Keep Doing What You're Doing! [Archive] - Fine art photography forum

Mad Aussie

10-11-2009, 07:02 PM

Just having a quick rant which will show why this is a great forum! :wall-an:

I'm a member of a photography forum that is local to me here in Brisbane. It's similar in most ways to this one and the mods etc seem to try to do their job as best they can.

After this morning I may not be a member there much longer ... we'll see.

One of the members posted up a few photos he took of a young lady saying she was an 'up and coming model' and asked for critique which he got from a couple of people, including myself.

Then a member who runs photography workshops came in and, in my opinion, launched an attack. He demanded to know why the member thought she was up and coming and went on about her never being suitable for an agency to hire due to boobs being too big (they look normal to me through the clothing), her hair being too bleached and other things amongst which was her suitability on being for mens magazines!.

To cut a long story short ... after seeing some banter between the two stakeholders ... I put in a post stating that I ... well ... here it is ...

I know Russell is a respected photographer around here and I respectably acknowledge that.

However, I also respectably think his comments here are uncalled for.

A member has put up some photos for critique of a lovely young woman and a simple comment (the photographers own opinion which I'm fairly sure he's allowed to have) only to have a person that sells himself as a teacher launch a targeted attack against both him and the model?

What's wrong with this picture?

For that I got a warning from a mod who promptly told me I obviously didn't know what it took to run such a website :headslap:
You can imagine my answer as I 'explained' to him that I run two website forums both much larger than his own and understand as well as anybody what it takes to run a large forum.

Anyhow ... the point is ... HERE at Photography.ca we are blessed with an admin (marko) who is far more level headed, far more thorough, and takes members rights seriously and applies them evenly across the board.

I might go back to the other forum and post up a heap of portraits all with the title 'Up and Coming Model' :evil2:

Iguanasan

10-11-2009, 07:56 PM

Well first off, I have to heartily agree. Marko is a fine moderator on the board (take a bow ;) ) I've been to a few other boards and there's a reason why I come back to this one all the time. The people here are friendly and the board is run well.

As for the other board, it's a shame that people can't park some of their egos at the door and show a little decency. I'd talk with my feet and just leave. It's just not worth fighting for.

Mad Aussie

10-11-2009, 08:05 PM

They are discussing the whole thing apparently and want to put the guys extra thread back in ... without my post attached I'm certain. Apparently they have told him they agree with me on his delivery and choice of words.

Russell pm'ed me to state his case and my answer was less than accepting I'm afraid ... tough. I wasn't rude ... just stood on my view. He owes someone (not me) an apology as far as I'm concerned.

I've had some pm's from the mod after I gave them them my 'qualifications' and the attitude is far more accepting. I think they realise that they couldn't stop me going there no matter what they did if I chose to keep going back. Overall the forum is quite good and I find it interesting to see what other local photgraphers are finding to shoot in my area.

Anyhow ... some sense seems to be prevailing.

In the end though ... I've been/am members of a few photography forums at times and this one by far outstrips the rest for the community feeling here and I easily credit ph.ca with most of my online learning.

zenon5940

10-11-2009, 10:21 PM

I cannot but agree with you that this forum here is well kept by Marko and that the people using it are well behaved and courteous to others.
I'm a relatively new member but I've had the chance to learn quite a lot here, thanks to other members that offered advice and critique always in the most civilized manner.

Thank you ph.ca for being as you are.

Imho

10-11-2009, 11:19 PM

I read the thread you are referring to and have to agree that the delivery, and arguably some of the content, left a lot to be desired.

On the positive side, "critique" like that does more to damage the reputation of the critic than the subject or presenter. Just from reading one post Russell's opinion means less to me.

Mad Aussie

10-11-2009, 11:51 PM

Welcome to the forums here ph.ca Imho. I agree.

They seem to have come to a compromise on the other forum ... not what I'd have done personally, but it's not mine to decide. I'm sure they are doing their best.

Tassy huh? Tassy is next on my holiday list! :)

kat

10-12-2009, 12:10 AM

I agree IMHO. Never looks good one them!

Marko

10-12-2009, 02:15 PM

Well thanks for the thanks on this Canadian Thanksgiving:p

At the end of the day, I love photography, I love learning, I love helping people learn, I love tact, humility and people that are courteous... If that helps create a harmonious board, yahoo because it's the only kind of board I know how to run.

Some people that post on BB's are just douchebags. They are the same people that have a rusty filter between their mouths and their brains when they communicate face to face. When they get onto the Net, the filter disappears altogether. These people won't last long on our board.

It thrills me to no end that this board continues to grow slowly with members that appreciate the pulse that I've tried to set. But really though, it's members that make up a community....

So thanks dear members for creating a fun and safe place where we can hang out and learn. :1st: :highfive:

casil403

10-12-2009, 02:37 PM

OMG this is such a Canadian moment...to be thanking someone for thanking them! :clown::clown:
I suddenly have to urge to use the word sorry in a sentence right now too!!

Iguanasan

10-12-2009, 03:34 PM

OMG this is such a Canadian moment...to be thanking someone for thanking them! :clown::clown:
I suddenly have to urge to use the word sorry in a sentence right now too!!

Hahahah! :D

Sorry, but I felt I had to laugh ;) ;);)

casil403

10-12-2009, 07:08 PM

LOL¸.......I`m no boob expert ( except for my own ;))but I had a look and they didn`t seem that big to me! :confused:
I just thought she was a pretty girl. :)

Mad Aussie

10-12-2009, 07:11 PM

Yeh ... I didn't think her boobs were out there either.

Bambi

10-12-2009, 07:59 PM

Yeh ... I didn't think her boobs were out there either.

:laugh:

sorry found this statement to be hilarious. Now I wanna see the pic!

:p

if you think that's bad you should see some of the horse forums I belong to.

Mad Aussie

10-12-2009, 08:04 PM

:laugh:

sorry found this statement to be hilarious. Now I wanna see the pic!

:P
Here ya go ...
http://www.modelsinparadise.com/welcome/images/Liza23128.jpg

Bambi

10-12-2009, 08:06 PM

they look pretty normal to me. If my opinion on breasts is worth anything. :rolleyes:

the hair is a bit bleached but it doesn't look terrible. all in all a very pretty young woman. and a nice picture.

Mad Aussie

10-12-2009, 08:13 PM

They are all over there arguing about constitutes a model now :headslap:

Far as I'm concerned if someone regularly makes themselves available to a photographer and poses for that photographer so the photographer can take photos ... they are a model.

They might not be a good one, or successful in terms of income or notoriety .. but they are still modeling. I'm not getting involved though ... better things to do than waste time debating the obvious.

The admin did approach me in pm though and ask me to help with some php coding so that was interesting. I guess I'm back on their 'ok' list ... maybe.

Bambi

10-12-2009, 08:19 PM

Mad Aussie

10-12-2009, 08:31 PM

Doesn't bother me ... I'm there out of interest ... gaining a different perspective to what I get here and seeing what local photographers find to shoot in my area. If they did ban me for sticking up for someone in that way I'd wear it like a trophy frankly. And then go straight back in (they couldn't stop me if they wanted and tried anyhow) and use it for my own purposes described above anyhow. And if I saw someone getting a reeming like that and not being protected by the mods ... then I'd start the whole game all over again :)

Bambi

10-12-2009, 09:08 PM

casil403

10-13-2009, 08:11 AM

They are all over there arguing about constitutes a model now :headslap:

Far as I'm concerned if someone regularly makes themselves available to a photographer and poses for that photographer so the photographer can take photos ... they are a model.

They might not be a good one, or successful in terms of income or notoriety .. but they are still modeling. I'm not getting involved though ... better things to do than waste time debating the obvious.

LOL! Sound to me like a bunch of pompous pretentious wannabes who probably have way too much time on their hands!

"opinions are like A$%holes............everybody's got one"

Mad Aussie

10-13-2009, 03:44 PM

Like most forums there seems to be a mix of good and bad. All in all its an ok forum. Plenty of members but it turns over fairly slowly.
By comparison this forum has less active members daily I think but the is far more active.
The mods over there are a bit trigger happy too from what I can see.
That's ok ... if I become familiar and confident with any members there thatI think could be better served here and fit in fine I'll quietly let them know :)

kat

10-13-2009, 04:30 PM

Well, as we all know there are different types of models. If all models had small boobs poor Mr Heifner would be in trouble.

I think people are too quick to judge sometimes and then it's just over reaction after that.

We've all seen it :p

Mad Aussie

10-13-2009, 07:39 PM

Mr Heifner is a dirty old man who doesn't seem appreciate all types of female beauty.

Bambi

10-13-2009, 09:24 PM

Mr Heifner is a dirty old man who doesn't seem appreciate all types of female beauty.

AMEN to that! :goodvibes

Mad Aussie

10-13-2009, 10:17 PM

AMEN to that! :goodvibes
Yeh ... I'D make a MUCH better Mr Heifner ... I'd take tarts of all types :) :p

I can see my presence over at that forum being disliked again soon :headslap:

Some people are so blunt it's ridiculous ... and the admin/mods over there hold up comments 'that are not sugar-coated' as gold even if they are directed at a newbie and the newbie is offended.

Sometimes forums develop a 'spirit' ... a way of doing things ... usually pushed along and kept alive by the dominant members and mods that becomes the norm and accepted.

I guess in some ways that could be true of this forum as well but I hope it's in a more constructive manner.

Be interesting to see how my last comment is accepted over there when I said not sugar coating is fine IF the delivery is handled well and criedit is also given where due.

Even if I don't particularly like or have much constructive to say about someones photo I do, at least, try to find something positive to say about it also. There's usually something I think the photographer did right even if it's nothing more than their vision for the photo.

I think I've seen two instances here where a member got offended over critique in the time I've been here and neither I think were the fault of the people giving the critique. Says a lot for this place because I can find similar issues on other forums within weeks.

Mad Aussie

10-17-2009, 04:44 AM

Oh man ... at the risk of making this rant ... I put up my Reeds & Pads photo at the local Brisbane forum and after a few days (3 days) there was no comments.

So ... deciding to try what we are doing here with missed threads ... I gave them a nudge ... just something simple ...

"A few views but no comments. I'm guessing this one doesn't appeal to anybody then?"

And that drew the same mod that had ago at me the other day :headslap:

Apparently I shouldn't be posting so much and my sig is too loud. Same sig exactly as I use here.

I also got one comment ... from one of their 'leading critique experts' apparently .... and his advice was I had too many elements in the photo I should have only included one lillypad. What the? Are they so far behind REAL photographic critique that they can't even give something remotely productive?

It's been an education but I'm about ready to tell them to jam their forum as far up their stuck up, arrogant, abusive butts as a long, hot, pointed stick will get it.

The critiques here are simply outstanding most of the time. Whether from experienced or learners, here ... people give some real thought to their comments and, just as importantly, are open minded.

Pat yourselves on the back!!

Bambi

10-17-2009, 08:29 AM

WTH? since when do BB mods complain that there's too many posts??? :confused:
I've never heard of such silliness.

My temptation would be to post about 100 pictures. a day.

casil403

10-17-2009, 08:57 AM

LOL I'm with you on that one Bambi! I'd take the same shot over and over at different angles and post them all!
Really sound like a bunch of pretentious pompous a-holes who prop themselves up by making others feel smaller.
I call that a bully in my book!

zenon5940

10-17-2009, 09:18 AM

I can't but agree with you Casil. You seem to have found the words that describe exactly what I think about this situation. LOL

Bambi

10-17-2009, 09:18 AM

okay I did a quick google and found the forum in question :cool:

they do seem to be a snarky bunch MA? tell me that's not all Aussies!!

casil403

10-17-2009, 09:21 AM

I'll bet their wives kick them in the "hairy twins" on a daily basis...hence the crankiness! :laugh:
Thanks too Z Sometimes sublety is just not warranted when describing certain situations...lol!

I went there too and Ouch...these guys are a little brutal! After looking I'm sticking with my pretentious and pompous a-hole statement!

casil403

10-17-2009, 09:45 AM

I did some more looking around and WOW they seem like such an unhappy bunch that have lots of rules and regulations to deal with from the mods.

Marko.....you rule! :clap: :D :1st: :thankyou: :)

Mad Aussie

10-17-2009, 02:44 PM

okay I did a quick google and found the forum in question :cool:

they do seem to be a snarky bunch MA? tell me that's not all Aussies!!
Not only all Aussie's ... almost all Brisbanites!

I've had two more pm's from mods since adding here yet haven't said anything further.

I've had the owner Pat also say I was posting too many.

I've simply told them that comments weren't actually my strategy ... it was trying to get their slow moving forum buzzing a bit ... a tactic that has worked elsewhere.

I also told them I'm moving on.

Bambi

10-17-2009, 06:18 PM

Not only all Aussie's ... almost all Brisbanites!

I've had two more pm's from mods since adding here yet haven't said anything further.

I've had the owner Pat also say I was posting too many.

I've simply told them that comments weren't actually my strategy ... it was trying to get their slow moving forum buzzing a bit ... a tactic that has worked elsewhere.

I also told them I'm moving on.

aw say it isnt' so? snarky people from australia? I'd never have believed it mate! love the posting too many comment. Makes no sense what so ever.
you are better off moving on :)

Mad Aussie

10-17-2009, 09:00 PM

They have me wondering though ... are most Australians like this?? Arrogant and self centered without feeling for others around them?

I hear so many visitors from other countries touting how friendly Aussie's are, and that might be true in person or in the tourist industry perhaps ... but man ... stick them in a forum and lookout! They get Monitor Courage or something.

I banned a guy last night for being abusive in one of my forums ... and he sent an email 'demanding' to speak to whoever banned him. I told him it was me and he was in no position to demand a thing and take a breath and come back when some maturity kicks in. For that I got threats ... called several things I won't repeat here ... and told "I WILL find you!" :headslap: I told him I'm not hard to find but thanks for letting me know I made the right decision and that it annoyed him so much and obviously would for a long time. I told him that was going to please me for the next two minutes while I blocked his emails and by tomorrow I won't remember who he is but knew he would stew indefinitely :)

And this isn't an absolute rarity ... I've had this before.

Please tell me I'm different from these people!! Please tell me that having an English mother and Kiwi father and living in New Zealand until I was 15 yrs old has made me better than that! :fingerscr

casil403

10-17-2009, 09:07 PM

Well I can't speak for everybody ;) but I kinda like ya....:D :clown:
I mean you're no Canadian (Mind you you do say thanks a lot)or anything, but you're okay in my books anyhow...:)
Keep smilin' Ma... the world is full of energy sucking ----- >:evil2:
Damn.....I wish they had a hug emoticon!

Mad Aussie

10-17-2009, 09:09 PM

:) Thanks Casil ... I'm beginning to think I'd make a better Canadian than an Aussie. I say sorry too ... something you don't hear a lot of here!

Bambi

10-17-2009, 09:59 PM

you know I don't think that it's nationality, I think it's the freedom that the internet offers.

For example, recently there was an outbreak of a new disease for horses in our area. Transmittd by mosquitoes both equines and horses are vulnarable. In horses it is almost certainly fatal but there's a vaccine. I posted a warning on a local horse Fourm I belong to. I recieved some thanks but far more negativity. I was accused of lying, inciting panic etc., Although in the end the information I gave turned out to be 100% accurate it made no difference. One person told me that I had not business transmitting this info that her vet would call her and she didnt' need info from me.

Needless to say I don't hang out there anymore.

I thought about this alot when it was going on. I believe that the anonymty of the internet allows individuals to express themselves freely. And they interpert this freedom as being appropriate to be rude and hateful.

this is one way that this forum differs.

all that said, MA you would probably fit right in here. You have to be willing to hold open doors, chat with strangers and drink beer. :) If you think you can pass that exam then we'll process you application. :goodvibes

kurtdriver

10-17-2009, 11:11 PM

Welcome to Canada, MC. Should you need any biased advice on what part of the country will be your new home, don't hesitate to ask. You'll love Vancouver.

Mad Aussie

10-18-2009, 03:25 AM

:) Thanks Kurt and Bambi :)

Not sure I'd pass that test Bambi ... I don't drink much beer anymore. Does maybe one or two beers a week qualify if the day is hot enough?

I do hold open doors for both men and women ... I say hello to people in the street or wave or smile as I ride by on my bikes so I'm fine there :)

Marko

10-18-2009, 10:27 AM

They have me wondering though ... are most Australians like this?? Arrogant and self centered without feeling for others around them?

OBVIOUSLY no stereotype fits an entire culture, country, citizens....BUT - My experience with Australians..is that you guys are super super nice, generally happy, you love to travel, hike and drink barrels of beer. (Hey most of my experience is with traveling Aussies).

casil403

10-18-2009, 03:53 PM

OBVIOUSLY no stereotype fits an entire culture, country, citizens....BUT - My experience with Australians..is that you guys are super super nice, generally happy, you love to travel, hike and drink barrels of beer. (Hey most of my experience is with traveling Aussies).

That's why they get along with Canadians... :highfive:

Mad Aussie

10-18-2009, 04:33 PM

Your experience, marko, is with the ones smart enough to leave I'm beginning to think! :)

I sound disgruntled, and I am really. But the truth is I know many really great Australians of course, and every culture has it's *******s. I do see a huge lack of common courtesy in our society here though that seems to be elevated when behind a monitor. Somehow the overall tone of ph.ca seems to be strong enough that this type of element is not allowed to grow roots here.

Just adding to my comments above .. . I must say in all fairness that the moderator that was hassling me has gone right out of his way since in pm's (about 3 or 4 of them!!!) to convince me to me there. He's even offered his phone number for me to call.

I look into that thread again and now I see a landslide of agreement with the louder voices so it's seems I should never had that a photo of waterlilly pads reflected on a pond. That's all wrong. I should have definitely singled out one pad only.

On top of that, Russell (yes ...same Russell that believe the young girl is suitable only for mens magazines) now states that my photo is a composite and I imposed the pads over the reflection. Obviously it is not or, as you know, I will always say so after a couple of comments. And I've done that there with a photo as proof of my MO but there you go.

I got another pm this morning too from a member I've never seen or heard from before ... and he/she said "Know where you are coming from in regards to "moving on" there are some strange tactics here which often makes me wonder why I visit."

My answer was ... afraid I am gone ... I have no intention of posting again in that forum ... I have better places to spend my time.

crystalb

10-18-2009, 07:23 PM

There's people like that everywhere

Makes you wonder sometimes 'what they have shoved up their behinds?' honestly it doesn't really matter what's up there, some people are just naturally miserable and don't know how to be different. Don't let them get you down :)

Mad Aussie

10-18-2009, 07:54 PM

Yeh I'm keeping my chin up. It's been one of those weeks. In several ways for me.

But it's Monday now ... maybe this week will be better ;)

Imho

10-20-2009, 09:51 PM

Mad Aussie

10-20-2009, 10:29 PM

A belated thanks for the welcome MA. :) I'm just lurking really, but I like what I see.

I can only reiterate what crystalb said and suggest you don't let the *******s get you down. It's very hard to change the culture of a forum and it takes a lot of effort to even try. I think it's easier to find a forum that's a better fit instead.
There are worse places to hang around than here that's for sure Imho :)
My wife and I are seriously looking into moving to Tassie some time in the future. Cooler weather and a slower lifestyle are appealing :)

Imho

10-20-2009, 11:43 PM

I'm a born and bred Tasmanian, and love the place (I may be biased though). :)
Four seasons, compact, relaxed, and almost no rush-hour traffic.

I have quite a few friends that live in Brisvegas and I have no end of fun talking about the current weather with them. Recently, during winter, they were at 30°/95%+ humidity with their A/C going, here it was 5°, blue skies, with snow on the mountains - lol. Obvious it's not not always perfect weather, but I do like to have all the seasons. A change is as good as a holiday.