Other friendly sites

[RobOK]

What other sites do people frequent?  I am looking for more discussions about composition and maybe street and travel photography. I take a lot of portraits in the wild (i.e. not studio, not planned).

Any recommendations?

Rob.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

You would find valuable discourse on all these topics here straight on NG. Why stray off elsewhere?

[elsa hoffmann]

RobOK - many years ago - it was all about posting and getting comments. Forums sprouted up everywhere and everybody and his uncle posted for comments (the kind you are referring to). Digital was in it's infancy - and since everybody and his uncle now could shoot without having 16 rolls processed - it meant a lot of people was on a fast learning curve. That was what forums were about. You hardly posted your image for comment - before 22000 other members did the same. Competition was huge (to get comments) and tempers flared up when comments were given as everything anyone said was taken personally.  Moderators and members commenting on a serious level was mostly the target of the masses - and hated with a passion. People insisted on getting comments from XYZ - as if it was their right. There were plenty fights and sometimes people were fired off forums. Things went beyond nasty at times. I have had my fair share of experience in that regard.

Then arrived Facebook. People could now post ALL of their images - without it competing with other people's images - and everyone is nice - no negative comments.
This resulted in forums changing as well (not the only cause but a significant one). Fewer members are now willing to give constructive help or comments on images. It often chases people away. So you are left with much fewer options these days. Forums still claim they aim to give you what you want - and they certainly do have that intention. But in the end - you get out what you put in. You will find on Nikongear that we are a community - not the biggest one on planet earth - but a serious one at least. Yes - people can be "too nice" - but here you have the opportunity to say what you want or need. Start a thread on the subject you want to discuss - and seek people out to comment. If you have to - send a message to someone specific and ask that member to look at the thread and comment.

One thing different about NG is (in my experience) here we are not purists. Here you will find all kinds of images. We don't necessarily aim for perfect- (in fact I think some avoid that with a passion) We go for all sorts and everything goes. That doesn't mean we don't understand composition and other thingies - we just don't always care about it as much as we used to. This doesn't mean it's not important. For me - it is. I am a fine art photographer - so I find different things to comment on than others who might be journalistic style photographers. I comment differently. But it's no good commenting on something that applies to my kind of stuff - if it means nothing to someone with a different style.

Okey long story short - post here - SAY what you want  - ask for participation - and make it work for you.

[RobOK]

NG is my main go to site, I truly appreciate the community and diversity here and spend most of my "forum" time here, probably too much!  I was just curious if there were other "gems" of the internet that I was unaware of.  Sometimes I veer over to DPreview and almost always regret it!

Cheers,
Rob.

[Airy]

Behance, as a gallery, not necessarily for feedback (although there is some ; there are quite a few talented people there, and it is not only about photography).

Low quality input has a lower percentage than on most public sites, maybe because it is not free (however it is ad-free )

Taking inspiration from other visual arts is refreshing at times.

Comments I experienced are seldom technical. People are probably too polite there, since many of them are obviously competent when they contribute pics.

No censorship or moderation, but "bad taste" contributions (violent, gore...) seem to be very seldom.

[BW]

NG is my main go to site, I truly appreciate the community and diversity here and spend most of my "forum" time here, probably too much!  I was just curious if there were other "gems" of the internet that I was unaware of.  Sometimes I veer over to DPreview and almost always regret it!

Cheers,
Rob.

Try starting a thread which incorporates your special interest within photography and I am sure others will come forward and participate. Maybe make it a theme?

[elsa hoffmann]

While you mentioned ThEMES - I personally have a bit of an issue with these. It seems people (quite often) see the thread and just add their own images  - without paying attention to what has been posted and commenting properly on those. Also - these threads become too long  - if you dont keep up immediately new posts are made - you have no clue where you are - and 300 posts later people really dont read back. I find it hard anyway.
I have posted the exact images in a THEME - and received no comments whatsoever - yet - I start a dedicated thread - and receive very useful comments. My experience only.

[John G]

Hi RoboK
              I am a Photography Forum Member Newbie, I have browsed many forums and used the Web and Youtube extensively for educational guidance. I have visited quite a number of Photo Exhibitions in London with the purpose of aquireing further knowledge.
I stumbled onto the NG forum while seeking out lens modification info.
I was hooked immediately, I have been offered endless support as a result of making enquiries. The response to my posted images has been more than I could have wished for. The comments offered have restructured my attitude to how I present a image. WB, HSL, Sharpening, and Composition have all been adjusted and a more realistic image with a bit more thought to the subject has emerged.
I have been blind to witnessing any support offered like this in any of the Sites I have visited over the years.
As soon as I discuss photography today NG is a important part of the conversation, and I inform others who wish to see my work, they will need to seek it out on NG, offering them a few basic search pointers.
All you need is here, it could be of value to you, if you posted images into critique and request that any comments offered are formed around the composition of the image.
Offer a non cropped image to be worked on by others and assess the variety of composition choices that are returned. 
NG members are out of the box thinkers, so a interesting blend of styles could be amalgamated into your own unique style.
When ever I want a little inspiration and the WOW moment, I have a look at Sebastiao Salgado, his work leaves me with such thought,
he is a Photographer who cares to inform the world of the unknown humans and how they are  finding their way.

[the solitaire]

Photography related I enjoy spending time on Fred Mirandas forum where the Nikon forum features a thread about the use of manual focus Nikon lenses. It was there that I met Chris Dees who in turn introduced me to NG.

Glad to spend some time here, but I also always wander over for some friendly banter. For technical aspects I'm glad I found my way here though