starralazn said:
I suppose the reason I contribute to anything photography related is that it provides me with an identity. You could say that I'm firstly interested in photography and everything else comes second, however writing something anything, helping people gives you some idea that you are doing something with your time, even if it may be seen as a waste to another person.

Also I'm here because the people seem to be pretty normal discussions flows freely.
Its interesting (to me) that most of the threads turn into philosophical discussion, which is most likely a product of this community.

This is interesting and it relates to how a lot of us approach the photography field. It is a manifestation for many of one's philosophical perspective on life. Nice post!

I suppose the reason I contribute to anything photography related is that it provides me with an identity. You could say that I'm firstly interested in photography and everything else comes second, however writing something anything, helping people gives you some idea that you are doing something with your time, even if it may be seen as a waste to another person.

Also I'm here because the people seem to be pretty normal discussions flows freely.
Its interesting (to me) that most of the threads turn into philosophical discussion, which is most likely a product of this community.

Going back to the OP the title of this thread and the question posed in the OP's entry are different. Why am I here? Because learning is a life-long process and the focus of this website is of common interest. I have learned much in the short time I have been a member, and value the knowledge and opinions of all who take the time to post thoughful comments. What is my motivation to contribute? Simple; to try to give back a bit to all those who have shared their knowledge, skill, and opinions.

NR is a great place to gather with those of common interest.

I think that every time I visit NR I become the student. There are hundreds of threads with bits of information within them that I wish I could easily flush out without reading them entirely. But since it's not that easy, I spend a lot of time here. Much more than I probably need to. I absolutely treasure the different perspectives, ideas, and thought processes of so many of you. I think that's helped me become a better photographer. So because of that, whenever I can I try to contribute or help someone with a question. The reason I don't answer more questions is because I feel that so many mainstays here have so much more experience that I most often wait to see what you say. ha, ha.

The questions that I'm most likely to answer are the simple ones. But knowing that some of those simple questions are coming from someone who was just like me a few years ago provides me the opportunity to give back. Perhaps, to teach someone who can take that tidbit of knowledge and capitalize on it down the road.

As far as contributing to the PAD thread. It's simply to let others see what I saw at those moments I was looking thru the viewfinder. Maybe I'll dress it up in post or maybe I'll leave it alone. In exchange it's always a pleasure seeing what someone else saw as they looked thru their viewfinder as well.

Hi there to the NR people. The weather has been hampering everything we do in my business. I was asked about posting something on PAD and to be honest.....I wasn't really even sure what that reference was to! I was a former Army Colonel and do admit abbreviations are not my favorite thing. At least checking out this topic amongst other details I found out it was the photo of the day on NR. Where I am in the outback getting a 6MB photo to even load and transmit takes long enough to have my satellite connection stop. I should pick out a few but I should admit I am always pushing to take something we need better and always wondering if the step to say a D800 is worth it. Mike Gunter mentioned he might get one for Christmas which sounds wonderful. I end up buying Nikons through my tree farm and to be honest I always wonder if the images will ever produce a return in farm sales. Also this is a business where the margins can be slim indeed. If we have a engine fail and have to do an emergency rebuild it can easily take a few bucks (say 2 D800s worth) just to repair. Right now we have a few motors setting on a bench ready for short block repair.

In summary I check out Nikon Rumors partly because of great perspective of contributors, partly to try to be able to capture nice images at a reasonable cost, and partly just because I enjoy the various points of view. Certainly if I weren't on NR I would have NO CLUE about things like a D600 or the like. Lastly I do treasure that negativity is really kept to a minimum and that is a credit to the site and the people who contribute. Now to think about what I could put on the Photo for A Day but I guess at my age I always think of too many possible photos and maybe it is even a blessing that there seem to be so many. Our new D7000s are producing some nice images and video. Sure would be nice to spring for the latest greatest tool but I have learned that that decisive moment could get missed while fumbling through gear or catalogs.

jonnyapple said:

Well, I'm back!

Where did you go? See, more questions....ha, ha, ha

jonnyapple said:
I love it! I'm having so much fun with those ???s.

Shutterdancer, that hasn't ever stopped me...
[rethinks his life]
...
Well, I'm back!

HAHAHAHAHA ... Jonny - that didn't take too long, now did it? I bet it took longer than it would for me!! ;-)

OMG ... I agree with the question marks. If we EVER stop asking questions ...

Welcome back Jonnyapple....I didn't realize that you were gone ;)

Willis said:
I think we all know why we are here.

1. Contribute to Nikon Rumors.
2. ???
3. Profit!

I love it! I'm having so much fun with those ???s.

Shutterdancer, that hasn't ever stopped me...
[rethinks his life]
...
Well, I'm back!

I started posting here in the beginning because of the humor of Niko.His sprinkling of silly banter and knowledgeable photographic insight was refreshing!

I don't contribute much myself because I'm only a third rate photographer!

Willis said:
I think we all know why we are here.

The question is not if one knows why he is here, but to let others know his motives when they are different... Just kidding... :)

I think we all know why we are here.

1. Contribute to Nikon Rumors.
2. ???
3. Profit!

spraynpray said:
...and you do that very well Mike.

+1 and with lots of class.

Mike Gunter said:

Photography means something to me, and I suspect it means something to everyone who comes to checkout the postings here. I respect that and want to encourage the art and craft the as much as I can with as much goodwill as there is.

...and you do that very well Mike.

Hi all,

I think the notion of the video cited by Johnnya sort of points out the conundrum of asking the question.

Encarta was a profit encyclopedia and isn't anymore, Wiki is free and ubiquitous; go figure.

Photography means something to me, and I suspect it means something to everyone who comes to checkout the postings here. I respect that and want to encourage the art and craft the as much as I can with as much goodwill as there is.

As always, my very best,

Mike

Want to see an example?

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=6136

Awesome post Pierre!

@Pierre...Yes! +1

A little prayer about life to my Creator says it all....There is no way I can ever be grateful enough.

Nikon Rumors Forum is such a unique venue for the discussion of Nikon and other related photographic topics. The design of NRF and the method of maintaining it is really excellent. And in my attempt to give a little back in gratitude, I suppose that is what I am doing here.

But, I take away so much more than I give.......

donaldejose said:
...The question in the post asks what is your motivation for being here?

OK, let's try again…

In my mind, it boils down to the following sentence I read in the bible, a long, long time ago; “Freely you received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

Since then I have tried to bring a balance between what I take from the world and what I give back. I try to do this in all aspect of my life; I raised many kids that were not mine as if they were even if that kept me poor for the most part. I try to be helpful when I can and when given the opportunity, especially if it doesn’t cost me much. I like the idea of mentoring as a way to give-back from the many mentors that helped me, even if they are anonymous or were from ancient times. I also believe that when we give, we receive a lot more in return and being cheap in life is very costly.

Despite all of this, I feel I owe so much to the world and it would be impossible to repay all.

As a smart one said: "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem". It just put so much warmth in my heart, when I see myself being part of a solution and I hate when I am not. I believe it takes a million good souls (often unnoticed) to counteract the action of a truly bad and visible one. It is comforting to know that there are far more good people in the world and that I could be one of them. If it was not for the dedication, good will and often sacrifice from countless others, the world would be a much worst place to live.

As for photography, most of my knowledge of the world comes from what others have projected into my eyes. We are surrounded with amazing films and pictures that enlighten us, tell us about the beauty of the world, inform us of the micro and the macrocosm and show us when we are ugly. What would we be without these vastitudes of worthy souls and dedicated workers? I find photography to be a very loud witness of reality, life and humanity and therefore is very far from being a futile exercise.

If I could through my minuscule contributions get or keep someone interested in the art, that would be a nice way for me to say thank you.

To make it short, I came here and took, it is an obligation to give back and I am given the opportunity.

not sure if I contribute per se, but I can answer the "What's your motivation for being here?"...

Came across this place searching google for something else, found an interesting argument in a long thread and was hooked. Lots of good info/knowledge and like the friendly atmosphere!

I only "contribute" in the Photo-A-Day thread and mainly to compare my poor shots to the pro stuff. Just recently came back to photography after more than 20 years absence and since everything is digital these days, I'm strugling with both camera and Photoshop.

And composition.

And content.

Sigh.

But I love my little D300s to death! And I like to think the PAD thread is helping me getting better...

So there's my motivation.

Yes, I do often see things a bit differently, perhaps it is my personality disorder!

I tend to be very rational, logical and unemotional. I see all sorts of interesting aspects to topics and comment upon them which others, I am sure, see as hijacking treads.

donaldejose said:
I see some people posting mean spirited comments about other people; let their "mean man" out. Anonymity can often encourage people to express their negative traits. I am surprised I have not seen more negative traits expressed here. To me that is important. I so dislike seeing people abused that I tend to stop visiting forums in which one or more members is often posting mean spirited comments about others and not being slapped down by moderators for it.

If you ever see posts which are truly mean spirited and derogatory, PM either me or one of the other mods so we can take care of this. The beauty of NRF is that we can have a bit of fun, laugh at ourselves, but in no case can we be mean to another on the forum. Of course, at age 70, the age thing is, well... I am just darn grateful to be around.

And I always appreciate your posts as you can add a certain viewpoint I do not often see.

I read the question in two parts.

The caption asks what is your motivation for contributing?

The question in the post asks what is your motivation for being here?

I see those as different. People can be here, read only and not contribute. If your motivation for being here is to learn, you don't have to post and you don't have to express opinions or try to help.

So I see posting as starting with a different motivation that just wanting to learn (unless all you post are questions).

I read to learn, I post to try to give something back. It seems to me most others are similarly motivated.

I also feel I see a few posts which are made to let the poster feel good about himself; make him feel he is such an authority; such a "big man" on the forum; self aggrandizement. It is interesting to see that personality trial expressed at times. On some other forums, not this one, I see some people posting mean spirited comments about other people; let their "mean man" out. Anonymity can often encourage people to express their negative traits. I am surprised I have not seen more negative traits expressed here. To me that is important. I so dislike seeing people abused that I tend to stop visiting forums in which one or more members is often posting mean spirited comments about others and not being slapped down by moderators for it.

"What's your motivation for being here? "

Technical info and knowledge base? Not really.. even KR is better at that.

Its threads like this! Threads that are out of the left field. The way some of our threads used to meander and go "off topic" and on "tangents" and yet are really still related in a lateral thinking sort of way ( its been made a bit restrictive these days, so I guess I have been less motivated to contribute lately )

But mostly its a core of genuine and intelligent people like Jonny, adamz , Mike.
.. missing .. a few of the old guard like Gentoo, alphanikonrex and poster.

It is interesting to look at the posts on this thread. My suspicion is that the very topic interests only the ones who are here to learn. We occasionally hear from folks on NRF who simply want to spit out their version of the world, and make claims it is the only valid one. And theses are the ones who will no doubt pass up an opportunity to look at this thread as it require an open mind as does the fine video at the beginning. Great thread Jonny, thanks.