Problems seem to arise when people can't accept a simple answer (or it's just plain wrong), and offer a complicated explanation, which some people can't accept (or it's just plain wrong), and offer a more complicated explanation... and on and on. Thing is too, there sometimes isn't a simple explanation. Beginner's forums are unfortunately often fraught with peril..
Beginners won't dare to ask their questions when they see the answers that are already posted there.They'll feel too diminished to dare to open their mouths.😀
Someone suggested such discussions are better suited for the Photographic Science and Technology forum. And why not? If consensus ever is reached the conclusions could be compiled to a FAQ.
It's because a majority of the folk here like to prove how good their science is, without any practical examples that relate back to the the actual ART of photography. I had high hopes for this forum. But it's already proving itself to be worse than its predecessor. It's not due to moderation or lack thereof. It's due to the lack of photographers and the proliferation of scientists and theory lecturers here instead.
The art of photography is one section in the whole sphere called 'photography'. I think a lot of people on here think of themselves as photographers so saying this site has a lack of them is a bit unfair. I agree that some of the answers to "beginners" questions are way over the head of many beginners, but we (the admins etc.) are still coming to terms with this and are working on it. So, it should get better.
This is a community forum. If you think something is wrong, please let us know and we can see what we can do to fix it. Personally, I don't see it as 'worse than the predecessor' - just different. But my idea of 'worse' may be different to yours.
Alan, I want this site to succeed. But I'm alarmed at some of the threads already. My criticism is tame compared to some of the threads! Is this a photography forum or a space for folk to show off who has the most scientific knowledge? If the latter it rarely has anything to do with real world photography. Your site, your rules.
Seems to be a competition going on for who is the most knowledgeable here, rather than what to do and now go out and click! Would love to see some of these peoples shots now days.
When you have a large-ish community like this you are inevitably going to end up with a large range of members' knowledge, experience, interests and personalities.
There will be members here with vast and in depth knowledge of the technical aspects of photography and how digital cameras work and know what they are talking about.
There will be members who have a good understanding of the basics and fundamentals of the technical aspects of photography and how cameras work without the in depth nuts and bolts knowledge.
There will be members who believe they have a good understanding of the basics and fundamentals of the technical aspects of photography and how cameras work when they actually do not due to misconceptions that are unfortunately widespread on the www.
When these 3 very broad groups mix it is inevitable that sometimes explanations of concepts or techniques need to get technical beyond what would normally be considered 'beginners level' in order to correct and explain why popular misconceptions are incorrect.
Yes, there are probably egos involved in explanations as well sometimes but human nature being what it is, that just isn't going away.
I believe that the Admins here splitting 'beginners' forums into two - Beginners Questions and Beginners Questions Discussion - is a great idea. In theory, at least, it will retain the early usually simple answers in the Beginners Questions forum and the more technical discussions can continue in the Beginners Questions Discussion forum.