I thought I would contact andy rouse via facebook. This is what I wrote...
Hi.
I came across your fotobuzz website and was contemplating wether or not to join I really want to improve my wildlife photography skills and it sounds like your website will be great. Although im wondering how many members you have on there? As its great if its active also what makes this better than other photography forums? Sorry to ask such questions but to part with that much money is quite alot for me but I am willing to if it will help give me the motivation and resources to progress. Thank you.
This was his reply
Sorry Simon I am not prepared to divulge sensitive business info like that. We are two weeks old and already ahead of my projected member signup. This week in HK we have 12 users sign up locally and expect more.
Also we are not a photography forum, we are completely different. It concerns me that you think we are as all the marketing points in a completely different direction. Have you looked around the free sure and seen the articles?
My policy has never been to shout it make unfair promises. If you want to join then great, you will love it, but if you don't then hey that's cool. I think the fact that you are expecting us to be a forum means that we will not be the site for you if I am honest. We are very far from that and our members certainly appreciate that!!
Sounds like I rubbed him up the wrong way. Also my name is richard not simon so obviously he didnt take much notice as on facebook it clearly states my name.
I actually quite like the sample article that have been posted (not the writing style to much as the information contained, breaking down the shots in detail so you understand the process and work that went into them), but I'm wary at that price (which I believe is an introductory price at that). I've seen it name-dropped elsewhere on here though, someone has definitely joined so hopefully you'll get a more... objective response than the one you received above!Its £75 for the year which seems like alot so it got me thinking is it worth it or not http://www.foto-buzz.com/
I think you are probably correctThat reply confirms my opinion of the guy, to be honest. Puts himself about as a bit of a lad but in the brief conversation I had with him he appeared defensive and unfriendly.
Just to expand this a little, say you're a "big name" photographer like Rouse. Chances are you earn a fair proportion of your income from running workshops and tours. It's not going to be to your advantage to be amenable and friendly to your admirers unless they are paying you.
I've come across this attitude several times now, with different people, and to be honest it's the only explanation I can think of. I'd be happy to be proved wrong though, if anyone has any experience to the contrary.
- I cant say ive witnessed people pulling members photos down and not giving them positive criticism on here. so I think hes just trying to big up his website making other forums look unfriendly. All I can really say is you should treat people how you want to be treated, and from his attitude I wouldn't be surprised if his website doesn't last that long. but good luck to him
>>>>>>>I havent joined photobuzz yet ,though i probably will in time - my father in law has and it looks pretty good. Its not however a forum , its basically a tutorial site with a chat room for live chat with other members. There are about 80 or so members so far<<<<<<<<
Hmmm........80 x 75 = £6000.......
I understand all you have to say. He obviously divides opinion, but my experience of meeting him was not good.
And that's £6000 in the first two weeks.
Right - but he isn't going to take £6k every two weeks ad infinitum - that site has been promoted for months so you'll always get an initial peak in sign-up - and as I said - so what if he does make some money.
Incidentally if anyone has junior member on their profile and they are actually over 16 it'll be because you haven't completed your full date of birth in your profile.
Cos you are a mere youth ,young man......My date of birth is filled in correctly in my personal details and I'm over 16 so why hasn't my Junior Member tag gone
His attitude in that article is awful, especially the bit about refusing to call anyone sir - that says to me that there is no-one he respects or looks up to. I had no opinion on him as a person prior to reading this thread, but his reply to the poster above and in that article have really put me off him.
and joined Fotobuzz on the back of it,
So what does it give you?