Weekly Flickr group highlights – Week 2

Growth Continues

The enthusiastic begining of last week conrinued barely abated this week, with the member numbers passing 100, and the photos in the pool more than double that. The group discussions were a little more subdued, but it’s early days, and we haven’t reached “critical mass” for an active discussion yet. I WOULD like to see someone other than myself start a thread though ;P Here are the numbers:

• Group Members: 101 (29 new)
• Photos: 261 (136 new)
• Discussion topics: 15 (6 new)

Neil’s Favourite Photos

Interesting Discussion

 Connect with me on Twitter!

I publicise my Twitter feed and ask group members to share theirs as well. Lots of cool people to connect with here.

 How do you like people to comment on your photos?

Following the reaction to my post 10 things I hate about Flick (and its users) this thread talks about how you like people to comment on your photos. This is research for an upcoming DPS post on the subject.

 Melbourne, Australia group members, report in!

If any of you live in the “world’s most livable city”, make sure you visit this thread so we can organise a photo meet!

Visit the discussions to read more.

Meet a Member

Ernest Gaudreau
San Francisco, CA, USA
Flickr: Prince Bart

What got you into photography?
I’m 64 and been into photography, on and off, since I was 13. I’ve been into the whole routine from developing B&W to color transparencies. This is my first venture into digial photography.

What do you think are you photographic strengths and weaknesses?
I know the rules and techniques. Putting them into practice is another matter. I don’t have enough patience. I shoot and move on. Seldom take the time to look, but I’m getting better. Ironically, I love to teach and am good explaining things to younger people.

What is your favourite piece of photographic equipment and why?
My new Canon Rebel XSi/450D. I love it and if it were legal, I’d marry it. I’m wheelchair bound and I find tripods and such cumbersome. Just my basic camera, an EF-S 55-250mm IS Zoom, and my 430EX Flash unit. I get in my chair and I’m off for the day almost everyday.

What is your favourite photographic subject and why?
I’ll take pictures of anything as you can see from my photos on Flickr. Flowers, however, seem to be my forte. Not that I chose it, it sort of chose me. It just seems to be my best subject, and you have to admit, there is nothing more colorful than a beautiful flower.

Tell us a story about a memorable photographic experience you’ve had.
There is an orchid vendor at the Farmers’ Market, Ferry Building, in San Francisco. When I first started taking pictures of his orchids he was upset, because I never bought one. When he finally realized that I had a black thumb and kill cactus, he was OK with my just taking pictures. Now whenever I go there he points out the new orchid species (and he has the most beautiful I’ve seen), and even goes out of his way to arrange them for me to insure I get the best angle.

What is the most valuable photographic advice you can give?
I’m terrible at it, but someone once said when you get somewhere, stop, and look. Then look again and look again. You would be surprised at what you see if you take the time to really look. As I’ve said before I have terrible patience. Hey, at 64 if I slow down too much to look, I may never get started again! But, I’m getting better at it.

Comment Day

The whole point of starting the group is to learn with and teach each other. All of us have things we can improve, and most of us have things to teach that others would find useful. Apart from participating in the discussion, which I strenuously encourage you to do, is to comment on others’ photos. Every week, on the day that I post the flickr group update, is Comment Day.

I ask that everyone who reads this blog to please visit the group’s photo pool and leave a worthwhile comment on at least five photos that you find there.

By “worthwhile” I mean something that clearly expresses why you like or dislike a photo, and if possible, what you can suggest that might make it better. Constructive comments are essential, and carefully thought comments are far better than off-the-cuff ones. Absolutely no “Awesome!” or “I like this photo” comments please. I want you to actually say something. :)

Weekly Challenge

Finally, each week I challenge group members to take photos to a particular theme or topic. Not every photo added to the pool must be to the theme, and you don’t have to participate, but it is encouraged. Try to be creative and imaginative with the theme, and use it as a chance to show off your skills.

Last week’s challenge was silhouettes. Here are some of my favourites from the photos submitted:

Please tag your challenge photos with the following tags:

• lpncchallenges
• lpncchallenge2
• parallel

You can see the photos submitted to the challenge so far here.

You can join in the discussion of the weekly challenge here.