I have been an active user, albeit mostly silent one of dpreview’s Website and it’s forums since 2003. For me it has been the University of Digital Photography. Where else could one go to find out about all the gear, techniques, tips and tricks of the emerging field of digital photography from a world wide source? The forums were filled with the spirit of cooperation and also expert contributors who were willing to help each other as well as the many novices for the love of photography. Yes hopefully we do all have this one quality in common, the love of photography. Since 2003 I actively used these forums to help make my gear purchase decisions and to learn all I could about digital photography from the many supportive, generous and expert contributors whose names we all know. I cannot begin to list all the techniques, tips and tricks I have learned along the way. Thanks to all of you for your expert advice. Sorry to see so many of you disappear from the forums but it is understandable.

Fast forward to 2009, where has all the professionalism, humility, kindness and spirit of cooperation gone? It seems to have been replaced with a hard edged, mean spirited and attack dog style that has nothing to do with furthering the art of photography and even less to do with helping each other to learn the vast details of the latest high tech gear. It seems the forums are now rampant with verbal abuse and personal attacks. How does this further for each of us the art of photography? How does this help us to determine what gear we will need to carry out our photographic endeavor at whatever skill level we have achieved?

In 2003 having previously used Canon film cameras, I purchased the Canon Powershot G5, my first digital camera and I was hooked. In 2004 I upgraded to a 20D, 1D Mark II and several Canon L lenses. Not only was I acquiring the gear, but thanks to my own stubborn determination and with the aid of the dpreview forums, I was becoming a pretty good photographer. In early 2007, I picked up the 1Ds Mark II and several more L lenses including some of the best primes. At this point I had all the gear, 3 bodies, 9 L lenses, 2-Gitzo tripods, 3-580EX flash heads, back pack, bags and on and on. I was preparing to retire and devote my life to wildlife and landscape photography.

In the early summer of 2007 I noticed for some strange reason my usually steady hands, were now blowing focus on a lot of hand held shots. Further, I was having difficulty hiking into my favorite spots in the high mountains. As it turned out, I had a neurological disorder that permanently affected my balance; end of photography, the gear is all gone. Why do I still visit dpreview on a daily basis? For the love of photography! Again I am usually just a listener and learner. There are still many great contributors that I enjoy very much including JoseB, Liquidstone, Eugene Powers, Newspaperman, rarely now Judi Valley, Paul Pope and others. I dream of using the tips, tricks and techniques I have learned from all of you.

For all of us that love photography, let’s stop this mean spirited infiltration of vile words from a few malcontents that has driven so many great contributors away from the dpreview forums. Lets get back to sharing techniques, tips, tricks, actual photographs and a helping hand to a fellow photographer in need or perhaps just silently listening, learning and enjoying.

I know this is still happening but unfortunately the spirit of cooperation is being lost in all the ongoing personal attacks. For the love and beauty of photography, stop it now! The solution is in the hands of the users, Phil and his staff cannot and should not have to police all the rotten attitudes that seem to have surfaced in spite of the forum rules that are in place. I am not advocating censorship, just civility for the love of photography.

J. Spencer