Response to the Future of NikonGear.net/.com/.org

[Hugh_3170]

+1

Yes - an annual fee reminder PM capability is most definitely needed.

Most of the other things I have subscribed to send me an email telling me it is time to re-subscribe. Let's do that. It would help me.

[pluton]

I think--but do not know with certainty--that the users of the "old" style forums, the ones that became well-known and well used 15-20 years ago have aged, and some have moved on to other interests. 
 Many of the younger people interested in photography use the Instagram-style social media model when they think of internet socializing (and commercial self-promotion) on the subject of photography. 
I see quite a bit of 'Photographers of Threads" on the social media site/app Threads, which I mainly read for social/political/current events commentary.
(Threads is Meta's copy of Twitter's micro-blog setup, but so far without the disimprovements made when the the current owner took over Twitter in late 2022)  Threads has a fairly active photo crowd which seems to skew younger.  Lots of "youngsters" (people in their 20's and 30's) excitedly posting their latest film and digital shots. Some of great interest, some not, many styles are posted. Most viewing of Threads, X (the former Twitter,) Instagram, and the like is done on smartphone screens, but for the photography, is better viewed on larger tablet/laptop/desk monitors.

[ARTUROARTISTA]

Some Nikongear members detained for non-payment of dues.

[Bruno Schroder]

I see a lot of young/er phoytographers on social media. Bluesky even has a good number of Photographers Starter Packs, providing lists of accounts, up to 150 par pack, on various topics. The big difference is see, that it is for sharing their work. Discussions, technical questions or gear reviews do not happen there, because of the limitation in size of the messages. When they look for information or answers, they turn to search engines and mostly look for videos or tutorials. Forum is an accidental resource when nothing else pops up in the search. I was very surprised to see this in my own family. For work, they turn tp authoritative sources, always in text form but for hobby, it is mostly video.

[KarlMera]

Hopefully, the supporters.

Where are the missing supporters?

1€ for all active members could be a fair payable solution.

[Birna Rørslett]

I'm looking into the subscription system and the list of supporters right now. Apparently many of the former supporters are no longer active.

There is an option for sending reminder e-mails for subscribers when their subscription is about to elapse, however it is not activated. I'm investigating how to reactivate the setting.

[Michael Erlewine]

I'm looking into the subscription system and the list of supporters right now. Apparently many of the former supporters are no longer active.

There is an option for sending reminder e-mails for subscribers when their subscription is about to elapse, however it is not activated. I'm investigating how to reactivate the setting.

Yes, please activate that. Also, I blog to a fair number of folks, so I will find ways to point my subscribers to NikonGear. That may help. They like my photos and perhaps will like hanging out with photographers. Here is a prompted AI image I just prompted for an article on how hard it is for me to get my body going after a cold Michigan winter.

On another forum, not to be named here, when I posted an article on AI graphics and shared a couple of photos, some folks went nuts, condeming AI, on and on and on.

AI photos further define what is a camera. And if we don't like images like this one, we had best get used to them because this is only the beginning. The curve for AI photos resembling our camera photos is just getting into our territory. It will be an exponential cuve my friends, so we should get used to it. Heaven forbid that some of us learn to take photos with it. LOL.

The Midjourney AI graphic engine that I use can imitate Nikon cameras and lenses. You can specify them specifically, a sign of how invasive this will become.

[KarlMera]

Too Cliquish. Those who live close or who can gather can’t help but be friendlier with one another.

What do you mean by that, the "old pub table"?

[Michael Erlewine]

What do you mean by that, the "old pub table"?

I mean 'old-timers' failing to welcome new members and help them to become old-timers too.

[KarlMera]

Here is a prompted AI image I just prompted for an article on how hard it is for me to get my body going after a cold Michigan winter.

AI could be a theme for NG, but has no direct influence on paying members?

[ARTUROARTISTA]

AI could be a theme for NG, but has no direct influence on paying members?

Of course it has influence, it is another way of thinking about photography and art.

[KarlMera]

Of course it has influence, it is another way of thinking about photography and art.

I meant that ai pictures should be discussed on another thread.

[Fons Baerken]

AI is basically a political globalist agenda, digital enslavement about to become the new world order.
The art aspect of this technique is a side-effect or a convenient distraction!

[KarlMera]

And why do we not get more supporters with the ai theme?

[ARTUROARTISTA]

AI is basically a political globalist agenda, digital enslavement about to become the new world order.
The art aspect of this technique is a side-effect or a convenient distraction!

People's relationship with photography has changed. Photographers must be prepared if they want to win the race and play their role.