A beginners and professional section?

[Marcel]

On the cards a while ago was a section, specific to 'Beginners', ie those who might not know how to do certain tasks, or common terms and phrases, or want to ask a question they think may be considered too 'basic' for everyone.

Everyone has to start somewhere, and to assume everyone comes here with at least a basic knowledge of photography and its related subjects is quite a shortsighted attitude.

That in mind, does anyone think there would be a use for a specific 'Beginners' forum on here? I think topics such as "What is the rule of thirds?" or "How to compose a photo"...

Also...would people like a 'Professional Photography' section, where you can discuss how to break into the professional end of the market, where you can ask , give and receive advice on how to make money (or indeed a living) from your photography, various aspects of it, what sort of jobs there are, what areas you can branch into etc etc.

[Marianne]

I think that both ideas would be very useful, I like to help where I can but also love it when someone else tells how to do something in a totally different way from me, it makes me think....

[Venomator]

Well, as I see it you already have the makings here ... http://forums.talkphotography.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=9

Why not just add a 'FAQ' section rather than call it Beginners anything ? :thinking: We all need answers to so-called 'stupid' questions at some point no matter how good ? :shrug:

As for Professionals ... sounds a reasonable suggestion but too many different forums may end up causing confusion ... e.g. where do I go for this, that and the other ? You will then need a forum to find out ewhat forum you should look in ... :help:

just my two pen'orth fwiw !

[Sonsey]

does anyone think there would be a use for a specific 'Beginners' forum on here?.
I think it's a very good idea personally, an "Ask the Pro's" (blatent rip-off ;) ) is very usefull for beginners and pro's alike as I don't believe even the "pro's" know all about every aspect of photography, somebody can be very adept at landscape photography but struggle with macro for instance, so everyone can still learn something and it'd be a good place to ask for techniques etc, you could call it "In The Know" or something :shrug:

[minimeeze]

I think that's a great idea Marcel. I came here knowing diddly squat about photography and have learned lots of useful stuff along the way. To have it all together on one board would be extremely useful. It may also stop repetitive questions being asked.

Like the new avatar btw :) At the risk of asking a really stoopid question... is it you?

[jewel]

I think that's a great idea Marcel. I came here knowing diddly squat about photography and have learned lots of useful stuff along the way. To have it all together on one board would be extremely useful. It may also stop repetitive questions being asked.

My thoughts exactly! :)

Jewel

[Marcel]

Like the new avatar btw :) At the risk of asking a really stoopid question... is it you?

Thanks :)

I'd like to say it's me, but its just a photo of an incredibly handsome male model I found on the internet :D


PS. I can't take the credit for the idea...it was raised by matty a while ago in the staff room, and was discussed and decided against.
He's suggested it again, what with the new overturn for the forums etc, and the new direction we're going, so I suggested we see what the members thought...it is YOUR forum after all :) So we decided to make our thoughts on the subject public :)

[CT]

The Beginners Forum is probably a good idea - a place where we can collate some info to point newbies at.

I'm not keen on the pro forum idea I must admit. As Bod knows, I think one of the nicest things about this forum is that everyone, including the pros we have, come here out of a genuine love of photography and there's a selfless sharing of advice and assistance from the vast majority of the members, from which we all stand to learn something.

Like all things involving people, photography is competitive and that's good and healthy, but commercial competitiveness is something else again, so I think we should be very wary of going down that road. It's only natural that some people will start to think about making money from photography, but there are plenty of people here with pro experience who can offer advice where it's needed, and have done in the past - without a dedicated forum.

Just my 2 pennorth. :)

[matty]

CT speak words of wisdom.

I dont think repetative questions as such are a problem, i dont want people to not post, but a section where people can ask questions that they might not otherwise post as they feel its a stoopid one can only be a good thing

[Sonsey]

but commercial competitiveness is something else again, so I think we should be very wary of going down that road.
I'm not sure why you think it would turn competitive? :thinking: If someone's achieved success in their field then I am personally very happy for them (which seems to be the main feeling amongst other members aswell), even the competitions here arn't that competitive, with most more interested in seeing other people's shots and disscussing them :D I don't know, maybe I just see it wrong.

It's only natural that some people will start to think about making money from photography, but there are plenty of people here with pro experience who can offer advice where it's needed, and have done in the past - without a dedicated forum.
Very true, I'm one of those people aswell, I just thought it'd be good to have a section where members can ask for more dedicated advice and others to share their experiences all in one place. But it wouldn't just be for business talk would it, I would think dedicated talk about shooting techniques etc, where we could ask the more experienced to explain how they achive certain results would belong in there too :shrug:

[CT]

You can already get those sort of questions answered Sonsey. :) I don't think we need a separate forum, but hey.. it's just my opinion. Let everyone voice their opinion, which is what this thread is for, and we'll be guided by the outcome.

[Marcel]

Both very valid points. I can see what CT is saying, and the reasons behind his reservations, and I can see Sonsey's point of view, in how such a pro forum could work, providing it works well....

I'm staying on the fence on this one...lol

[InaGlo]

Speaking as a noob, Im a a bit confused (not hard I know)
I guess my opinions will depend on what you mean by a 'beginners forum'.
An area of archived information for the most basic of questions would be a good idea but I certainly wouldnt want to feel segregated from the more serious photographers among you.
Also like to add that when I joined this forum, I had previously joined a couple of others, I still check them out regularly but I rarely post as I dont feel as comfortable as I do amongst you guys here.

[matty]

Speaking as a noob, Im a a bit confused (not hard I know)
I guess my opinions will depend on what you mean by a 'beginners forum'.
An area of archived information for the most basic of questions would be a good idea but I certainly wouldnt want to feel segregated from the more serious photographers among you.
Also like to add that when I joined this forum, I had previously joined a couple of others, I still check them out regularly but I rarely post as I dont feel as comfortable as I do amongst you guys here.

an area of archived info is what we mean :)

[daveyuk]

Personally I think it best to keep things as they are, as my reasons for saying this are;

As this is a very happy and open forum where forum members post their questions no matter how simple, easy right the way through to the hard and complex. These are anwsered in a friendly imformative open manner which prompts other members to ask their questions.

I think we should be very careful not to pigeon hole, segregate or god forbid allienate members.

After all the only way to learn and improve is to ask those that know more than us, no matter whether they are a happy snapper, semi pro, pro, or just plain damn good at photography and love to share their knowledge.

That's my two pennies worth........

[matty]

Personally I think it best to keep things as they are, as my reasons for saying this are;

As this is a very happy and open forum where forum members post their questions no matter how simple, easy right the way through to the hard and complex. These are anwsered in a friendly imformative open manner which prompts other members to ask their questions.

I think we should be very careful not to pigeon hole, segregate or god forbid allienate members.

After all the only way to learn and improve is to ask those that know more than us, no matter whether they are a happy snapper, semi pro, pro, or just plain damn good at photography and love to share their knowledge.

That's my two pennies worth........

if i explain a bit more, the idea is to have a forum or subforum called Beginners corner or something equally cheesy, where the simple basic photographic stuff, such as aperture and focal length are posted in thread form, so the out and out newbies can read about it and ask any questions regarding those topics, it wouldnt be an area for beginners to go before they can go to the general section or anything like that, the hope is its purely reference, with the possibility of asking questions if necessary

is that what you thought we were thinking of doing?

[daveyuk]

Matty,
If it's just a reference area then fine by me, it's just that I don't want anyone to feel pigeon holed if you know what I mean.

[matty]

Matty,
If it's just a reference area then fine by me, it's just that I don't want anyone to feel pigeon holed if you know what I mean.

thats it, we dont want people to feel that way either, its part of the appeal of these forums :)

[CT]

Matty,
If it's just a reference area then fine by me, it's just that I don't want anyone to feel pigeon holed if you know what I mean.
It's the pigeon holing thing that dissuaded us from going this route the last time we discussed it Davey. As Matty says though it'll be just a reference area of basic info for the use of everyone.

[Double_Agent]

I like the idea of having a Beginner's "Surgery". As a newbie here myself and to photgraphy, I am learning by trial and error. Nothing will replace that but it might be speeded up slightly by others experiences of going through that and trying this that and the other to get to a final result.

I guess what I am saying is, rather than putting a load of info in there from the start or having an archive, people actually contribute to the comments made byt he so called beginners.

It doesnt even have to be Beginners then. Those more used to things on camera and post processing may benefit from trying a shot that hasnt been pulled off the way they like but someone else can give them all the info they need.

Waffling a little but I think a "Surgery" would work better than the stereotyped "Beginners" & "Professionals".

All the best

Mikey

[Boon]

my personal opinion is (FWIW) i do see the need for a separate 'beginer' section, after all, if someone wants/needs help, what better way than to "ask the forum" and receive up to the minute views from different people, rather than being pointed into archived material for you to find yourself.
Once again, just my 2 penneth

you could call it "ask the forum" or "How do I "

[Gary Bagshawe]

I think the begginers section is a splendid idea but imo would steer well clear of a pro section, I came to this forum from another big forum where some of the "better enthusiasts" patronised me and my work so much so that I left and came looking for a forum where I can mix and be accepted and join in the whole community feel.

[Marcel]

I think thats where the problem with a pro section lays Gary....

I think you might agree that the overriding view we've had is that pro's tend to want to 'mix in' with others, and while not hide their pro status, not highlight it either, and just be accepted on a more equal level, rather than be 'cornered' (to coin a phrase) or badgered for advice all the time, which must be quite offputting sometimes.

[CT]

Don't forget either that this board has split off into two separate boards as a result of two friends falling out over a website which is a commercial endeavour, so we've all seen the downside at first hand. ;)

[matty]

beginners section it is then, forget the pro section.

will get to this shortly

along with the suggestion for a members gallery of the month thingy

[Marcel]

Yeah I think the pro section is a bit of a non starter....