leeway and life sometimes means you don't get time to respond immediately and may not want to. And the OP has now responded very pleasantly so looks like we're all good with a positive outcome!

I do find that too many do come on this forum and others, ask a question, get answered and then completely fail to respond. That's downright rude to me. No-one has a fundamental right to receive the time and help of others and if they expect that I'd certainly question their values. For this thread, though, all's well that ends well!

 

[AJR SIMPSON]

perhaps it's a generation thing - i'm more of an age similar to John, and often find it slightly annoying when people don't at least acknowledge when someone has spent time and energy to give advice.

I hesitate to say it, but we probably had good manners knocked into us a little more rigorously than more "enlightened" generations

Not sure how old You and John are, as I said in another reply I'm in my mid 50 and was brought up with and still treat others with respect where due.
I also find it a bit humourus that I'm being given stick for not replying when the subject was I was stopping using the forum

 

[Stuart Mc]

I actually agreed with your post Stuart. People do need a little leeway and life sometimes means you don't get time to respond immediately and may not want to. And the OP has now responded very pleasantly so looks like we're all good with a positive outcome!

I do find that too many do come on this forum and others, ask a question, get answered and then completely fail to respond. That's downright rude to me. No-one has a fundamental right to receive the time and help of others and if they expect that I'd certainly question their values. For this thread, though, all's well that ends well!

Absolutely, there's nothing worse than bad manners and it grates me like it would anyone else, I just felt that it needed to be said that people have lives outside of these forums and it needed to be kept in mind.

 

[Stuart Mc]

I also find it a bit humourus that I'm being given stick for not replying when the subject was I was stopping using the forum

The irony wasn't lost on me either Andrew which I eluded to in one of my posts

 

[Alastair]

The ironic reason is that in the meantime last night I read a few more posts and threads and decided I've had enough of the photography B-S.
The duplicity and pettiness has taken it's toll for the last time.

Photography and Talk Photography are not the same thing. If you need the validation of Talk Photography to do photography, maybe it isn't the hobby for you.

Take a break from the forum, find a new one, go take some pictures. Or just chuck the lot and find a new hobby. You'll be disappointed to note that whatever you do won't make a difference to either photography or Talk Photography. It never does.

 

[THIRTYFIVEMILL]

Absolutely, there's nothing worse than bad manners and it grates me like it would anyone else, I just felt that it needed to be said that people have lives outside of these forums and it needed to be kept in mind.

Absolutely! Watching the match tonight? Should a cracker! #YNWA