Luminous Landscape Forum
Site & Board Matters => About This Site => Topic started by: bdbender4 on June 07, 2015, 08:55:50 pm
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??? I really like LULA and the extra dimensions one can find here compared to the other photo sites. Is it just me, or has there been a slower pace of new content recently? Or maybe the new format is contributing? For example, I feel like I have seen the same four or five photos of Havana over and over again for quite a while now. The emphasis also seems to be shifting towards the travel expeditions to exotic locations for those who can afford that sort of thing. I am not trying to complain, I just wonder if my perception is true. I am visiting the site less and less, since my perception is that there is really not a lot going on here. Sadly.
PS. I agree that the scrolling update thing is annoying.
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It's you...
I suspect that you are not finding new content (and there has been a lot) because there's not really a "What's New" view of all the new contents. There have been 12 new articles and 5 Rantatorials and 3 free videos (at least) and 5 reviews since May 1st. Have you read them all?
I suggest going to the Articles tab and scrolling down to see the new articles as they are added. I personally don't find the Home page all that useful to track new content. It's kinda like the old home page vs the What's New page.
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It's not entirely you. While Lula has a heavy focus on equipment, equipment production by the camera companies (or at least radical improvements in their products) has slowed quite a bit. Not so much to report or argue about on new sensors, new cameras, etc.
I wonder if Luminous Landscape sort of missed an opportunity in the new design, to broaden itself into the Luminous Photograph, or some such. I think we'd have a lot more going on here if the forum also had sections for street photography (of which Michael seems to do quite a bit, even though it's not characterized that way), portrait, fashion or still life photography, perhaps a section for (non-pornographic) nude photography, and broader technical subjects like lighting techniques. In other words, a swing toward more photographic subjects, as opposed to gear subjects.
When you broaden like that, I'm quite aware that you may tend to water down your brand, which is not usually a good thing; in this case, though I think the forum could gain something, and not lose too much.
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I think we'd have a lot more going on here if the forum also had sections for street photography (of which Michael seems to do quite a bit, even though it's not characterized that way), portrait, fashion or still life photography, perhaps a section for (non-pornographic) nude photography, and broader technical subjects like lighting techniques. In other words, a swing toward more photographic subjects, as opposed to gear subjects.
I think Kev (and Chris) are open to this...already added this year is Digital B&W and iPhone and Mobile Photography (to some kevetching). If somebody makes a use case for adding new sub-forums I think they'll add to the forums, but ya gotta ask and make the case...
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I am divided in this subject. On the one hand, there has been a lot of new content added recently, but on the other hand, hardly anything about "landscape photography".
And the site is called "Luminous Landscape", so...
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I am divided in this subject. On the one hand, there has been a lot of new content added recently, but on the other hand, hardly anything about "landscape photography".
And the site is called "Luminous Landscape", so...
I think, from what I have read, that landscape photographers are in the minority on the forum? Regarding content this site isn't a subscription based one and the owners are practising photographers with other interests. Contributors play a big part but I suspect getting knowledgeable ones might be difficult. The other problem is that experienced photographers are well read so new material aimed at them will be limited. Personally I now only buy one magazine - there is a parallel here - because the magazine publishers regurgitate the same material. I think we should be grateful for what we get for free? :)
Edited to correct quote formatting. CS
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The design of the front page means that the new articles are further down, below the banners, etc. On smaller screens, this may mean scrolling down a bit. Someone landing on the front page isn't hit with an immediate splash of "new" in quite the way they used to be. Not suggesting this is undesirable or anything, just saying how it strikes me especially when using my (ancient) iPad rather than my big screen.
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Not a lot going on here? Let's see, we publish a new article on the average of one every three days. We have added book reviews, articles on landscape photography and how to see differently, product reviews, new camera announcements, rantatorials as well as new workshops. That is a lot more than you will get from almost any other site as well as from any one magazine and it is all free. There are three of us at Luminous-Landscape. There is Michael who lately writes articles and does the Endowment. There is Chris who handles productions of videos and then there is me who does it all. I lay out articles, work on improvements to the site infrastructure, write articles, do videos and work with our contributors not to mention negotiate and handle workshops and what is needed to make sure they are the best available in content and instruction.
Yes, things are changing and different. Not just at Luminous-Landscape but in the industry as a whole. We have an upcoming video with Michael, Brooks Jensen and myself as we discuss what we have noticed and heard. While i won't give it all away we are seeing a maturity in the industry as well as the audience of photographers. A few weeks ago I was at a workshop in Buffalo and a close friend of mine was attending. This person and let's call him "P" for now is one of the finest photographers I have met and he is what most of us at Luminous-Landscape are an enthusiast. Notice I don't like the word amateur. I was setting up my tripod and Sony A7II with the Tamron 150-600mm zoom to shoot some details of the location we were at. Well, P comes walking down the sidewalk and I ask where he set up and he says he is set up and shows me his two iPhone 6 pluses. Now, this is a person who owned and bought as well as could afford any camera system there was. He has owned Phase One systems, Leica and just about anything you could imagine. He tells me the iPhone is all he uses as of late and shares with me some stunning images. He's not the only one doing this. While many people have not gone just to iPhones, many photographers have moved to lighter mirrorless systems. You know who you are and there area lot of you. The whole camera segment of what we do is changing very rapidly.
We also notice that most people have mastered the digital aspects of their cameras and are looking to explore how to be better photographers. I have watched a number of photographers grow and develop an image that is distinctly theirs over the years. I also hear that this is what more photographers want as far as content and what we have been delivering more of thankfully to a great number of contributors. Some of the articles you won't agree with and some you will. However, all the articles will invoke thought and sometimes heated and interesting discussions on the forum.
We spent a lot of effort redesigning the site. It had to be done. We needed an infrastructure that the new site gives us to add new features and grow the way we want. We do have a plan. It allowed us to introduce a whole new video streaming delivery system (with optional download too). It will give us a base to have contributors in the near future to directly edit their articles in the site itself. Also, it will allow us to expand in the future with the ability to sell books, e-books and specialty products.
We have a new page header where we try to change out images every week (unless we are traveling as we were last week). We offer 2 images by myself and 2 from Michael. Unlike the old site you can now see these images larger by clicking on the enlarge button and you can pan around to look at details. Plus, we have a gallery of the images published by both Michael and me. We have added a proof reader recently and this person reads and makes corrections on articles (most of them) prior to publication. We listened to our readers on this one.
We also have some great video content coming soon. We have a major multi hour video coming on Landscape Photography. We just finished shooting the C1 and LR update tutorials. These are not ten minute You Tube videos but in depth tutorials of what is new with these two image processor programs. We have some interviews as well as reviews and a new edition of Kevin and Michael's Toy Shop coming. We start production soon on two new camera operational tutorials.
Luminous-Landscape is indicative of where we are in photography as an industry these days. We are changing and adapting to the changing marketplace, the maturity of digital imaging as whole. Change is hard for all of us but it is also exciting. We could have stayed the same and eventually we would have faded away. I don't have to mention the names of big photographic companies that didn't change and are now just memories. Other sites are having the same challenges. There is no real competition in this market. We all talk and compare notes. Luminous-Landscape is not a product review site. There are too may of those. We will use gear and equipment and report our finding but more from a hands on approach. We are not a news aggregator. We won't print press releases. There are plenty of those sites too. If we are invited to a camera manufacturers release announcement we will go and report back whet we learn. Last week it was Phase One's new XF Camera, this week there will be another camera maker's news. We are also not a rumor site. You know where you can go to find out the rumors and leaks of new products coming our way. we have tried hard to retain the essence of what Michael started this site and that is to provide original content and be an educational resource.
The Luminous-Landscape forums is one of the most active forums for photography on the internet. There is a lot of information and opinions and a lot of knowledgeable people contributing. The forum can sometimes be dramatic but is always informative. If you have ideas for new topics we will give them consideration, but we are careful not to over do it.
We will continue to publish good and original content. We will be doing some new things in the future like looking at post processing software options. While we really love doing workshops and we have a number of them available (see our workshop section and Rockhopper Workshop site) we will begin to do somethings differently in 2017. There are a lot of workshops being offered these days by a ton of different photographers. I can count at least a dozen photographers who have been on my previous workshops that are now offering their own workshops to locations we have visited. We consider our workshops different as they are all inclusive, top notch locations, hotels and meals as well as really good instructors. They are at some amazing locations too. If you haven't done a workshop you should consider one. It's just not the instructors and location that makes a workshop but the attendees too. It's always a learning experience but it is also a fun time. Like I said we have some new ideas for 2017 so keep annoy out as we develop these ideas further and make announcements for 2017.
Remember we are not some big company with an office and a staff of people. We are Michael, Chris and me and a good team of contributors. We share one thing in common a passion for photography and sharing that with you. We would not be here if it was not for our advertisers, sales of videos and workshops. We don't charge a penny for the content we deliver as far as articles and we have over 5000 articles in our archives easily accessible. We now have a new search engine to help you find the content you want and we will improve on that like we will the rest of the site everyday.
We are always looking for new articles and content. If you are interested please get in touch with me through the links provided on this site. Also, if you have ideas or suggestions use those links too. Doing a private email is always best as we have a system for logging in things as well as responding. We do our best to reply to any email sent to us.
Thank you for your thoughts and comments. I'll leave you with this. I had a boss once that said bring me issues only if you have solutions. I love hearing about what our readers think, but I like hearing more about what they want. We appreciate the loyal readers and followers of Luminous-Landscape and want to work at making the site the best there is. Not everything will be the way you may want it. Times are changing and we will change and evolve.
I think I'll also post this as a Rantatorial so our readers that are not on the forum or this topic can read it.
Kevin Raber
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Many thanks for such a detailed reply. No idea whether this applies to others, but I am mainly drawn to LULA by the articles on, loosely, how to become a better photographer. Gear reviews can be found anywhere, as you say. For myself, I am often drawn to the more holistic aspects of photography and being a photographer - health generally etc and particularly by meditation (or mindfulness) which has become quite a pop adjunct to this and other artistic pursuits so far as I can tell. There might be a few articles in that (or not, as the case may be). There's also collaboration, which you recently covered, and what one might loosely call "mixed media": one of the best workshops I've attended in the past few years was on photography and haiku. The two were mixed together very skillfully, I thought, and made for a series of excellent little field trips. I still find the approach not just useful but enriching. So I guess there is a world of articles and subjects out there for a site to choose once folks move beyond "gear". Another thing I'd turn up for would be your and and MR's choice of the 100 greatest images of the twentieth century, one a day, say with a brief note on why the image was chosen. Cheesy? I don't care. People learn by seeing amazing things they want to emulate and by being introduced to photographers whose work they may not have come across.
My only solution to what may be a non-existent problem is to move the top slider down and replace it with a slider covering the most recent five (say) new articles. Below it, where the Featured Article box is now, there could be a second slider which combines the present top slider (i.e. your images and MR's images) with a featured article or two or a featured upcoming trip/workshop. The problem only exists if one thinks that the site needs to say "new content" as soon as one lands on the front page, and that's rather a subjective thing. Besides, how many sliders does a guy really need?
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but I am mainly drawn to LULA by the articles on, loosely, how to become a better photographer.
LuLa forum is a way better place actually for that... article is just an article - an opinion which may or may not be correct or simply is "IMHO", however here you can see it dissected ... so I never read the front page... if anything "worthy" (actually anything that is wrong - wrong ideas/conclusions in articles do lead to the best discussions here) appears it will be discussed here (and I mean not only "About This Site" section of the forum).
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Kevin -- I wasn't trying to be critical. I think Lula is terrific and visit here virtually every day.
LuLa forum is a way better place actually for that... article is just an article - an opinion which may or may not be correct or simply is "IMHO", however here you can see it dissected ... so I never read the front page... if anything "worthy" (actually anything that is wrong - wrong ideas/conclusions in articles do lead to the best discussions here) appears it will be discussed here (and I mean not only "About This Site" section of the forum).
I think AlterEgo's comment is interesting, too. The forum is pretty critical, because with an article or a rant as a spark, we get lots of back-and-forth and different ideas and that's really the life blood of the place, IMHO. But if you look at forum postings, you'll notice that the last post to the forum, other than to this thread, was more than 24 hours ago, as I post this. At one time, during the height of the equipment revolution, there must have been dozens. But, to reiterate, I think this is a terrific place, and would like to see it thrive.
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To OP:
I don't agree with you at all. In the last year I've seen from prominent members plenty of pissing contests to fill any voids and entertaint us all. ;D
Not really. I am truly tired of this but it seems the moderators have been very "liberal". These "discussions" can go for months
A few of these members can be extremely rude and humiliating out of nothing. I am not going to say names. We all know who they are.
Really, really tired of this, moderators. And because of this, I find myself less and less willing to post and to visit this fine site that sometimes resembles a mix of a training game of guerrila war and of the worst of all soap operas!
Eduardo
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LuLa forum is a way better place actually for that... article is just an article - an opinion which may or may not be correct or simply is "IMHO", however here you can see it dissected ... so I never read the front page... if anything "worthy" (actually anything that is wrong - wrong ideas/conclusions in articles do lead to the best discussions here) appears it will be discussed here (and I mean not only "About This Site" section of the forum).
Yes one can learn that way but it's article first and forum second in my case. I trust the LULA staff to choose good writers and, too often, discussions on any website's forum go off the rails and end up quite bonkers and emotional. Besides, the article has the images, which is key. The images are why I am here. A forum poster usually doesn't have to lay their rep on the line in the same way. That's a big difference.
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Yes one can learn that way but it's article first and forum second in my case.
well, may be when somebody is writing about the art of composition - but when somebody is writing about things technical ("DR" for example) very often (dare I say - more often than not) article is wrong :D ... I guess LuLa can benefit from volunteer technical editors who at least can render an opinion to LuLa mgmt before such technical articles are ever published...
I trust the LULA staff to choose good writers and, too often, discussions on any website's forum go off the rails and end up quite bonkers and emotional. Besides, the article has the images, which is key. The images are why I am here. A forum poster usually doesn't have to lay their rep on the line in the same way. That's a big difference.
a million of good/excellent images & scores of clients will not make their author right if he says 2x2=5 (because that is not a matter of taste).
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I am truly tired of this
but then nobody is forcing you to read what you are tired of...
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I am happy with the output here. Great job, Kevin and Michael!
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Really, really tired of this, moderators. And because of this, I find myself less and less willing to post and to visit this fine site that sometimes resembles a mix of a training game of guerrila war and of the worst of all soap operas!
Eduardo
I hate to point out how easily one can exit an annoying thread, or even the entire forum.
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I hate to point out how easily one can exit an annoying thread, or even the entire forum.
When those uninterested in quarreling exit a forum, who remains?
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When those uninterested in quarreling exit a forum, who remains?
a. those interested in participating in quarreling
b. those not bothered by quarreling
c. those who find quarreling entertaining
d. those who find a kernel of useful info even in quarreling
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d. those who find a kernel of useful info even in quarreling
That's a big one! Often the so called quarreling can be quite useful in understanding complex topics.
If anyone thinks there's a lot of quarreling here, I suggest they move over to DP Review, that's an eye opener. It's truly amazing to read some folks posts that have zero basis in fact or science who when presented the facts will quarrel endlessly. A cesspool of nonsense that wouldn't last a day in these parts.
As far as I'm concerned, LuLa is a shinning star of photography and imaging forums.
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That's a big one! Often the so called quarreling can be quite useful in understanding complex topics...
Glad we are finally non-quarreling on something, Andrew! ;D
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Often the so called quarreling can be quite useful in understanding complex topics.
Argument can; but quarreling is all about the quarrelsome.
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Quarreling is just another word for dialectic.
And I'll fight the first man to disagree with me.
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Argument can; but quarreling is all about the quarrelsome.
I suppose it depends on the definition:
quar·rel1
ˈkwôrəl,ˈkwärəl/
verb
gerund or present participle: quarreling
1 have an angry argument or disagreement."stop quarreling with your sister"
2 synonyms:
3 argue, fight, disagree, fall out; be at odds;
bicker, squabble, cross swords, lock horns, be at each other's throats;
"don't quarrel over it"
4
▪ take exception to or disagree with (something)."some people quarrel with this approach"
▪ synonyms:
▪ find fault with, fault, criticize, object to, oppose, take exception to;
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I am not interested on avoiding Lula. There's plenty of good stuff here from valuable members.
As I see it from some responses to my post, there are members that actually enjoy the stuff.
If only moderators mark these threads with s warning like those marked with NSFW!
;D
but then nobody is forcing you to read what you are tired of...
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If anything, I personnally find LL to be a lot more active in terms of article publications than they were before. Lots of interesting content really.
The site has in fact never really been only about landscape. Some sections such as MF are in fact mostly not about landscape but I find that to be interesting as it provides a very different perspective on things.
What seems to have slowed down a bit is interesting forum discussions.
Cheers,
Bernard
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As far as I'm concerned, LuLa is a shinning star of photography and imaging forums.
ditto. LuLa And TOP are my "go to" sites for pretty much all things related to modern photography. And I should add that it is indeed very very hard to keep interesting original content coming week after week, month after month, when only a few creatives are producing or even just merely gathering that content. The internet is awash in a sea of disinformation. Always important to find sites with a much higher signal to noise ratio. :) I speak with some experience in that I try to provide useful information to my fellow printmakers at my own pace, on a much much smaller scale than Lula, and on a much narrower scope of subject matter. Yet it's still the hardest project I've ever tried to tackle. The internet doesn't really generate original content by itself. People still have to collect, create, and contribute.
So, thank you to Michael, Kevin, Chris, and all the LuLa contributors for letting their passion for photography spill over into our daily lives.
cheers,
Mark
http://www.aardenburg-imaging.com
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ditto. LuLa And TOP are my "go to" sites for pretty much all things related to modern photography
Which one is TOP?
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Which one is TOP?
it is a blog of a retired editor, "Mike" Johnston
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Which one is TOP?
http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/blog_index.html
regards,
Mark
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I suppose it depends on the definition
argue (http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/british/argue) (tl;dr disagree + give reasons) versus quarrel (http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/british/quarrel) (angry disagreement)
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http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/blog_index.html
regards,
Mark
Thanks. I haven't been there for a couple of years.
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he is what most of us at Luminous-Landscape are an enthusiast. Notice I don't like the word amateur.
Only because I am a frustrated etymologist that has no friends. ;D
It is interesting that you prefer the term "enthusiast" which means "a person who is filled with enthusiasm for some principle, pursuit, etc." over
"amateur" which means "a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons. "
Both definitions from Dictionary.reference.com and are the first (primary or most common) definitions of the specific term.
An enthusiast does not have to do anything. I can be an enthusiast about photography and never take a picture. Whereas an amateur is someone who actually participates. If I am an amateur photographer I have to take photographs.
I know that some people use amateur as a derogatory term. But it really shouldn't be.
Especially in the field of photography where we have amateurs with more experience and more talent than professionals have in some cases.
Yeah, only a friendless disgruntled etymologist would care. LoL
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¿ What about ?
... an enthusiatic amateur ...
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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.... An enthusiast does not have to do anything. I can be an enthusiast about photography and never take a picture...
Damn! You just blew the cover of many of our distinguished forum members. Not cool, bro!
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Damn! You just blew the cover of many of our distinguished forum members. Not cool, bro!
I wonder how long I can go without taking photographs before I am reclassified from amateur to enthusiast?
Sadly, I may be getting close.
(I gotta get out and take some snappies!)
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¿ What about ?
... an enthusiatic amateur ...
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Sadly, I fear we have professionals who are not enthusiasts.