The "Sin" Of Being A RFF Amateur

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brachal said:
Sheesh. What a thread. Does any of it really matter?

I'm an amateur in every sense of the word. I'm not a very good photographer, but I enjoy taking pictures and try to improve myself in the limited time I have available to actually take pictures. Does that make me bad? Or less worthy of being here than somebody with more time, experience or talent?

I know more about some gear than some people, and less than other people. I try to answer questions about it when I think I have an answer. I try to respect the knowledge of people who have more than I do, and I never try to make somebody feel foolish for knowing less than I do. I try to keep an open mind. If I disagree with you, I will at least be polite about it.

I'm aware that the nature of posting in a forum like this leaves plenty of room for misinterpretation of the author's intent, so I try to assume the best. I'm also aware that we have members from all over the world, so I always remember that English is a second or third language for them.

And in conclusion, I'd like to say that I Like Pie.
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Great post! I think people are over-analyzing here.

Matthew
 
i dont understand why this thread is so problematic that everyone start to argue. it seems that some of members have some problem with ruben. this is photography forum and ruben writes about his photography and feelings connected to it. he dont do anything bad.

also to talk about themes you all started here - i think that people have too much respect for "art" and "pro" photographers. they are not gods - they are simple people like all of us just with more expensive gear. all of us could work as pro photographers - but why would we do that if we have regular jobs. i wouldnt like photography to be my proffession. i want to have fun while photographing - and i wouldnt like to think which photo will sell better. i dont compete with other people i just want to have a good time and maybe to make somebody happy if i make photo that he likes.

also i dont think there is something special with rff anymore (there is only one thing which was special but now its gone - here people always tried to help other members - but now it seems that everybody just want to argue).

anyway - stop arguing and join a contest from my signature.

srdjan
 
brachal said:
Sheesh. What a thread. Does any of it really matter?

I'm an amateur in every sense of the word. I'm not a very good photographer, but I enjoy taking pictures and try to improve myself in the limited time I have available to actually take pictures. Does that make me bad? Or less worthy of being here than somebody with more time, experience or talent?

I know more about some gear than some people, and less than other people. I try to answer questions about it when I think I have an answer. I try to respect the knowledge of people who have more than I do, and I never try to make somebody feel foolish for knowing less than I do. I try to keep an open mind. If I disagree with you, I will at least be polite about it.

I'm aware that the nature of posting in a forum like this leaves plenty of room for misinterpretation of the author's intent, so I try to assume the best. I'm also aware that we have members from all over the world, so I always remember that English is a second or third language for them.

And in conclusion, I'd like to say that I Like Pie.
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Here here,

I too am an absolute beginner. Though many may complain about the mediocrity of the work in general displayed on this site I find it a hell of a lot better than most of the drivel (I guess we're not allowed to write c-r-a-p) I end up with. Once in a while I get a shot that I really like. I'm probably still wouldn't post it here.

Why am I here? I shoot for myself, not to please others, I like the gear, I like the discussion. I want to shoot more, I want to improve my craft (I won't call it art).

I really saw no offense in Rueben's first post. I saw it more as a call to recognize the diversity of interest & talent we have here.
 
lemure1.jpg
 
Ruben's title for this post was "The "Sin" Of Being A RFF Amateur ", and went on, toward the end of it, to state "So what I am saying with all these ? We deserve respect. Respect in the deepest sense, not in the formal one. "

First, I think I understand the intent of Ruben's post, and also have enjoyed his many other posts, too. I go to RFF to read, and view pictures, too. I enjoy reading about photography, especially how others experience the process of creating images. This I find perhaps more enjoyable than the discussion of gear. I find many of Ruben's posts very rewarding in terms of glimpsing how others approach that process.

Second, Ruben asserts that amateurs deserve respect, 'in the deepest sense'; I would also assert that people should extend that respect to others in online discussion forums, only because they, as people, are generally deserving of it. Perhaps some would call this general social politeness, extended towards those we casually meet but don't really know well.

In general, I try as much as possible to not react to, but rather ignore, less than honorable postings by others online. They may not be aware of the stain upon their personal reputation that they are imputing upon themselves, since all these posts become permanent, public record on the internet. So social skills seem to apply here.

Third, discussion forums are about language as much as picture gazing. We should at least attempt to be tolerant of those whose first language isn't english (like myself, for instance - my first language is 'slang american', not english!); or those, like myself, who aren't formally schooled in writing. It seems ironic that we, as photographers from all walks of life, seem more interested in the subtle nuances of visual expression than we are about the subtle nuances of the written word.

I enjoy reading, and parsing, Ruben's writings; they seem to contain more than a mere cursory glance may reveal. One just has to be patient to wade through the verbosity. That, too, seems to be another important social grace: patience.

~Joe
 
nzeeman said:
i think that people have too much respect for "art" and "pro" photographers. they are not gods - they are simple people like all of us
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Seconded -- though I'd add that there are always some people who would have extreme difficulty in becoming professional photographers, lacking (as they do) both the artist's eye and the technician's skill.

Cheers,

R.
 
sitemistic said:
"i wouldnt like photography to be my proffession. i want to have fun while photographing"

I have fun every day I walk out with my camera. If I wasn't having fun with photography, I wouldn't be a PJ. Do you imagine pro photographers hate what they do?
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To my knowledge, PJ's are usually told what to shot and show to the boss. I don't like that, because I know in advance the final result. Am I wrong? I think only the veteran and known PJ's are free to shoot
 
lZr said:
To my knowledge, PJ's are usually told what to shot and show to the boss. I don't like that, because I know in advance the final result. Am I wrong? I think only the veteran and known PJ's are free to shoot
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Yes, you are wrong. The only thing you know in advance is the assignment. There is no way to know the result, and each assignment is a challenge. The more established you are the more leeway you may have but you NEVER know the result in advance. THAT would be boring.

Besides, what are "veteran and known PJ's" if not PJ's? Freedom is relative.
 
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I'm so glad I got a good night's sleep. This morning I got a haircut (it takes a very good barber to find much to cut), went to the local co-op community darkroom to sign up as a member so I can FINALLY have a place to process my 4x5 film, went to Eastman House to see a Steichen exhibit, (took to photos in the parking lot before entering) then to Spot Coffee for some java and a Wi-Fi Google a tech topic while sipping the coffee.

All-in-all, a significant percentage of photographic activies on a Saturday ... tomorrow back to the darkroom with 4x5 latent images in hand.

I love a good sleep!
 
I waste more time on these threads than I can ever justify - but it's better than TV and my wife can watch all the home design shows she wants without me giving her any grief.
 
Hi sitemistic,
In my opinion we are faced with a serious challenge about our Forum identity. Some of us are taking the "I go for the popcorn" atittude.

With my most inner sincerity I invite you to take a stance about the the basic issues underlined. You yourself has been a great contributor here. Have your efforts and lots of time been channalized to a "Trivia" forum ?. Do you accept this ?

Of course that in case you find my post insultive, I will thank every remark. This RFF is an honorable place.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
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