What are the six most important things you've learned from yopur participation in photo.net

1) Most people look for magic bullets to improve their photography. It's easier to buy a new camera or a new lens than to do real work.

2) Lighting will improve one's photos more than buying a new camera or a new lens.

3) Nikon is better than Canon.

4) The digerati feel obliged to pronounce, at every opportunity, that film is dead. Some of us shoot, and enjoy, both.

5) Most people do wayyyy too much editing in Photoshop.

6) The 'decisive moment' is dead. Just blast away at 10 fps and choose your favorite.

1) Be as specific as possible when answering questions

2) If you have to make assumptions to answer a question, clearly state those.

3) Don't try to make jokes when writing in a language that's not your own. (They're too often misunderstood).

4) When commenting on answers given by others, be extremly careful and as polite as possible, as some of those who answered are extremly picky when someone points out an error in that answer.

5) If you get an offensive comment after acting like in 4), be thickskinned enough to handle that, but as well, don't hesitate to use abuse@photo.net if things come too thick.

6) Have fun in (and with) the community.

1) Ellis is sometimes grumpy but almost always right.
2) True originality is extraordinarily difficult to come by.
3) It turns out that #2 is absolutely no excuse for boring photography (see Eastern Europe, per Ellis)
4) Equipmement doesn't matter...
5) ...except when it sure as hell does.
6) Interacting with other photographers online can be hugely eye opening, but can also be a life-sucking, yawning pit of a time-sponge that can keep you from a few more hours a week you should be spending behind your camera, dammit... so, moderation in all things (except for aggessively deleting shots that should not have been taken, where being more moderate means having to buy more disk space, too).

I think I need more than six things, Ellis! But it's actually very helpful to ask yourself what any given activity has taught you in the past year of your life. Photo.net - more than anything else - is remarkable for the breadth and depth of the personalities, talents, and interests that populate it. Regular exposure to that makes every day a chance for at least six new things to digest.

Why six? I can only count up to 5 (it's a digital thing).

1) The www has become the most effective medium for information sharing for special-interest groups.

2) Most people can be incredibly generous in sharing what they know.

3) Some people like to use the anonymity of the internet to be unpleasant in a way they couldn't get away with face-to-face.

4) There is really no agreement about what makes a good photograph.

5) Ditto good camera.

1) " it's not the camera it's the photographer " 2) photographers really do have a sense of humor ( well, most do ) 3) Ellis is no longer crabby 4) learning about HDR FOV DOF IQ DSLR FX DX ISO NEF HMC LCD IS VR PS CS3 and EXIF 5) imagination is limitless...just when you thought you've seen every conceivable landscape or flower 6) there are some very talented photographers that post here

1) Always read 2) Then start shooting 3) Return to the first step 4) Then redo second step 5) Always ask opinion of the others 6) NEVER make the BOSS angry . :)

1) Never say anything bad about Photo Shop.

2) More people use Zorki's than I thought.

3) There are a great deal of excellent Photographers on Photo.net

4) Don't compare such things as: Nikon vs Canon or Film vs Digital

5) I don't need a Computer to be a Photographer

6) Large Format photographers have super powers and are rarely wrong.

1. If Ellis or Bjørn answers a question, make a note of what E. or B. says. It's not only going to be right, it's likely to be important.

2. What you write on the web, stays on the web.

3. Photographs are made, not taken.

4. (Following Brian, above) People can be incredibly generous in sharing what they know.

5. Many people know things that are not true, and they're incredibly generous in sharing that also.

6. The photo rating system bothers those who participate very much. Fortunately, it keeps them participating.

1. My photography can always improve 2. There are always good people here, who really do want to help 3. Literally anything about photography can be degraded into idolatry 4. Diversity of opinion is not a bad thing 5. Those who continually upgrade and maintain this site are to be heartily commended 6. Those who regularly use this site to support their fragile egos by flaming others really do need therapy

I don't want to repeat what preceding posters have said, but I will throw this one out there:

1) The people who could learn the most from the Search function are the people who are least likely to use it

1 There is no "right" way of doing things, just lots of different ways. 2 The web spreads misinformation just as quickly as information. 3 Do what's right for you and not the self appointed experts

That's about it

Cheers

Alan

1. Ellis is really a human being. 2. How to manage(sometimes) color space. 3. The fundamentals of sharpening. 4. That street photography is not my thing. 5. It has re-enforced my belief that equipment is a fetish. My mediocre pictures remain mediocre on high priced equipment. 6. That a lot of so-called experts who don't post bios or pictures and who don't pay dues post authoritative, and unsupported judgements as if they had the credibiltiy of those who do pay dues, post pictures and pay dues.

1 - That it is really wierd that a number of people have referred to Ellis in the female vernacular 2 - That, as a microcosm of society, the sharing on here gives me hope for society in general 3 - That, as a microcosm of society, the obnoxiousness of some on here takes some of that hope away. 4 - Money spent on equipment doeth not a good photograph make. 5 - Wedding photographers work under some incredibly demanding conditions, physical and human to boot. 6 - I'm not the only one who can read something in a manual and still not understand it, but when someone takes the time to relate it in a couple of sentences, it suddenly makes sense. 6-A - There's some insanely-smart people here (Bob A & Mark U. spring immediately to mind) 6-B - That EOSNotes Flash bible is weeeeeeelly confusing to this wabbit.

1. There are unreal numbers of Gorgeous Blondes in the world. Ditto Redheads.

2. Photoshop is Good. Velvia is Good. Arguments are time-consuming and wasteful.

3. No one can spell Ansell Adam's (sic).

4. HDR is only a Good Thing when you are unaware of its use.

5. Women take sexier pictures of women than men do.

6. No matter how good you are at things 'A' 'B' and 'C', what you really want to do is thing 'D'.

Sorry, I don't have time to think this one through . . . . I am busy:

1) Trying to decide which new camera to buy . . . I don't have time to tell you what I am going to do with it, but I still need your advice on which is best.

2) I am worried because a friend talked me into photographing her wedding because she likes the pictures that I take with my old InstaMatic. Now, I can't figure out how to use my brand new flash with my new body and the new lense that I bought. BTW: The lens is an Russian 10-200f5.6-8. Do you think that this will be good enough or should I run out tonight and buy a 50mmf1.0 to go along with it? Did I mention that the wedding is tomorrow?

3) I would like to assist a wedding photographer in the middle of nowhere. I think that I can do a good job because I take nice pictures with my Sony Mavica.

4) Why don't I get any comments on my photographs?

5) Could I get some legal advice? About copyright? Or, maybe contract law?

6) Can someone tell me what I did wrong with shot . . . I know that the scan is not very good, but does the exposure look right?

Oh . . . there is a seventh thing that I have learned in my years at photo.net: Always keep your tongue planted firmly in your cheek . . .

Ed

1. It not the camera that's getting the shot wrong, its me

2. A Lot of good photographers are on photo.net (hope to be one, one day)

3. The photography business is more business then photography

4. The glass is more important then the body in most cases

5. I should delete my bad shots and keep the good ones. ( I have a hard time with this one and can not do it. I feel its worth the $$ for more hard drives :) )

6. reread all posts before submitting, PN has no edit feature (still not getting this one either)

1. Never play cards with a guy named Doc.

2. Never eat at a place called Mom's.

3. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own.

Oh, wait. Maybe I learned those from Nelson Algren.

1. To have a thick hide.

2. Buying a camera and studio lights does not make you a professional

3. Photoshop is a noun, not a verb

4. No two photographers shoot alike, and there is always something to learn from the other guy

5. Photographic rules are guides not laws

6. Technique is not a dirty word

1. Technique ruins artistry.

2. Every photo is perfect as is because art is just a matter of interpretation.

3. Art is anything you say it is.

4. There is no difference between "2-dimensional" and "3-dimensional" since a photo is capturing reality.

5. Originality 6, Aesthetics 6 is really just a way to say "hi."

6. "I want a critique" means "I want attention."

1. I'm not really as good a photographer as I'd like to be, but my family thinks my photos have improved in the last three years.

2. 1. about covers it.

Re. Les, #6: true dat.

does anyone have a 4x5 i can borrow? :)

1. The internet (and thereby PN) is full of misnomers, errors and mis-information 2. The internet (and PN) needs to be filtered by the user 3. Many PN users are FAR too hung up on lenses & pixel peeping 4. The people who say 'the eye is the most important thing' are most likely those with poor technique 5. There are many, many grumpy people here (including me) 6. I would not have PN any other way...

1. How to use a computer.

2. Which digital camera to buy.

3. Which printer to buy.

4. Which scanner to buy.

5. Which software to buy.

6. How to use the internet.

1. There are a lot of very talented photographers at Pnut.

2. If the response to a question would make a good bumper sticker, lots of people will consider it true.

3. " What do think is wrong with my image ? " often means " What do you think is great about my image? "

4. Quantity always trumps quality.

5. The only useful application of the term art is getting the attention of a guy named Arthur.

6. There are no stupid questions, only stupid people.

Gordon; #4 should read "4. Nudity always trumps quality";

What I clearly have not learned: to double-check my spelling :-)

Ellis,

Besides copying your list

1. Those that complain seem to be more active i.e. get more attention than those that really produce work

2. Ratings seem to be more important to most than good photography (mediocrity rules)

3. people that are just starting out in photography don't get enough help from more experienced members. Interactivity only goes so far it seems.

But despite all that a great bunch of people can be found here.

and before I forget, a lot of abbreviations are used that are not familiar to non-native English speakers

1. Read old posts, books, manuals, and google stuff before posting. 2. Re-read old posts, books, manuals, and googled pages because as soon as you post, someone replies with a website or page number...or it was posted below your new post! :) 3. Don't take things personally, sometimes talented people forget what it was like to be 'new', forgive them this, learn from them - they are talented for a reason! 4. Don't feel dwarfed by others skill, you will master your own magic - but it takes a lot of work, no one got where they are overnight. 5. Be your own spell checker and grammar guru, there is a reason for the 'confirm' button and the ability to make changes before actually posting - and remember, these posts are 100% public, anyone can find them! 6. Don't assume that if it is clear in your head, it is clear in the post, sometimes more details help AND read the WHOLE post before responding, also keep in mind PN's requests for posts: 'Is it REALLY post worthy?'

I cheated, some of mine have more than one...well, what can I say? I have learned a LOT, and continue to do so from the talent that makes up this website. Cool post idea! :)

1. Learn to have a thicker hide.

2. That my style is mostly about trying to capture what catches my eye.

3. To use two hard returns te prevent sentences being stitched together.

4. That some really good photographers are very friendly.

5. That there are some people here who are really knowledgable about photography but really shy about showing their work. (If you read this and think that must be me: please post more pictures! (don't worry, after three times asking this question I won't ask again.))

6. That postprocessing is not a dirty word. (However the jury is still out on Photoshop...)

Matthijs.

2) Read an entire thread before posting, you might be duplicating some one elses answer. 3) No matter how many times you read your post, you still come up with typos. 4) Never say anything bad about the 5D(although that has eased a bit the last few years). 5) Avoid nonsense arguments and oppiniotated statementes they can onlly get you swated from the forum. 7) Don't forget there is human being on the other side of the bube-tube. 8) Best and worst time to post - Friday nights !

1-6, all of you are right, some more , some less....

( short , for people that English is not their mother language......)

1. I learned that I can learn how to use a camera, finally

2. How to photograph at night

3. That cheap lenses suck, save for the good ones

4. A good quality lens is better than an expensive camera

4. The joys of street photography

5. Not to use the word "racist" in any discussion

1) the forums are great, 2) never say Canon is the best 3) never say Nikon is the best 4) never say that digital is better then film 5) there are many knowledgable persons willing to help in photo.net 6) don't trust the judging of photos, that part sucks

Christine; LOL

Your no. 5 is priceless.... love your sense of humour.

........and Gerald, yes nudity trumps everything at P.nut

1. If you want a lot of responses to a post on a photography website, include the phrase "digital versus film" in the title

2. Every image shot before the advent of accessible digital photography was good, because without Photoshop to process the image, what you're seeing is exactly what was shot, totally in-focus and with perfect exposure.

3. Every image shot since the advent of accessible digital photography is good, because Photoshop can make out- of-focus images sharp, restore highlights that have gone completely white, add details in shadows that have gone completely black, improve any composition and pretty much do anything short of bringing the dead back to life, no matter how little attention is paid to any of those details during the actual taking of the picture.

4. Anyone who believes #3 has probably never shot film and/or was never subjected to a slideshow of all 437 slides "snapped" during Uncle Bob and Aunt Mary's latest trip to Nowheresville. Anyone who believes #4 has probably never used Photoshop, either because they think that any image that began life as a digital file is just "graphic art" not "photography" or because they've never actually tried to use Photoshop to correct an ill- composed, out-of-focus, badly over and/or under exposed image.

5. There's no crying in photography ... unless you've had a flying box-cutter damage the screen of your 5D as you're removing it from the packaging for the first time, had the camera with irreplaceable images fall into salt water ... oh, wait a minute: there IS crying in photography.

6. No matter how long you've been taking pictures, there's always something new to learn ... and this is a great place to learn it.

Some people with cameras are mean and some are nice.

and

Cats are the beginning of the end of the world as we know it.

oh yeah,

I can't follow instructions

1) I learned about a very talented repair person who can fix just about anything as long as it is a Leica screwmount.

2) I have learned that buying cameras from people who frequently post here is a reliable way to get a fine camera at an honest price. So far, a Leica M3, a Contax IIa, a Rollei 35, a 90 mm Elmar lens, some filters.

3) I learned that Mike Elek is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to classic cameras.

4) I learned how to get a stuck lens off a Kiev 4, and how to correctly set the shutter speed.

5) I learned how my wife and her companions could get from Madrid to their proposed starting point for hiking on the pilgrimmage to Santiago de Compostela, thanks to the many talented Luis Triguez.

6) I learned that I really miss the sharp wit and vast knowledge of Jay, of Leica fame, and Al Kaplan, racounteur extraordinaire, both banished.

I can't stop with just 6.

7) Gene M who develops and posts "found" film from ancient cameras is a genius who really should publish a book on his work. He can be found on "classic cameras".

8) Ellis is NOT an island.

9) The bell tolls for thee.

10) I learned that I am not the only obsessive packrat on photonet, who has many more cameras than he will ever use.

11) I can always find one more "must have" camera if I can sneak it past my long suffering wife.

12) Blogging here is more fun and more rewarding than doing it on dpreview.com

1). There are a lot of talented photographer’s here 2). There are also a lot of people full of themselves 3). You need to have thick skin when the 3/3’s show up with out a comment 4).You can have a $10.00 camera and still produce a quality photograph 5). Keep trying 6). Raw work flow

1. Raw is over-rated 2. Too many newbies complain before they understand the rules 3. Too many posters obsess about the TRP 4. There are a lot of really good Eastern European photographers 5. There are beaucoup photo nuts like me from all over the world here on PN, very reassuring 6. Six years in this nut house and I still enjoy posting photos and viewing the works of others

That:
1. I can do better than I think I can, yet never as good as I wish.

2. Without composition a good exposure is worthless and without a good exposure there is no use in a strong composition.

3. There is no way to theoretically model all people as robots, but there are good models to present some.

4. Post processing is important, but a good lens does far more.

5. A good photo is shot once in every minute, a great one, once in every year.

6. As Les Berkley said: "No matter how good you are at things 'A' 'B' and 'C', what you really want to do is thing 'D'."

1) write clearly in your questions and answers. 2) trying to understand f10,f20 and 20d. 3) photographers have their own language 3) there's alot of photos to critique 4) could spend your life critiqueing others work. 5) most love digital but some use film. 6) Most seem to know one other (I'm new)

1) I'm not a real photographer cos I don't shoot in RAW 2) I'm not a real photographer cos I use only available light and on camera (not built in) flash 3) Somehow I still manage to make images I enjoy and appreciate 4) Somehow I still manage to make images others enjoy, appreciate, sometimes even treasure 5) Be inspired by and not intimidated by the photography of others 6) Gear is intoxicating but really there is a thrill even in a disposable camera

1. Only those who have been here less than a year have all the answers to photo.net's problems.

2. Photo.net veterans are intractable curmudgeons.

3. Language is mutable. (a) Troll = Anyone who posts a question about the rival camp's camera. (b) Flame = Any attempt to bring logic into a silly debate. (c) Spam = Anything you don't want to see.

4. "I, too, have a red-haired girlfriend. But she will not pose nude for me. You are very lucky to have a red-haired girlfriend who will pose nude for you!" is considered an acceptable critique to accompany a 7/7 rating.

5. "A competent photo of a sunset, well exposed and focused with all elements perfectly centered in the frame." is *not* considered an acceptable critique to accompany a 4/4 rating.

6. 20k posts in 10 years should be enough for anyone who hasn't actually finished The Great American Novel yet.

6." Six years in this nut house and I still enjoy posting photos and viewing the works of others"

I join Tim Holt after being here the 7th year.

1. I don't take photos half as well as I know how already.

2. I now feel really good about reading manuals.

3. Most people who call themselves photographers have never shot with more than one format and often have never used more than one brand.

4. Tripods really are worth carrying around and using.

5. Check what you write before hitting the confirm button - and hit it once only.

6. There are some truly great people contributing to photo.net - thanks guys.

1. In the beginning, I had a lot of talent to show off.

2. After a few months, I was a useless loser, and everybody was horribly rude!

3. After a few more months, I was trying to learn, and so many helpful people were so polite!

4. And then I learned some more.

5. And then I learned some more.

6. And then I learned some more...

1. The shock to discover that I mostly agree with Lex, the old curmudgeon.
2. That Nikon is better than Canon.
3. That Canon is better than Nikon.
4. Leica beats them both.
5. Real photographers shoot 4x5.
6. Finally, that Pentax beats the lot of 'em.

Sorry, just funnin' ya'.

1. Lex is hilarious (if you go for that sort of humor).
2. You can’t make a silk purse from a pig’s ear. If it's a bad picture, no amount of processing is going to make it better.
3. The picture is not going to take itself. Carpe Diem!
4. After posting the first few photos for critique on PN, all photographers go through the grieving process: denial, anger, bargaining, acceptance.
5. Just like algebra, there are rules in photography: Sunny 16, F8 and Be There, Rule of Thirds, Active Space Rule, Moony Rule, etc. (I hate rules!.) Master them and (supposedly) your photos will improve
6. Glass is very important. It is your eye to the world. Bad glass gives you cataracts, good glass gives you a soul.

1. While my friends think I am a good photographer, I have very few images that can compete with the high ranked photos on PN.

2. A moderated forum like this is far better than an unmoderated forum.

3. Answers to questions posted on PN should start with "In my experience...", 'I think...", or "I would guess that...". The later two should be used sparingly.

4. This is a great place to get answers from experts.

5. This is a terrible place to do market research. The people who come here are far from typical.

6. In the film and labs forum, someone will ask about using expired film about once a week. Someone will ask about airport x-rays about once a month.

1. Never get Josh or Bob mad at you.

2. Never make any claim about the priority of some feature on a particular camera (unless you MEAN to troll).

3. It's probably better not to use terms like "idiot" in responses or posts.

4. Never post anything about a***** or other similar utilities. ;)

5. Some people are VERY passionate about certain filter brands.

1. Ellis is right. Eastern Europe is filled with kick a$$ photographers.

2. Southeast Asia is right up there with Eastern Europe as far as producing kick a$$ photographers.

3. People who are really good at studio lighting intimidate me, i.e. Blair Bunting.

4. One can learn a lot from just reading the forums -- those more experienced talking "shop."

5. I need more lenses, damnit!

6. Learn Photoshop!

1. Ther is so much talent out there that I pale into oblivion.

2. I don't understand Artists.

3. The word ART is used to cover truth.

4. There are many many really nice people on this site.

5. There sre equally as many rude people. generally digital fanatics.

6. Stay away from Philosophy forums

7. Don't bite when pushed and don't break the rules unless you are one of the lucky ones

PLEASE FORGIVE ME. THIS THREAD AROUSES THE IRREPRESSIBLE POET IN ME:

1. There is too huge a gap / Between your vision and your snap.

2. Buy what you fancy from the handy photo'shop' / But you may end up with lousy filter and crop.

3. Some people are so nice that I feel embarrassed / Some guys are rot, and I feel heckled and harassed.

4.There is something we love - that is "being rated" / "Being rated" is something that is perpetually hated.

5. "What beauty is" is a mystery for ever / You will not ask this if you're smart and clever.

6. Be paranoid, guys......Never trust your eyes, / Trust less your brain.... that's the only way to gain.

1. Read your camera's manual (before posting a question); read it again.

2. Ignore everyone who says Canon is better than Nikon, or vice-versa.

3. RAW always is better; so buy books because too much quick, bad advice is dispensed here. Read those books!

4. Film really is dead, except for the 1.4% who still shoot 35mm film.

5. There are always 100's of better photographers than you.

6. Being rude is not necessarily bad. Some people need the shock treatment advice given thusly.

I'm just getting back into photography after a 14 year break. I've been taking photos since 1967.

1. People are still arguing over which brand is best Canon or Nikon.

2. People are now arguing which is better: flim or digital.

3. Current argument is: are people who photoshop their photos really photographers.

4. The 5 top brands of cameras will all make great photos IF you are a great photographer.

5. If you want to be a GREAT photographer, put your camera in manual mode and learn to use it.

6. Practice, Practice, Practice and Practice some more and you'll learn how to make good to great photos.

(1) Everybody who takes something seriously has an opinion.

(2) Everybody who makes decisions will develop bias/prejudice.

(3) Every opinion is altered in some way by someone elses bias.

(4) P.Net people take photography seriously, so # 1-3 apply.

(5) It really is nice to get feedback from knowledgeable photographers.

(6) It hurts more than I expected, to have an anonymous viewer hate my work.

1. When you ask a question, leave out crucial data. By no means take 10 seconds to upload the photo you're asking questions about. Ignore any requests for additional information. Or if you provide it, be sure to get snippy.

2. If the question is answered anyway, don't post thanks or any sort of acknowledgement. If you can manage, simulate having dropped off the face of the earth as soon as you get the information you need.

3. Buy gear before you ask questions about it.

4. After doing #3, a nice thing to do is to ask how good the lens you've just purchased is. Soliciting opinions from online "experts" is much easier than using your equipment and examining the results.

5. The quality of questions/answers/uploads/critiques/articles/reviews has really gone to hell lately. This has been true for the last 11+ years.

6. I wish I could think of a #6, but I've got to go pick up my new car from the dealer. Sorry.

1. Nature action photos make the best liked photos

2. Your photos are never good enough for you.

3. Make folders for your bookmarks.

4. Everything you see is a reflection of light.

5. I learn faster from instructional YouTube videos.

6. Don't believe everything you hear and only half of what you see.

1. No matter what the question, someone here will have the answer for you- it's actually amazing.

2. I don't know enough about lighting.

3. I love to look at street photography, but never shoot it.

4. People can do amazing things with toy cameras.

5. Ask what ever you like, someone might be a jerk but so what.

6. There really are some brilliant photographers here...

I learned two things:

(1) Anybody who has no idea what he/she is talking about is free to post their "expert" opinions in photo.net forums.

(2) Ellis Vener has by far the worst typos in photo.net. :-) As a moderator for the Nikon Forum, I have fixed Ellis' typos countless times. I normally don't bother to correct typos, but since some of Ellis' posts are very informative, I decided to go in and make them a bit more readable.

1. A lot of friendly and funny folks here at PN 2. Once you think you understand something, get ready, someone throws a monkey wrench in it, and you confused again. 3. So, based on 2, try not to overthink a "thing" 4. I am not the best photographer, nor the worst. 5. Originality is rare 6. PN membership is the best $ I spend all year.

1-6. Never answer surveys like this.

Ohhh, I must add one more, nothing like laughing at your self.

I learnt on P.Net what LOL means, I won't tell you what I thought it was when I first joined!

(1) Our tendency not to question the premises. For example, why "Six" most important things, why not more or less? Ellis should have provided the rationality of choosing number six, but we accepted number six and started responding.

(2) Many believe that all readers are aware of abbreviations they use, e.g. (I mean, for example), IQ?

(3) Many also believe that readers are aware of all photo related techniques, e.g. "interpolation". Writers need to define/explain in a few sentences.

(4) In dominant number of cases, photographers who post photos in "galleries," consider beneath them providing simple information (for the whole gallery/portfolio, not asking for each photo): tools & exposure information. The basic purpose of PN, according to my understanding, is to learn what others are doing & how are they doing: is it the tool, the techniue/exposure, digital manipulation, photographer's talent and combinations? To me, any photo in PN is equivalent of publication. And no reputable magazine/journal will publish any thing unless you provide key data. But unfortunately, it is the norm in PN. Again, I am asking for many of us, who are novice but eager to learn is to provide some key information (for whole portfolio/gallery): camera, lens, exposure, main digital manipulation tool.

(5) Some respondents become so excited while answering a question that they feel there is no time and resource constraints. They tend to write a term paper for a simple question.

(6) The most important: People at PN are so "giver" that amazes me. Looking at the talent, knowledge and amount of time they spend in reading different questions and answering, is pure altruism and gives a moral boost to a pessimist like me.

Thanks!

The sex most important things I've learned from mypur participation in photo.net are as follows listed from 1-11

1) POW stands for Prisoner of the Week because you have been kidnapped, and will be severely tortured for one very long week by the ROTters (see 4 below).
2) POW sometimes stands for Poisoner of the Week after those ROTters who post aprox., 42,214 critiques per week and really know where to insert the venom-tipped dagger, usually between the 5th and 6th rib at the back, and directly into the tripes...OUCH!........avec twist (OUCH x2)!
3) POW occasionally stands for Pick(ture) of The Weak(est) because The Leprechauns ( nasty little Irish elves!) as a general rule, will pick the weak(est) photo from their victim's portfolio. For Shame! 4) ROT stands for Rule of Thirds, a form of critique practiced by ROTters.
5) ROT sometimes known as the Rule of Turds, the only form of critique that most low (DOF?) ROTters are capable of expressing!

6) Last Christmas, in a characteristic spirit of gracious magnanimity, I wished all anonymous 3/3 raters a very happy,holy, healthy and peaceful Christmas Holiday and a prosperous New year. Next Christmas, my sincere hope is , through the very bowels of Christ; a pox on all your houses even unto the seventh generation! May the seven plagues of Egypt be visited upon you and yours. I hope you never experience a minutes ease from the itch of your genital psoriasis and trust that you will continue on using the ointment in the full knowledge that oil is about to run out..... OH! and keep buying the scratch cards, saps!And just for luck ,may the bird of paradise, or a feckin' vulture or something, fly up your nose
7) I should moderate my postings..........I should stop using so many !'s K.O!.
8) Naturally, most of my P.NET friends are not included in the sentiments expressed above..........LOL. BB & TTFE.
9) Some threads are great feckin' (a very mild Irish swear word) great 'craic'.
10) Feck P.Net .........send any replies directly to my firm of solicitors:
Messers., Talk, Dirty and Goodbody, Ltd.
c/o Herman Goering House,
The Pflatz,
Fatima 13.
11) I just Hate those gosh-darned, gosh and gee whizzer, 'merkin spell checquers!
LOLL........
SLAN....FRANK.

As long as 3/3 rate issue perplex a buger the PH will continue its transactions.

Many photographers realy want to know whether their pictures is art or what.

And if you tell them: "yes, it is" they don't belive you, but if you tell them: "no.." they hate cha.

And if you don't tell them any they get unhappy and inconclusive abut it.

Some american comrades realy like to make big style out of poore spelling, bad grammar and push on general confusion quite a bit.

Which is o'key, probably.

Humility, awe, respect for wedding photogs, camaraderie, multiple viewpoints, and inspiration.

1. I can always learn more...

2.-6. see 1.

1.-6. It doesn't matter at all what equipment you use.

"(1) Our tendency not to question the premises. For example, why "Six" most important things, why not more or less? Ellis should have provided the rationality of choosing number six, but we accepted number six and started responding. "

Rationale: 6 is greater than 5 and less than 10. In other words it was a semi-arbitrary decision. Lists of 5 are easy. lists of 10 tend to be padded. I could have said 7 but I chose 6 t omake people think a little more.

Yes, six is a good number.

1.) Seek out work you admire and exchange information/advice/opinions with those photographers, though the ultimate word lies with you on your own work.

2.) Be able to experience anything.

3.) Look for the positive in every photo you critique.

4.) You cannot critique them all, but be active in providing critiques for lots of others' work.

5.) Acknowledge everyone who critiques your photos, including any comments on your gallery page.

6. And last, but not least ... treat other the way you want to be treated.

Sure, Ellis, but if you'd made it 7 things I could have answered only 3 and been consistent with my anonymous ratings.

1) That it's my work to go make photos. 2) That I miss darkroom work. 3) That my silver work is still good, digital notwithstanding. 4) That digital is a great way to photograph. 5) That there are a whole lot of wayyyy more talented photographers than me, and I admire them. 6) That if a more expensive camera made better pictures, Mercedes owners would all be great drivers.

I learned that the photogaphers on photo.net are friendly and helpful.

1. Anyone can say anything over the internet. 2. People who sit and chat over photo.net are really interested in their photographic equipment and to a great extent associate their value with the perceived value of their equipment. This activity is self-sustaining and leads to increased consumption on photography equipment. 3. People can be incredibly rude when communicating with strangers over the internet. 4. Many people have difficulty in understanding cultural and regional differences and subjective preferences. 5. On photo.net, one can learn to appreciate the many seemingly conflicting absolute truths that different people have. 6. Never believe what people say about your image over the internet.

I don't want to repeat what preceding posters have said, but I will throw this one out there! 1) Shoot and process to please youself. 2) The 3/3 too 7/7 ratings has a life of it's own. 3) Canon camera's are better then Nikon cameras. 4) Nudes really are boring. 4,1/2) Nudes are at the top of the most interesting lists. 5) Rules are made to be broken. Or Every opinion is altered in some way by someone elses bias. 6) ETC!

1)Cameras you hate turn out some good work 2) Not all "Plastic" cameras are bad 3) Bronicas are a lot better than I thought 4) I will try harder to respect plastic cameras 5) A $1,500 large format camera takes better pictures than a $4,500 digital 6) Threads can get too long

1) There are some incredibly stupid people out there

2) There are some incredibly smart, funny, talented, skilled and professional people (photogs) out there... it's a whole sub-culture I never knew existed.

3) Some people who are jerks are right... some people who are jerks are wrong... But none of them are really jerks, they are just jaded.

4) Equipment doesn't matter... until it does... and when it does matter, it REALLY matters.

5) The only people who complain about sharpness or needing L lenses are people who have been using a DSLR for less than a year.

6) I am a far better photographer than most of the worst, and a far worse photographer than most of the best.

7) (for good measure) Don't take anything you read on the internet at face value.

Aside from that... you guys are great here... after (nearly?) 2 years, i still enjoy coming back and bantering on the forums.

A couple more.

1) I would rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

2) 186,000 miles per second. It's not only a good idea, it's the LAW.

To me, any photo in PN is equivalent of publication. And no reputable magazine/journal will publish any thing unless you provide key data.

You're reading the wrong magazines.

Again, I am asking for many of us, who are novice but eager to learn is to provide some key information (for whole portfolio/gallery): camera, lens, exposure, main digital manipulation tool.

The camera and lens make no difference. The "main digital manipulation tool" is almost invariably Photoshop. Happy?

The main reason the usual "key information" on equipment or exposure isn't provided isn't because it's "below" anyone. The real reason is that it just isn't useful in any way. It's a waste of time and a distraction. Most of the time equipment is completely unimportant. And exposure is a thought process -- posting the end result of that process just isn't useful information.

proof read effectively

not have unstated assumptions

spell

not to take things personally

remember to read the question properly (not just the subject and first few lines)

:-)

I just noticed what Ellis was really asking. As shown below.

"What are the six most important things you've learned from yopur participation in photo.net"

I had no idea that YOPUR was participating in photo.net.

This makes all responses invalid.

1) PN is a great place to study photos. 2) PN is a great place to study human behavior.

Don't make vague claims or offer your opinion as fact.

Don't take things seriously or personaly.

Nudes are just porn in black and white, the hotter the model the higher the rating.

Film vs digital is one of the most cliche debates in the history of cameradom.

There are alot of very gifted photographers out there.

I am not one of them.

1 - most times, the process of posting a question itself reveals an answer.

2 - and yet the first answer to your post usually reveals the unclear thinking behind it even more

3 - if it is hard to express yourself in English avoid jokes

4 - a tool is just a tool

5 - I guess W. H. Auden wrote "If equal affection cannot be, Let the more loving one be me." In photo.net affection got replaced with generosity, and I learned that photographers from the entire world come here to enjoy photography, no matter if he/she asks or answers.

1- 6.1 mp's are all I need right now

2- The perfect backup for my D100 was another D100

3- Older pro Nikkors are perfect for me

4- I don't like raw

5- I don't like HDR

6- I want to be Igor Amelkovich's assistant.

1. How Flies Mate 2. Internet 3. Photoshop 4. Spell Check 5. What "sells" 6. "ideas" of "vision" are quite universal

1- Buy good glass 2- Know what the subject is you are shooting 3- Tne morning and evening can be the best times to take photographs 4-Take care of your equipment 5- Your equipment (camera) should be comfortable to you when you use it 6-Don't try to keep up with the newest camera it will take you broke.

1. Software (raw converters and incamera processing) make it really hard to determine the true quality of a lens.

2. f/8 seems to be the sweet spot on a lens in regards to depth of field sharpness.

3. I've found and am surprised after having not read a fiction/non-fiction novel in several decades, my typing and communication skills have noticeably improved since posting and reading threads on this forum.

4. I now know, after seeing all the wonderful photography posted here, I'm not going to be a pro photographer.

5. Learned that you can get a since of the character of a website such as this one just by spending some time, maybe WAY to much time. But it's the first time I've ever felt I'm among like minded people.

6. If you stick around long enough someone will eventually post some unusual and rare information you hadn't read before.

1. I know nothing. 2. My knowledge of photographic art, equipment, and technique is less than nothing. 3. Regardless of 1 & 2, above, I have brass batzim (pronounced with long 'a'). 4. Given 3, above, I'm willing to keep engaging in shooting pictures and posting them on PN. 5. Given 1 & 2, above, I freely and fully acknowledge that most PN posters know more than me. 6. Given 5, above, I freely, fully, and gratefully acknowledge most PN posters as my teachers.