not wishing to have a go at anyone who doesn't like the feel of this place, everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

I've been a member here for almost 4 years, I've been a member of most other photography/modelling sites for a long time too, this it the only site I can relax 100% in.

I spend most days talking about artistic compositions, juxtapositions, representations and interpretations with clients and potential clients, all very staid, proper, dry and boring, ok ok so it's fascinating and deep and expressive and communicative but UKPM is an oasis for me, I can kick back and appreciate the work of my contemporaries, some of which is outstanding, most of which is very good, all of which I can learn something from, and I can do it in a relaxed atmosphere, it's like being in a bar with mates here, yes we are all showing off our latest and greatest works from both sides of the camera but no-one takes offence at a boobs joke because we're occasionally messing about.

It's also a place you can come and ask questions about just about anything, from a newbie 'whats the big button do' to the deeply technical, people here know their shit and no-one treats you like a plonker because you don't already know.

Someone in the 1990's once sang 'if you don't like, what you see here, get the funk out'. I'll add that what you'll find here is over and above every other site of the genre and if you're a nice person trying to make nice pictures, from either side of the lens, you can feel welcome here.

I fecking love this place.

Yay - a nice positive thread.

I've been a member here for around the same amount of time as Mark and I've met some great individuals through this site and hope to meet many more in person when I get my ass back from Oz.

I love to watch people's work evolve and this site has been great for that.

Also, the amount of help and support I received from people on here when I was applying for college was amazing.

Big hugs all round.

(I've had my usual 3 glasses of wine before forum banter...)

MarkVarleyPhoto wrote:

Someone in the 1990's once sang 'if you don't like, what you see here, get the funk out'. I'll add that what you'll find here is over and above every other site of the genre and if you're a nice person trying to make nice pictures, from either side of the lens, you can feel welcome here.

That was actually the point of my post if you read it, and it was for many reasons not just the fact that certain people just comment on a pic because of who is in it, or whether they have a rope tied around their privates or have bare breasts.

I think the whole community based argument for the site is great and understand that side of it, and that was what kept me here this long. Where it falls down with me is that there are too many people who have favourites and can't tell the difference between a great pic and an amateur snapshot. I am referring to 'photographers' and not models.

Having been on here since day one ( ok, maybe it was day 2) and having left in the huff a few times, I still recon its the best, allbeit the best of a really shitty lot.

I have been a member of just about all the usual sites over the years and always come back here. I am now on here and Da, and nowhere else!

MOST people can see that its all subjective, there are SO many times I've wanted to comment on an image and say something like ( are you taking the piss, this is dreadfull), but i don't, and I think its a good thing that NOBODY does!

My only problem seems to be that I'm allergic to forums, and some of the pondlife therin. Yes I get pissed at the people who moan about every bloody thing, yes I get pissed at those who really think they are the dogs, but produce nothing but ( IMO ) drivvel. Yes I get pissed at those who seem only to be here for an arguement. AND those who are incredibly up themselves, oh yeh!!!

Having run the site for a couple of years I can honestly say it wasn't always because I enjoyed it. I did it mostly out of loyalty, and the fact that I wanted to keep a good thing going.

But when the people who know what they're doing post a couple of images, then it really is all worthwhile.

I wonder which clique I am in btw....

I recon that the fact that all these people can actually ( mostly) live on the one site is quite an achivement.

Ach, I've come out in my forums rash again, damn....


*** Edit***

As per usual, I seem to have upset someone with my comments, oh well, can't seem to win eh?

I write what I feel, perhaps that's the problem.

Problem solved.

Its a shame that what sarah referred to as "a nice positive thread" changed so quickly.

I dont think that referring to members of forums as pondlife, only here for an argument etc etc is helpful and makes me think seriously about joining the exodus.

Yes its all very subjective but what on earth is the point of being so damn negative.

Choice of site, choice of showcase, choice of mod/tog, choice of levels, JUST CHOICE!

Tht's why we are here, warts ‘n all, when the site changes took place a lot drifted because the community flavour disappeared, on return however everybody shot back as if they had suddenly found the ‘bus stop’ and it was great to bounce comments and the odd pm hither and to again.

There is no doubt the male photographers get frustrated with the.’ Ooooh look I’ve got that bra’ comments from the girls! At times!…. But then they no don’t get fed up with is and our f’ing stops!! So we got to live with it! (I guess!)

For the record I am on three sites because they work for me, in different ways.
UKPM for the 'unique' community, NM for a little more access to models south of the border and Europe, and OMP (ID: 140569) for the further abroad contact, but surprisingly it works for me very well, and it also showcases!! Hehe! But only have 9 , Alex has 63 between his site and his model’s folios! so I have a bit to go! and I ain’t had any showcased on UKPM since 2006..I must have said sommit to somebody! But hey who cares!

I contacted several photographers when the site got it’s ‘old frame’ back and they with others are here. It would be such a shame if we lose the core of expertise that exists, let’s try and suffer the little frustrations for the wealth of the site.

It will be good to see work in print at the exhibition proposed at Contrast soon, and it would be great to see your work there too John (Captiv8), in fact I look forward to seeimg work from the other Johns too!!! MrV MrG etc. hint hint!

I’m coming out in a forum rash now too incidentally!!.....that post made me laugh out loud JV!.

Let’s 'hing in' people and make this place ‘even’ better!

Kind regards to ALL ....bob

"too many people who have favourites and can't tell the difference between a great pic and an amateur snapshot"

As its been said many times, is'nt photography subjective.

I have'nt posted much before but always pop in to see whats happening and see what folk are producing and I have to say I like the showcase image.....whether its been done before or the lighting is technically poor, I don't give a toss....I like it.....it works for me.

I spend most of my time on sports tog forums and they can get a very competitive and a bit nasty over each person perception of a great image and how you should be shooting blah blah etc etc.
I like the pace here....lets not take this too serious, its photography not brain surgery...

Think your being a bit oversensitive, pick up the dummy and either stay and put you feet up or go and be done with it.

Iain

When I started this place i wanted it to be a sort of haven for people to be able to drop in, without the negativity and bitchiness of some of the other sites about. Sometimes it can go too far the other way, but I wouldn't change that.

David said it nicely here and on the other thread regarding negativity. You can go pretty much anywhere on the web and be hit with lots of it, for the most part this place does quite well without it and I'm not massively tolerant of it. I don't see the need overall for going on about most of these issues, unless its a means to try and drive change for the better of the community. The site is what it is, it would take a fair amount to change the ethos of the place, and to be honest I don't think I'd let that happen anyway. I'd rather it remained a generally positive experience for the majority as, at the end of the day, thats all thats matters. Can't please all the people all the time.

Alot of mention of showcases, I've never had one here.
Alot of mention of comments on photos, I don't get many.
It's not about that for me, yes it's nice when people say nice things etc but it's not a place to have your ego stroked, go to a gallery for that, they'll tell you how wonderful your work is dahlink.

I like UKPM because...

It's allowed me to meet some really nice, funny and talented gnomes along the way...some of which have amused me with their falling around in the dark and another falling off his stool mid shoot!

I love signing on for the banter, I barely model at all anymore but I think I will always pop in to see how this wee community is getting on.

*group hug folks*

This is the first site I log onto 99% of the time, so I guess that means I like it here.

I like this place for a lot of reasons, including but not limited to:
This is one of the few sites that many of the members know one another both on and off line.

Can mix on and off line either in a working environment or in a social capacity (the odd night out , meet up to discuss model/MUA/photographer things)

Teach, learn and share in the forums.

The forum and galleries are well integrated, and not a separate entity as many other sites are.

Generally it’s a fun and friendly place with a good community spirit.

I have met many people that I would never have met without this site’s existence, and have had numerous (virtual) conversations with people I have never met, and have been inspired by some of the work here.

I like the comment system for its community style light hearted approach, yes it has its faults, but that’s life nothing is perfect.

This place even with its pros and cons, is to my mind pretty unique.

I will likely remain here until, it closes, I get kicked out or I can’t afford an internet connection.

I don’t like everything about UKPM, to say I did would just be a lie, but for me if the prows outweigh the cons that’s probably all one can ask.

Oh yeh showcases, I have two, one has never had a comment, I like some I don’t like some, its showcases, they are an oddity on every sit that has them, all a matter of opinion of course.

Ok I need a coffee (and a bicky) TTFN

I like hanging around here because it isn't a critique site, it isn't all about who's the best and it also isn't solely driven by adverts for work. Sure, some great images get posted and hardly get any comments... but maybe that's just because *I* think it's a good pic but *you* don't. There's equally loads of really good beginners on both sides of the lens who deserve a bit of encouragement from time to time, so whilst it isn't the world's most technically brilliant photo it gets responses as it's good for that particular photographer or model.

This is a very social site compared to other networking sites for modelling and photography. I've actually met a fair number of the regular posters which I certainly cannot say has happened on any other site. The 2 group shoots I have been involved with here also actually happened as compared to some others that were floated then never happened elsewhere.

As for the clique... it doesn't actually exist. Some of the members who've been around the site a long time are happy to have public chats with others or feel suitably confident to crack a joke in an image comment, but it's not trying to exclude anyone. At least not from where I view it. In any large group of friends the newcomers can feel a bit alienated from time to time. The best advice in that situation is to just jump in and take part rather than sit wondering why nobody is coming to find you.

I've had 3 showcases since I joined and only one of them is on a picture I actually think is any good. I don't think I got them because someone liked me as a person or wanted to be my best mate. Or if they did they certainly never followed it up by talking to me or anything. Of course I'll not complain about getting the showcase, but it's equally not the end of the world to me if I never get another.

So.... it's too long since we all went to the pub. Is it Edinburgh's turn yet?

Hey! - with the negative comments (and this relates to another current thread which is negative in spirit) - STOP getting all bent out of shape about something that is subjective and is supposed to be fun and uplifting. You only live once! - Chill out

jivago wrote:

Hey! - with the negative comments (and this relates to another current thread which is negative in spirit) - STOP getting all bent out of shape about something that is subjective and is supposed to be fun and uplifting. You only live once! - Chill out

Here, here!

I like UKPM because............

3 years this May.... I am not and nor would I consider myself to be a photographer... (maybe this is where the critisms come into it) but I love the support, advice and positive feedback I get here.

It is like a community - of local people, many of which Ive met so can put a personality, voice and face to. I can honestly say I have many so many lovely genuine people through UKPM and friends too!

tis can only be a good thing!

Spread the love... xx