I think it really depends on what context you are referring to. Let me preface by saying I think personal attacks have no place on this forum. They do nothing but bring the whole place down and people should really grow up and move past that.

Now, on the other hand, I think people's images and methods are fair game for harsh criticism. I think a lot of people come here looking for nothing but a pat on the back when in reality, that is the LAST thing they need.

So you just shot your first wedding and managed to get 10 snapshots that aren't terrible. Honestly, what are you looking for? Do you want us to tell you how good you are? I really don't get it. Threads like that are boring and maybe slightly irritating to me, but I manage to avoid them and not say anything.

I think that if people put forth a genuine effort and really have a strong desire to do the right thing and get better, then they should be respected. However if people come in here with the wrong intentions, wrong methods, or wrong mindset, then they should be corrected. Sometimes this will be unpleasant, but such is life. This isn't the 3rd grade science fair and not everyone wins a gold medal. You have to start from the bottom, work hard, and take your knocks along the way.

Just my 2c.

Andy Wood wrote:
Anyone else notice this?


Not really.

This is place is pretty civil for the most part.

Interesting responses as usual. I have seen some responses about cc. I am not saying to give untrue feedback or just pats on the back. There is just a way to say things without making the other person want to go slit their wrists.

I have some friends on here that never post or talk because they in all honesty are kind of scared to. I doesn't take a genius to notice there are a lot of people lurking. I have a guess that they are a bit afraid to post or comment

McGrattan wrote:
morganb4 wrote:I have never seen any of the 'rockstars' here attack anyone, have you?

Does calling another respected photographer an attention whore count?


I'll take the fall for that. I thought better of it and changed my response. I apologize for that.

<--- Sheepishly raises hand...

Andy Wood wrote:I have some friends on here that never post or talk because they in all honesty are kind of scared to. I doesn't take a genius to notice there are a lot of people lurking. I have a guess that they are a bit afraid to post or comment

Steve Tinetti wrote:
<--- Sheepishly raises hand...

Andy Wood wrote:I have some friends on here that never post or talk because they in all honesty are kind of scared to. I doesn't take a genius to notice there are a lot of people lurking. I have a guess that they are a bit afraid to post or comment


Yeah, but if anyone crits you, just ****in' ban them.

Andy Wood wrote:
I have been on this forum since 2003. Seen it go through a lot changes. I have noticed lately people are not being very thoughtful to others (part of the reason I am posting less). Whether its the person that just posted their first images or a veteran on the forum. Just because you think you are anonymous doesn't mean you are.

I would encourage people to be a little nicer. Be encouraging, be thoughtful, be inspiring. Just a thought. Anyone else notice this?


Sorry, but one problem with these boards is a reciprocal fear of commenting; in a realistic way. Apparently 90+% of the posts must be positive. The commenter would never want to get bad feedback of their own. So now we are stuck with this never ending circle of jerking each other off with positive comments about mediocre photos...

It happens on EVERY photo board. Just because somebody has 28,000 posts, it doesn't means their photos are all that great.

Speak the truth, just don't be a total A-hole about it.

This is great. Not too long ago a thread was started on a similar topic and the usual clique including the moderator jumped in and destroyed the guy with their comments and sarcastic "funny" pictures. Now this! That`s my love affair with internet fora finished. I`ll leave you all to it. Good day.

sav1977 wrote:
[

Speak the truth, just don't be a total A-hole about it.



well said

I wish I could post more encouraging lengthy reviews but I just don't have time except for a few things here and there. I feel really bad about that sometimes because the teacher in me wants to help everyone. But yes everyone should be a little nicer because what goes around comes around. I truly believe that if you help someone out down the road when you need help the help will come. if you are a fart then you gonna get farted on
doug

MPLS_photog wrote:
Andy Wood wrote:
Anyone else notice this?


Not really.

This is place is pretty civil for the most part.

+1

Hi everyone, a real n0ob here, both in the photography area and also on the board as far as posting . I read quite a few threads here daily and find FM is a great place to learn and yes sometimes people can be harsh or personal. The internet's anonymity allows us all to be as mean spirited as we want and it is almost accepted as funny or "Simon Cowellish". Personally I have an on/off button and a couple of hundred "favorites" and if I am offended or don't care for the line of discussion I turn away.

A few years back I was one half of the admins on a discussion forum and I was guilty of the trolling and flaming under an alias.Did it to see if we could draw a few members and it worked,it worked so well that the board became a burden. My point...maybe not the majority but a good portion of people WANT to see the bickering and attacks...it's like watching the 'Reality' programs.I've grown up and older since then and at 50+ can't believe I was such a *****, it really isn't in my nature when face to face.

Time to lurk again

If people come here because they want to see bickering and attacks, that's just sad. Its immature to need to bring someone down just to prop yourself up.

Personally, I learn a lot here. I'm also my own worst critic. I feel my work has quite a ways to go to get to the point I want it. So I haven't been posting photos. When I feel the desire to, I will. And bashing be damned.

If I truly don't like someone's work, I just won't say anything. When I do post comments, my general rule of thumb is to always find something good to say and always add some amount of constructive criticism. If all someone wants is a pat on the back, then I'm not the person you want to talk to since I'm here to learn and share and grow in my ability and style. Quite frankly, there is no photographer in existence whose work I love 100% of the time. And it would be boring if my creative vision were such that I did. We learn and grow by sharing our differences. It allows us to see in new ways. But it should always be done in the spirit of sharing and learning.

...and civility...

I agree so much with this topic. I was on the end of the harshness. And it seems when you take it as harsh and question it you are whinning, or told get use to it. When in fact an question good or bad by a newbie or vet, is that a question you can answer it or not, but rude come on. A repeated question can really be that persons true cry for help. I mean I was on the verge of really wanting to give up but thankful to some really professional photographers on FM that remand humble and my passion to be good at this, I haven't.

Still Thriving

I started being nice when I noticed my remarks on this forum where in the search results after googling myself; knowing that, I find myself posting more intellectual content, just kidding

.... *group hug* ....

I used to enjoy the wedding forum more in the past. I notice that when noobies post their first weddings, I usually don't have much to say. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or disrespect their enthusiasm and ambition toward wedding photography.
It take years to hone your craft as most of us finally realized.
On the other hand, I admire the good shooters who post their wedding pics. Then, when I say something, they can understand that it is truely a peer to peer comment that might be appropriate and encourage their development.
I sincerely admire the very talented beginner who seems to be able to do it all right out of the starting gate. They bring lots of enthusiasm and certainly are not beating a dead horse nor are they stuck in the ruts that wedding photographers can easily fall into by repeating the same tired routines wedding after wedding. I look to be inspired by new trends and ideas here.
I am very passionate about my wedding photography. I have noticed areas where I need improvement and I practice to improve in those areas. I cannot just sit still reading forums and hope to improve. Those making wisecrack remarks at FM or acting like forum policemen turn me off.

Andy Wood wrote:
I have been on this forum since 2003. Seen it go through a lot changes. I have noticed lately people are not being very thoughtful to others (part of the reason I am posting less). Whether its the person that just posted their first images or a veteran on the forum. Just because you think you are anonymous doesn't mean you are.

I would encourage people to be a little nicer. Be encouraging, be thoughtful, be inspiring. Just a thought. Anyone else notice this?
+1
And you must watch out because "The Hoff" apparently owns intellectual rights to 99% of all wedding poses and lighting, and if your pictures or logo look anything even remotely similar (ie, a logo uses words, fonts or letters, oh my! ) the HAKs (Hoffer A$$ Kissers) mount up their donkeys and have and have a good old fashioned mob lynchin').


But seriously, I think most forums are getting a lot less thoughtful and a lot more belligerent as they increase in size.

musclepics wrote:
+1
And you must watch out because "The Hoff" apparently owns intellectual rights to 99% of all wedding poses and lighting, and if your pictures or logo look anything even remotely similar (ie, a logo uses words, fonts or letters, oh my! ) the HAKs (Hoffer A$$ Kissers) mount up their donkeys and have and have a good old fashioned mob lynchin').


But seriously, I think most forums are getting a lot less thoughtful and a lot more belligerent as they increase in size.

I invented and copyrighted most of the words in that post, so I'd appreciate proper credit...