This is getting depressing....

BTW, I thought "Bump"ing was against the rules. My observation is that people do it anyway. Is it ok to bookmark to keep a thread for later reference or is that frowned upon?

hbh

wooffy said:

Michael Coakley said:

Guys, (and gals)

I'm starting to get depressed by what posts recieve attention and
what posts seem to get ignored.

Click to expand...

I agree.

I find it very hard to keep up with this forum, and am very much
discouraged from posting. I don't mind, as such, having 6 pages of
new messages every day.... but I do mind how much of that is
wasted. Since the only way of keeping track of threads is to
contribute to them (or bookmark) I lose track of much of the good
stuff here. Most days I run out of time, and just leave the forum
with several pages unread.

As a more advanced user, and one with little free time, I wish we
had two Dreb forums. One for new users, people thinking of buying,
and pet photos. The other for advanced techniques, photo
critiques, and more in-depth discussion.

As I told a friend recently, I would hate to leave this forum, but
attempting to contribute here just stresses me out.

--Pat
http://www.patcroteau.com

Click to expand...

hbh said:

BTW, I thought "Bump"ing was against the rules. My observation is
that people do it anyway. Is it ok to bookmark to keep a thread for
later reference or is that frowned upon?

Click to expand...

I don't know. I meant using your browsing to bookmark.

--Pat
http://www.patcroteau.com

I subscribed for a 2nd time recently, posted a question on Dreb vs 35-250L combo; but hardly got anything useful. While mud-throwing threads got plenty of attention.

I used to be "Jochen" on these fora, but I got banned. The reason; I dared to complain (just as you do now) about people not focussing on the important stuff (alas my complaint had a more catchy title, I must admit ...which is probably what got me banned).

If you're interested in the full story, you can read it here: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=7870426

That thread is a 2nd attempt at pointing out the root causes of the problems that these fora are facing today. Yes, I'm not giving up just yet...

--
Ciao,

J.

-------------------------
Cams: Canon 300D / Olympus UZI
Lenses: Canon 18-55 EF-S / Canon 35-350 L USM

Tools: Battery grip / X-drive I / Lowepro Trim trekker / Velbon Tripod / left eye / brain

edit....your stuff....kis (keep it simple)

alex

Michael Coakley said:

Guys, (and gals)

I'm starting to get depressed by what posts recieve attention and
what posts seem to get ignored. I'm reletively new here, so I'm
sure my name doesn't always attracted clicks when I make a post
like Daniella's or Doug's or Sam's posts do. And their posts
should because they have lots of valuable information to share.
Hell, I look for certain folks posts' 'cause I know they are going
to have merit. Any way,.....I joined in a conversation with
Chillihead, Banzai and Paul about some B&W techniques, only after
bumping my post because it was lost in a sea of d70 banter, these
guys responded. We had some interesting discussion and I said I'd
post some comparisons later, at their suggestion, with the info
that was disseminated. I indeed posted later, and that post was
overtaken by the same banter that I mentioned above. I didn't bump
the post to make sure it was seen, I just let it dwindle into the
reletive obscurity of "anything past page 3". I put a fair amount
of work into what I was comparing, included links to resources,
included some pics....all of which I'm happy to do. My gripe is
that as I write this, there's another thread that's about to hit
it's limit and it's just a the same bunch of muddslinging that seem
to go on incessently here. I'm not bothered so much that my work
just slipped to the wayside.....that happens, and I don't take it
personally. My concern is the stuff that seem to generate so much
buzz seems to contain the least usefull information. Of course,
I'm generalizing, and there's always good stuff here, but sheesh.
I'm about ready to quit "the forum thing".....It's just too
frustrating. I feel like I need to be a troll to really attract
any attention. Some of you might be inclined to tell me to just go
away if I dont' like it, and I understand that. I'd rather not,
but those of you with that opinion just might be right.

Thanks for letting my rant,

Mike.

'The professional is behind the camera, not in the camera's model
number'

Click to expand...

Initially they made me wonder about my own purchase, so I made a fretful re-examination and concluded this: 'photography' isn't the motivating factor for the bulk of the complainers - otherwise they'd know what a phenomenal photographic instrument they own, and happily work around the supposed limitations.

I just did a small one-man local show, and sold $1200 worth of prints, all shot with the DR. No one asked what kind of camera I used, and if they had, I would have considered the show a failure.

My DR has now paid for itself 4x over since November. If I had waited for the D70, well....I'd still be waiting.

--
Wilfred M Rand
http://www.pbase.com/wilfredmrand/

Michael Coakley said:

Guys, (and gals)

I'm starting to get depressed by what posts recieve attention and
what posts seem to get ignored. I'm reletively new here, so I'm
sure my name doesn't always attracted clicks when I make a post
like Daniella's or Doug's or Sam's posts do. And their posts
should because they have lots of valuable information to share.
Hell, I look for certain folks posts' 'cause I know they are going
to have merit. Any way,.....I joined in a conversation with
Chillihead, Banzai and Paul about some B&W techniques, only after
bumping my post because it was lost in a sea of d70 banter, these
guys responded. We had some interesting discussion and I said I'd
post some comparisons later, at their suggestion, with the info
that was disseminated. I indeed posted later, and that post was
overtaken by the same banter that I mentioned above. I didn't bump
the post to make sure it was seen, I just let it dwindle into the
reletive obscurity of "anything past page 3". I put a fair amount
of work into what I was comparing, included links to resources,
included some pics....all of which I'm happy to do. My gripe is
that as I write this, there's another thread that's about to hit
it's limit and it's just a the same bunch of muddslinging that seem
to go on incessently here. I'm not bothered so much that my work
just slipped to the wayside.....that happens, and I don't take it
personally. My concern is the stuff that seem to generate so much
buzz seems to contain the least usefull information. Of course,
I'm generalizing, and there's always good stuff here, but sheesh.
I'm about ready to quit "the forum thing".....It's just too
frustrating. I feel like I need to be a troll to really attract
any attention. Some of you might be inclined to tell me to just go
away if I dont' like it, and I understand that. I'd rather not,
but those of you with that opinion just might be right.

Thanks for letting my rant,

Mike.

'The professional is behind the camera, not in the camera's model
number'

Click to expand...

Congradulations !!, I'm curious what size prints did you sell ?.

Nigel

wilfred m rand said:

I just did a small one-man local show, and sold $1200 worth of
prints, all shot with the DR. No one asked what kind of camera I
used, and if they had, I would have considered the show a failure.

My DR has now paid for itself 4x over since November. If I had
waited for the D70, well....I'd still be waiting.

--
Wilfred M Rand
http://www.pbase.com/wilfredmrand/

Michael Coakley said:

Guys, (and gals)

I'm starting to get depressed by what posts recieve attention and
what posts seem to get ignored. I'm reletively new here, so I'm
sure my name doesn't always attracted clicks when I make a post
like Daniella's or Doug's or Sam's posts do. And their posts
should because they have lots of valuable information to share.
Hell, I look for certain folks posts' 'cause I know they are going
to have merit. Any way,.....I joined in a conversation with
Chillihead, Banzai and Paul about some B&W techniques, only after
bumping my post because it was lost in a sea of d70 banter, these
guys responded. We had some interesting discussion and I said I'd
post some comparisons later, at their suggestion, with the info
that was disseminated. I indeed posted later, and that post was
overtaken by the same banter that I mentioned above. I didn't bump
the post to make sure it was seen, I just let it dwindle into the
reletive obscurity of "anything past page 3". I put a fair amount
of work into what I was comparing, included links to resources,
included some pics....all of which I'm happy to do. My gripe is
that as I write this, there's another thread that's about to hit
it's limit and it's just a the same bunch of muddslinging that seem
to go on incessently here. I'm not bothered so much that my work
just slipped to the wayside.....that happens, and I don't take it
personally. My concern is the stuff that seem to generate so much
buzz seems to contain the least usefull information. Of course,
I'm generalizing, and there's always good stuff here, but sheesh.
I'm about ready to quit "the forum thing".....It's just too
frustrating. I feel like I need to be a troll to really attract
any attention. Some of you might be inclined to tell me to just go
away if I dont' like it, and I understand that. I'd rather not,
but those of you with that opinion just might be right.

Thanks for letting my rant,

Mike.

'The professional is behind the camera, not in the camera's model
number'

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
Pbase supporter
http://www.pbase.com/sgidude

wilfred m rand said:

I just did a small one-man local show, and sold $1200 worth of
prints, all shot with the DR. No one asked what kind of camera I
used, and if they had, I would have considered the show a failure.

My DR has now paid for itself 4x over since November. If I had
waited for the D70, well....I'd still be waiting.

--
Wilfred M Rand
http://www.pbase.com/wilfredmrand/

Michael Coakley said:

Guys, (and gals)

I'm starting to get depressed by what posts recieve attention and
what posts seem to get ignored. I'm reletively new here, so I'm
sure my name doesn't always attracted clicks when I make a post
like Daniella's or Doug's or Sam's posts do. And their posts
should because they have lots of valuable information to share.
Hell, I look for certain folks posts' 'cause I know they are going
to have merit. Any way,.....I joined in a conversation with
Chillihead, Banzai and Paul about some B&W techniques, only after
bumping my post because it was lost in a sea of d70 banter, these
guys responded. We had some interesting discussion and I said I'd
post some comparisons later, at their suggestion, with the info
that was disseminated. I indeed posted later, and that post was
overtaken by the same banter that I mentioned above. I didn't bump
the post to make sure it was seen, I just let it dwindle into the
reletive obscurity of "anything past page 3". I put a fair amount
of work into what I was comparing, included links to resources,
included some pics....all of which I'm happy to do. My gripe is
that as I write this, there's another thread that's about to hit
it's limit and it's just a the same bunch of muddslinging that seem
to go on incessently here. I'm not bothered so much that my work
just slipped to the wayside.....that happens, and I don't take it
personally. My concern is the stuff that seem to generate so much
buzz seems to contain the least usefull information. Of course,
I'm generalizing, and there's always good stuff here, but sheesh.
I'm about ready to quit "the forum thing".....It's just too
frustrating. I feel like I need to be a troll to really attract
any attention. Some of you might be inclined to tell me to just go
away if I dont' like it, and I understand that. I'd rather not,
but those of you with that opinion just might be right.

Thanks for letting my rant,

Mike.

'The professional is behind the camera, not in the camera's model
number'

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
Carolyn



http://www.pbase.com/dr_cabbie/

Dr. Cabbie said:

wilfred m rand said:

I just did a small one-man local show, and sold $1200 worth of
prints, all shot with the DR. No one asked what kind of camera I
used, and if they had, I would have considered the show a failure.

My DR has now paid for itself 4x over since November. If I had
waited for the D70, well....I'd still be waiting.

--
Wilfred M Rand
http://www.pbase.com/wilfredmrand/

Michael Coakley said:

Guys, (and gals)

I'm starting to get depressed by what posts recieve attention and
what posts seem to get ignored. I'm reletively new here, so I'm
sure my name doesn't always attracted clicks when I make a post
like Daniella's or Doug's or Sam's posts do. And their posts
should because they have lots of valuable information to share.
Hell, I look for certain folks posts' 'cause I know they are going
to have merit. Any way,.....I joined in a conversation with
Chillihead, Banzai and Paul about some B&W techniques, only after
bumping my post because it was lost in a sea of d70 banter, these
guys responded. We had some interesting discussion and I said I'd
post some comparisons later, at their suggestion, with the info
that was disseminated. I indeed posted later, and that post was
overtaken by the same banter that I mentioned above. I didn't bump
the post to make sure it was seen, I just let it dwindle into the
reletive obscurity of "anything past page 3". I put a fair amount
of work into what I was comparing, included links to resources,
included some pics....all of which I'm happy to do. My gripe is
that as I write this, there's another thread that's about to hit
it's limit and it's just a the same bunch of muddslinging that seem
to go on incessently here. I'm not bothered so much that my work
just slipped to the wayside.....that happens, and I don't take it
personally. My concern is the stuff that seem to generate so much
buzz seems to contain the least usefull information. Of course,
I'm generalizing, and there's always good stuff here, but sheesh.
I'm about ready to quit "the forum thing".....It's just too
frustrating. I feel like I need to be a troll to really attract
any attention. Some of you might be inclined to tell me to just go
away if I dont' like it, and I understand that. I'd rather not,
but those of you with that opinion just might be right.

Thanks for letting my rant,

Mike.

'The professional is behind the camera, not in the camera's model
number'

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
Carolyn



http://www.pbase.com/dr_cabbie/

Click to expand...

Thank you Micheal for your statement and thank you good people for responding. I'm learning "photography" for the first time.

At first I was very discouraged but you forum volunteers changed all that by responding to most if not all of our newbie questions in here, regardless of how dumb or repetitive they appear.

To make a long story short. I can't wait to show you how much better my pictures are becoming. I can't put what I want to say in the right words. So I'll end with....THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING!

Michael Coakley said:

Doug Kerr said:

Michael,

Youyr own posts would be of more interest to me if you used the
Enter key once in a while.

Best regards,

Doug

Click to expand...

Dully noted.

Thanks

for

the

suggestion.

Mike
--
'The professional is behind the camera, not in the camera's model
number'

Click to expand...

Heh. That was well worth a chuckle...

--
Gary

...its got nil to do with your name...and all to do with what title you decide to use for the thread....

like look at this one... its a title that makes people wonder..so they pen up the thread and take a look.

dom

Michael Coakley said:

Guys, (and gals)

I'm starting to get depressed by what posts recieve attention and
what posts seem to get ignored. I'm reletively new here, so I'm
sure my name doesn't always attracted clicks when I make a post
like Daniella's or Doug's or Sam's posts do. And their posts
should because they have lots of valuable information to share.
Hell, I look for certain folks posts' 'cause I know they are going
to have merit. Any way,.....I joined in a conversation with
Chillihead, Banzai and Paul about some B&W techniques, only after
bumping my post because it was lost in a sea of d70 banter, these
guys responded. We had some interesting discussion and I said I'd
post some comparisons later, at their suggestion, with the info
that was disseminated. I indeed posted later, and that post was
overtaken by the same banter that I mentioned above. I didn't bump
the post to make sure it was seen, I just let it dwindle into the
reletive obscurity of "anything past page 3". I put a fair amount
of work into what I was comparing, included links to resources,
included some pics....all of which I'm happy to do. My gripe is
that as I write this, there's another thread that's about to hit
it's limit and it's just a the same bunch of muddslinging that seem
to go on incessently here. I'm not bothered so much that my work
just slipped to the wayside.....that happens, and I don't take it
personally. My concern is the stuff that seem to generate so much
buzz seems to contain the least usefull information. Of course,
I'm generalizing, and there's always good stuff here, but sheesh.
I'm about ready to quit "the forum thing".....It's just too
frustrating. I feel like I need to be a troll to really attract
any attention. Some of you might be inclined to tell me to just go
away if I dont' like it, and I understand that. I'd rather not,
but those of you with that opinion just might be right.

Thanks for letting my rant,

Mike.

'The professional is behind the camera, not in the camera's model
number'

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/dom277
There are 40 people in the world and five of them are hamburgers

It's nice to keep things within a certain "community", but I agree with the above poster saying you might get better responses elsewhere...

And, err... Was I the "Sam" you referred to in your original post? I didn't think my posts really got much responses. LOL

Michael Coakley said:

icmp said:

If I were you, and I was looking to discuss PS actions,
photo-retouching, etc., I'd take it to the Retouching forum, for
example. Similar, if you were asking about printing.. go to the
Printing forum. Posting things like the thread(s) you're referring
to, albeit 'related' to the 300D since, perhaps, the pics were shot
with one, they are rather 'off topic' for a Camera-specific forum.
I dare say, beyond posting images for comment that are 300D
specific, that posting gallery or pic links looking for feedback on
the artistic nature of the pics is even on the fringe of being
off-topic, as well. Seeking critques would best be down in the
"Samples and Galleries" forum.

I don't mean to brush you off on this.. I'm not. I'm just
suggesting that posts are best posted in the forums most intended
to contain such posts. You will get far better responses, ON-TOPIC
responses, by taking the posts to the most appropriate forum where
the focus is more tuned to the topic being (hopefully) discussed.

Try the B&W post over on 'Retouching' and I'll garauntee a better
audience is found for a productive discussion.

Hope this helps! (and I empathize with what you've described, here).

icmp

Click to expand...

Thanks, this is a good point. It's tough to draw those lines at
times.

Mike
--
'The professional is behind the camera, not in the camera's model
number'

Click to expand...

--

Sam Bennett - Photo Guy, Audio Engineer and Web-Apper - http://www.swiftbennett.com

I was involved in your earlier post and not-so-ironically I didn't even see your final results or this thread until just now.

A couple things:

Photoshop/post-processing techniques and digital cameras are two topics that will forever be married together. Any forum that covers any digital camera will see such discussions take place and I'd argue that they are definitely "on topic".

As for Photoshop in particular, it's the single most popular image editor on the planet and the inclusion of PS Elements with the 300D make a strong case for Photoshop issues being on topic here.

Next. Black and white photography will always exist. Whether the camera be film or digital it doesn't matter. So I claim that b&w and photography are also married, therefore also on topic to any forum that covers anything to do with photography.

By transitivity, a discussion on Photoshop techniques for b&w is on topic.

There are tons and tons of new users on this forum and any thread that serves as an introduction to a new on-topic subject is useful to the masses. Will all the lurkers/newbies out there request advice on b&w techinque? Certainly not - but that's because they wouldn't necessarily think to even consider it.

When I got the 300D I never would've guessed that so much of my work would have tended towards b&w. It was something I had to learn and explore - someone had to open my eyes to it.

Of course the more specialized forums can provide more assistance . But the original poster's intent was to share new ideas and techniques with the folks here, to open their eyes. I think that's a good thing. I often try to do the same.

As for all the chaff that buries all the other posts... what're ya gonna do? People love arguing. People always need the final word. These forums (or "fora" as one poster reminded us) lack certain features that make other fora more usable - things like community ratings for users ("Bob" is a "Master" level contributor, "Joe" is a "Newbie" contributor), the ability to "pin" certain threads or FAQs to the top, the ability to sort messages into predefined subject areas (ala photo.net).

Since we've got a bare-bones implementation here, things do get scrappy and confusing. I wander around the Canon SLR Lens Talk, Samples and Galleries, and Retouching fora just 'cause I can't stand to read everything that comes through this one. But there are definitely times when I feel like giving it up and finding a new way to waste time.

Small! about 6.5 x 4.5 matted inside 8 x 10 frames. A couple people swooped in and asked how much to buy a set of all nine I had up - I said $600. Had to go home and pull the second set off my own living room walls. Cha-ching! I was totally surprised.

--
Wilfred M Rand
http://www.pbase.com/wilfredmrand/

takitimu said:

Congradulations !!, I'm curious what size prints did you sell ?.

Click to expand...