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Speaking purely for myself I am not particularly interested in an exhibition (though certainly not against it) but more in sharing experiences and common problems of getting to grips with photography.
I wonder if there is any way that all the new sign ups on EPZ say for the last week or month - can be accessed - we could then send them all a mailshot PM (like the notification about competitions PM's we all receive).
The other thing we must start to do is to have some more discussion and as Wpoet says sharing of experiences on the special interest group site itself - not much activity there last time I looked.
The exhibition idea was and idea to try and create more ineterst and give the group a bit of an initial focus - if the general concensus is not in favour happy to drop this and look at other things.
Cheers
Robert
Quote: Pete, any chance this group could be added as a new feature in the same way the Compact group was please?
I'm not sure what you're asking Donna? The groups can be created by any member in the members meeting area. Saw your earlier one about emails...that's a feature that will appear when we build a proper groups section which we will be doing next year.
Quote: Quote
ete, any chance this group could be added as a new feature in the same way the Compact group was please?I'm not sure what you're asking Donna?
When we log in we get notifications of new features in our user bars if a new feature has been added to the site - I think the most recent one I received was about the Compact Group. I was just wondering if the same could be done regarding this group? Hope that makes sense?
I'm going to go now and have a look on the special interest site, Ketch.
Hi Katie
I can hardly believe this question has been asked but we should have guessed it would be - and no bad reflection on you at all.
Thing is the group was established on the back of a thread about different ability and equipment levels. This it is generaly felt to be is really difficult to do in any formal or entirely rational and consistent way.
It is a special interest group designed to allow for discussion and idea sharing for new and relatively new photographers - who perhaps face issues and problems that others have dealt with back along and don't really want to have to re-hash again. So a sort of self help group if you like.
The entry criteria is based really on self assessment - so ability, time, equipment, or just a perceived position on 'the learning curve' can be applied - you could even be an old hand but new to post shoot production work for example. Beginner may perhaps have been the wrong phrase and perhaps we could have used other words like Improvers (OK I know everybody could lay claim to that). But to be honest I don't think we have the power or the wish to turn anyone away as long as they feel its relevant for them.
Hope this helps to answer you points.
Cheers
Robert
Er... I've read all the threads... and that's exactly why I am confused.
The "anyone welcome" nature of the group seems to defeat the whole object. You've just created another gallery and forum, smaller, but parallel.
To many people, those images will look pretty polished, most of the equipment being used is not beginner level and some people have been a member of this site for a long time. That seems to me just as intimidating as the main gallery and forum if you are a real beginner - more so, in fact.
As you can tell, the current setup doesn't make much sense to me, but I hope you'll collectively find a way to make it work.
Katie,
I agree that defining beginner is somewhat fraught. If you have read the threads you will know why the group was started. I can only say why I define myself as a beginner. I am new to photography having bought my first and SLR a year ago. (The canon 40d which was the best I could afford). In that year or so I may have improved a little, but not much and my skills remsin I think very limited. Hence I consider myself a beginner.
Dave
Well I sort of see where Katie is coming from (which was exactly the theme of some of the earlier threads started by Lees who is now signed up to this group).
What I would say in its defence is that I believe the only person who can really tell what level they are at is that particular individual - it is not defined by equipment (that way the richest become the most professional whilst the poorest never get beyond first base). It is not about length of service or involvement in photography - you might take one shot a year and still as a result not get beyond beginners point after ten years.
Your own individual sense of beginner status (and as I say that may solely relate to PS and PSP processing or perhaps some other key photographic element and not the whole craft) must reside within you and nobody else. So I think by definition if it feels right for you then it is right for you.
That the images look polished is perhaps testament to a whole variety of things but perhaps not least would be that those individuals electing to take part in such a special interest group are keener to progress than those who don't - ergo you may perhaps be seeing the results of a few who are trying really hard to master photography.
Katie I know this doesn't fully answer your questions - which I think are largely unanswerable (twenty pages of pervious thread are testament to that) but I hope it gives you a flavour of where I think we are coming from with this.
Cheers
Robert
Quote: When we log in we get notifications of new features in our user bars if a new feature has been added to the site .....
....I was just wondering if the same could be done regarding this group? Hope that makes sense?
Surely a Group is not a New Feature so why should it be flagged up as such ?
A way of grouping shots together... a collection... like a members' meet, except that you are not physically meeting, just, in effect, virtually.
Quote: To many people, those images will look pretty polished, most of the equipment being used is not beginner level and some people have been a member of this site for a long time. That seems to me just as intimidating as the main gallery and forum if you are a real beginner - more so, in fact.
Quote: Your own individual sense of beginner status (and as I say that may solely relate to PS and PSP processing or perhaps some other key photographic element and not the whole craft) must reside within you and nobody else. So I think by definition if it feels right for you then it is right for you.
And here is the problem I first indicated way back when Lee suggested the site should be split up. This is why we do not have categorisation of people's abilities, because it's too vague. Imagine it being set for the entire site...we would have chaos.
Quote: Surely a Group is not a New Feature so why should it be flagged up as such ?
Yes Donna Jeff's right. I did the one, just to get the ball rolling.
Personally, I think the key for groups may be to narrow things down. Having multiple definitions isn't going to help anyone in the end.
Considering that there can be as many virtual groups as wanted (notwithstanding the current limitations of this facility) there's no need to be all-encompassing.
Just thinking about it quickly... examples of "beginner" groups could be...
"my first DSLR - help!" I've got my first DSLR and am trying to find my way around it and what it can do.
"basic image processing" Not new to taking pictures but still struggling with the software
Focusing on an aspect as well as a "level of competence" may make people feel more comfortable and able to know whether it is for them or not.
Quote: "my first DSLR - help!" I've got my first DSLR and am trying to find my way around it and what it can do.
"basic image processing" Not new to taking pictures but still struggling with the software
... actually that's quite a good idea. Much better than trying to categorise people. I would have found that helpful ( and probably still would)......but then you can still find that info on the site as it stands....and you can always read the manual.
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