hello

[james sperry]

so, not real sure how to lead into this but here goes ........

i'm not a pro, i'm not an ametuer and i'm not a beginner. personnaly, i don't want a label with it. i just enjoy taking pictures. it gives me an outlet from life, to get away from the things that we (in general) can't seem to get away from for whatever reason. i first tried the forum route last month and it wasn't a good experience for me. so i'm trying another site in hopes that the interaction is more enjoyable. when i say more enjoyable, i mean ... that the criticism is an honest analysis and possible remedy to covey what i'm trying to do with an image.... not a hostile remark, joke or uncalled for comment. i appreciate feedback, but i'm no different than anybody else. respect is all that i ask for. if i leave no comment, it's not that i'm being rude, i more than likely don't see myself as having the credentials or experience to give correct feedback. that's all, please don't take offense to it.
my interests are in candids of life in general, motion photography, and i'm trying what i call impressionism. it's been rough..... lol. i look forward to meeting everybody in here and furthering my skills with you.

thanks, brad
lol ... forgot to say that i guess i make photographs because it gives me an outlet from life to get away from the things that we (in general) can't seem to get away from, for what ever reason.

 

[Asher Kelman]

s. that the criticism is an honest analysis and possible remedy to covey what i'm trying to do with an image.... not a hostile remark, joke or uncalled for comment. i appreciate feedback, but i'm no different than anybody else. respect is all that i ask for. if i leave no comment, it's not that i'm being rude, i more than likely don't see myself as having the credentials or experience to give correct feedback. that's all, please don't take offense to it.

Welcome to OPF! don't worry, we'll annoy you sometimes. Life is not perfect! However, you will get honest, respectful and nurturing sharing of feedback and ideas.

Cem Usakligi has written a little guide for critique, We'll have to search for it.

Everyone can contribute. We start in a way that is easy for anyone with less than 2 bottles of wine drunk spell. In brief, why is the photograph shown? What job is it supposed to do? A fun trivial personal note or memory or a major work for an architectural firm or a picture of the bride and groom. How does the picture impress you and what do you notice about it. What's there that you like and what do you question. That's easy.

For more advanced, informed (and even pretentious analysis) then we might get into details of composition, use of color, photographic technique, pre-visualization, relationship to other ideas and art and more.

Remember, we all can be wrong and if one shows one's pics the person commenting may be totally uneducated in what's being presented and unprepared. So the photographer, while not being adamantly stubborn, has to value their work and believe in it as some level. from that position accept or passover opinions.

However, we always acknowledge the effort to give feedback.

You did raise the issue of the tough nature of some forums. So I gave you my rant! That's much more than just saying "Welcome, enjoy OPF, were a friendly lot!", but that's what I meant!

So, James, have fun here! Jump right in.

Asher

 

[John Angulat]

Hi James and welcome to OPF!
That's quite an intro and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I had typed and re-typed a lengthy response to a lot of your concerns, but in the end I guess all I have to say is:

"Welcome, I hope you will be comfortable here. It's a good forum. You get out of OPF what you put into it. There are no expectatations except that you try to learn from the advice offered"

That's it. Why not hang out a while and give us a chance, eh?

 

[james sperry]

thanks!!! i look forward to it!! just trying to figure out how to navigate through the forum thank you for the warm welcome!!!!

brad, ash, alyvia and teagan

p.s. my first name is james but my middle name is brad (that's what i go by).

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Hi Brad,

Welcome to OPF, glad to see you join.

Cem Usakligi has written a little guide for critique, We'll have to search for it.

The thread Asher was referring to is here.

Cheers,

 

[james sperry]

all i can say is ......... well ......... wow

i should have researched my choices better when i looked for a photography forum. everyone that i have met in person ( photography related ) was always so laid back, respectful and what i saw as professional. so, i figured it would be the same way in any forum ........ ummmm. ... nope. compared to my last unfortunate experience, this site is really, reeeeaaaaalllllly structured and professional. it's relaxing. i say that because from everything that i have read, the comments ALWAYS feel honest. i read the post by asher about looking at a picture but not posting. when i read all the comments of why people were not posting, it hit home really hard. i guess for me, i always felt that if there was not a comment then the viewer didn't have interest in that type of photography. but, now in my head i kind of feel like a failure from remembering all the views but so few comments. lol ..... i guess ignorance was bliss. but, if anybody really wonders how i feel about the comments for my posts, i myself would rather hear "i'm not a fan of this type" ... or even .. "it does nothing for me". i don't see a comment as negative if it lets me know i failed in my rendering or conveyance. it's more positive for me than anything. i guess a negative comment would be one that doesn't believe my sincerity of effort.

 

[james sperry]

lol ...... now ........ who looked at my introduction and didn't say "hi"? ......... lol