POLARIZER: some problems ....

**Manofolympus** · 05-05-2009 08:47

Seriously, one of the reasons a forum such as this exists (apart from the witty banter and repartee

) is to encourage/inform beginners to the hobby. Nothing will put off a beginner from posting is the thought that they will be descended on by some smart aleck who tells them they have asked a really STUPID, OBVIOUS question-even though it is only obvious because you already know the answer!

**alanS** · 05-05-2009 11:51

Yup. I agree. And although I'm adding to the problem I do think that posts from newbies shouldn't be hijacked and treated as if they're a Lounge post or replied to in anything other than helpful way. After all, the newbies probably don't know the more colourful characters here and wont be used to how some people phrase their posts. I think that it's quite easy to run the risk that some posts can appear rude, sarcastic or otherwise off putting to newbies.

**frank1** · 05-05-2009 12:48

Okay yes everyone is right I should be more encoraging to newbies. I'm just fed up with the lack of thought from people perhaps in all walks of life. I've just googled the said filter and found out everthing I would need to know. There's another post on here about pol filters for wide angle lenses. By the time I posted my answer. The OP had already bought the filter and now realises the filter is no good on a wide angle lens. If people are going to take this hobbie seriously and let's face it they should. It's not cheap especially large polarizer filters. One of the best items in your bag is a good book and now we've got the net

**benji** · 06-05-2009 19:12

What is worse:

- newbies asking questions without googling first?
- old hands responding to posts they don't have to look at in a condescending manner?

I'm of the opinion that the person who needs to "get a life" -of the two- is the old hand.

(I can understand why somebody would instinctively ask knowledgeable people first, rather than use google. Sometimes, it's just nicer to get "hands-on" answers.
And let's face it, if the only option was to use google or buy a book, we wouldn't have forums. Forums are about asking questions.
And on a "Amateur Photographer Magazine" Forum, we are bound to get questions from "amateurs" -and newbies are by essence "amateurs")

Benji

**frank1** · 06-05-2009 21:18

What is worse:

- newbies asking questions without googling first?
- old hands responding to posts they don't have to look at in a condescending manner?

I'm of the opinion that the person who needs to "get a life" -of the two- is the old hand.

(I can understand why somebody would instinctively ask knowledgeable people first, rather than use google. Sometimes, it's just nicer to get "hands-on" answers.
And let's face it, if the only option was to use google or buy a book, we wouldn't have forums. Forums are about asking questions.
And on a "Amateur Photographer Magazine" Forum, we are bound to get questions from "amateurs" -and newbies are by essence "amateurs")

Benji

What did we do before the net, write a question to the A P in the hope it will get answered. Or deal with the issue using what I reckon would be the case for most of us older members a book. I think people do themselves more harm than good asking a question on here. I say that in the sense of what other info they will come across and thus learn if they use a book. Maybe I need to accept the new medium as a means to an end but I'm not sure it's a good end.

**digitravel** · 06-05-2009 21:33

This isnt before the net though Frank and somebody has just asked a question. The obvious answer would appear to be to reply to it or ignore it. We all started somewhere and as this is AP perhaps the OP thought it might be the place to get opinions from fellow amatures. It really is no wonder so many people make a few posts here and then arent seen again.

**benji** · 07-05-2009 12:21

Frank1,
I understand totally where you are coming from.
My only point was, people ask questions on here because of the fast and direct access to knowledge and knowledgeable people. Books are obviously very good, but chatting online can be too.
You could watch "question time" on TV or listen "Jeremy Vine" on the radio, they'll discuss topical issues there, it's all done for you.
Still isn't it nice to also discuss the topics first-hand with people around you?
There is no need for it, other than the fact that some of us like to interact and learn that way.

Benji

**tonycro** · 07-05-2009 21:32

Hi everybody.
I've already bought a Hoya circular polarizer, to use with my Samsung gx-10. Sometimes, reading the magazine, you say that it can helps in landscapes, photos of trees and nature because it saturates colors, .....

I'm trying to use it but ....nothing is working well! The polarizer is ok (it works <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) but the problem it's me.
Is there anyone who can help me explaining how to use it at the best?

many thanks in advance

kinda sad, two or three good replies to a request for help and then a series of rants - not everyone knows what they are doing or to know where to look help and this is fourm for AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS

no wonder that the op hasn't replied again!

abbonzo if you are still there, then this link is well worth a read; http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tu...larizers.shtml

tony

**turbulentwheat** · 08-05-2009 15:40

Good link Tony, have bookmarked it for meself! By the way took a peek at your flicker pics, plenty stunning shots in there.

I hate to admit I was embarrassed by the response to abbonzo's question. With the few exceptions I found it disheartening for a new member. And I agree that if a newbie's question annoys then why on earth reply to it in the first place? Let those with the manners, the knowledge and the desire to help get on with making them feel welcome and take the bloodymindedness, destructive boredom and who knows what other reason to the lounge for their 'fun'. Abbonzo's question exposed an attitude problem more than anything else.

**Luckynp** · 08-05-2009 16:18

I hate to admit I was embarrassed by the response to abbonzo's question. With the few exceptions I found it disheartening for a new member. And I agree that if a newbie's question annoys then why on earth reply to it in the first place? Let those with the manners, the knowledge and the desire to help get on with making them feel welcome and take the bloodymindedness, destructive boredom and who knows what other reason to the lounge for their 'fun'. Abbonzo's question exposed an attitude problem more than anything else.

I couldn't agree more. Shortly after I joined this forum I posted into a discussion. I was answered by an 'old hand' with a smart alec sarcastic comment (why would you ever need to crop a picture if you have taken the trouble to compose it properly). Fortunately I am an experienced photographer and know what a stupid response this was.

However, as this was perhaps my third post, it left me with an unshakeable impression that this forum is frequented by some (hopefully only a few) unhelpful, sarcastic and frankly snotty people, and the first response to the OP has tended to confirm this.

I have posted very litle in this forum for exactly this reason. There are other forums where this never happens and where I feel comfortable participating.

**benji** · 08-05-2009 18:17

I agree with the last 2-3 posts.

So, apologies to the OP for kind of "hijacking" the thread.

I do get fed up with the condescendence of the so-called "Old hands" towards recurrent "newbie-type" questions. This is why I felt like intervening.

Please, let's make some space available to newcomers/newbies (or whatever you want to call them. I'd personally be tempted to call them "amateurs") on this "AMATEUR photographer" forum.

There are plenty of of other areas within this forum for old-hands to get together and have a sarcastic chat or a banter.

After all, AP allows topics that don't have anything to do with photography to take place in The Lounge, so let's have the other section as places where one can ask photography-related questions -whatever level of knowledge is required to answer them-
There will always be recurrent questions because there will always be new people turning their hand to the lovely craft/hobby that is photography. We can't blame them, we can only blame it on the fact that photography is just so appealing.

If you feel you know too much to reply to newbies, then it's time to move on to "Professional Photographer" magazine + forum.

Let's keep the photography experience enjoyable!

Benji

**swanseadave** · 17-08-2009 12:33

Good link Tony, have bookmarked it for meself! By the way took a peek at your flicker pics, plenty stunning shots in there.

I hate to admit I was embarrassed by the response to abbonzo's question. With the few exceptions I found it disheartening for a new member. And I agree that if a newbie's question annoys then why on earth reply to it in the first place? Let those with the manners, the knowledge and the desire to help get on with making them feel welcome and take the bloodymindedness, destructive boredom and who knows what other reason to the lounge for their 'fun'. Abbonzo's question exposed an attitude problem more than anything else.

Well said.I have to agree.Frank1 needs to learn that life is too short for such uncalled for putdowns.
I,too hope that abbonzo returns and be welcomed on here.

**Monobod** · 21-08-2009 18:41