to the forum pro photographers

[ndsimm]

I want to say a big thanks to you guys for sharing your knowledge, insight, and wisdom about the trade (weddings, landscape, nature, etc.). I've been doing this for a while but I always look to learn more. when I first started, I would try and talk to other photographers, but was shut out because I wasn't part of "the group". It's good that you all share with those that really want to learn and improve....

[MyKey]

but was shut out because I wasn't part of "the group".

I know how you feel, I never understood how some photographers feel they are better than another one to the point they wont talk to each other. I try to help out anyone, from both non-pro to pro since I learn from everyone. Plus in the end I feel my work will hold up on its own so why not be friendly.

Thanks for saying this but again I truely feel there is no thanks needed, thats what this forum is all about!

[wrogers]

This is the reason for TPPA and your local guilds. This is were you meet and exchange ideas with your fellow professionals. I can not image another businessman going into his competitors store and asking to look around and see if he could get some new ideas for his store. This is a BUSINESS. Join TPPA.

[sbug_adam]

glad you feel at home here! :D

adam

[ShutteredEye]

Originally Posted by wrogers

This is the reason for TPPA and your local guilds. This is were you meet and exchange ideas with your fellow professionals. I can not image another businessman going into his competitors store and asking to look around and see if he could get some new ideas for his store. This is a BUSINESS. Join TPPA.

I'm confused. This isn't a business to me. It's a hobby. And I GREATLY appreciate the pros pointing stuff out to me.

So what did you mean, exactly?

[wrogers]

I feel that TPPA is a good organization and provides educational opportunity's to all types of photography. I have been to Texas State School several times and have always enjoyed it. I did not own a studio but worked as an assistant. The studio that I worked for paid for it. I understand photography is just a hobby for you and that some professionals are stand-offish, but I feel one reason is they have been burnt too many times by "hobbyist" I could be wrong and I also appreciate all the help from the pro's on this forum.

[ndsimm]

Originally Posted by wrogers

This is the reason for TPPA and your local guilds. This is were you meet and exchange ideas with your fellow professionals. I can not image another businessman going into his competitors store and asking to look around and see if he could get some new ideas for his store. This is a BUSINESS. Join TPPA.

But that's my point, back when I started and wanted to get serious about my BUSINESS, I would call some of these people, offer to pay for lunch, just to pick their brains about what I needed to do. I even volunteered to work for free for one of them just to get some experience and was shut out. I'll take another look at TPPA and consider joining

[Jim Victory]

Robert and Nathan,

The reality is, there is allot of professional photographers that are threatened by amateurs. They are not secure in their abilities and some of them have reason not to be.

I have seen many amateur photogs whose work is much better than a pro in the same area of interest. It is just like any profession. You can be a doctor but that doesn't mean you a good doctor.

I shoot youth sports for my bread and butter but my love is wildlife photography. I definitely can't make a living with the latter.

I have seen amateurs at sporting events selling their wares or even giving them away. This really upsets pros who are trying to make a living from it. If they were more secure in their ability to produce a better product than the amateur then there would be no reason to be upset.

I have never refused to discuss photography with anyone in the field whether they were shooting or not. I'm happy to share what I can to make the hobby, or profession, more enjoyable. I personally don't think I have anything to lose from this exchange because my work either stands on it's own or it doesn't.

There is allot of pros that don't feel this way and their attitude toward you will reflect that, especially in the field when they are working.

As far as organizations I don't belong to any and never will. They are usually self serving entities that are used to try and convince others that by being a member it makes you better than someone who isn't a member.

Forums like this and other educational groups are much better resources for improving your skills and abilities.

[LoungeLizard]

Oh, here I go again. My thoughts on this:

1) I sincerely appreciate the effort EVERYONE puts into this forum. The pros, the amateurs, the "tweens"! I learn a lot from the comments, the hints, the photos posted.

2) It's not different than any other profession. Have you ever been at work and asked someone for help and received COMPLETE cooperation? Not often - it takes a person who is confident that them helping you will help them.

I'm a manager and have been in management now for over ten years. I teach my people that they should work well with others and should find a way to make themselves "expendable" - but not by becoming obsolete, but by preparing themselves for the next position and preparaing someone to replace them.

My two cents worth.

And I really do like this forum. I find the exchange is the best out there. I've given up on DPReview and go to Fred Miranda just to look at some sections and drool over some of the stuff for sale ($6K for a lens - wow!) :lol:

[MyKey]

Forums like this and other educational groups are much better resources for improving your skills and abilities.

I could not agree more! I am a member of Texas PPA and though I send my money in every year I really do not find any learning from them. Their semi-annual or bi-monthly magazine is nice but it is so full of ads and very little information that they are not that helpful either. I guess thats why I truely enjoy this forum and bringing people from this forum to help me out on a shoot. I am hoping they will learn and in the process I will learn something also! Again I think sharing the information is everything!

[wrogers]

O.K. I got two moderators going against me, but it did start up a good discussion. I still feel that Texas State School is a great place to learn the business of photography and meet some great contacts for the future. Also, I enjoyed the conventions and seminars.

[Jim Victory]

Originally Posted by wrogers

O.K. I got two moderators going against me, but it did start up a good discussion. I still feel that Texas State School is a great place to learn the business of photography and meet some great contacts for the future. Also, I enjoyed the conventions and seminars.

Bill,

If it helps you to become a better photographer then that is all that matters. It appears the group you mentioned has seminars and that would be a learning experience.

My reference was to organizations like Mike had mentioned that do very little if anything to enhance you expertise in your field. This holds true with any endeavor or interest. Organizations that compile a membership and don't do much more than send out a newsletter monthly are a waste of time and money.

[MyKey]

Please don't think since I am a MOD my statements hold anymore weight than yours, I am just passing the information on which I found to be true for me. While I enjoy the schools sometimes I found the interaction of other photographers is what I truely enjoyed, which is something this forum offers to me year round also. Plus I can goto the schools without being a member.

[wrogers]

Plus I can goto the schools without being a member.

I agree Mike. Now another thing. How do you get "name wrote" at the top of someone's quote.

[Abel]

bill if you want to quote someones post, click the QUOTE button that is displayed on the top right corner of that persons post and it will select their entire post and quote it with the name of the poster...

you can then go in and remove the portion that you dont wanna mention etc..

hope that helps.