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 p.18 #25 · Newbies or New to FM? Tips 4U | |
Hi Folks,
It is has been a long time since this post made it back to the top of the forum. And I notice I missed saying thanks to some of the nice people who did post some supportive comments and introduction remarks in this thread.
So, here are some responses to those nice folks. 
TO: 200231786 or "J"
Thanks for adding supportive and friendly words in this thread. Good to see you posting and welcoming newbies too.
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TO: k hopkins or Ken
Hello Ken, Good introduction you posted! I wish more did that here.
This may be a little late, but I hope you are continuing with photographing people too (my favorite subject for photography).
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TO: Jean-Nathan
Good to see you supporting this effort too. I agree with your point too. I believe a supportive dialogue and some honest encouragement and observations is a better answer and makes for a better "forum culture."
Haven't seen you post in while. Post more. Let's see what you have been up to lately!
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TO: GERRY2153
Thanks for the supportive words. Keep visiting and start posting!
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TO: eddsi
Hi.
You asked if I still post photos and if you can see some.
Yes I do take/make lots of photos. Frequently. That is one way I make my living as a full-time professional artist/photographer.
As for posting photos here on FM? I have not posted any photos here in a while because there are a few hostile and negative people here and I don't want my clients to see how that hostility and animosity is vented in a thread about my client's photo/portrait. I often photograph children and senior citizens and others who may not understand why their photo is the featured photo with lots of hostile remarks surrounding it. Those hostile and negative forum members hijacked several of my posted topics discussions and many of my topics. That is the unfortunate part of a forum like this. Hostility and negativity can be just beneath the surface and in a loosely moderated forum (as this one is) it can show itself much more than I think is good for participants/members/visitors. If you just read the comments posted in this thread itself, you will see a mix of people who are supportive of this Newbies thread, and others who are not and even some who took opportunities to make targeted personal remarks, snide comments, and insinuations.
What about photos I posted here on FM?
I posted 70 different "Impressions" threads here in this forum in 2008, each with detailed introductory remarks and tips and explanations of my approach, my gear used, and things to watch for in a similar photo op. Those Impressions discussions are a very different approach to image "interpretation" and are what I consider MUCH more fun when viewing images. They are something I encourage EVERYONE to try too. I believe they have the potential to tell you more about your photography than most other forms of "comments" and "critique" found on a forum like this one.
Of course not everyone is really prepared (emotionally/mentally/confidence) for an Impressions style interpretation of their images. By that, I believe many people are not willing or do not desire to see IF their photos "say" anything or "reach the heart" or are more than just "properly exposed."
Or others may not see the value in them. That is OK with me. I see value.
Here is a quotation I have always liked:
"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things but their inward significance." ---- Aristotle
I consider them not only more valuable, more engaging, more interesting, but also preferable and more fun. They are purposefully intended to NOT be a critique of an image, but a discussion of the emotional impressions or interpretations the images evoke. I also encourage even NEWBIES to try them too. I believe they are a much better way for you to learn IF you are reaching your audience. So, they are different by design from the typical "C&C" posts so common on this forum.
To learn HOW to do an Impressions discussion of your own, just see one of my Impressions posts (you can search for "Your Impressions" in the search field on this forum). In EACH of my Impressions Discussion posts, I always put some tips on how to participate and make one at the bottom of the intro of the photo (my topmost post in the thread/discussion).
NOTE:
How do you find those old threads/photos posted in 2008?
Those 70 images were posted here in 2008. That means they are now in the forum Archives for 2008. You can STILL see them easily. FIRST you have to click on the year links in the "Time Machine" box on the upper right on the forum main page to search to get in the archives for past years posts, simply choose 2008). THEN you simply type "Your Impressions" in the search field (topic field) and it will take you to more than 40 of my Impressions Discussion threads in that year. Search a bit and see what you can.
There are also other topics related to this found by typing "Impressions" in the forum search box.
You might also enjoy reading the different "Impressions about Impressions" thread here:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/653643
A FEW links to some Impressions Discussions:
The last 15 or so images I posted were focused on Pianists. So if you like music, that would be a good place to focus attention. Here are the first three in this series on pianists (#51, 52, 53). Impressions comments on them (at this time) would be most helpful.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/706057
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/705476
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/705839
IF pianos or pianists hold no interest for you, try some of the earlier image posts (before #51). They show people from around the world and of all different ages.
Here is one:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/657020/0?keyword=Your,Impressions#5851047
And...I am NOT the only person here who enjoys this style of Impressions or Interpretation of images. Others such as Yves and a few others also started their own Impressions discussions too.
You can also find 350 different portraits on my old Studio website: http://www.steadmanuhlich.com
That site has many photos (350+) spread across 300 pages. It also has much more info too. It is an older site I built from scratch (blank pages in HTML) and was my first website for displaying my photos. It is a bit out of date now (not updated as frequently) and soon to be "retired" when I transfer the data/content to a new format in the near future. I built that site in a few months of FAST and dedicated personal work with HTML and site design. I have learned much more about site design since then.
I also have a more simple "online portfolio" (only showing photos) site here: http://steadmanuhlich.zenfolio.com/
In that site, I suggest viewing the folder called 180 Selected Favorites.
And I have another online portfolio (a flash gallery) found on my educational site too:
http://photomentors.com/portraits-steadman-uhlich/
That one has just 40 photos, but IF the flash gallery is working properly for you, you can view them at a larger size than the other sites. I tried to make them bigger and IF you click the "FS" button at the bottom of the Flash Gallery (once it loads, it may take a second or two to fully load), it should go to full screen with a larger image.
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To ANY NEWBIES OR LURKERS reading this:
The intent and sentiment of this thread (my original topmost post) is still there/alive. I encourage you ALL to participate here and post your photos when you want. Take a part in giving comments to others photos (even IF you do not make technical comments). People posting photos want to hear/read what others like and don't like.
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CASE IN POINT:
I just received a PM from a Newbie/Lurker who wrote the following in response to this thread (Newbies thread):
"I think many Newbies, myself included, may find it intimidating to jump in on a thread and offer an opinion when you know many of the posters are pros and I am not. Sometimes I feel like I don't have the background or experience to know if an image is a good one or not."
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I understand that feeling. It can be an intimidating place. But it does not have to be.
My Suggestion for you and ALL newbies is to participate. One way is to simply post a comment on what YOU see in the photos. Tell the original photographer what you notice. What grabs your eyes? What seems like a distraction from the MAIN subject? What do you like about the photo? What do you NOT like about the photo?
Even IF you have limited experience with making photos, you can tell someone else what pleases or displeases you in a photo.
Or what Impressions it gives you!
Or what you think about it.
You don't HAVE to use technical terms. Just be honest and speak from your gut, your heart, or what you feel or see.
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