Who thinks this category (Photography) is going downhill?

Question

Getting to the point where there are too many myspace'ers asking how to make animated gifs and enhance their page with other seemingly "cool" images, and what not.

Where's the talk of SLR's / Lenses / Apertures / Shutter speeds / White balances / ISO's gone!

Answer 1

AS irritating as some get, and some are irritating to the extreme, you got to remember that this is a photography forum, not a pro forum, or an SLR forum, or a 20+ years expereince forum.

Things are changing. Photography includes $150 digital P&S's, photoshop, film and digital SLR's, Holiday only shooters to daily "making a living at this" shooters.

Most things are cyclical, I think after a brief rise in overasked questions due to the holidays, things will get better, until summer break comes along. Usenet is the same way, but maybe fewer big ups and downs since it isnt as popular as yahoo.

If you want to discuss SLR's, equipment, just ask a question, and get responses.

Answer 2

True that I can tell when someone asks a question whether they are truly interested the category, or if it's a so-called myspacer asking someone to photoshop something. I simply don't answer that.

But if someone wants an opinion on a few images, hek, I ask too many questions for me to pass up on the opportunity, so I'll give it.

This category is no different than Yahoo Answers in general. Skip over the garbage and stick to the nice little gems that keep you and others interested. I think that's why it's important that you star something. Although I star only the really really good stuff, maybe I should reconsider my requirements....?

Anyhoo, to answer your question. I don't think it's going downhill. I've learned so much from this category, it's hard to show appreciation in such a forum, but I do really appreciate those contributors, and you know who you are.

Answer 3

Maybe Yahoo needs more than one photography category...one for beginners and one for people who read their camera manuals. Don't be too harsh though. I've read my camera manual several times and it has taken a lot for it to sink into my brain so that I have a half a$$ed idea on how to use my camera.

Also when I have come to ask a question about serious stuff I either get stupid answers for those people looking for their 2 points or a condesending answer from a professional photographer that made me wish I hadn't asked.

I think photography has changed in huge ways that are making it difficult for professionals on many levels with digital cameras that do a lot of the work for the user. You are going to see people here that got expensive DSLRs for Xmas and think they are professionals when we know they aren't even close. It isn't the camera it is the person using it. But they deserve their time here as well, you don't have to answer the stupid questions if you don't want to!

Answer 4

I'll chime in on this one too, and simply repeat other great answers...

Since I found YA Photography, I have enjoyed myself immensely, and met some great folks along the way. Indeed there are some lame duck questions, but I know I have learned a great deal in a short time here, and I am fairly well read, schooled, and practiced in the art of photography. Lets make the best of it, keep asking great questions, and giving great answers, and I think the true enthusiast's will hang around and contribute.

Take care, and Happy Holiday's !!!!!!!!

Answer 5

I haven't been here long enough to know if it's getting worse or not, but it seems that about 90% of the questions don't belong here....is there a "myspace" category...there should be.
Edit: I don't much mind the simple questions and the "do you like my pictures?" these are folks earnestly seeking input. It's the ones that have nothing to do with photography that have to be weeded through, the repeats do get old fast - that's why there's a search function.
There's a place for myspace, it's obviously a place of self expression and such - it's place is just not here.

Answer 6

I guess the answer to that question will be different for each person. Now if it were called "The pro photographer's section" then the answer is probably yes. But it isn't last time I looked.

Photography is for anyone with a camera, and each of us has our own level of experience and expertise (I don't have much of either).

I get annoyed with repetitive select color and image melding questions, so I can totally empathise with how difficult it must be for those of you with technical expertise to see questions (often over and over) about things that to you are basic.

I guess we all just have to be a little tolerant, as hard as that may be.
This said, I reserve the right to make sarcastic replies from time to time, and to be a complete hypocrite!
Lidybeff :o)

Answer 7

Quite the contrary.

While they may be repetitive, the MySpace Cadets are at least talking about making images.

You'll know this place has jumped the shark when all the questions are from Equipment Measurebators*, like on photo.net.

*Thanks to Ken Rockwell for this wonderful term.

Answer 8

Because posters seem to want to ask over and over again how to 'pop' colour - they can't be bothered to check back on the numerous answers already given. They want meaningless comparisons between brand X and brand Y. Quite a few don't even appear to know how to download photos from their digital cameras. There are even those who appear not know that the daft questions they ask could be easily answered if they only read their camera handbook. (I am an old grumps aren't I - no Christmas spirit!)

Answer 9

I am intrigued by what this generation is doing with photography. This whole "MySpace" self portrait has taken on a life of it's own and some results are amazing. (Not all, but at least they are trying.) It's a far cry from my childhood where my Dad could have three years of Christmas' on one roll of film!

Answer 10

I keep this section HIGHLY INTERESTING by simply passing over the questions that we all complain about. It's easier and better to choose just a couple of questions a day to answer where you can either really help someone who has an interest or really learn something yourself by researching the question or re-thinking a situation.