Helen Hill finally says Ciao ... it's been Fun

[Matthew Runkel]

This episode at/on Photo.net more or less immediately led Jorge Torralba to create RFF. The reason the Photo.net rangefinder area has never been the same is that most of the participants migrated here.

As I recall, there was a new and fairly young moderator (Josh Root I believe was his name) who felt the need, over a couple of days, to show a critical mass of stalwarts who was boss. Others may remember more.

...On a side note, on Photo.net, where I contribute more often, some notable contributors were banned some years back and it literally took the life out of the site; it has never been the same since. In other words, a little liveliness is good for a forum like this as long as respect is maintained, which is what I've seen here. Maybe, Helen, this is your point?

Seriously, on both fronts, I can't believe it!

 

[Archiver]

Maybe I haven't been here long enough, or haven't read the right threads, but I have yet to see someone on RFF who is directly abrasive/abusive/inflammatory. There's a rare bit of snark, but generally everyone here is well mannered, and treats each other with basic respect. I must have missed something big.

 

[jarski]

... I must have missed something big.

There was quite a mudslinging here month or so ago. I’d been glad to miss it also.

 

[markjwyatt]

Pitxu was fun. Changed avatars more often than his underwear. 🙂

In order to combine underwear, discussion of arbitrariness of rules (as discussed- I am not passing any judgement since I also have no idea what went down), and a vague notion of politics, as well as hopefully to restore a bit of fun, I present:

https://youtu.be/ukr3Y3unFhg

 

[Larry Cloetta]

In order to combine underwear, discussion of arbitrariness of rules (as discussed- I am not passing any judgement since I also have no idea what went down), and a vague notion of politics, as well as hopefully to restore a bit of fun, I present:

https://youtu.be/ukr3Y3unFhg

Thanks for that. I haven’t seen “Bananas” since it first came out. Pretty funny and we needed that.

 

[Doug]

I just read that thread as to get a clue as to what the heck is going on. I did not find his comments at all objectionable and given the replies from a certain person, I can see exactly why Helen is just over it...

Keep in mind that objectionable comments may well have been removed.

 

[lynnb]

Well I'm very sorry to read all this. Helen, I wish you every happiness - lord knows you deserve it - and I hope I continue to see your wonderful photos on Flickr and wherever else you choose to show them. My warmest wishes to you for the future.

Sorry to hear that Huss and Kostya are suspended, I hope they choose to return. This is an international forum so I hope tolerance is shown towards all members for whom English is neither their native tongue nor culture. Cross-cultural dialogue can be tricky at the best of times. I hope any decisions bear that in mind.

Charles I'm sorry also to hear that you're taking an indefinite break, take care and keep taking those gentle photographs I enjoy very much.

There are many kind, knowledgeable, interesting and often funny souls on this forum. I hope it stays that way.

 

[Bingley]

This is not the first time RFF has seen a sudden exodus of members. There was quite a big departure a few years back. Remember Magus? Christmas (Noel)?

I’m sad to see Helen leave... she brought a lot to this forum. But people move on. Sometimes they move on, and then return after awhile. I hope Helen returns. But that’s up to her. Ditto CharlesDAMorgan.

I miss Pixtu, Al Kaplan, and Sparrow. All passionate in their love of photography and idiosyncratic in character. I enjoyed reading posts and learned a lot from them.

 

[Beemermark]

I worry about Helen. Being elderly myself and having a smaller and smaller circle of friends ( us old people die) and being married for half a century I worry what would happen if my wife dies before me. This isn't about photography or who posted what but about Helen maybe has few friends. Hopefully I'm wrong but I really hope someone in NYC can reach out to her. You younger posters (under 50) don't begin to realize how lonely it get's after 70.

 

[charjohncarter]

I worry about Helen. Being elderly myself and having a smaller and smaller circle of friends ( us old people die) and being married for half a century I worry what would happen if my wife dies before me. This isn't about photography or who posted what but about Helen maybe has few friends. Hopefully I'm wrong but I really hope someone in NYC can reach out to her. You younger posters (under 50) don't begin to realize how lonely it get's after 70.

You certainly put up with crazy friends later in life than maybe you would not have in your 30s-50s. One of my friends and I have a 25 minute limit, but I would go to the wall for him (and I have). They are hard to find, so hold on to them.

 

[splitimageview]

I miss Pixtu, Al Kaplan, and Sparrow. All passionate in their love of photography and idiosyncratic in character. I enjoyed reading posts and learned a lot from them.

All of the above.

And don’t forget Tom A.

When I think of the contributing personalities who defined rff over the past few years, for me, no list would be complete without Tom A. and Helen.

 

[Evergreen States]

I worry about Helen. Being elderly myself and having a smaller and smaller circle of friends ( us old people die) and being married for half a century I worry what would happen if my wife dies before me. This isn't about photography or who posted what but about Helen maybe has few friends. Hopefully I'm wrong but I really hope someone in NYC can reach out to her. You younger posters (under 50) don't begin to realize how lonely it get's after 70.

I'm in my late 20s and I'm taking this to heart, my friend.

 

[c.poulton]

No matter what is being said, explained, discussed, claimed, .... we have the choice to visit some websites or stay away from them.

I am sorry to see Helen not post here anymore. Not only is her work first class, but we have few women members posting at RFF.

Ciao Helen.

I just woke up to this, this morning. I’m not entirely sure what’s going on but I share Raid’s comments and it’ll be a real shame to not have Helen on here anymore.

I find the RFF community one of the best online groups that I’m a member of and generally most members are entirely friendly and polite to one another. OK opinions and comments can get quite heated at times but I do feel that generally threads are always conducted in a civil manner.

 

[Barry Kirsten]

Helen, Kostya, CharlesDA, Huss... all going? What a loss to the forum! I don't understand any of the politics, but is there no room for a little give and take here so that differences can be sorted out? There is so much to be gained by a little reconciliation, if that's possible.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Note to Stephen: your site could set itself above others on the web if you insisted that all users use their real name. Anonymity on the web seems to give a lot of people license to be rude or worse. When people are a bit more exposed by using their real name, I expect they will think twice before turning to ill behavior.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Note to Stephen: your site could set itself above others on the web if you insisted that all users use their real name. Anonymity on the web seems to give a lot of people license to be rude or worse. When people are a bit more exposed by using their real name, I expect they will think twice before turning to ill behavior.

Going by the general vibe on Facebook (where most use their real name), I’m not sure I agree with you there.

 

[Richard G]

We need RFF more than ever right now. I enjoy Ko.Fe's contributions, prickly at times, but funny and rarely wrong in his lens assessments.

Please Helen we really don't want to manage all this without you. Stephen has a tough job. It's lonely at the top. He can't be right every time. It's a wonderful place as you know.

How about this: for the month each ban for Ko.Fe and Huss, you ban RFF for a month for each of them. Could you maybe allow RFF to serve the two terms concurrently.....?

 

[Michael Markey]

Note to Stephen: your site could set itself above others on the web if you insisted that all users use their real name. Anonymity on the web seems to give a lot of people license to be rude or worse. When people are a bit more exposed by using their real name, I expect they will think twice before turning to ill behavior.

Now that is a fair point.
I try and limit my interaction with those who use a nom de plume despite the fact that some my have a legitimate reason for using one .
I suspect most don`t..

 

[Montag006]

Sad in Florida

Sad in Florida

I'm stunned by all of this.

Helen, it's hard to imagine RFF without Helen Hill! Not only are you a dear person and an accomplished photographer, but you have been able to restore balance to discussions beset with excess testosterone! And you do it with just a few well chosen words. I will really miss you.

CharlesDAMorgan, I have enjoyed your contributions to RFF and I will miss you, too, if you follow through and leave.

Huss and KoFe, I have enjoyed your part in making this RFF, as well. I truly hope you return when you can.

An RFF without these valued members will be a different RFF.

I'm more than a bit disillusioned at the moment, so I'm not sure what I'll be doing.

- Murray

I am going to use Murray's Post as a starting point...

Huss, KoFe I shall miss your posts, thoughts ideas and photos
sad and disappointed to see you're gone...

Helen, you have been and are such a huge balance - as someone above...
(above as in this thread) said to the testosterone richness here.
I shall absolutely miss your photos, your thoughts, your camera choices
and of course your Helen Hill-ness...
With your departure - a large part of the Heart of RFF will be gone...

Very Sad here...

I do wish you all the best of luck, health and happiness in your futures!

David

 

[Archiver]

Note to Stephen: your site could set itself above others on the web if you insisted that all users use their real name. Anonymity on the web seems to give a lot of people license to be rude or worse. When people are a bit more exposed by using their real name, I expect they will think twice before turning to ill behavior.

I'm a pretty private person, and I attempt to minimize the amount of information that I 'leak' online, despite participating a fair bit in online forums and having a business presence elsewhere. Being forced to use my real name to be in a forum like RFF would reduce me to lurker.