Just an observation - but I have been involved in several "professional" photography forums...and quickly tired of them. Either they were too "job" oriented (wonderful sources of where to rent equipment from reliable sources across the nation - but poor places to discus photographic technique) - OR - they were too "club-ish" (a pack of pseudo-photographers who are more concerned about re-sharpening their matte knives than photographic technique...which gets my nads in a boil....I have absolutely no patience with a "group" that's become so enchanted with "elite" techniques as a substitute for the basics of photography. Yes, these people can mount a print better than most - they can tell you exactly why you should use fiber papers rather than RC papers - but they can't, for the lives of them, talk intelligently about the veery basics of exposure - and have no clue as to how to obtain one. More on this in a bit...) My objective of this thread is to point out that this (even though it lies beneath a "CGI" face) is, far and away, the finest forum I have found photographically. Nowhere else have I found a more diverse, open-minded, TALENTED (with emphasis), knowledgeable and accepting group. My hat is of to the developers and the mediators! (For those of you getting bored at this point, stop here - else, continue) I have had a bit of success with my photography (and, as a nature photographer, that is saying something....it's just not a lucrative gig to get into...you have to LOVE it) - but my success was simply not paying the bills (even with teaching seminars and collegiate-level classes) - so I bailed out and went into digital illustration. That's where I've been for the past seven years - and then I ran across this forum. (I actually got into this forum discussing 3-D illustration) - but then I wandered into the Photo forum...and a lot of the old feelings came rushing in, and I felt extremely comfortable. (Other forums never held my interest - I could never "talk photography" in any of them - they were always more concerned with "what's the best processing lab in Louisville, KY" or something (don't get me wrong, that has a place and it's a wonderful resource for photographers who need that information - but it seems that this type of posting overtakes the forum - the fun of the "hobby these people are making money at" seems to have eluded them - and how can you produce unique images when the interest simply isn't there?) the "art of the vision of the photographer" has been replaced by the "finances to be gained" (here again, don't get me wrong - I realize that a professional photographer has to make a living, but I would gamble that the vast majority of them are shooting stuff they have absolutely no interest in...? How can you be a "photographer" like that?) I'm getting sidetracked....the point of this post is to congratulate this forum and everyone involved (which includes everyone who has ever posted an image or message!). I have learned more about photography in this forum, either by somebody's post which opened new doors for me photographically, or by questions which made me review things - and opened up my mind to the fact that there is "no one correct way to photograph any one subject". I had gotten to a photographic level (very arrogantly) that I considered extremely close t the top (at least in my field of expertise), and got bored...this forum, this group of fine people, has made me realize that, no matter what you THINK you know - there's a whole world of knowledge out there still - and I'm still a babe in the woods. And for that, I wish to thank each and every one of you! Most sincerely, Marc

...and I want to know how my spell-check lets words like "veery" and "t" get buy...? If these are words, let me know so I can win a Scrabble game now qand then!

Ahhh Wolfsnap....I for one am very glad you're here. Your posts are always thorough, informative, and eloquent. And a post such as this one makes all the stress and aggravation that being a mod can sometimes be worth it all. I'm grateful to be here, guess I'll be sticking around for a bit. And it was a good decision, that I decided to stop lurking one day and start posting (hint to the lurkers). I've learned a lot, and developed amazing friendships with some of the people here. Thank you Wolfsnap. :~)

blush blush blush Ditto, Mich. You've really been a great help to us here, Marc. (Kudos to Wolfsnap who has been helping us out with the dictionary, btw. Not yet done but will get there soon.) :-) (*

I can only second that... As usual Marc, your comment is so eloquent I really don't know what to add. What I like about this forum is the genuine enthousiasm of its members and mods.

I've copied your post, and will IM it to our dear moderators whenever they are feeling blue. Kind, and accurate, words, deeply felt.

well said wolfsnap! I for one check in here everday just to see what's new or see new pics, whether I post or not that day. And it is because of all of you sharing your ideas and knowledge and your inspiration that I will become a better photographer in time. My thanks to all of you!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T, tell me what it means to me...rock it to me, rock it to me... sings & dances around Wolfsnap did put that so eloquently! I have learned quite a lot, posting & reading this forum, & have already made some great friends here if you are just a "babe in the woods" then I'm just a speck of dirt tween your babytoes... how's that for eloquent :D

Jeez, Ass-Kissers, there's always one, huh?!? ;) Mike (",)