One reason this forum is such a pleasant place has to do simply with the nature of photography -

[ConsAreLiars]

It is about sharing, for the most part.

Sure there are some who use their technical skills and creativity to produce images for the highest bidder. Just making a living as as mere proles, as most of us do.

But 99% is about sharing our experiences, insights and encounters with others, and thus creating fellowship. This is true for those who pull out a wallet to show pix of their cats, kids or dogs, and those who so skilled that their work is widely published and whose images are amazingly revelatory. There is sometimes a heavy dose of ego, but it is their ability to share what they saw and felt that makes their work notable. And this forum, one of many, is a way for us to do something like that, and learn how to share more effectively.

Thanks to all who share, here or on a bus or in a bar. That, really, is what distinguishes us from them.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. Or we from they

yes, I agree entirely.

Thanks to everyone.

[F.Gordon]

2. Learning ..... Bonding

Very nicely said. Thank you for reminding me why photography is so important. I'll always find it amazing how a chunk of plastic and metal can bring together complete strangers from around the world.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. An excellent opportunity to post this pic

from the Iditarod ceremonial start. :)

[JeffR]

4. Well said, and well worth saying!

One of the trickiest aspects of photography, for me at least, is coming up with a few tried and true recipes, only to find that one simple variable (weird lighting, tough focal lengths, etc.) just throws everything out the window. I've learned to be much faster on my feet through reading comments posted in this forum by people who are far better photographers than I am. And that flexibility can make or break a decent shot.

Last night and this afternoon, I couldn't help but think of the members of this group as I was shooting a fundraiser and a special lecture for one of the local universities. All told, I probably have about 600 frames from the two events. Lighting conditions for the evening event in particular were pretty brutal, and my vantage in a rickety Victorian minstrel's gallery overlooking the dais was a mixed blessing. The immediately recognizable rejects from the shoots are all mine, but the successful shots mainly owe their existence to people here in the Photo Group (and of course the admirable eggheads at Canon).

More than the photo forum sites I belong to, more than the books and magazines I devour to try to become more fluent in the language of photography, this forum is an inspiration, a friendly conclave and a source of good advice that's really crucial to the small amount of professional photography I do. I've also become more confident integrating photography into my graphic design work, and without this forum, that probably would never have happened.

Thanks so much for posting this. It's never a bad idea for the DU Photography Group to pat itself on the back, and for each of us to acknowledge what we owe each other. And you're right about the nature of photography being a big intrinsic part of this. It's an egalitarian medium, with no sharp demarcations anymore between amateur and pro, film and digital, 5 MP and 10 MP.

Things have been hectic, and checking out this group has been a bit sporadic recently, but this is a good place to say that while I'm probably happiest behind a camera, I'm also pretty damn happy dropping in here to see what people are posting and what and how they're shooting.

[Adsos Letter]

5. ...Photography Group...?

:D

...why, Yes INDEED...! My favorite place on the board...no internecine srtruggles here...only lots of seeing through others eyes...

oh, yes INDEED!

[Eurobabe]

6. Whoa, you shoulda WARNED me!

Cute snowball. :)

[Adsos Letter]

8. She wants food!!!

at 18 years old she is used to being doted upon...

[Robb]

7. Your candidate sucks!

...Wait, what? Where am I?? :D