what PhotographyReview.com has done for me

[opus]

(I was just thinking about this today)


I feel like my membership here has made me into a "Grown-Up Photographer". I think in the almost-year I've been here, I've learned so much, and now I feel like I actually know what I'm talking about when I give critiques, answer questions, etc. I've gained a lot of confidence in myself, my abilities, and in trusting what I know.

I just want to thank the community here for being so knowledgeable, helpful and supportive, and I want to thank the site itself for being here. Thank you Photo-John and whoever else is responsible for this site's existance, and thank you to all the moderators who work hard to make it such a great place!


I will revisit this topic again in July, on my 1-yr anniversary here. Maybe then I'll post flowers and a cake.

[mtbbrian]

Sounds like we can mark your story up as another PR.com success story!
Thanks for being a part of this great community Kelly!
Brian

[almo]

Hey Kelly, that is a great story!

I know that I can say the same thing about P.R. too. I've been here for almost 2 1/2 years myself and I know that this site has been a vital part of my learning. The things I have learned here have improved my photography 10 fold.

As a moderator I appreciate your recognition of what we do here...

[Seb]

(I was just thinking about this today)


I feel like my membership here has made me into a "Grown-Up Photographer". I think in the almost-year I've been here, I've learned so much, and now I feel like I actually know what I'm talking about when I give critiques, answer questions, etc. I've gained a lot of confidence in myself, my abilities, and in trusting what I know.

I just want to thank the community here for being so knowledgeable, helpful and supportive, and I want to thank the site itself for being here. Thank you Photo-John and whoever else is responsible for this site's existance, and thank you to all the moderators who work hard to make it such a great place!


I will revisit this topic again in July, on my 1-yr anniversary here. Maybe then I'll post flowers and a cake.

Same here!

I have been there for more than a year by now and I feel that I have progressed to a pace I couldn't have imagined before. While I am fully aware that I still have a long way to go in order to become the photographer I'd like to be, being active here gave me a lot.

thanks everyone!!

Seb

[mjs1973]

What a great thread Kelly!!! I too, echo your experiance and growth as a result of this site. A big thanks to all for your knowledge, and all of the time you have spent answering questions, critiquing photos, and most of all, for your patients! Without this site, I would still be taking snapshots, instead of making photographs. Ok, I still take a lot of snaps, but now I know the differance. ;) Thanks to all!

[Lionheart]

Wow. Less than a year and already have 1500+ posts? You're awesome.
I'll echo your sentiments as well. I've been here for at least 3, possibly 4 years that I can recall (although I got lost in the site makeover a couple years back), and I've learned more from just reading and lurking on this site than I could have learned on my own or from some of the other (snootier and snobby) photo sites (which I will not name). I love this site, and the people here are just awesome. I wish I could make it out to some of the gatherings and meet at least some of you, but it just hasn't worked out for me yet.
I hang out just reading and lurking whenever I can, and occasionally put in my two pennies whenever I get the passion to contribute something. PR has been a nice safe place for an amateur photographer like myself, and I really appreciate the accepting atmosphere that is present here as a result of all the great people who contribute kindly, with tact and sensitivity on a daily basis, like yourself Kelly, and PJ, and Liz, and Paulnj, and Seb, and Flashram Peter, Nat, and Trevor, and anyone else I might have failed to mention (you know who you are I'm sure). Kudos to you Kelly for this thread.
Leon

[natatbeach]

Good post...

I have grown by leaps and bounds thanks to this place and I tell all kinds of people on the street about it...it has such a wealth of knowledge photographically and well soically too.

The lessons learned that have improved this art form are paled by comparison to the people I have met and gotten to know over the last what....going on three years...in August(?) Anyway...

I think this place has restored my faith in people and the kindness and generosity that people have to offer. It has humbled me at times to see how people here care about each other and comforted at times to get emails from people genuinely concerned about what's going on. I have enjoyed the comraderie(?) and the diversity(especially when we get into spiritual matters)...and I just really love and cherish the friendships I've formed on here.

I value the bad times and there's been a few that have helped me to grow an extra layer of skin because people can be mean and can be hurtful...but even then ...even in those rare moments----It's all worth while. Each interaction has formed me and molded me to be what I am today.

It's really filled and molded areas of my charcater as a person and filled gaps I had as an artist as well.PRreview isn't just about photography---it's simply about life. ;)

glad you started this....

[jar_e]

I must agree. Even only being here since January, I've learnt so much and hope I've contributed equally back. WIth so much information, it's a great and personable community. I love it, it's become the highlight of my internet surfing

[paulnj]

I don't know if I have tact in EVERY reply, but I TRY to treat people the way I would like to be treated ;) I also try to help those who are in the shoes I once wore whenever I can(basic kit camera with no knowledge of how to get the best results)

I have been here QUITE A WHILE! I assure you, while I am not as good at post processing as most, my photo skills have grown 11 fold(hahaha I beat you John)

[mattp]

Posting a shot on here was the first time I had ever shown one of my photographs to people other than my family and very close friends. For me that was a very important step on the road from being someone who'd just take holiday pics or snapshots of drunken friends, to someone who was starting to embrace photography as a hobby. The responses people are kind enough to post are definitely teaching me a lot, and the photographs I see posted on here often inspire me to try new things, and help me develop my own eye.

Also, in the very different reactions I often see posted about any one image, it has taught me not to feel too disheartened by any one particular negative reaction. It is very rare that someone can take a shot that will appeal to everyone, and when you accept that I think it can give you much more confidence in sticking with your own individual vision, whilst still taking on board useful criticism.

I just hope that the progress that I feel I'm making will become evident with my own shots, and that this will continue for many years of happy shooting ahead!

matt