anthea50

<p>Hi, the slide show function on my gallery is not working, it has been throwing up this message for the last few days:</p>

<p >Error loading slideShow "slideshow-conf?user_id=5188152&folder_id=916648&presentation_id=&favorites_id=&include=".</p>

<p > </p>

<p >This has been happening in both my laptop and my PC, so i'm pretty sure it's not my computer. </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Not a biggie, just thought i'd notify PN of the error. BTW, has anyone else had this issue? </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Cheers, anthea :)</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Hi all, let me start by saying that I participated in the previous thread started by John Galyon about commenting on bad photo’s. </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Alas, however, I feel that we are preaching to the choir, or to the converted, depending on which axiom you are used to….anyway….what I’m trying to say is this type of discussion, which absolutely necessary on the one hand, is next to useless on the other hand because (IMHO) those who abuse the critique system or who only want ‘good’ comments are hardly likely to bother to read this thread, or if they do, they won’t comment, and why? Because of human nature; it’s just who they are. No one is going to say “oh you’ve found me out, I’m a critique forum abuser, but I’ll be good now, I’ve seen the error of my ways” etc…it’s just not going to happen. We all know that every community has a percentage of takers, and there’s little anyone can do about that. Hopefully, as was pointed out, those people eventually get found out and ignored. It’s the least we can do. </p>

<p > </p>

<p ><em >Anders: I think the problem is mainly hidden in the simple fact that few have the vocabulary or critical method that you master. Photography is an artistic expression and a mastering of some basic or more or less sophisticated techniques but doing it and sharing the results do not necessary imply that we all are able to engage in a often abstract discussion of its merits. The results is that mostly "critics" are limited to exchange of mutual kind support between friends. This is a pity in my eyes.</em></p>

<p ><em > </em></p>

<p ><em >Ton: Lastly, let's not forget that it's damned hard to write a good comment/critique and that a lot of photographers (at every level) are not very good at it.</em></p>

<p ><em > </em></p>

<p >I believe Anders and Ton are spot on; the issue is not so much people’s lack of desire to critique ‘properly’ but a <strong >lack of ability/skill/knowledge</strong> in how to do it. I am halfway through a PhD, and when I started uni some 10 or 11 years ago as an undergrad, there were (and still are) courses in critical thinking. Obviously, the uni boffins decided that critical thinking is a <strong >skill, </strong>or at least, something that is not a common or easily found ability. I do believe that some tutorial should be attached to the critique forum, perhaps in the form of statements, although that will lead to some formula critiques, of course, but might that not be an improvement? Couldn’t we test it at least? (sorry Josh!). </p>

<p > </p>

<p ><em >Fred: I often don't have something particular in mind but am more looking to see what stands out to people, what the general reaction is, what things people are picking up on without my leading them. So I tend not to make opening statements or ask specific questions. But I think it can be a great idea to do that.</em></p>

<p > </p>

<p >Okay, I’m still new here, and when I started posting for critiques, I just followed the crowd and said ‘all comments and critiques welcome’, because like Fred, I didn’t want to ‘lead’ people’s comments; I wanted to be completely open to other’s perceptions of my work. I soon discovered (as per Lex’s comments in the other thread) that it can be more productive to ask for specific comments, which is what I’m doing now, although people still do just give general comments, I appreciate it if anyone looks at my work and takes the time to leave a comment, so that’s not really so much of an issue for me, especially bearing in mind the above situation with people’s critiquing skill level. </p>

<p > </p>

<p >For me, as a newcomer, the critique system works reasonably well; although I have some issues with the rating system (which I raised in the other thread and is not as relevant here, as per Fred’s request to stay on topic) so I think Josh’s idea to split the critiques and ratings should help. </p>

<p > </p>

<p >That’s my 2 cents worth, I really love this community, and spend way too much time in here (yes, I should be working right now) so I leave it there. Thanks Fred and all the other community members, and let’s keep critiquing! </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Cheers, Anthea :)</p>

<p>Hi Nathan</p>

<p>I have had this problem myself a few times too....I usually do one of two things. One is to use clone brush in Photoshop just enough to 'disguise' my reflection. I have done a quick clone job on your photo so you can see what I mean (i hope you don't mind - i will delete your photos after i upload it here) basically you just need to clone over enough of the most obvious details (like your feet and your blue shirt) and the viewer's eye does the rest. in other words if their eye isn't drawn to your reflection becuase you've disguised the worst bits, they don't know you're there, and they won't see you! The other way would be to select part of the photo (another part of the display case, for example), then do layer via copy, and move that layer over the top of your reflection. Of course it depends on the level of your Photoshop skills.</p>

<p>Hope that helps. cheers, anthea :)</p><div></div>

<p>Oops, not sure what happened, try again.</p>

<p>I was on my way home from my favourite photography store and i saw...</p><div></div>

This is a very old photo, taken with my Oly OM10, and scanned. The

original was only a proof, hence the pixalation.<div></div>

<p >Push the year back to 1980, and you’ve got me! Although I actually started taking photos in the late 70’s, I got my first SLR (Pentax K100 – fully manual) in 1980. In 1983, I had changed to an Olympus OM10, a camera I used exclusively until I made the leap to digital in May this year (Olympus E520). </p>

<p > </p>

<p ><em >…it will always be about devotion/commitment to the craft, hard work, lots of practice, being able to be as objective as is possible to the different aspects of your work that need improvement...being not only open to, but desirous of constructive criticism...all the things that</em> <em >can't be bought. Some things never change.</em></p>

<p ><em > </em></p>

<p >John is spot on with his comments – I don’t think it matters when you get into photography; it’s the devotion/commitment that counts. I’m on a steep learning curve with digital/photoshop etc., just as I was when I first started with my Pentax. I’m doing the same as back then, taking as many shots as I can and trying to learn how to do better, always. Ok, I may understand the ‘basics’, but all those buttons freaked me out at first! It’s like, I know what I want to try and achieve, but how the heck do I do it with this camera! Back when I started though, there was no internet, or forums etc., I asked questions and got advice from all the professional photographers who used the photographic printing lab where I worked. Nowadays, I read all I can in the forums, and look at other photographers work, and seek advice from the PN community when I stuff up, and can’t figure out what went wrong. If I was just starting out, I would do exactly the same things, I think.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >I am also (luckily) at a stage in my life (kids are grown and gone!) when I have much more time to devote to my new/old passion. I’m doing something I’ve never done before as well, taking part in the Global Photographic project. I’m very excited! For me (in Australia) the ‘time’ will be 1pm tomorrow (it’s Friday 17^th, 10.33pm now). So I’m heading off tomorrow to see what I can see!</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Thanks for the interesting thoughts….cheers, Anthea J</p>

<p>Hi Josh<br>

This may be one day late (i'm in Australia, it's Wednesday 15th July, 10.15 pm) but i've had the same issue with my workspace page too. I would say the No Words forum posts are blank, but others are showing. If go to "view your community" (i think it is called that) the forum posts are all there.<br>

Hope tha helps (as a second 'error') to go by.<br>

Cheers, Anthea :)</p>