I genuinely think the inactive mods need to lead by example, otherwise what is the point of them?, what do you reckon Bill???

P.S i'm waiting for your latest comments on my latest images.....

Hi Bill

Thanks for your reply.....to be honest I have never thought of you as an inactive mod in the way that I mean, you have recently posted images and commented on others.......so I think my words really came off a bit too scathing  :oops: .....I re-read my words this morning and I thought I may have actually committed NSN forum suicide!??? (and I pray this is not the case???)

I used to be a moderator on a nature photography forum and one of the other Mod's had to become "inactive" due to personal things......so I fully understand that the moderators just cannot be around all the time........but my gripe was with people that certainly have the time to post an image (sometimes with a large write-up and links to workshops, personal websites, even links to other forums!  etc)......but can't seem to be bothered to post on others pics (and again, I most certainly have never thought of you as being one of these "people").

I am a little surprised that some folks are not all over any new comers posts, welcoming them and giving them constructive critism, so that they keep coming back......this was my main goal when I was a moderator, simply because other photographers on the forums have 'fast tracked' me to learn even simple things I know I would never have found out on my own (not in this lifetime or the next at least!).........but I also realise that this forum and the one I was a moderator on are completely different in their goals and member base.....I completely agree with your words on "encouragement" being the real value of commenting......and you just saying this says a whole lot about you and what you are about!

From my experience I am a little worried about offending people that I don't know well, as you rightly say - negative comments can really affect people........and words can so easily get lost in translation! (I fret about this on many an occasion and I worry it may have happened with my words in this thread?).........on the flip side, if someone gives a cool but negative comment on one of my images, I take it most firmly on the chin!...but I am reticent to give them the same back (even though I know they can take it)....because this looks like a tit for tat thing (which i'm not prepared to do, I come here because it's fun for me and I don't want to annoy people)

To be honest I almost wish I had never said anything now (which could be the problem for others too?), I hope I haven't offended anyone as this was not remotely my intention.......Greg's very busy (creating this cool place is surely a job in itself!!), E.J's probably posted more than anyone else here (and I never meant Greg, E.J or you with my previous words anyway...but I do now realise that this is how my previous words may have come across???......the "word's lost in translation" thing kicking in again)........so I think it's best if I just retract my statement lol.........there are lots of Mod's here because they take turns in their duties, full stop!

on yet another flip side, when a person writes a detailed and constructive critique and the other person doesn't even reply to say "thanks for your suggestions, but I disagree"........it does put a person off spending the time to do it again in the future......and these were my real thoughts on the Mod's "leading by example"

by the way, I resigned as a "moderator" because it's a very thankless job!

All the very best Bill, I really hope I didn't offend you? (as this was not my intention, I don't like offending anyone), cheers and happy shooting!

Steve

Hi Steve,

Well, you have given me much to chew on, as we say in the South.

First, no one is offended by what you have said. Most of the folks who have been here since the site started are shall we say "unruffled." Gosh knows, if you look at some of E.J.'s comments, especially to me, you soon realize that being frank and straight forward is part of NSN. So don't worry. In fact, keep it up.

Yes, there are folks here who are self-serving. They post here to get people to spend lots of money to attend their workshops. That's fine with me, it is the good old American way. But, I gotta tell you, some of these folks have helped me along the way. Little stuff that have improved what I do. Suggestions that have made a big difference. So, well, I am not all that upset that such folks post a shot, promote their stuff, then fly away.

YOU HAVE MADE A VERY GOOD SUGGESTION - COMMENT ON NEW MEMBERS POSTS! GREG NEEDS TO HAVE SOME WAY FOR US TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS NEW. THAT MIGHT SPARK SOME GOOD INTERACTION. BTW MODS ARE NOTIFIED OF NEW MEMBER POSTS, TOO BAD THAT ALL OF US AREN'T MADE AWARE AS WELL.

Don't worry about offending anyone. Tell it like it is. But, at the same time, make certain you make positive suggestions. A critique should be both. I post stuff that is junk, somebody needs to tell me that. Hopefully, after my junk appears the commentary addresses the issue with the post and makes positive suggestions for improvement. That is what this forum is about.

Never regret telling it like it is. No one here worth their salt will be offended. In fact, the tradition at NSN is to speak the truth, then offer help.

Some folks can't take constructive criticism. So? Let them go find another forum. If one is not willing to listen and learn, why are you here?

Yes, being a moderator is sorta like being a first grade teacher. Gosh knows it is difficult to encourage yet hold back on why Johnny really needs to go to  a trade school instead of college. But, well, when one assumes the role, one has to deal with the reality of the real world.

You have never offended me. I am beyond that sort of thing. In fact, I can't think of a single time when anything you have said has been offensive.

Good luck to you. You have a good heart. And that, my friend, is what all of this is about.

Best regards,


Bill

I was wondering if there is still an image Motif each week? Sometimes that helps to get participants and comments as such..
James