Is this site dying out or are my stats wrong?

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Michael, Thanks for your more than kind but accurate :) words. Can you figure out how to get your and our message to the masses?

[Mark Young]

I knbow I am a bit late in adding my piece to thius thread but I felt that I had to say something. There is one major problem with the site - it's popularity, expecially in the Avian Critique forum, and the lck of willingness of people to add their comments to images. It is something that I was very shy about. I started off in Avian Critique but it was obvious to me that I was not up to that standard. However, the comments were not harsh, even though I probably deserved them to be, and I alwaays learned from them. However, I wnt to the ETL forum and it was there that I learned a vast amount. It was also there that I realised that leaving comments was the best method of learning. You have to examine th eimage and decide why you like it or hate it or whatever. Lance it amazing supportive in ETL and never will say what you post is bad, always saying how to improve it in the nicest way. I have since rejoined Avian Critique with hopefully better images.

On the charge for membership - it is a paultry sum. If you participate in some of the forums then you will definitely get you money back in spades. Just one of Lance's tutorials is well worth the cost but we also get pearls of wisdon, great tips etc from Artie, Dennise, Daniel etc.

I may not be a great bird photographer, or even a good one but I have improved out of all recognition over the past 3 years thanks to Artie's books and all the critiques I have received.

Thanks to all for everything

Michael

I'm in pretty much the same boat as Michael. I'm new to the forum and have only been photographing birds for about 3 years. 2 of those with a DLSR and I've found this site to be a great resource of information. The information that's on this site is so helpful, the people encouraging and also very helpful, the quality of images is great, and all of this free for those who choose not to pay for membership. The site is well moderated and most people are extremely well behaved.

Whilst newbies like myself are learning about image composition, technical aspects, bird behaviour etc and whilst our posts and critiques may appear immature in content, but developing, I like the fact that I'm not made to feel like a newbie, and that if there is a fault with my images then people feel free enough to tell me. I know my images are not necessarily nice, but I don't often know why! And that's what I like about this place. I know someone will help or offer advice, and they do it freely too.

I can't understand the negativity towards this site. Like Chris who started this thread, I live in Aust where we don't have anything think like this site here. Nor do we have anything like the lessons you guys put on, though I wish we did.

If I were you blokes in the US, I'ld be saving my pennies to go on one of these trips and milk the minds of these blokes for all they're worth!!
Cause I'ld love it if we had some sort of setup like this over here. And from what I can tell, there is a desire for this level and style of forum and the accompanying workshops to be setup here, just not the desire to be the person to do it.

[Robert Amoruso]

Mark,

Thanks for your insights and kind words.