NEWS.. photographyatnewenglandmoments.com

[New England Moments]

On Oct. 23 rd this Year, The Forum is up for Renewal..  I have chosen Not to renew, and at that time the forum will be Shut Down..  We have been On Line now as NEMs for just over Four Years, forming April 25th 2008"....... The cost of operating the forum at that time was a drop in the Bucket, that drop has now developed into a Flood Warning of rising water.. At this time , I just can't justify keeping the forum in operation...

This is all just leaving me speechless, and tongue tied,  so I won't go off into any details , or stories...  Maybe this is a bit early to bring this up, but I just wanted it out in the open...little advanced warning so all can find their lifeboats...

I think IMO,  our biggest downfall is the lack of new members coming along joining, and participating..  and in General,  the lack of Interest...What can I say, life does not always  revolve around Photography... and Time is Not always our options...   I believe this is a trend that most Forums are feeling the effects of...  It takes New Coals on a Fire to keep it burning...  We never had the luxury of being recognized as a Forum on the Internet, to bring new people in... Mostly Everyone here was invited by me out looking at Photogs, and sending emails, asking for them to come take a look...   This was a practice that not everyone thought was a good idea, something I should not do,  and one that rested on my shoulder ..  No Moderators had anything to do with soliciting of members to this Forum.. This Choice,  whether Right, or Wrong was my doing... 


We were a tight Forum, and shared more than just Photography... We shared sadness, joy, holidays, family,  and friendships thru the years... Most of us know each other by a real name, and not just a Forum Name...and some  of us have had the chance to meet each other on a personal level... This was a great advantage of remaining a small Photography Community... 

YOU are all IMO , the cream of the Crop, as far as a Person, and a Photographer !!  I have enjoyed meeting each of you, and sharing a Craft that I truly Love..

This Closing does Not mean we have reached that Top Rung on the Ladder, and I hope that  each of you will continue to climb, and always except, and soak in everything said about your work... I hope that each of you will continue to push those above you on the ladder upward, and reach out and support those below you , by always giving support& opinion... Remember , there are No Pros' In Art, just climbers......  I wish each of you the Best, not only in Photography, but in Life..   

ok, enough by me, this is just  not easy...

I also want to THANK all of the Moderators,  Now and thru the Years,  for your Help in Making NEMs a top notch Forum where people wanted to be, and spend time...Without you we had nothing, and your work in rooms just took us to a level as a Forum where we wanted to be!

 THANK YOU ALL..........

[gfitzgerald]

This is sad though I understand what you are talking about.

I would sincerely like to thank you Tom for the invite that brought me those many months ago.  Thanks also for the opportunity to learn so much from you and everyone here.  This is the first photography forum I have ever been associated with and it has let me meet many people from many places,  to share with them, to learn from them, and to grow with them which was the purpose for which it was started.

glenn fitzgerald.

[ennairam]

Every morning, the first thing I do is log on to NEM. I get such inspiration and concrete critique from the members here. 

I can't thank you enough, Tom, for what you have given me via NEM. 

Marianne

[JohnF]

Well, that is sad news but I understand your frustration. This is the only photo forum I have ever participated in but I used to be on several pepper forums and watched the same kind of struggle to maintain participation. I also have a hiking blog that has never become what I intended.

I have enjoyed interacting with the members of this forum, both artistically and personally- a pretty nice group of folks.

[Greg]

I can't thank you enough, Tom, for what you have given me via NEM. 

And there is no way I could possibly express my feelings better than what Marianne said.

I came here thinking I knew some stuff. Turns out not as much as I thought, and a long way to go, but the experience has been one I'll not forget. Ever.

No guilt trips, just thank you, Tom.

[Pixelguru]

You will be missed Tom.  And I will miss the friendly atmosphere here...so many nice people sharing their pictures, advice, and yes, ramblings.  I've only participated a short while here, but I've enjoyed the experience every day.  The civility of all the members and moderators, from all over the world, has really impressed me.  And I have learned much just by listening and looking.

[Dennis]

I also have to agree with what Marianne posted, You and everyone at NEM will be truly missed.

[Meadowlark]

Sorry to hear this Tom.  I  learned a lot from you and others here.  Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience and for making that possible with this place. It will be missed.

[Longsider1882]

Bummer............ I get my fix here and have gone from nothing to a 1/4 decent togger whilst learning so much from all members.

Take this as the first protest Tom, you have been through too much to let this place just go; I will gladly contribute to the cost of NEM's to keep it going. I do share your frustrations, but can't just let it go.

NEM's is special, very, very special; I have dallied in other forums, but they don't feel right, here we don't have people who think they are the dogs do dars, we all care for one and other.

KEEP NEM's ALIVE

Andy

[ennairam]

I agree with Andy.  Is there a way to charge a membership fee or some other way to help offset the costs? 

[Pixelguru]

I think there's an echo in here:     "Keep NEMS alive".

[Greg]

I would also be willing to pitch in if that might help keep Nem's alive.

[Mia]

 Tom, I was so devastated to hear this yesterday that I couldn't even comment!
NEMs is my second home and I would miss it so much if it was demolished.
I was also thinking along the same lines as the latest posts. What are the
costs and why can't we work out how to share them? A members fee, donations,
you name it!
 I think the only photo sites really thriving at the moment are
the ones on Facebook, but nothing like NEMs exist there. It's the friendly feeling
and honest feedback and of course the spirit of you Tom and Melissa that makes it so
extra special!

I got most of what I learnt about photography from here and the critiquing and comments,
and will always be very grateful for that...

[New England Moments]

Awhile Back, I asked Melissa to let me know when the Forum came up for renewal, figured at that time, I would decide to pull the plug, or charge forward...

As Andy mentioned, Yes I get Frustrated, and I could easily give you a LARGE  list of reasons why, but I won't    but will say this frustration weighs heavily on my decision of pressing on.....

I thought about asking for Donations before posting this notice, but wasn't sure how that would sit with people...
The advertisements running on this Forum were done with the hopes of generating money to pay for the operation of the forum...  butttttttttt, thus far, ( its been awhile) I received (1) payment of $100.00...  I have given away mugs, and or Gifts, that far exceed that amount, let alone the cost of the forum itself...

I hated asking for a donation, #1...., I can't think of a Fair Way of doing it, and #2,... I'm not sure how I feel about it

When Melissa told me we were up in Oct, my reaction , ( out of Frustration) was pull the plug...  When she told me the Cost, which isn't a Fortune, I still thought , why would I pay to be aggravated    Now I read and see a few of you with some inspiration, and concerns, and it is motivating to me...

The Cost to run the forum for one year, from Site Ground is  $110.00,  our software, simple machines is free... Again, I guess $110 isn't that much, but I REFUSE paying to be frustrated 

Now HOW do you divide $110 Fairly by donation...  ??

I DO NOT want any ONE person paying a Large Amount!!  THAT I WON"T HAVE!!!

So let me run this by you, what about a THREE DOLLAR DONATION??  Do we have 36 Members willing to pay $3.00
I think that three Dollars is an amount that won't have people questioning Who Paid and who didn't...  I think 3.00 along with the word DONATION, gives one a fair option... I don't want MORE than Needed!!

Now YOU show me Names of THIRTY SIX PEOPLE, who are willing to Donate THREE DOLLARS!!

#1... NEM/Tom
#2 ?
#3 ?

  Folks I have said Many Times that NEMs is like a Living Photography Magazine... Not only a place to learn like a Magazine , but a Place to interact , which a Photography magazine Can't offer....  Now, CAN YOU BUY A PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE ON THE STANDS FOR $3.00

  My frustrations comes with the territory of running a Forum, I deal with it, it comes,  it goes, and I try to work it out... I don't want to be the guy to pull the plug on another persons enjoyment because I'm having issues...  I hope each of you can understand that sometimes the behind the scene issues weigh pretty heavy with me...  As just one example.. Registrations..
June Alone 277 People applied for membership... Each ONE of them was checked by Email Address and IP address, I do this Every Morning...  85% of those names were Spam, and the rest accepted, and never opened the Door??  In any Month alone , I send out at least 100 Invites, I spend time answering their concerns via email, and fielding their insults... by the time I get to the Forum, I feel obligated to comment, but at times , I'm just to POOPED TO TYPE lol...  Just One Example, as Said , my list is Long lol....


OK, let me know here what ya think, and WE CAN DISCUSS!!

[Pixelguru]

Tom, I don't think a $3.00 subscription fee is too much to ask to keep NEM afloat.  The real question is "are you up for facing the aggravation of running the forum?"  Say yes to that and I'm on board.

[New England Moments]

Tom, I don't think a $3.00 subscription fee is too much to ask to keep NEM afloat.  The real question is "are you up for facing the aggravation of running the forum?"  Say yes to that and I'm on board.

photographyatnewenglandmoments.com  &  New England Moments =s  " Till Death Do Us Part "  

As Said, I do get Frustrated, I do work it out....  All I can say is that The Forum Will be here for a Year....  Anyone that knows me , realizes when I commit, its 100% or nothing....  after running this Forum for Years, I should be Committed  

I just figure that  $3 is an amount that won't leave anyone questioning who contributes, who posts , who plays or even who  stays...

[gfitzgerald]

I will just second JohnW's comment, don't think I can say anything better.  If it was 5 bux or more I don't think anyone would object.

[New England Moments]

I will just second JohnW's comment, don't think I can say anything better.  If it was 5 bux or more I don't think anyone would object.

 I guess what it will boil down to , is a question of, DO WE even have 36 People interested enough to keep it going 

 

[oldCarlos]

Firstly;

Blimey! I just read the OP & suddenly felt very sad 

Tom, I can also feel your frustration .....AND disappointment & in some ways fully understand your initial decision, but can I just say that NEM's is a very inspirational forum for me (& presumably others) which would be greatly missed. 

There are days when I don't get much time to read or post on here ....& many more days when I don't get chance to even take any pics!  but there aint much I can do about it other than participate when I can.

What little i've learned this past 18 months, is mainly a direct consequence of registering on here & be it just viewing others pics, reading advice/tips, or posting my own pics & listening to the comments from others, I can't thank you guys enough. 

What NEM's has also provided for me, is a great place to `meet` other like minded folk, who are generous with their advice & selfless with their time when help is wanted. 
 
On top of that, i've made a couple of good friends in the real world, which probably wouldn't have happened without this site. So again, thank you. 

Secondly;

I don't want to contribute ....... to your frustration  but you can sure count me in for a donation!!!!!  if it will help to save NEM's & my ongoing learning. 

 Best regards,
 Carl.

[gfitzgerald]

I will just second JohnW's comment, don't think I can say anything better.  If it was 5 bux or more I don't think anyone would object.

 I guess what it will boil down to , is a question of, DO WE even have 36 People interested enough to keep it going 

 

Well I would hope so Tom and we all could always contribute a little more for it to work.  I don't think any of us would want to keep you with the fustration and the problems of running the forum if that is too much.

A poll to get some numbers?  Thinking out loud.

[behind the curtain]

I barely post here due to my lack of time to actually shoot much of late; however, I'm here at least 5 days a week looking and learning.

Where do I send my $3 contribution?

Raymond

[Mia]

$3 or $10, I'm in Tom. And about the daily grind of separating the spammers from humans etc, surely there must be a way we can help you with that burden and also to find some other way of recruiting.
If all the members who want to see this forum continue rallied to invite their friends etc you wouldn't
have to go through it at all, would you?
Maybe also there is a possibility that some members could sponsor some prizes etc? For me Karmas do
fine though and cost nothing for anyone....

I would suggest $10 which makes 11 members if the $3 idea is too complicated?...

[ennairam]

Tom,

A subscription fee is the perfect idea.  It could be an annual fee, which keeps this from happening in the future, at least financially.  $5 is likely affordable for most members! I assume.  I'm feeling hopeful now after being down all day yesterday about the prospect of losing NEM.

Mariannr

[ljh34481]

Even though the ole USD ain't worth much anymore, sign me up for a year at $0.027/day - the forum is certainly worth THAT MUCH to me

I am being facetious - do the math..........

and it would only require ten others to participate.

I think it would be interesting to have members suggest different ways for Tom to deal with his frustrations

With all those Labs hangin around his place, nothing bad should last for long.

Greg gets frustrated with pretty much everything, bet he has some ways of dealing with it   You've read it - wrong camera, bad light, wrong lens, fear of being attacked by a subject on the street, having to get up earlier, etc.

[Dennis]

Count me in, what ever it takes to save our Home, any way I can help just let me know!

[Pixelguru]

Some have mentioned that $3 sounds like too little.  I've heard $5 and $10 and I think either would be fine.  Counting heads so far it sounds like your half way there already.  For all of our sakes please think this thing through thoroughly; as has been suggested: get advice from forum members, consider delegating responsibilities, take at least one poll, get your ducks in a row and then act.  "If you build it, they will come".  

[New England Moments]

  I brought up $3.00 because #1, I hate even seeing anyone donate...  I also want to see just WHO out there is interested enough to even respond, do we have 36 people who give a Damn lol....

  I DO NOT want to see one person give $5, another $10, another $0.027/day  ,  or even another at $25,  I WANT THIS EQUAL... and ONLY WANT enough to run the Forum for a Year...  not a fund raiser here folks lol....  I have flipped the Bill since our Birth, its not the Money, its more for me a showing of Who Really Gives a Damn....

  I mean as is, we will end up with 36 people floating the Bill, and I don't think anyone would be upset for $3, as to Who Gave and who didn't??? 
  Thirty Six $3 Donations will do the job...    I'm counting about 11 names right now....

   My Frustrations are NOT the Issue.... trust me . I can deal with it lol... PEOPLE WANTING TO BE HERE is what matters....

 
 

[Longsider1882]

Count me in for a donation, NEM's is a place that I sure as hell won't see go.

Let me know where to send the money and I will donate - not sure what $3:00 = to the good old British £, but hey, it'll happen.

Adversity is there to be overcome, and the good people here will ensure we have NEM for another year at least.

Andy

[Pixelguru]

Count me in too Tom.

[gfitzgerald]

I hope you have already counted me Tom.  If not add it in now.   

[ennairam]

Same.

[Longsider1882]

Another thing from me Tom, when you asked me to be a moderator it was one proud moment for me. As I say to my boss at work, you need to share some of the woes, now I am under serious pressure at work, but I am a willing horse, so if I can lessen your burden, then count me in and PM me.

NEM's is a place that has given me so much from being a snapper, to become a togger, now I give back things I take in this world.

PayPal would be a good way for people to financially contribute, if you have a PP account.

Keep on smiling, and battling too Tom

Andy

[JohnF]

I'm in

[gannet]

I'm in

Me too!

[Robert]

I will gladly, excuse me, more than gladly, pay twenty five dollars a year.  That amount of dollars is an example of how well worth it that the membership here is worth.   I have not been active laately due to medical issues but hope prary and plan to begin submitting regularly again.