Looking for advice and suggestions for PAF

Hey all.  As I'm sure everybody has noticed the discussions here have been waning over the past couple of weeks.  Too many good photo forums have disappeared over the past couple of years and I really think that with the members we have here PAF has a chance to be something special.  I don't have any intentions of letting PAF go, even if the discussion drops to nothing.  There is enough good stuff within these boards that it would be a shame for it to disappear. 

So I'm asking for suggestions as to what we can do to make PAF better.  While I'm interested in hearing what's right, it's good for the ego after all, I'd really like to hear what you don't like so it can be fixed.  What do you see in other forums that you'd like to see here?  What do you wish to see in a forum that you haven't seen before?  At the end of the day a forum is a community and I'd like to know what our community wants.  This is one of those "no wrong answers" sort of issues. 

Ryan, I honestly think you need to get some very motivated and energetic moderators.  You started out great with some people that we loved talking to and working with.  They have all since gone by the way-side for whatever reason.  I understand that they didn't want to put too much into workshops and discussions just to have it all lost or not taken advantage of, but what else is going to keep this going strong?  Even if the workshop itself doesn't generate discussion, it will stimulate our minds, keep the boards busy with people wanting to see what's on here next, and bring in outsiders (and lurkers) because they will see some value in the forum.  As it is, we get mediocre work posted at best (please don't take offense anyone) because the only ones left posting and critiqueing are amateurs.  That's not all bad, but we amateurs are looking for places like this to rub shoulders with experience and capability.  We want to learn and get advice from long time pros.  Instead, this has become an occasional meeting place for a couple part-timers to try to help each other fight our way up the photographic food chain.

I really hope I'm not upsetting anyone, as I see all of you as my friends; but let's face it, we don't have the encouragement, advice, expertise, critical eye, and consistently top quality images to hold water on a forum.

I was really sad to see Stewart and Leen go, Ed Farmer disappeared for quite a while (and didn't he help start this?), Ed S. doesn't feel it's worth his time to visit here anymore; what other reason did we join up here for?  There's gonna be people come and go in anything, but you have really got to get some people that are committed and loyal to helping you and us.  I can't tell you how to go about it, but that's what I think every forum (or any other group/organization) needs.  When the other forum fell apart, all the foundation of it moved to here, that's where I wanted to be.  Now it's all gone, the community has dissipated, the participation has dropped, there is nothing on here informative or inspiring anymore.  No jokes, no contests, no professional critiques, no workshops, and very few prize-winning or eye-popping images.  You can't provide all this by yourself, you are going to have to recruit some people or something.  And then they have to be convinced of the value of their contribution, regardless of how insignificant the traffic may be at any given time, it's not going to get better without them taking the time to post and teach (even when they think no one's reading or learning).

Well, that's my opinion; I'm sure it's worth every penny you paid for it  !

I know I loved it here once upon a time, and I would love to see it come back... whatever it takes.

Travis

This site was great when the ones mentioned were here. I still read Ed S workshops, be great to meet him one day.

Someone mentioned fights, sometimes, over the internet, messages can be taken the wrong way, or, the poster may say something and someone else takes it as bashing, I believe it is far from it. If we were to sit at a table and discuss images, I believe it would be a great discussion.
I think we should take it like as though we were all face to face.

Ryan, I have no idea, workshops, this should be allowed if someone has an idea on an image posted, especially when explaining something technical etc.

Let's not judge to quickly either folks as to whether someone is amateur or not. We should be open minded to ALL who post or makes comments, let's deflate the heads eh?

OK of the active posters we've got a couple of beginners, a couple of formally trained, a couple of VERY experienced, and a redneck from Tennessee that learned everything at the school of hard knocks.

The single most important thing is to reply to posts. If its a newbie be nice but tell the truth. If the photo is absolute rubbish mention the main point or two and send them a detailed PM. It shows you care enough to help them and not slam them in public. Those of us that have been around, slice and dice baby!! I've already made my vote as to who should moderate or help. Another point is that the only way the Eds are going to hang around the rest of us peasants is for us to push them. Why did you do this instead of that, was there a reason you shot from that angle instead of  from the other side.. etc. etc.etc. A heated argument to me is better than dead silence.

My new favorite quote might help get my point across.
Its better to be absoulutely ridiculous than absolutley boring -- Marilyn Monroe