Why so many picture threads?

[MarkBarbieri]

I can understand the purpose behind most of them. It's nice to have the pet shots in one thread so that I can ignore it. I'm a lousy wide angle shooter, but despite that, I like the Ultra-Wide Angle thread. Actually, that may be why I like it - I learn from it. I'm not sure why it is a cult, though.

When I like a shot that I just took, do I put it in the Photo of the Day thread (The contribute your photos in these threads thead needs to point to the new PotD thread) or do I put it in the "Your best shot from the last time you used your camera..." thread? And when should I post in the PotD thread instead of the Canon thread? And why doesn't Pentax have a thread? I thought I saw one, but I looked at it and it was all gear talk instead of pictures.

Personally, I don't really see the point in the various camera make threads. Canon pictures don't look that much different than Nikon pictures or Sony pictures or whatever. Maybe I'm just sore because my attempt to start a photo thread failed.

 

[JoeDif]

I'm waiting for the crappy photo of the day thread.....I've got a stockpile of those.

 

[oogieboogieman]

I'm waiting for the crappy photo of the day thread.....I've got a stockpile of those.

Now that's funny!!!! I'm right there with you!!!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I was actually thinking about another picture thread. I was thinking about having a post processed picture thread. People could upload the original version of their picture (with whatever default settings they use for RAW conversion) and the post processed version along with a summary of what they did in processing. That might help people see what others are doing for post processing and how they like it.

 

[JoeDif]

I was actually thinking about another picture thread. I was thinking about having a post processed picture thread. People could upload the original version of their picture (with whatever default settings they use for RAW conversion) and the post processed version along with a summary of what they did in processing. That might help people see what others are doing for post processing and how they like it.

I actually think that is a great idea. PP can at times be a drawn out process but it's also amazing what you can do with a few clicks within a program such as Lightroom.

 

[Experiment_626]

I was actually thinking about another picture thread. I was thinking about having a post processed picture thread. People could upload the original version of their picture (with whatever default settings they use for RAW conversion) and the post processed version along with a summary of what they did in processing. That might help people see what others are doing for post processing and how they like it.

I like it. It would be interesting to have an HDR thread as well, showing a finished HDR along with maybe the "base" exposure used in creating it. Perhaps they could be one thread.

On a quasi-related note, I have often wanted to enter the weekly photo contests here, but I never have because the way I interpret the rules, mine are ineligible. There was another one for post-processed or enhanced photos, but my stuff generally didn't fit that thread either, because they didn't look as heavily altered as the entries there.

 

[Code]

I voiced my opinion against the brand specific threads when they were created a year and a half ago, I think the majority opinion was that I was wrong.

 

[ThurlFan]

I'm waiting for the crappy photo of the day thread.....I've got a stockpile of those.

Actually, this could be an excellent learning exercise if carried out properly.

 

[WDWFigment]

I voiced my opinion against the brand specific threads when they were created a year and a half ago, I think the majority opinion was that I was wrong.

I agree with that completely and for that reason, I have never posted in the Nikon POTD thread.

However, I really like the lens or focal length specific threads (could be bias since I've started two of them). Personally, I've been inspired a lot by what I've seen in these threads, and I would like to think they give others an idea of how these lenses can best be used. The 30mm thread is what convinced me to buy a Sigma 30, and I wonder how many people have been similarly "inspired" by the other threads. If anything, actually, I would like to see more of these threads. The problem is that while the Sigma 30 (expanded to include the 50) was a pretty common lens, what other fairly mainstream ones are out there? The 70-200 f/2.8 (generically, not brand specific)? I think this could be a good one as I so often see people say, "that's really only useful for the Safari," which isn't true at all. Examples of create uses of that focal range might "inspire" more people to buy that lens. I guess starting that thread begs the question, do we want to be inspired to purchase more?

The UWA and fisheye groups are a cult and a fellowship because of the deep bonds that flow through the blood of serious wide angle and fisheye shooters, respectively. While the community amongst fisheye shooters rises to the level of a fellowship (essentially, we're like a close family that performs secretive ceremonies but we don't necessarily have spiritual beliefs involving the fish), the UWA bond is much stronger. We do all sorts of stuff that I can't even disclose to the un-indoctrinated. You just wouldn't understand, Mark.

 

[WDWFigment]

I guess I could elaborate as to why I don't like the specific brand threads for cameras. While there is a meaningful difference in images taken with different lenses and focal ranges, I think there isn't a meaningful difference between the brands. If I post my picture from my Nikon D40 and kit lens in the POTD and Mark posts one from his Canon 5DmkII and $2,000 L glass in the Canon thread, and neither of us indicate which camera we use, his shot will look better. For two reasons: he's better than me, and he has a better camera. Point being, without more, it's not a meaningful comparison. Photographer matters the most, and after that, glass, and finally level of camera. Unless you're going to further break down the thread by skill level, lens used, and camera model, what value does this really provide to people viewing the thread?

That's not my principal complaint with it, though, honestly. I think people who base their decisions of what camera to purchase based solely on sample shots posted online sort of deserve to be misled. That's like reducing a car purchase to its color. Hardly performing one's due diligence. My real beef is that instead of opening one thread to view the pictures, I now have to open 5-10. As much as I like viewing images, I'm just not going to make the time to do that. I think others feel the same way. It dilutes the views each image gets.

Conversely, like I said above, I think the focal length threads provide a meaningful distinction and are beneficial. I'd still never buy a specific brand of lens based on what I saw without doing further research, but I definitely open these threads to get an idea of what, generally, is possible with certain focal lengths. I believe these threads provide a meaningful amount of information whereas the camera brand threads provide a meaningless amount of information and are more likely to mislead than anything.

 

[Suburbanmom]

Although I have posted to the Nikon thread, I do not open it on a regular basis. It annoys me when the same picture is posted there AND in the general PotD.

 

[zackiedawg]

Just a few ideas - I don't necessarily have any strong opinion one way or the other, but thought on the subject, and this is why I think the brand-related threads might be useful: someone who has just purchased that particular brand of camera, but knows little about photography, might look at a photo thread and see wonderful photos from various brands and think that the camera is the primary reason - maybe they don't see their brand or model, and start to think that their camera is insufficient to produce those results. I'm sure many of us have posted a decent shot and seen the very first question: "what camera did you use?"...we know that only those well versed in photography have learned that the camera brand and model makes very little difference in the quality of the photographs. So those who are unsure, new, looking to learn photography, might find some inspiration from a thread that specifically calls out their brand name, and when they click, there are beautiful photographs and some from their model, and they become inspired and confident that if they're willing to learn and grow, their camera is capable of making shots like this. Then as they learn more, they will hopefully grow past that brand-loyalty and start to see that any camera in the hands of a good photographer can produce good results.

As for the other threads - I like the post-processing idea for a thread - I can see that becoming very popular. And I must say as a proponent of the other style, I wouldn't mind seeing a 'no processing' thread too - one in which shots are shown that came direct from camera, shot in JPEG, or in RAW with default or basic conversions applied - no HDR, no tone mapping, no cloning, no pulling and pushing, no NR. To me, that might be a great tool for photographers or want-to-be-photographers, to understand what can be achieved with a proper exposure and the right settings...because it seems most folks who look at a nice photo already have a pre-assumption that processing must be the reason it looks the way it does. So it might be nice to show off what some good photographers can do with their cameras and not their computers.

As Figment pointed out, some of the lens specific, focal length specific, or category specific threads might have proven useful to some folks in deciding whether to get a particular lens, or whether a particular focal length might be something they want to add to their range - such as the 'ultrawide' thread.

In the end, I just feel all the photo threads are there for fun, for sharing, or for ignoring - they just keep the place a fun, social forum that can be about all photographic subjects, from the Disney related, to the gear related, to just seeing photos. As Mark said initially, it's fairly easy to decide if you like the thread concept or not, and if not, simply avoid it!

 

[rtphokie]

If you see duplication within the treads, let me know and we can look at merging the threads.

I dont know that there is much we can do about the manufacturer specific threads. The Nikon vs. Canon vs. whatever debates will always exist and they spawn these photo threads.

 

[MICKEY88]

If you see duplication within the treads, let me know and we can look at merging the threads.

I dont know that there is much we can do about the manufacturer specific threads. The Nikon vs. Canon vs. whatever debates will always exist and they spawn these photo threads.

if you start merging threads, how do you decide which thread is more important, and which one goes away..??

I believe in if it's not broke, don't fix it..

 

[mabas9395]

I have never posted in the Nikon POTD thread.

I have never posted in the Nikon POTD thread either. As a Canon user, I just felt the need to get that off my chest.

 

[TheGoofster]

Personally I like the different threads simply because it gives me more shots to look at, and hopefully learn from. For example the POTD thread is supposed to be just that - 1 picture a day. But if some of you great photographers also post some of your other shots in different threads as well, than those of us who are trying to soak up as much info as possible (and what better way then through actual pictures) have more photos to examine, and hopefully learn from.

So I hope that all of you (especially you seasoned shooters) will keep on posting as many different shots on as many different threads as possible so people like me can keep on learning.

 

[SrisonS]

I like the idea of the PP thread. In fact, I almost started one last week. But I remember there being a Monthly Assignment thread (I think) that kinda touched on that subject. So I didn't know if that should just be resurrected, or if a new thread should just be started. Also, there didn't seem to be way too much participation. But who knows, maybe a more dedicated version might stick. On some other board, I sometimes post my Before and After shots, along with Lightroom screenshots of the adjustments I made.

And I actually like the brand specific threads. It's just proof positive that Canons produce better pictures than all other brands.

 

[Uncle Greg]

And I actually like the brand specific threads. It's just proof positive that Canons produce better pictures than all other brands.

Oh it's ON now.

 

[steery1]

I think threads about threads is a really bad idea.

Think I'll start a thread about this irrelevent thread............

 

[MICKEY88]

And I actually like the brand specific threads. It's just proof positive that Canons produce better pictures than all other brands.

actually it just proves that your monitor is calibrated for canon cameras..LOL..