Little appreciation, enthusiasm

[nats1mom]

Registered on this site in 2012 and always read the reviews, sorted through photos, etc., but never posted a reply nor photos due to paranoia . I finally bit the bullet a week or two ago and uploaded a few photos. I love this site because of the valuable information it provides. I recently traded in my 70-200 USM and Fisheye for the new 100-400 (for birding). I have purchased a number of high-quality lenses and cameras after reading reviews from the more seasoned posters. Thanks!

 

[9VIII]

...I can't afford any of the excellent equipment debated on these pages and can't really tell the difference between the photos taken with equipment that is great and that which is merely good...

That's generally how I feel about threads dedicated to a specific lens. At the resolution we're using on the forum practically anything looks fantatstic 99.9% of the time, it's more about showing off the photographer's take on a specific focal length and sharing the user experience (commenting on build quality etc...).

I think this community is very eager to post images, it just needs to be the right conditions. Last fall during the lunar eclipse we had one of the best threads going on any forum that I could find.
Also, back in 2012 there was still a lot of buzz from the MkII Big Whites getting introduced, and bodies like the 1DX. We're thoroughly into the high resolution era now and posting a bunch of super sharp images isn't in itself something to get excited about anymore.

 

[dpc]

I've posted a lot, almost exclusively pictures. I am interested in rumours and equipment reviews. I'm not much interested in some of the smarmy debate that goes back and forth. It can be quite unbecoming. This isn't the best forum for posting photographs, but it suits me. As far as the pictures are concerned, I do enjoy looking at those taken by specific lenses or cameras but the primary interest is in the pictures themselves, irregardless with what lens or camera they may have been taken by. I really haven't found a lot of snarky remarks, so I don't think people should worry about that. Generally, if you are respectful so will others be. There are exceptions, I know. I'm not a professional or even a particularly good photographer, but if I take a picture I like I don't mind sharing it. If others like it, great. If they don't like it, that's O.K. I welcome criticism as long as it's constructive. I reserve the right to agree or disagree. I generally don't take many pictures with people in them, so privacy isn't an issue for me.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

After buying my 24-70 MK II, I lost enthusiasm for my 35mmL and sold it. I really have no enthusiasm for primes any longer. I sold several other primes, including my much loved 135mm L, keeping only my 100L and a Tokina 17mm f/3.5. I think there are many who will use the 35mmL II, but I'm not one.

 

[ERHP]

For me it is usually a lack of time. Overall very happy with the 5DSR and the 1DX, happy enough to be waiting on my preorder of the MK II to arrive, in addition to the lenses I own. If I have taken a shot I believe fits into a category and will contribute something to the whole, I will post a linked image. If people like it, awesome, and if not, I hope they will share why not. One reason I like single image posts from people is because I know which image is important to them and can comment accordingly. It also gives a wider range of talents over a single page, which keeps a thread interesting, though comparison shots of lenses/cameras would be the exception to that statement.

 

[Hillsilly]

I don't think that I've ever posted a photo on this site. No reason not to. Its just that other sites seem more conducive to image discussions, whereas this site is more gear focused.

 

[Maximilian]

Hello YuengLinger!

Good questions you are asking here. Made me think for a while before this answer.

...
What surprises me of late is not Canon's choice of release, but the complete lack of enthusiasm shown here once something is released.
...
Forum members here seem to think that Canon pays attention to demands, yet there is little evidence that CR members, of late, buy or use new stuff, or appreciate it if they do.
...

First it seems to me that during the 7-8 years that I followed this forum and later participated the overall enthusiasm decreased. Several reasons for this are possible and I don't want to dive here further but just to mention a few: degree of personal skill development flattens, development curve of digital photography flattens as well, DR discussions and overall social climate flattens degree of euphoria for several topics.
So maybe it is just some sign of time.

But this also came to my mind when I started the "Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM" thread one year ago and several months after its release.
I never was a first adapter on new products because of the price, so I never expected I could be the one to start a lens thread.
And this really caught me by surprise.

Question: What holds you back from sharing image? Did you not buy the lenses? Are you concerned about privacy or copyright?

Now to your questions. So for me there a several reasons:

• lack of time for preparation is my main reason
• respecting and protecting the privacy of those I took pictures of second most important point
• I always was a little reluctant and careful sharing private stuff in the internet
• reasons to share pictures here are missing a little (if I don't look for advice, if I don't have a problem, if I don't think you need to see this)
• I didn't buy those two lenses mentioned

But most of the time I spare the time and effort :-[ because if I want to deliver I want to do it well.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

I don't post photos because I'm terrified of the criticism. This forum doesn't pull any punches.

Especially when what you are getting are only opinions from people you don't know, posting anonymously on the Internets Tubes. I have never understood the value of that.

It is very easy criticizing something when you can keep your identity concealed.

I would much rather show my photographs to people I actually know; have respect for not only their photographic abilities but also their knowledge; where I can have a dialogue with concerning my photographs.

Those are the opinions that have value, in my.. well... opinion. ;D

You just can't get that from the Internet.

 

[pwp]

One reason I'd be hesitant to post because I'm not a pro and I feel like a lot of people on here are. I shoot more casually rather than setting up to get the perfect image. I'm also not sure anyone here would care.

Took the words right out of my mouth, read my mind, etc.!

That's interesting. As a photographer who does 99% commissioned work, there are privacy and commercial in-confidence issues that would make it inappropriate to post work here on CR. I've posted a few of my dog!

But often what I find most interesting is the work photographed by non-professionals. It's shot without the constraints of protection of professional credibility, or a tight client brief. It's often remarkably and perhaps unwittingly free and creative in it's entire approach to getting the shot. We've all seen and should be instructed by the sometimes breath-taking images when you put a digital pocket camera in the hands of a young child. They're wild and technically all wrong, but among the throw-aways there are frequently a couple of complete blinders. Utterly unrestrained creativity.

I've long espoused a theory about talented amateurs. Often the most amazing music I've heard has been in peoples lounge-rooms, jams unconstrained by just about anything. Same with food. I've eaten some remarkable meals in hatted restaurants all over the place, but the most memorable food has always come from a home kitchen.

And so it is with photography, don't let any perceived amateur status prevent you from posting work. It's frequently the most interesting and innovative.

-pw

 

[Hector1970]

I think the design of the website isn't conducive to adding photographs.
I think people are intimidated by posting pictures in case they are criticised by some of our very vocal experts.
I admire anyone prepared to put their work in front of the public open for comment.
It's actually a great way of improving as it pushes you to a higher standard.
I'm saddened by the demise of Flickr and the inability of people to write more than one or two words as comments / feedback(eg nice).
People actually put a bit more effort in here.
The other thing is that behind a keyboard people tend to talk big but a 35mm II is an expensive item and alot of people might want it but can't actually afford it.
Also I suspect some buy the best of gear but haven't spent enough time learning to be a good photographer and so can't show the lens at its best.
I'm in a club so I run across a fair few people like this.
Some of the best photographers I know do amazing work with equipment that wouldn't be getting good reviews on this website. It's because they've mastered light and technique. Equipment is secondary to them. Their basic gear is good enough

 

[niels123]

I recently got the 35L II, but didn't have the time to use it other than a few test shots to see if it is not DOA.

When I have time and there is interest I will do a side-by-side comparison with the 35A, including AF consistancy. Please let me know if people are interested.

 

[NancyP]

I think that the subject threads are quite friendly - and I see all ranges of skills. Consider this: for nature subjects, sometimes a technically average or suboptimal shot of an interesting organism or behavior or scene can still have plenty of interest. Ditto with sports - there are dramatic moments where just getting the shot makes it interesting to others.

I tend to think that internet image fora are often too gentle when people ask for comments and criticism. Sometimes I love the "have you tried converting to B&W" or "leave out the left third of the photo for better composition" or "your post-processing skills are minimal, why don't you try learning this technique (link)". I am honored when someone else puts a little thought into a comment.

 

[Jack Douglas]

I am just an ordinary amateur.

Now Nancy you may be amateur but surely not ordinary!

Jack

 

[Zv]

I don't really see CR forum as a photo sharing / viewing / critique site. The images seem to be more just samples for reference to help others decide if it's for them or not. In that way it's really useful. I'm not totally put off posting images here, just that it seems unnecessary for the most part.

Those with the 35LII or 100-400LII are probably out shooting and enjoying using their lenses. I doubt they're put off or unenthusiastic. Posting here is probably just low priority for them.

Some of the threads are quite busy, like the birds in flight etc. loads of people showing off stuff in there. Maybe the subject specific stuff is more interesting than just sample from a lens category? You get to see many points of view of the same thing which is really cool to see.

Everyone has something to offer and we can always learn something we didn't know before.