Christian Photographers Community

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For quite some time now, we've seen wonderful photographers come and go on our site and so we would really appreciate your thoughts and comments on our website and gallery. 

We'd like to have this a website that is really for the "Christian" and for the "Photographers" among us and we'd like it to be a home away from home for those of us who are really "into" photography but also a believer and a place where we can  share our difficulties in the real world as we try to practise our hobby or career.

We would be happy to know what you would like to see incorporated of special interest to the photographers among us.

This topic has been opened here for you all to discuss this openly.  We can't promise to incorporate all of your ideas but we will keep an open mind for sure.

Some points to talk about...

• Would you like a "cafe type of topic" opened where you can discuss photography on a daily basis something like the "New Every Morning" topic where we start each day with a devotional?

• What types of discussions are you most interested in seeing on our site?

• For the beginners among us, are we interested in learning how to make our photos better?  Would we like to be told how to do this?  Do we realize that a crooked horizon sticks out like a sore thumb when viewed by the more experienced?

Personally, I've not explored the photography section of this site as much as I should have, and I think I've missed some things that I would enjoy.  I really do want to start submitting to the challenges, and I think keeping those fresh and interesting is very important.  I like the idea of the winner choosing the next topic. 

Before I can make an intelligent contribution to what SHOULD be here, I'm going to go off and see what already is here

I would like to see this site more active too. I have a lot of photo's that I have taken and no one to look at them I would like to know what I am doing wrong or doing right. I also haven't a clue on how to use all the features on my Fuji Finepix S5200 I asked on another site and got no concrete help really.  I would like to learn some new techniques to make my photos stand out. I love the Christian aspect because that is so much more supportive then a non-Christian board. More contests would be fun, I like the cafe idea so we can get to know each other better. I like the idea of this being a home not just a forum. What about having theme days or weeks pick out a scripture and have photo's that go with it. I would like to see some technical topics to discuss lighting, distance and so on. Just a few thoughts.

Marilyn

I'm not a photographer, but I do enjoy looking at all your amazing talent!

- Judy M.

Quote from: nards656 on August 02, 2006, 03:00:35 PM
Personally, I've not explored the photography section of this site as much as I should have, and I think I've missed some things that I would enjoy.  I really do want to start submitting to the challenges, and I think keeping those fresh and interesting is very important.  I like the idea of the winner choosing the next topic. 

Before I can make an intelligent contribution to what SHOULD be here, I'm going to go off and see what already is here

Thanks Nard.  Appreciate your comments.  We'll look forward to your comments after you have a good look around this area of the forums.

Marilyn...  Thanks!  So nice to see you here. 

Please keep in touch and we'll definitely see what we can do to make the photography part of our site more active.

I know that Kevin over in Japan and Ritz in Alabama want it to be.



Hi Judy!

Thanks for opening this thread Pat.

I found this site not long after I got my digital camera equipment last December.  I believe I actually "googled" something like "christians and photography" to find this site. 

Why?  I wanted to fellowship with Christians who like me, love to glorify God, through a passion for photography.  My local church provides me with opportunities for bible study, prayer opportunities, and worship. As a pastor, I provide counseling and bible study for members of our local body and as a service to non-believers near me.

I don't mean to come across as "cold", but I don't come to Christian Photographers for the same kind of fellowship my local body provides.  I come mainly to discuss pictures and picture-taking topics with other believers.  I long for photography-related fellowship.  So I would hope we would be, not exclusively, but heavy on the photographic side.  Thus my occasional "hints" in NEM to get folks to also drop by the gallery for encouragement and to be encouraged, too.


In His Grip,
Kevin

  What Kevin said! Sorry I haven't been around, New job and all. Love Y'all.

I would enjoy seeing a forum where anyone wanting to have a specific photo of their's critiqued for both its strengths and weaknesses by more experienced enthusiasts, could submit one for that purpose. I don't know how you would certify who the "qualified" commentators are though? Sort of a "put your photo in the hot seat" forum, with perhaps a stipulation that anyone analyzing the photo must (honestly) find at least one positive thing to say about it, or not comment at all? 

As a technically-challenged person, I would also like to see a forum here where you could get (at least fairly) fast answers to computer-related questions, regarding procedures here. I was almost ready to give up on this site recently and look elsewhere because I was having so many problems often, such as getting red X's instead of my pictures posted, etc. Perhaps a somewhat exhaustive FAQ link would help a lot?

Overall, this site has been a real blessing . Thank you and please keep up the good work! 

Quote from: Under_His_Shadow on August 05, 2006, 02:33:26 AM
I would enjoy seeing a forum where anyone wanting to have a specific photo of their's critiqued for both its strengths and weaknesses by more experienced enthusiasts, could submit one for that purpose. I don't know how you would certify who the "qualified" commentators are though? Sort of a "put your photo in the hot seat" forum, with perhaps a stipulation that anyone analyzing the photo must (honestly) find at least one positive thing to say about it, or not comment at all? 

As a technically-challenged person, I would also like to see a forum here where you could get (at least fairly) fast answers to computer-related questions, regarding procedures here. I was almost ready to give up on this site recently and look elsewhere because I was having so many problems often, such as getting red X's instead of my pictures posted, etc. Perhaps a somewhat exhaustive FAQ link would help a lot?

Overall, this site has been a real blessing . Thank you and please keep up the good work! 

Hi Jim...

I don't see why we couldn't have a serious critique area in the forums.  You could use the attachment feature to put your photo in or link it to your albums.

I'm not sure why you were getting Red X's unless the site you were trying to link to didn't allow that.  That's why it's best to have your photos in our gallery or embed them in your post here by clicking on "Other Options/Attach File"

Hi Pat!

I absolutely love this site for many reasons, including being able to share with other sincere Christians, the photos that I have been able to capture by His grace. It would be great to have our work critiqued on a deeper level (for those who want this), with good practical instructions on how to improve. Perhaps the more experienced photographers here could adopt or mentor beginner photographers like me, who have natural ability but want to hone our skills for His glory.

I'm just still exploring these boards so I'm not sure if you already have a place for this, but it would be really great to ask questions on how to do 'water' shots or how to capture moving objects using macro, and other questions that may arise.  Just a few thoughts.

In His love,

Quote from: Under_His_Shadow on August 05, 2006, 02:33:26 AM
I would enjoy seeing a forum where anyone wanting to have a specific photo of their's critiqued for both its strengths and weaknesses by more experienced enthusiasts, could submit one for that purpose.

I'd like to see this too.

At the present time, I see a couple of people on our site that would be qualified to do critiquing.  It's not an easy task for sure.  Also, if you submit a photo for critique, you must be willing to take what's offered to you by the person doing the critiquing.  Sometimes it hurts but on the Photography Cafe, I've learned so much from the more experienced photographers who have commented on my work.

Karen, thanks for your post as well.  You are looking for the same thing as Jim and we'll see if we can figure something out.

I'm definitely not a critiquer but I usually will say if I like a photo or not and why.

I, too, would like to critique and get critique for photos.  Since I taught myself, having my work looked at and getting feedback, both positive and negative, are lacking for me.  I love the mentor idea!!!!!!!!!!!

I understand and agree (mostly because of time constraints) with Kevin.  I am also mainly looking for a website to discuss photography with and get questions answered by fellow Christians.  I also didn't want to worry as much about appropriate subject matter or content.  

I wanted to find people with integrity to evaluate my work honestly, but lovingly, which is why I searched for "Christian Photographers" and found this site.  So far, I'm enjoying it very much and I am glad I found it!

I look forward to seeing what is implemented from the suggestions offered here!  Blessings, Kathleen  (p.s.  what happened to the challenges?  Will there be one for January?)

Hi Kathleen...

My life has sort of been turned upside down in the past several weeks with family funerals and other projects needing my attention and so I've been very lax in getting another Challenge started.

We will do that asap.

 I think the format of this site is great.  I love the idea of sharing not only photographic experiences, but also sharing our thoughts and feelings in our Christian walk.  Having a forum in which we can critique each others images is a wonderful idea and of course because of our Christian values it can only be uplifting.  You may know that I make my living photographing young children, but apart from this I enjoy most other subjects. I have been involved in a camera club for about fourteen years and I get a great deal of satisfaction helping others in the club to improve their skills and watch them grow in their hobby.  To be able to do this with the added dimension of helping brothers and sisters in Christ is just wonderful.  My favourite scripture verse is Phillippians 4:13-"I can do all things through him who gives me strength"(NIV).  Quite often when I am taking images of God's incredible world this verse comes to me because He seems to be guiding me.
   May god Bless you and keep you in His incredible riches,
                                                                                Photobro (Rob)

  I have really enjoyed this site, the fellowship, the words of encouragement, prayers for friends and loved ones, moments of inspiration by viewing the images of many of the contributers.
       I can see that it would be interesting to have a forum for critiqueing one anothers photo's and mentoring, I can understand the need to grow as a photographer, and as a Christian.  I believe that God speaks to us through many methods, I have been inspired by the fellowship as well as the photo's.
    What I enjoyed about the format before the new software was uploaded was the accessability to view each others photo's and the technology of making the photo......Like Fotobirder I too am fed at my local church but I can also be fed outside as well, I love this site and look forward to seeing and chating with each other.  If God is in it so am I.....
            LarryBoy

Great Idea, Larry. I think we all ought to try to help each other become better. I think that Digital Cameras is the definite way to go. But it's so hard to develop a plan on what to buy if you don't know what your direction or goal is. My desire is to be the best Photographer that I can possibly be and to bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus. I'm constantly having to improve and change my website to remove photos that don't look good to me anymore. It's a process just like your Christan Life is a process. I would hate to let you see some of my first pictures. The key is in not giving up and continue learning. My Father In Law was a Professional doing work for The Churches. He shot some of the old Broadman Films. When I was doing SLR, he taught me by grading my pictures. He would put comments on the back like: This is an excellent composition or the foreground in this sunset picture should be lower in the picture. Very specific info that helped me to improve. I still don't know all that I need to. But I know my pictures are better and I know my equipment pretty well. If you don't have a lot of money, you can get a pretty good digital Camera that even has Image Stabilization built in. Instead of the Long Telephotos you have 10X or more. You can shoot on many stages of Automatic and get great results. But you have to decide how far you want to go. But most of all you have to enjoy it and not put too much pressure on yourself. I know because I've been there. Right now, I'm getting some help from friend on another website about how to use Photoshoppe. I'm willing to accept help where I need it. You need to ask yourself the same question. If so, I would recommend an area just for help in any aspect of Photography. We have some great Photographers who would be willing to help and even doing it privately my emails if you wanted to keep it that way.

I'm very happy to be a part of this great group

Steve

I noticed that there aren't too many pictures on the new Gallery. Are some of you having trouble uploading your pictures to the new Galley.? I miss seeing all those pictures.

Steve
Fotobirder
PS I noticed we have another Steve

I think it would be awesome to have a chatroom for members to use. I'm big on instant messaging.

Quote from: Fotobirder on August 10, 2008, 10:32:57 PM
I noticed that there aren't too many pictures on the new Gallery. Are some of you having trouble uploading your pictures to the new Galley.? I miss seeing all those pictures.

Steve
Fotobirder
PS I noticed we have another Steve

I saw this responce, so I thought I'd respond.
I have to say I don't like the new gallery software. I found it difficult to find the new photo posts, so I stopped posting thinking others would not find my posts. I finally figured it out.

Hmmm, while writing this I opened the gallery so I could accurately describe my concerns, and I found my gallery is empty!

Smokey, unfortunately the entire gallery was lost a couple of weeks ago.   

Quote from: Jeanne Lee on December 30, 2009, 09:21:02 AM
Smokey, unfortunately the entire gallery was lost a couple of weeks ago.   

Oh no, no backups were available?  How sad.

At the moment, with two girls I have little time for anything so I've always chosen to keep it simple.  I upload all photos directly to Flickr from iPhoto.  Having to then post them again to another gallery seems excessive, to me anyways.

It is always good to have a backup...or hard copy.  I have lost too much with computer crashes. Anything mechanical can crash....I am sorry about the loss to many here.

Quote from: Jeanne Lee on December 30, 2009, 09:21:02 AM
Smokey, unfortunately the entire gallery was lost a couple of weeks ago.   

I always link from my website galleries for several reasons.  It's fast, it's easy, I can choose the size I want with one click, (no resizing in PS2) they already have my watermark, and I just don't have the time to upload to several forums, blogs, etc...

I'm sorry to hear all the ones in the CP galleries were lost.   

Quote from: Jeanne Lee on December 30, 2009, 09:21:02 AM
Smokey, unfortunately the entire gallery was lost a couple of weeks ago.   

Well, that explains it!