To speak or not to speak?

[PhotoRob]

I think sharing interesting photos has value / is very educational; there are parts of the world I'll never get to visit, and the coverage here strays far from the postcard shots you usually identify with a place. Please, please don't hesitate to post the purely interesting photos just because you don't have a specific question...

[William W]

. . . To be my usual blunt Aussie self; how the ... do I know you guys know what you're talking about? It does seem like anyone can hang out the banner these days and like my pain in the backside neighbor, become an expert on all things relating. . . . and just want to make sure I've picked the right forum . . . and since I am fast approaching my Best Before date I want to make sure I get it right first time.

Well it's pretty bloody simple, tom.

YOU actually have to do a bit of work, though.
I would suggest that investigating the respondents and responses here at CiC (or any open forum) is a very easy and simple task: you read a few of their previous; have a search for them on other forums; look at their websites – and that’s just for starters.

It is moderately easy, with a modicum of effort to suss out the wheat from the chaff – if you can get off your backside and apply a tiny-winy bit of effort.

(just to be a blunt Aussie - back to you).

WW

[tomdinning]

Well it's pretty bloody simple, tom.

YOU actually have to do a bit of work, though.
I would suggest that investigating the respondents and responses here at CiC (or any open forum) is a very easy and simple task: you read a few of their previous; have a search for them on other forums; look at their websites – and that’s just for starters.

It is moderately easy, with a modicum of effort to suss out the wheat from the chaff – if you can get off your backside and apply a tiny-winy bit of effort.

(just to be a blunt Aussie - back to you).

WW

Are we allowed to say 'bloody'?

Thanks, Bill. Are you one of the experts?

[William W]

Are we allowed to say 'bloody'?

I would expect so, in the context in which I used it.
The word 'bloody' (as I used it) seems to be well accepted as a general 'slang' term, rather than a 'vulgar' word.

The COD has had it listed as a ‘colloquial’ word rather than ‘vulgar’ word since around 1970, but we must keep in mind those who move more slowly than the Concise Oxford.

The Macquarie Writers’ Guide (1990) states:
‘bloody has been called “the great Australian Adjective”, it is also used by English speakers elsewhere around the world.’

Are you one of the experts?

That’s for you to judge – such a title has to be earned, not self proclaimed.

I think it would be fairly obvious, especially to another Aussie, when I am joking or being frivolous.

But here (and in other forums) when I write, I mostly always write literally.
When I write literally: I very rarely make mistakes of fact.

WW

[Polar01]

Tom you were wondering who the good ones are, well read the posts and look at what images they are putting up. You will start to see certain names appear again and again, some from New Zealand and Scotland come to mind they turn on consistant high level work. You will also notice some that hang out that banner as you say, all talk, yet have never posted an image in all the time that they have been with CIC. You soon learn to weed them out.

Cheers:

Allan

[tomdinning]

Thanks, Bill and Allan, for all the advice. I'll start weeding.

One last point. I don't mind who sticks their nose in and tells me what they think of my shots as long as they support it with something of value.

Sorry, there was one other thing.
When I go through my shots I often stop at one and a story will come to my head. I do this quite a lot. I like writing almost as much as I enjoy photography. The thing is, for me they just go together, like socks and shoes or knickers and bras. Damn, there I go again, being vulgar.
Anyway, I'll do a post later to show you what I mean. Feel free to comment.
Once again, thanks for all the assistance. I don't know how this will all finish up but it sounds good.
As Adam said to Eve: Stand back! I don't know how big this is going to get.

[pnodrog]

Tom your absolutely right if you don't know the variety of apple it is impossible to tell.

[gregj1763]

Nice catch L.Paul

[Rob Ekins]

All seems reasonable. I'm learning already.
One thing that puzzles me.
If the members are amateurs is it possible to identify those who have expertise in particular areas so a question could be directed to them in particular. It seems when a critique is asked for everyone jumps in and provides their penny worth without any visible authority on the value or accuracy of the comment. Could this not lead to misinformation or bad habits being passed on or reinforced? I for one am of the ilk that a piece of information or suggestion is only worth it's salt after verification. I have read with interest many comments here and often come across such terms as 'should' 'need to' and 'must', accompanied by the ubiquitous 'it would be better if'. These terms are quite definitive but seem to relate to subject matter of a qualitative nature.
To be my usual blunt Aussie self; how the ... do I know you guys know what you're talking about? It does seem like anyone can hang out the banner these days and like my pain in the backside neighbor, become an expert on all things relating.
Please don't take offense. I'm just talking out loud. I'm on my way to fame and fortune like all of us and just want to make sure I've picked the right forum to get me there. And since I am fast approaching my Best Before date I want to make sure I get it right first time.

Tom,

As an educator with forty years experience teaching photography surely you would understand that people take what they need/want from a comment on a forum, as they would from one of your lectures/tutes..

Personally, I don't think any comments here are going to lead to wide spread misinformation or the propagation of untruth's, as any one that really wants to learn uses a forum as a single source of information with many other reference points.

Having said that, I really like that the community here will pipe up and say...try this.. or try that. It is another very valuable avenue of learning, I don't think they need a degree to comment. The sKoOl of life works well some times toooo.


Robbie.

[William W]

As an educator with forty years experienceteaching photography

I was wondering if and when anyone would let that loose.

Is that the same you, Tom Dinning?

WW

[AB26]

Is that the same you, Tom Dinning?

WW

Maybe a bit of Irish humor: "Can the teacher teach himself?"

[pnodrog]

I was wondering if and when anyone would let that loose.

Is that the same you, Tom Dinning?

WW

A pity - I enjoying it when he was sort of under cover but there was no concealment and I was wondering when the penny would drop. Tom I hope you continue your posts.

[gregj1763]

Ouch, Busted Tom
I also would love to see your posts continue.
They have been very entertaining and I'm sure there is lot you could contribute to this forum with your wealth of experience.
Cheers, Greg

[tomdinning]

Ouch, Busted Tom
I also would love to see your posts continue.
They have been very entertaining and I'm sure there is lot you could contribute to this forum with your wealth of experience.
Cheers, Greg

Who's this other Tom Dinning bloke anyway. Never heard of him.
I was just hoping I could lay back and enjoy myself for a while. At no-one's expense, mind you. It gets lonely here on the other side of the computer. I don't have anyone to talk to all day. Just me playing mind games with myself. I'm loosing.
Just pretend I don't know anything, which isn't far from the truth, and let me post and comment from time to time. I promise I'll behave. Truly. See. I've even given up swearing. Besides, most people don't want to photograph like me. I'm too vulgar for general acceptance. No class, Christine says.
Besides, I just got back from my class. All bloody Canon owners, the lot of them. Not a Nikon in sight. I felt like a leper with a loose arm. All their nobs were in the wrong place (the camera that is) and I've not seen so much plastic since my trip to Disneyland. I'm going to need you guys to decipher the manuals.
Don't people buy decent cameras any more.