I've been a member of dgrin for about a year, so I'll jump in a bit here and answer what I can.
Steady Hand wrote:
I have never seen that forum before.
By looking at the banner, it appears there is a lot of nice photography there.
The list of forums looks large too with lots of segments/special rooms.
Yep. It's segmented nicely, particularly with the Buy & Sell.
I clicked on a few and was surprised to see SO MANY emoticons used throughout the postings in the forums. (used here for effect)
I am laughing, because some people on this forum don't care for emoticons (smilies). They don't bother me, and I guess I would feel right at home there.
Something I guess I just ignore.
I also noted that there is a Muench University prominently displayed on the banner and the forums. What struck me about that was what appeared to be lots of promotion of expensive workshops within the forum area. Is that typical there? I mean, do all kinds of photographers post promo stuff for workshops there? Or is it just the administrator (Andy) and Muench?
The only "ads" I've ever noticed are the Muench banners across the top. From what I've seen, the mods frown on members promoting things. I could be wrong, but I haven't seen much.
Just curious. Since you have been a member there, how does that work? Or is it widespread with lots of different workshops promoted in the threads by the moderators?
I like dgrin for what it is. Traffic is lower, but it is a much more frendly place for new photographers than FM tends to be. I've done 10x more posting there because I am relatively new, and feel "safe" posting there. *shrug*
Thanks for adding your experiences to this discussion. I found them interesting.
I hope you will find a safer and happier place at FM or elsewhere too. I know from personal experience that being new to a forum can lead to harsh treatment from some members.
Don't let any of that discourage you from your photography though.
I recently discovered Photosig.com
Ive been a member from photo.net for three years now
Most pictures I post on FM though, for some reason I value responses from this forum more than from other fora, they are more to the point
In reading critics and experimenting with tips and tricks from weekly assignments here, and ofcourse the macro and N&W fora here, I learned more in two years time about photography than in the ten years of shooting (for fun) before!
RT v Genugten wrote:
I recently discovered Photosig.com
Ive been a member from photo.net for three years now
Most pictures I post on FM though, for some reason I value responses from this forum more than from other fora, they are more to the point
In reading critics and experimenting with tips and tricks from weekly assignments here, and ofcourse the macro and N&W fora here, I learned more in two years time about photography than in the ten years of shooting (for fun) before!
RT.
Hmm....those are good observations.
And a good rec for FM too.
Thanks for adding to this discussion.
Is there no forum in Europe that is "multi-lingual" and photo devoted? I am thinking it would probably use English as the main language or Lingua Engla (Franca would be French no?) ?
I was doing some research last year about what makes a good forum "good" and such.
Obviously, forums, like any group or community, go through change and evolve.
Since many people here got some value from this thread, I thought I would ask if any "new" forums may have hit the internet in the last year that people like and why they like them.
I missed this first time around. I predominantly use FM, and get great inspiration from the people/wedding/landscape boards.
I have a flickr/facebook/photobucket account which I mainly use to keep in touch with my friends and family 12,000 miles away.
The only other forum I frequent (far too much) is www.hellophoto.co.nz . This was set up by a friend of mine last year, and I co-admin the site with him. Its primarly an NZ based membership but anyone can join. The good thing about it is that you feel more connected to the places and people the images contain as it is more likely that you have or can experience them (being local)
FM offers a lot more content etc, but whilst I would dearly love to pop across to visit the GC or the Rockies, they are not as accessible as the southern alps. Also FM meetups for a shoot are a bit of an effort!
FM really is the only one that doesn't piss me off. Have lurked here since the beginning. Our local (finnish) photography forums are just filled with camera masturbators and assholes.
Geo31 wrote:
Regarding Facebook, not only can your photos be copied, but if you post photos there, IIRC you transfer your copyright to Facebook (for ALL content, not just photos) in perpetuity when you agree to their terms or policies or whatever the heck it is. There was some real furor over this a while back.
I thought they reverted back to their old copyright agreement due to all the backlash?
I don't think these have been mentioned... I've been hanging out at Naturescapes.net for about a year now, very closeknit community, excellent advice, but you don't get quite the same amount of feedback on photos there as one does here.
I've been successfully lurking at Photomacrography.net for a long time now. They have EXCELLENT technical discussion on macro and microscope photography, as well they are INCREDIBLY gentle on newbies. One of the friendliest places I've ever been bar none.
Don't have time for a full answer - but Luminous Landscapes has the best collection of highly skilled photographers (architecture/landscape) that I've found anywhere. I shoot mostly people, but I still learn a LOT from those folks. I like cross-discipline learning a lot.
