Photography Forum- Where?

[Aiden Roberts]

Morning

I'm aware there are a number of photographers on Acorn and I need your advice please.

I'm looking for an active and serious photography forum to join, I've visited talk photography and BJP but where do serious amateurs hang out?

I know my way round 35mm and medium format but have never embraced digital (can't believe I'm saying that in 2013), I guess I should start taking a look.

I'm looking for the photography equivalent of Acorn, where idiots are quickly removed so serious conversation can continue.

Any help, much appreciated.

Rob

 

[stellar73]

I'm a very keen photographer....can't say I use forums that much though but I know people speak quite highly of ephotozine.com which might be worth a look as well as the Amateur Photographer forum (magazine is worth subscribing to)

It's def worth joining Flickr and 500px if you haven't already. On Flickr you can search for groups (according to whatever your area of interest is) then filter them by most active. Some of them have discussion threads that have tons of replies every - For example if you're interested in street photography there's the HCSF (Hardcore Street Photography) group which is very active http://www.flickr.com/groups/onthestreet/pool/

Personally, my best experience in terms of moving my photography forward was as a result of joining meetup.com and attending events of some of the London groups (when I lived there) and subsequently in Edinburgh after I moved last year. Depends where you live though and if you have a decent group near you.

If you're looking for tutorial videos Lynda.com and Kelby Training are both excellent and have videos covering all aspects of photography, lighting, photoshop etc. Lynda.com do a 7 day free trial

Good luck!

 

[Systreg]

I used to be a member of the dpreview.com photography forum, there were a lot of knowledgeable people on there, I didn't see anything in the way of idiots posting on there, not visited it for a few years, but no reason to assume it's gone downhill.

 

[Aiden Roberts]

Thank you both, I will check them out.

I can find my way round a manual film camera but digital?

My main lack of knowledge is digital editing, I would imagine shouldn't be too difficult to make the transition but if I'm honest it's photo editing I'm most scared of!

I was one of those "I will never go digital types" then I started blogging and it sort of became a necessity. Probably be useful for stock photography as well as a sideline.

Appreciate your posts

Rob

 

[Admin]

I've taken up digital photography too but not on a forum. I bought a Canon 650D DSLR and have got into HDR imaging and travel photos.

If you want ideas of what people are doing with images these days, join Instagram - my id there is Alanography and also alanography.com is my photo blog.

Example:

Admin

 

[boxfish]

I'm looking for the photography equivalent of Acorn, where idiots are quickly removed so serious conversation can continue.

Do you find there are lots of idiots on TalkPhotography?

I've been a member there for years (although haven't visited in a while) and there are all kinds of skill levels there, from complete beginners up to pro - just like Acorn.

I wouldn't say it was full of 'idiots', maybe you just visited on a bad day - probably worth giving it another try.

 

[Admin]

I own PhotographyForums.co.uk, I am tempted to make one..

Admin

 

[Aiden Roberts]

Do you find there are lots of idiots on TalkPhotography?

Sorry bad wording on my part it looks OK I'm just trying to avoid the spammy ones. Some great resources on this thread already thanks.

Rob

 

[Aiden Roberts]

Just bought a Nikon D3100 for starters, once I get the hang of it I will upgrade if necessary.

 

[Admin]

Just bought a Nikon D3100 for starters, once I get the hang of it I will upgrade if necessary.

You don't need to spend a fortune these days on the camera but you will find there is a lot of post production work so you need to look at what software you want to use. There are few images you see that have not been retouched in some digital way.

Admin

 

[Skinner]

DPReview and some of the modelling sites Net Model and PureStorm, onemodelplace is a bit high brow, are good places to find seriously good photographers. I met people like Damian McGillicuddy who has gone on to produce some spectacular stuff when he was doing car shows on Net-Model.

99.99% of studio photographers use full manual anyway, so long as you have Manual, Shutter Pri, Aperture Pri and Bulb along with an auto or semi auto you'll have everything you need.

Its kinda funny, the more expensive the camera, the more work you have to do, my old ###D which is ametuer/consumer (3 numbers) had loads of "scene" modes which took care of the tricky metering, my ##D which is pro-consumer (2 numbers) had some baic "scenes" and a bit more customisation of hue, sat, more focus zones, in-camera post editing etc, but my #D (single number) has no scene modes, no in camera post-editing, bugger all.

You don't need expensive to hone your skills

 

[Retired_member41]

Try Digitalrev.com, their learn section not only has very in depth videos but they are hilarious too!

Just don't look at the prices in the shop as you will be gutted if you bought it in the UK.

I've bought a few lenses since getting great advice here on acorn and they are well cheaper than stores here and arrive in no time.

 

[Skinner]

You must have lots of Luck Caz, everything I have ordered from DigitalRev has been hit with bloody VAT making it pennies cheaper than UK

Last thing was my 16-35mm 2.8 (which has since died and needs replacing), I just looked now and its like £1030, and on warehouse express its £1220 but they are doing a £170 cashback, so again pennies difference.

 

[Aiden Roberts]

Thanks Skinner and Caz, I will take a look.

I'm going to work with what I've got at the moment but would imagine I'll be in the market soon for more lenses, ideally prime or at least a manufacturers zoom. In the past the third part quality wasn't there "Tamron" springs too mind.

Have you had any luck buying kit on auction sites "Ebay" or would you steer clear?

I'm in no rush, it's been great re-learning what I've forgotten and there is some great info on the forums and sites put forward so far, I've been like a pig in shit

Thanks again
Rob

 

[Blossom]

Have you had any luck buying kit on auction sites "Ebay" or would you steer clear?

My photography tutor buys a lot of stuff from here and highly recommends it: http://www.facebook.com/groups/second.hand.photo.gear/