Comments on: Pixelated Forums? UPDATED

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:47:24 +0000

Yes, I like the idea of a forum that would cover the sort of areas you write about in your blog.

There are photography forums that have been mentioned, and Lonely Planet Thorn Tree covers a lot of travel country specific topics as well as Techie gear for travellers. such as computers cameras, phones etc.

Trying to cover areas that aren’t covered elsewhere, would be difficult, and if it did would perhaps be too niche. So, as said by others, why not give it a go.

I think most people who already read your blog would probably be similar minded people and so not only would have a common interest in the topics, they probably would be able to share knowledge and experience in a positive way that would benefit us all.

By: Alex Saunders

Alex Saunders — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:33:36 +0000

Well, I might be the only dissenter, and that probably tells you something right there.

I’ve been coming to your blog for a while now, and I come for one or two specific reasons:
1) You are a fine writer who adds humour to information, isn’t afraid to share his point of view (or rant), and stays to the creative side of photography.
2) I can usually vist your blog, feel enlightened, and go back to photography, work, or pixel peeping in 5 – 10 minutes.

I’ve found, personally, that one or two forums are all I’m good for. To be truly participatory I need time to think and respond. Currently I don’t spend nearly enough time with camera in hand. See where I’m going with this…

That said, I think a creativity oriented forum would be an interesting idea. I’ll certainly lurk, but that’s all I can promise.

Bonne chance.

By: David

David — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:15:35 +0000

Thanks for the feedback, folks. Luc, you read my mind. I see us starting soft, with perhaps a couple really broad categories, and just seeing how things go. If things go well I’ll chose some moderators to overwork and underpay, and we’ll do a redesign, and really go for it. The hardest thing will, i suspect, just be gaining initial momentum. Still, if i can serve you all by heading this up, I’d like to.

By: Luc Novovitch

Luc Novovitch — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:13:13 +0000

Sorry… my poor English…
“As well as how to get there, transportation, border crossings, fixers in areas where they are needed, places with good/bad internet connections, etc… ”
Obviously the kind of topics I would like to read, and contribute to when I have something meaningful to say…

By: Luc Novovitch

Luc Novovitch — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:10:08 +0000

Maybe you could start with only one forum, with no specific assigned topic. That should give you rapidly an idea of what kind of topics people are interested in, and it would be for you to decide to create or not more forums according to interests. Something I would stay clear of is the ‘how to’ type, where endless discusions go on about equipment, lenses quality and so on, and the main topic is nowhere in sight: taking pictures, making images. As well as how to get there, transportation, border crossings, fixers in areas where they are needed, places with good/bad internet connections, etc… In any case I think it’s a good idea to try. And you do not have to take a commitment. If after several weeks you see that it’s going nowhere, you can just close it down.

By: Heber Vega

Heber Vega — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:36:29 +0000

Let’s do it!
Count with me on this one…
I’d love to be able to talk about Vision, Gear, NGO’s photography, travel, Culture, Ethnic, People, Poverty, Photojournalism, “Changing the World”, etc. Most of the stuff that you have been writing about.

It would be even better to count with photographers as your buddy Matt Brandon, Gavin Gough, Tewfic El-Sawy, among others…

This will be “The” Forum!

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:29:13 +0000

‘there will be’ not ‘they’ll’

Sorry.

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:27:05 +0000

My Answers:

1. Awesome idea followed by a semi-surpressed yawn. Awesome because it will be a forum full of like-minded photographers looking for tips on the best place to shoot in Rajhastan, Mali, or wherever. Semi-surpressed because forums take commitment and I’m trying to keep things simple. But if the forum is a success then they’ll be nothing to worry about.

2. Yep. So long as I get off my arse and go and do so real travel photography. I’m not sure being a foreign resident of Japan counts anymore. But if the forum fills up with similar photographers then I can’t see how it won’t be useful.

3. The latest Britney, Beckham, and Kylie Minogue shots.
Oh sorry, I meant good solid travel, gear, lighting, cultural, and health advice for off the beaten track locations etc. And advice on the best chai stall in India.

Sean.

By: Mitchell Kanashkevich

Mitchell Kanashkevich — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 08:05:26 +0000

Hey David! This is just personal opinion of course, but I check out your blog to see what you are doing, what you have discovered or what you recommend. That goes for any blogs that I read and any interaction that I am after is interaction with the blog’s author. Then again, as someone has said here – the only way to find out how people will really react to this is to try.

By: Peter Pham

Peter Pham — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 04:47:59 +0000

Agree with most of the comments so far. A BIG YES for a forum on the niche; NGO, photojournalism travels, people and places that not everyone have a chance to go to, etc…