Talking Photography On the Internet

Have you noticed how, when you meet someone you have something in common with, your speech patterns change. You start shortening sentences and using jargon, eyes start twinkling and the conversation gets more intense. It’s really fun to be with someone who enjoys the same thing you do, but what if you can’t find anyone near you?

There are no more excuses to the “but nobody loves me” syndrome today. The Internet opens a whole new world of people and conversations, covering every topic imaginable. There are few closed doors on the Internet. Everyone wants to talk about something and there is a place for everyone.

When preparing for our life on the road, we had already taken advantage of Compuserve’s Photography Forums, so it was a natural inclination to try their RV Forums. Wow, did they save our lives! Not only did we learn more than we ever wanted to know about RV life and living on the road, we saved tons of time, money, and effort. Brent and I both agreed that learning to put your foot on the end of the sewer hose when you are emptying the sewer tank of the RV is critical to the success of this messy endeavor. Without it, the end of the hose becomes like a fire hose and can spew sewage (and all that entrails…bad pun) everywhere – and everywhere can include you. For this, Brent and I were very pleased to have paid a year’s subscription. So far, except for a hose breaking, we remain sewage-sprayed free.

We also “met” a lot of wonderful people who were so incredibly supportive and encouraging through our on-the-road life. We even stayed with a few of them along the way, meeting face-to-face. It made the whole process so much more enjoyable. Years later, while we are still on the road, many of these people are still our friends and we communicate frequently. These are not just people to pass by on the Information Highway, they are friends for life.

Communication on the Internet

There are many different kinds of ways to communicate on the Internet. While live talking (chatting) is becoming more and more popular, the traditional method continues to be through a form of bulletin board service. A message is posted for all to see and read and anyone can respond, day or night. These are often grouped by topic, helping to keep the “conversation” coherent. These bulletin boards used to be called “bulletin boards”, but are now mostly referred to as newsgroups and discussion groups. Chats and newsgroups are mostly done while you are online, though there is special software for handling newsgroups such as Agent and Microsoft Outlook Express. Some discussion groups are hosted on web pages, therefore you must visit the page to post a message and read the replies. Other discussion groups are called “mailing lists”.

Mailing list discussions come directly to your email inbox. They come in several forms. The most common is when a message comes in to the main server (the answering computer), it bounces out to everyone on the list, coming into their email. When someone responds, the response is also forwarded to everyone on the list. In other words, it is a free-for-all and you get everything that is talked about on that list. These can be overwhelming if there are many participants, but very friendly if there are only a few. Another method is a “digest”, where the emails are gathered together and then posted to everyone once a week or every few days. Some lists have both options, some have only one.

Live chatting is great fun, especially with someone you know, but it takes time online to type out messages back and forth to each other, though video conferencing is speeding up that process. Participants typing to each other tend to ignore spelling and grammar, getting their points across with minimal effort and maximum speed. Posting messages to newsgroups or mailing lists isn’t as timely, with an answer coming minutes to days after the posting. This allows the writer to seriously consider their answer and to compose it with more sensitivity to spelling, grammar, and meaning. The discussions tend to be more deeply thought out and intelligent, offering the participant a richer experience.

People who spend time on newsgroups and mailing lists tend to be more intellectual and educated about the topic at hand. They are giving of their time to help others, so you tend to get better responses, helping you learn more about the subject, and motivating you on. Visit a few of the chat groups found on ICQ Chat and you will find a lot of nonsense and adolescent giggling in many of the groups (but not all), but spend a few days with the PhotoForumor MSN’s PhotoTalkw and you will find experienced photographers sharing their passions as well as
their techniques freely, challenging you to be the best photographer you can be.

There are some rules, though, when you enter the realm of newsgroups and mailing lists. Most groups post their rules on their web site or in their welcoming emails. Some of the rules are obvious: no swearing, no name calling, stay on topic, and no advertising or soliciting. Some are less obvious. Some serious groups have participants who are very well educated and tend to be bothered by consistent misspellings and poor grammar, though if the writer admits that English is not his or her first language, they tend to be more forgiving. They also will not forgive ignorance or stupidity, even in jest. Not that they don’t have a good time and lots of fun, but they take their topic seriously. For instance, visiting the a site about professionals discussing large carnivores and asking how many toes does the three-toed sloth have, will get you a negative response or completely ignored.

As with any group, opinions are welcome and wonderful, as long as they are in keeping with the interest and intellectual level of the group. Slander against US President Bush for his tactics against Iraq is fine for a political discussion group, but not appropriate for a wildlife photography group. An occasional aside is fine, since the participants often become good friends, but take care not to offend the others on the group. If you are the one who initiates a fiery response, be willing to back off and reconsider your opinion, or keep it to yourself. Everyone is there because of the joy of sharing and caring. Don’t make it a miserable place to visit. When I participate in such groups, I work hard to respond in such as way as to benefit not just the person I’m responding to, but everyone who may read what I write, even years from now. It’s quite a responsibility. Sure, not everyone will agree with what I write, but at least they can’t argue with my presentation style. Many newsgroups and discussion group conversations are archived and can be searched through that group’s web page or through http://www.google.com (Groups). Remember the purpose of the group and keep that in mind as you participate.

Online Etiquette

There are many places on the Internet to learn more about the rules and manners to practice in your online discussions. Here are a few good ones:

Where Are They?

There are many online discussion groups, email discussion lists, and areas for chats about photography, nature, environment, and related topics, and it keeps changing all the time. We’ll do our best to keep these updated, but check the lists below for more current listings.

In general, to subscribe, visit the website or send an email to the email address, leaving the subject line blank and typing in the body only “SUBSCRIBE” or “SUBSCRIBE [name of list]” and usually your first and last name on the same line. Where possible, I’ll include the subscription phrase. Some lists will send an email in which you must confirm your subscription with a reply, others just add you to their list and you start getting mail right away.

Be warned, some of these lists are very popular and you might find yourself getting dozens of emails every day, while others aren’t as busy and you might only get email once a week. Some lists are customizable when it comes to arranging how you get the emailed discussions. Some will send everything posted to you individually and others can be set up to send only all the discussions for that day, called “digests”. Check the web address for more information on how each list works specifically. The confirmation email from the list will include directions on how to unsubscribe, post, reply, and read the archives and such. Enjoy!

For a listing of international mailing lists and more specialized photo discussion groups, visit:

For newsgroups related to photography, nature, environment, etc., use a newsgroup reader like Agent or Microsoft Outlook Express and the newsgroup server of your Internet Provider to locate a group of interest to you. You can search through the current newsgroup listing of more than 50,000 different groups through your software, or check any of the ones listed below through http://www.google.com and check Groups:

alt.outdoor.photo.chat
rec.photo.technique.nature
free.uk.nature.wildlife
gov.us.topic.nat-resources.wildlife
rec.animals.wildlife
sci.bio.ecology
alive.nature.rainforest
rec.outdoors.rv-travel
rec.outdoors.camping
rec.outdoors.national-parks

Discussion Groups

We will try to keep the list current, but these change frequently. Search on the Internet to find these sites or others if the links don’t work. There are usually specific instructions for signing up for a newsgroup, so when possible check their web site for instructions. Typically, to subscribe, type SUBSCRIBE into a blank email and send it to the subscription email. To unsubscribe, type UNSUBSCRIBE into a blank email and send it to the subscription or unsubscription email. Instructions are included in the list below when available.

Art Photography

Photo-art for Photography as an Art Form: PHOTO-ART-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Birds

Birdchat – National Birding Hotline Cooperative (Chat Line): listserv@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU, subscribe birdchat
Birdchat (Wild Birds): LISTSERV@arizvm1.ccit.arizona.edu, BIRDCHAT Your Full Name
Birdcntr – National Birding Hotline Cooperative (Central): listserv@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU, subscribe BIRDCNTR
Birdwest – National Birding Hotline Cooperative (West): listserv@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU, subscribe birdwest
Hummers – Hummingbirds: hummers-subscribe@topica.com
Hummingbird Hobnob: Hummingbird Hobnob Main
Pigeons-list: listserv@LISTSERV.ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU, subscribe PIGEONS-LIST First Name Last Name
Purple Martin Central: purplemartincentral -subscribe@topica.com

Cameras

Canon Fd Cameras: canon-fd-request@kjsl.com, SUBSCRIBE
Canon Eos-3: eos3-subscribe@egroups.com
Contax G: join-contax@sonic.sparklist.com, SUBSCRIBE CONTAXSLR
Contax Slr, majordomo@evrl.xs.4all.nl: SUBSCRIBE CONTAX-SLR
Idcc – the International Directory of Camera Collectors: idcc-Request@KJSL.COM, SUBSCRIBE IDCC
Leica Enthusiasts List: Folks interested in Leica Cameras
Leica Users List, majordomo@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us: SUBSCRIBE LEICA-USERS
Leica M Forum: Interest in Leica M Cameras and accessories
Leica Reflex Forum: Interest in Leica Relfex Cameras
Minolta Camera Users: For Minolta Camera Users
Nikon Manual Focus: majordomo@mailinglist.net, SUBSCRIBE NIKONMF
Nikon Users List: join-nikon@sonic.sparklist.com, SUBSCRIBE NIKON
Olympus Cameras List: listserv@zuiko.sls.bc.ca, SUBSCRIBE OLYMPUS
Submini-l – Subminiture Camera Collecting: listserv@listserv.aol.com, SUBSCRIBE SUBMINI-L YOUR NAME
Yashica Slr Digest List: majordomo@evrl.xs4all.nl, SUBSCRIBE YASHICA-SLR-DIGEST

Digital Photography

All Things Photo – Digital and General Photography: allthingsphoto- subscribe@topica.com
Digital Photography for Digital Cameras That Produce Files Bigger than 10 Megs: majordomo@prorental.com, SUBSCRIBE PRORENTAL
Digital Photography Art Groups on Yahoo
Google Digital Camera Discussion Group
Nikon Coolpix User Group (Cpug): cpug-subscribe@topica.com
Photonations – Digital Imaging Photography: photonations-subscribe@topica.com
Yahoo Digital Photography

Ecology

Eco-compass (Islandpress-l)- Environmental Issues Discussion: islandpress-l-subscribe@igc.topica.com
Eco-watch Dialogues – Discussion Groups on the Usda Forest Service
Eco-index Dialogue – El Dialogo Eco-index – Bilingual Ecology Discussion Group: eco-dialogue- subscribe@topica.com
Ecolog-l – Ecological Society of America: listserv@UMDD.UMD.EDU, subscribe ECOLOG-L
Jewish Environmental Action and Discussion (Kol-chai): kol-chai-subscribe@topica.com

Editorial News and Photography

Editorial Photography
NPPA-L National Press Photographers Association: LISTSERV@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU, LISTSERV@CMUVM.BITNET, SUBSCRIBE NPPA-L first name last name
Photojournalism: listproc@listserv.oit.unc.edu, SUBSCRIBE PHOTOJOURNALISM
Phototuj Pj from Temple University for Photojournalists: LISTSERV@vm.temple.edu, SUBSCRIBE PHOTOTUJ YOUR NAME
UK Photojournalist

Education and Photography

Photography Teachers Yahoo Group
University Photographers Association of America (Open to All): www.upaa.org/, upaa-request@upaalist.org, SUBSCRIBE UPAA

Environmental Issues and Information

Active Greens for Those Who Care: activegreens-subscribe@topica.com
Biosph-l – Biosphere and Ecology Discussion Group: listserv@LISTSERV.AOL.COM, SUBSCRIBE BIOSPH-L First Name Last Name
Envirolist for Environmental Professionals, News, Grants, Studies: EnviroList_add@EnviroOne.com
Envpubs-1 – Environmental Science and Public Policy Discussions: listproc@envlib2.harvard.edu, subscribe envpubs-l
Forest Forum: listserv@LISTSERV.FUNET.FI, SUBSCRIBE FOREST First Name Last Name
Forestry-focus – Sponsored by Society of American Foresters: forestry-focus-subscribe@igc.topica.com
Forests and Climate: forestsandclimate- subscribe@topica.com, SUBSCRIBE
Grizzly Environmental Watch – Watch-dog Discussion about Water Issues Worldwide: grizzlyenviro-subscribe@topica.com
Hemispheric Forest Activists Cooperation: forest-americas- subscribe@igc.topica.com
Online Community Natforestalk – National Forest Area Life and Discussions: NatForestalk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Rainforest Conservation: treehuggers-subscribe@topica.com
Saving Nature (Snc): SavNature-subscribe@topica.com
Sierra Activist Headline News: Sierra Activist Org, Sierra-Activist-Headline-News-subscribe@topica.com
Sustainable Living News – Environmentally Aware Living: slnews-subscribe@topica.com
Tropical Agroforestry and Reforestation Listserv (Tfar): agroreforest- subscribe@topica.com

Film

Kodachrome List: kodachrome-request@jsl.com, SUBSCRIBE

General Photographic topics

All Photographic: AllPhotographic-subscribe@topica.com
Fidonet Photo: wclistserve@fanciful.org, SUBSCRIBE PHOTO YOUR NAME
MSN PhotoTalk
Photogroup Reference to Internet Discussion & Information: owner-photogroup@acpub.duke.edu, SUBSCRIBE PHOTOGROUP
Yahoo Photography in General
Zone System Forum Mail List
Photo-l: LISTPROC@list.csuohio.edu, SUBSCRIBE PHOTO-L first name last name
Photoforum: LISTSERV@LISTSERVER.ISC.RIT.EDU, SUBSCRIBE PHOTOFORUM YOUR NAME
University Photographers Association of America (Open to All): mailing list info, upaa-request@upaalist.org, SUBSCRIBE UPAA
International Kodak Historical Society: Georgelayne@aol.com and Kodakhistory@egroups.com, SEND NAME, EMAIL, LAND MAIL ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND A PARAGRAPH ABOUT YOUR SELF AND INTEREST IN HISTORY OF KODAK
Photohist-l – Photo History Buffs from the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences at Rit: listserv@listserver.isc.rit.edu, SUB PHOTOHIST-L “YOUR NAME”
Photohistorian list by the Historical Group of the Royal Photographic Society: requests@lists.wycliffecollege.com, SUBSCRIBE PHOTOHISTORIAN LISTRPS
Photohistory: PhotoHistory-subscribe@egroups.com
Photohst – History of Photography: LISTSERV@ASUACAD.BITNET or LISTSERV@ASUVM.INRE.ASU.EDU, SUBSCRIBE PHOTOHST first name last name
The Negative Group – History of Negative Film
Parks, Park Pollution in Us National Parks Discussion: park-pollution-subscribe@topica.com

Speciality Photography

Aerialpro – Professional Aerial Photography: majordomo@lists.tdl.com, SUBSCRIBE AERIALPRO
Optimal – Ophthalmic Photography List: MAISER@VISION.EEI.UPMC.EDU, SUBSCRIBE OPTIMAL first name last name
PACHP – Photography, Art or Aesthetics, Craft, History: PACHP-subscribe@listbot.com
Panorama-Panoramic Photography: mailserv@cc.monash.edu.au, SUBSCRIBE PANORAMA-L
Photo-HS – High Speed Photography: ritphoto@rit.edu, SUB-PHOTO-HS
Project-talk List of the Center for Photographic Projects (Long Term): project-talk-request@discuss.dundee.net, SUBSCRIBE
Streetphoto – Street Photography
UW-photo – Underwater Photography: majordomo@world.std.com, SUBSCRIBE UW-PHOTO

Travel and Travel Photography

Alaska Travelgram: join-Alaskatravel gram@burst.sparklist.com
Backpack-l: LISTSERVER@switchback.com, subscribe Backpack-L First Name Last Name
Yahoo Green-travel – Ecotourism and Adventure Travel: Green-Travel, green-travel-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Yahoo Outdoor Adventures – Outdoor Sports, Camping: outdoor-adventures-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
RV-talk: list-requests@dynapolis.com, subscribe rv-talk
RVing: Rving-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Walking in Europe: walking_in_europe -subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Walklist – Recreational Walking: AVA.org, walklist-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Wildlife and Wildlife Photography

North Florida Marine Society (NFMS): NFMAS-subscribe@topica.com
Saving Wild Tigers – Project of the NJ Chapter Sierra Club: NJ-Sierra-Saving- Wild-Tigers-subscribe@topica.com
Wild Refuge – about Creation of Wild Refuges in the Red Desert: wild_refuge-subscribe@topica.com
Yahoo Groups Wildlife: wildlifephotography 2-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, SUSCRIBE