maybe to close to home...but, why do we hang out on RFF?

michaelbialecki said:
Hello everybody,

this is a sort of broad and general question, but I was thinking about RFF the other day and was wondering why I enjoy participating in this forum......first let me state that I do not read or participate in other photography forums (besides Flickr), RFF is really the only site that I visit, post photos, read about gear and get inspired by some beautiful photos that members post.

There are a lot of talented photographers here that live in different parts of the world and share their work with us and I really enjoy looking at their photos.....and there are so many knowledgeable contributors that post interesting information about such random things that concern Leica or just photography in general that I enjoy reading about......there are so many people on this forum that I look forward to reading their posts or checking out their photos that I can't even begin to start with their names because the list would be endless......soo many of you guys and gals on this forum rock for different reasons....

a special thanks to Steven for providing us with a place to hang out and talk about photography.....

I guess my question is, "Why do you participate in this forum and what do you get out of it?.....



.....one more thing......I have met and befriended a couple of members here in face to face meetings and I am grateful that I have gotton to know them.......lots of good folks on this site

cheers, michael
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Thanks Michael, I couldn't have said it better myself. 😀
Rob
 
Related to, but nothing like as demanding as, what I write about for money. Since Arles I've done 21,000 words and now have to learn about creating PDFs for the site and Kindle. Nice people, rarely demanding, very little aggravation. And all of the people I've met from the site in real life, I've liked.

Cheers,

R.
 
For years, I have been on car forums, motorcycle forums, other photography forums and I have never found people that I liked (or the mechanical devices) than those on RFF!

Like Jon, I have met a few folks from RFF and consider them lifelong friends in person. And I would hope those I have not had the pleasure to meet personally will be lifelong friends as well.😉

A remarkable site and many thanks to Stephen.
 
Don't "hang out" here much any more. But I do check in from time to time to search some tech info on something or just see what you guys are up to. It's a friendly "where-everybody-knows-your-name" sort of atmosphere. Here's a couple of quick quotes from back in the day that help illustrate why I like it here.
“I've never once told them that their photos are boring because it's very obvious that they are having about ten times more fun doing whatever it is that they are doing than my miserable artistic ass is doing whatever it is that I am doing.” ~ endustry

“... every no-talent hack believes that there is a magic bullet out there somewhere. First, they believe that the answer lies in more stuff. Then, disillusioned, they believe that the answer lies in less stuff. Never do they contemplate that perhaps they just suck.” ~ bmattock
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Ha! Love it. This stuff is a hobby to me that I don't have near enough time for as I would like. But I can show up here occasionally and ramble profusely about my cheap, junk equipment, show off my treasured artwork (that totally sucks) and someone says, "Hey! Good to see ya!" or "Nice shooter!" or "Like that shot." Constructive criticism is available as well as tech assistance ... and it's all good because they're havin' the same fun I'm havin' with whatever it is we're doin'.
 
I came here because I aquired some rangefinder gear in an estate sale and I was looking for information. I found a diverse and talented group of photographers who are generally civil and always helpful. I generally enjoy the conversations among like-minded people. I always enjoy and admire the images posted every week.
 
I was telling a friend about my latest old camera - Fujica GSW690. He asked "how many cameras do you have?" I said, "too many to count." He shook his head and walked away. Only on RFF does anyone understand.
 
The general standard of intelligence and knowledge is higher than on many comparable forums, and the tone more civil.

It's also a treasure house of information, covering a vast array of interrelated topics.

Moreover many of the pictures contributed are first class, and inspire the likes of me to keep trying...

Regards,
D.
 
First, this forum opened my eyes to the RF world. Beleave it or not, but until last year I wasn't aware of the RF devices existing since about one hundred years!

Thanks to all the friendly and patient folks here, I learned checking the RF experience with a fairly simple fixed lens RF.

I like the good mix of photography art discussion as well as technical knowledge sharing, without forgetting some subtle, sometimes good cynical humor. And all of this without sliding into obsessive disputes. Yes, I know other photo forums. And that's why I really do appreciate the higher quality here.
 
Most of the good answers have been taken already...so I will add that I've learned a bunch and have also been convinced to try new things be it gear, chemistry, film, formats, shooting styles or ideas...
Plus, I just feel normal in here...
 
All my family and off line friends run like hell if I start talking about anything photographic...The excellent folks here mostly don't.
A bit more serious way to put that: I so rarely see any other photographers and no one around me does anything more than show each other their phones if they want to show their latest photo.
I've been here a while and along the way learned lots from so many different people and viewpoints.
And, I hope I've been able to return some of that knowledge and kindness.
Rob
 
SciAggie said:
Here's an example of why I like it here. Here's a link to a gallery on my website: http://strickspics.zenfolio.com/p235221830

If I post that for my "normal" friends or on Facebook, I am greeted with an uncomfortable silence; someone might say, "Er...um...yeah....nice pics..."

You guys at least appreciate what I'm trying to do.
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I really love the third shot in that series (kind of top-down view centered). Really nice images in all though. I just like the crispness and grunginess in that particular image. Well done. 🙂
 
Yes, I like three. Also four, seven and nine. Maybe crop out the tire on seven, I don't know. Three's worth the trip out anyway. : )
 
Since I have been hanging out here, I can say i was inspired to learn how to do my own B&W processing. I'm 57 years old been taking my own photos since 1958 when I got my first Brownie. Bought my first used M Leica after visiting this site. Have seen great work here that has made me, I think take better photos. There is a great wealth of information, that is shared freely by the members. There is a lot to be learned by just reading the posts as I do.

Thanks to all of you & Rangefinder Forum
 
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