Poll

[admin]

We're considering opening a new section in PP forums and want to know your opinion. It would be a paid subscription forum (3 days/week/month/6months), where only subscribers are allowed to enter and get opportunity to discuss various topics with professional photographers, including critique on their photos.

Members who completed the course will get the chance to speak to their tutors again, submit new photos and get professional advice about topics not covered in the course. But even members who have no intention or cannot afford to enroll in the course should get the chance.

Here is a list of suggested topics:

General Photography Questions
Digital Manipulation
- Photoshop
- HDR
Lighting & Studio
Cameras & Accessories
Critique my photo
I personally believe it would be a great addition to the community, but your opinion is what we're looking for right now.

Do you think it's a good idea and would you consider joining as a subscriber? Please take a second and vote. Thank you!

[LensBaby]

hahah lighting and studio is the most important for me right now, but I am sure everybody will say different things. Jerry studio and lighting for you? lol The critique my photo is cool as well.

[jerryph]

* General Photography Questions
* Digital Manipulation
- Photoshop
- HDR
* Lighting & Studio
* Cameras & Accessories
* Critique my photo

I'm not sure. To me, there seems nothing offered that is really not already offered in one form or another in other forums for free on the internet. Before I will pay for something, it has to be something that I cannot easily find myself or offer me something in a manner superior to what I can find.

As for lighting and studio work, I have to admit that thanks to the strobist flickr group, regualr Montreal Strobist meets and many thousands of pictures taken with the guidance of experienced and professional assistance, lighting is now no more complex to me than aperture, ISO or shutter speed.

I'm not saying that I am an expert in anything, but as an example, I can now build over 15 different lighting setups almost without thinking about it, explain them all in detail and know what the results of each one of the 15 setups will accomplish before I take the first strobe out of the box. That means that I can walk into most situations with an answer to the lighting situation in a matter of seconds, leaving me free to concentrate on the goal of working on the creative goals of the situation and what I want to create.

I think I would have to respectfully pass on the paid forum idea.

[LensBaby]

Well, I have to say my experience with Peter on this forum has been outstanding, and nothing below that. His critiques are right on, and yes very difficult, but that helps me become the photographer that I want to be. I am attending one of the top (the largest) Art schools in the US and his critiques are better than my instructors. If Peter is one of the guys - I am in.

[LensBaby]

I was also thinking of something else about this opportunity. If you really like this forum and enjoy the people on it, then support the services offered. It will only make our community better.

[jerryph]

There are many forms of support. :)

When I pay for something, I would want something for my money. For me, it would be hard to justify. I will gladly support the board and members here by participating and answering questions and offering whatever advice I can.

[LensBaby]

Oh I know, I am just saying that in order to make the forums even better. To be honest though, I belong to a paid forum and I am not really into it. The only cool thing that they do have is chat.

[dicklaxt]

I would not consider a paid forum at my level of experience. I can gain more than I can digest as it is for free,why should I pay...........maybe a good thought but not for me.

dick

[vickig]

Even though I am new here, I can't say that this is anything that I would ever be interested in. I have spent some time reading previous questions and responses; members here seem to be very knowledgeable and helpful. So, I guess the question is, what is being offered for a fee that is not available for free? The only benefit I can see is "Critique my photo." While I would love to continue the association with my tutors long after finishing the course, I'm not sure that paying for a subscription would be my first choice. I would hope that there would be at least a minimal level of communication offered for people post-graduation(?) Either way, I would be more inclined to pay for continuing courses in specialized areas like your wedding photo course, the lighting and studio as suggested above, and I'm sure that there are others that could be added.

That's my two cents - for what it's worth... :)

[sophiesue]

I think that if it wasn't too expensive i would be happy to join would like to learn more about HDR and have photos critiqued great

[jonrayner]

It all depends upon how much it is and what is on offer. Everyone will place a different value on a subscription service. For me personally, the critique my photo would be very useful, but you can get this done for free at other sites, for example ephotozine. The continuation of the tutors advice is a good thing, though.

[mvandenburg]

Sounds cool but there are just too many free forums available online. I also agree with jerryph in that your support for the forum comes in the giving back to others as you gain more knowledge. Although I don't have a lot of experience, I will gladly share my mishaps in hopes that I will gain more knowledge and help others avoid the same mistakes along the way.

Mike