Should I be listening to people for advice who have no portfolio?

<p>Portfolio shopping opens a laarge can of worms. I checked the portfolio of one of the posters I most respect and found I respect his advice (and his generosity!) much more than his work. As they say, YMMV. The fact that I don't much care for his work means absolutely nothing. Probably he wouldn't be blown away my mine and I know my stuff is good!(grin)</p>

<p>I believe wriiten advice should be judged on the content of the advice given. I am a person who has no web site whatsoever. I also have been deterred from posting on photonet for 2 reasons: (1st) I shoot film and print conventially in a wet darkroom on 11x 14 paper. I have no desire whatsoever to learn photoshop, to scan negatives, or to spend in excess of 1000 bucks for an A3 scanner to scan 11x 14 prints. (2nd) Recently, there has been alot of copyright infringements arsing from lifting images from photonet to other galleries and forums. I don't want that to happen to my images. It does piss me off when people ignore what I have to say simply because I have no photos posted. There are other like me. I have a BFA in photography from RIT, I have shot professionally, and I have had many solo and groups shows over the years. I currently have a solo show of street photography in NYC which is hard to get. I say all of this not to brag, but to point out that some people just don't post their photos on the web. To ignore their advice for this reason ALONE could easily be a mistake. I have been shooting since 1982. </p>

<p>If you ask for advice then you will get some advice (opinion) from different people. If you want to set criteria for those that offer advice then you can do that. Some people would say I would like to know something about a camera from Professionals or people that own the camera. You could say that you only want advice from people with online photogallery's etc. If you are talking about critique of your pictures then I don't know how that goes. I have never critiqued a photo or posted one for critique..I do not even view the photo.net gallery except the thumbnails that are on the home page. .I used to have a picture gallery at pbase.com but it seemed to be more trouble than it is worth and when it was time to pay up again I decided to forget it...Besides I prefer to show my pictures to people I know, my camera club, friends and family etc in print form. However I think you should accept or reject advice in any way that you please.</p>

<p>Like Brad, I took Paul's (OP) original question to be something like should I get cmaera X, or which fliter should I use when or is the RB67 impossible to handhold ... etc. To my purely amateurish mind, it looks like everyone jumped on the ratings game wagon. Is that an overly sensitive or sore subject to evoke that sort of response? (Curious here, not being snotty.)</p>

<p>My Uncle Frank of course is the only true expert in everything :-) Taking advice or buying a used car, caveat emptor.</p>

<p>jim</p>

<p>I could care less about someones portfolio as a way to determine the quality of their advice. First off, plenty of photographers (like myself) just dont care to put their work up on the web for all and anyone to steal! The OP didn't say anything though about photo critique, he said (my emphasis):<br>

"There are quite a few people who comment leaving suggestions <strong>on how to do anything</strong> on photo.net but when I go look at their portfolio I see nothing posted?"<br>

He seems to be talking about technical information, not critiques of his photographs. With this in mind then I'd think the only thing a portfolio would do is show me that maybe, the helper has and sometimes uses the kind of equipment (or process) I'm seeking help with. The really cool shot that was apparently created with a top end digital gee wizz camera though could have been done with a 8x10 view camera, who knows....<br>

In judging help given on this or any forum I pay attention to the poster of the help and think about other posts they've made. Do they usually seem to sound knowledgeable? Have they mentioned having this type of equipment before? After a while you start to know who shoots film, digital, 35mm, MF or LF, and what their attitude is. Beyond that, I take it all and run it through my own logic meter. Does it make sense or not? Then, if its not likely to cause loss of life or limb, and it sounds somewhat reasonable or at least enjoyable, then what the heck...give it a shot and see what happens!</p>

<p>Some of the best photographers I've seen, who have an account here; well, I've never seen them write a word on these fora. There's just not going to be any sort of official correlation between quality and identity. Pretty much going to have to accept some advice on your own terms; and, ignore the rest, I guess. </p>

<p>Kind of like our responses. J.</p>

<p>If they don't have a portfolia, check to see if they have a website. There are a few very knowledgable photographers that frequent these forums, but don't have a single photo uploaded to thier portfolio, however they do have links to thier websites.</p>

<p>That Wikipedia article on advice Michael <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advice_(opinion)">linked</a> to is one of the best things I've ever seen on Wikipedia. It's either rank plagarism or a triumph of the collective will. If you didn't look at it already I recommend it.</p>

<p> You shouldn't listen to anyone that doesn't conform to your expectations.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I got back into photogrpahy a litte over a year ago after about 25 years away. I found this site right away and began learning. My photographic skills have grown considerably and I have asked for advise on the forums here many times. I, before I even consider the advise, go to the advisor's workplace and see their photos. If they do not have photos to show, I ignore them and move on. If they have photos to show, I see if their photos are consistant with my photos. If they shoot similar to me yet many times more experienced with high quailty I am glued to them like fly paper. I take advise from ALL good photographers and I learn much. I take more advise from good photographers who shoot what I like to shoot and can learn from. Without this site and forums I would not be anywhere near the photographer I believe I am now. This site and forums has taught me more than all of the workshops put together I have attended and for this I thank everyone here.</p>

<p>I wouldn't automatically discount any advice. I consider it, then decide if i feel it applies to my situation. Be discriminating toward the message, not the messenger. However, I do agree with James that it can be helpful to see if the person who is giving advice is photographically on the same page as you. Someone can give perfectly sound advice but it may not be appropriate for the style of photography you are trying to achieve.</p>

<p>It would certainly be much more helpful if the OP was more specific on what type of advice he was talking about. Should you take anyones advice? Yes. No. Maybe so. Ingest, simmer, stew, digest, regurgitate, re-examine, compare with others, and then decide which advice you want to keep.</p>

<p>For instance, someone here could have been shooting for 20 years, has a great portfolio of strobist style portraits of beautiful women online at photo.net, yet when asked about model releases, this person provides completely inaccurate or misleading advice, because what he never bothered to mention in his reply was that he never uses model releases, and only has second-hand knowledge about them. But he was sure quick to give advice. On checking his portfolio, you're amazed at how good it is. Should you now and therefore automatically assume he's provided you excellent advice cuz he has good pictures?</p>

<p>Converesly, what if the person with no pictures was actually working at the top tier of the professional industry, is often quoted in trade magazines, etc.. - Is this person's advice, which anyone would consider worth it's weight in gold, now worthless cuz he has no photos on Photo.net?</p>

<p>My advice (if you want to take it - feel free to look at my portfolio) is to cut others a break, and take any and all advice given to you in context, and file every last bit under: "Take it or Leave it."</p>

<p>I did not have a portfolio on this site or elsewhere online until this year. Didn't have a digital camera, and most of my negatives were too big to scan. But I have been answering questions here for several years.</p>

<p>To be honest, I have never thought of these forums as a place to "Give Advice", rather an opportunity to engage with fellow photographers, through dialogue and shared experiences, to assist in problem solving while learning at the same time through emerged insights. While being factually accurate is important, it can not always be so as none of us hold a corner on knowledge in any field or sub-field in photography. Mistakes are inevitable but in more cases than not, "correct" answers will emerge.<br /> <br /> People who do nothing make no mistakes, and if we were all fearful of making mistakes, or worse, demand absolute correct answers, then Pnet will be a very lonely place devoid of dialogue. We engage, we share, we make friends, all with the mind set and interest of community building. It has worked well and will continue to as long as we make allowances for the occasional unintended error.</p>

<p>Whether someone displays photographs on the web or not is utterly irrelevant to the quality of any advice given about anything.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I don't display my best shots because I am putting together a book and am not keen on giving away pictures that I plan on selling. On average, each night synchronized-flash shot I do of the last steam locomotives in China(and environment) ends up costing me about $600 to make. So, no, I don't post them for free. The advice on how to do these on-location shots I give away for nothing, however.</p>

<p>Michael, that entire quote should go on the photo.net masthead. I've never read a better summary of the spirit of a healthy forum. It should be required reading for every photo.net member.</p>

<blockquote>

<p ><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=423056">Michael Chang</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Subscriber" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub8.gif" alt="" title="Subscriber" /> <img title="Frequent poster" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/3rolls.gif" alt="" title="Frequent poster" /> </a> , Apr 07, 2009; 09:24 a.m.<br>

To be honest, I have never thought of these forums as a place to "Give Advice", rather an opportunity to engage with fellow photographers, through dialogue and shared experiences, to assist in problem solving while learning at the same time through emerged insights. While being factually accurate is important, it can not always be so as none of us hold a corner on knowledge in any field or sub-field in photography. Mistakes are inevitable but in more cases than not, "correct" answers will emerge.<br /> <br /> People who do nothing make no mistakes, and if we were all fearful of making mistakes, or worse, demand absolute correct answers, then Pnet will be a very lonely place devoid of dialogue. We engage, we share, we make friends, all with the mind set and interest of community building. It has worked well and will continue to as long as we make allowances for the occasional unintended error.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>If I write in asking "Hi, I'm Joe Schmuck the Photographer, and I have X,Y,Z equipment but my pictures lack sharpness. What or what should I do to make them better?" Someone responds with "I think a good tripod will help." , but the responder has no portfolio does that make the advise bad? I like John Elder, shoot mostly film and rarely scan anything, but have shot a lot of photos, and like him, have no on-line protfolio, nor do I plan to any time soon. I don't think a lack of portfolio means the respondant dosen't know what they're talking about.</p>

<p>>>> If I write in asking "Hi, I'm Joe Schmuck the Photographer, and I have X,Y,Z equipment but my pictures lack sharpness. What or what should I do to make them better?" Someone responds with "I think a good tripod will help." , but the responder has no portfolio does that make the advise bad?</p>

<p>No.</p>

<p>But *often* you see really bad advice. For (just one) example, on the Street and Documentary forum, someone might ask, "I'm brand new to street photography, what lens should I use to get good results?" And I've seen responses like, "Get an xyz 200 or 300mm lens." Not surprisingly, there will either be no photos to be found, or photos so poor that one should not feel confident about taking that advice.</p>

<p>If, for example, I wanted to get started in say, mixed martial arts event photography (something I know nothing about), and needed advice about access, equipment, shooting technique, moments to look out for, events, etc, I would give a ton more weight to those offering advice that have compelling photos demonstrating their expertise in shooting mixed martial arts. But that's me. I'm OK with others not being that fussy.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I find this posting quite ODD. Especially at one of the highest class photo sites of Professionals.<br>

Maybe a job with the CSI, or NSA is more to your missed vocation.<br>

I never once had to confirm someone's post. I may not get that far if links were added to products.<br>

Like others have also said, they might have not got around to adding images here yet. <br>

One Thing is always for Sure, They more than likely know more than me. 35 plus years, Yes it's possible.<br>

If I rated every search I made for an answer, I'd give it no less than a TEN every time.<br>

In fact, I just spent 6 hours researching the links provided by just 2 members of<br>

the products they found to help when it comes to 'Flash Brackets'.<br>

This led to other links within, and now I'm late for an appointment.<br>

Incredible data that would of taken another ten years to stumble into by chance,<br>

and now we don't have the luxury of time to wait.<br>

By all means explore, but to down rate info a member went out of their way to include<br>

that maybe stumbled across the link before you is a bit ODD.<br>

There is only one thing in all photo sites I find that backs up most image taken process<br>

and that's the 'EXIF DATA'. If it's missing, then I can't confirm my thought process.<br>

If I add to a post, it's to confirm I burned the info hopefully permanent between the ears.<br>

Cheers.</p>

<p>I don't post a portfolio here and my online portfolio is password protected. I have my reasons for this and know a few others who do it also.</p>

<p>Of course you should listen to all advice and reject that which does not ring true to you. It is possible that your dislike for a person's online portfolio may cause you to reject very sound advice indeed. It cuts both ways. </p>

<p>When it comes to business advice some of the most successful photographers I know are mediocre artists and fabulous business people. It would be folly to reject thier advice because you feel their talent lacking. </p>

<p>Then there are the endless threads about what camera to buy. These are usually filled with bad advice. Time and again I have seen posters advocate professional cameras for a newby. They advise spending thousands more than the person really needs to make beautiful pictures. Sometimes they advocate consumer bodies when the durability of a professional camera is called for. Of course you can sort through this kind of gearhead nonsense pretty easily given your level of expertise. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>Brad, I'll concede your point and agree with you on principle. My issue is that the OP seems to believe no portfolio equals no experience or knowledge and they're opinions and advise is automaticlly suspect. That just isn't true. By discarding advise out of hand mearly because the giver has no portfolio is shortsighted and may be disregarding truly good advise. One should weigh the advise with an open mind and determine for oneself if it passes the sniff test. That's all I really ment to say.</p>

<p>>>> One should weigh the advise with an open mind and determine for oneself if it passes the sniff test. </p>

<p>Sure. But beginners many times don't have the basics down in order to do a decent sniff test; ie the above recommendation for a street photography lens choice.</p>

<p>I can offer many more similar examples. Fortunately, people are free to choose their own criteria for weighing advice. For *me*, well-crafted photos speak volumes and I've yet to be disappointed using that as a criteria. <br>

<br /></p>

<blockquote>

<p>Especially ignore "advice" if the person has no Website, portfolio, and a generic/fake name. There are many like that. Just ignore and proceed on.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I am someone without any of that. I even have a generic (but not false) name.</p>

<p>As someone who embraces Buddhism I have no desire to show any of my work, except in my apartment and sometimes in the 'No Words' forum since there it's possible to be expressive without any recognition.</p>

<p>In my mind I immediately throw away comparisons and adjectives about photos; they're so subjective anyway. I see my experience in using a machine to capture a moment not as an art (which takes away all the emotional connection for me, and being such an easy endeavor to master that relies so heavily on a machine makes it 'not art' to me anyway), but rather a zen-like exercise in this vast game.</p>

<p>So considering the above quote (and thread topic) from such sage photographers, I will refrain from offering any photographic advice, and keep to questions about software/hardware specifics that I have direct experience with. This should help keep the forum more concise.</p>

<p>I have heard these gripes before. While I would like to know something of a critiquer, it is not vital.<br>

So to Paul Brasco, I have only this little thought to add to the long thread: 'Diaper rash 'w/ little merit unless we get down to cases. What burned your butt?...something is underlying this protest spiel. Tell us. Or don't.</p>