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[Official] FAQs about Concert Photography (Questions Answered, Get Help, Learn More, Read Tutorials)

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Want us to look at your shots? Ask for feedback in this thread ONLY please. Thanks.

CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY TUTORIALS

Secrets of Killer Concert Photos Revealed
Daniel Boud's Concert Photography Masterclass
Steve Mirarchi's Guide to Concert, Stage, and Low-Light Photography
Concert Photography by Jon Sievert
So You Want To Shoot Concerts?: about photo contracts

Turning "pro": What to charge?

FUNDAMENTALS OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Understanding exposure: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO

What's the difference between shutter priority, aperture priority, program mode, and manual?

What is metering? Spot metering, partial metering, center-weighted metering, and matrix metering, explained.

Why are my photos of moving subjects blurry?

What's the difference between full frame and a cropped sensor?

GROUP DISCUSSION TOPICS

What settings should I use? Part 1, Part 2, Daniel Boud (aka dreadfuldan) on settings.

Why are my photos all blown out / overexposed?

Why are my photos all blurry?

How do I get a photo pass?Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

What to write to a publicist if you don't have a publication backing you:
What to say?
How would you word this!?
Getting a pass?

Help! I can't find contact information for this artist!

How do I get my work into magazines? How do I establish myself?

First time in the photo pit: what should I do? Part 1, Part 2.

What camera and lenses to use? Part 1, Part 2.
What lenses to use with a D40 or D40x [the D40 body (as well as the D60 body) has no built-in AF motor, so be careful]

Can you recommend an inexpensive wide angle lens for me? I don't have any money to spend. Part 1, Part 2.

How do I deal with red stage lighting? I hate the red lights! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Should I use flash? What's the deal with flash? Why do so many people hate flash?

How do I improve my use of flash? The flash on my camera sucks! Part 1, Part 2, Past 3.
See also: Making flash not look like flash, and Strobist: the flash photography weblog.

How do I deal with lens flare?

Why didn't they let me shoot the show? Can I sneak my camera in? Security said I had a "professional" camera but it's not! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

What should I charge? I'm just getting started, should I give my shots away for free? See also: What to charge?

How do I put together a great portfolio?
See also Utata on what makes a great portfolio.

How do I deal with excessively noisy images?

What post-processing or Photoshopping do you do?

Nikon versus Canon: whose cameras are better at concert photography? Part 1, Part 2

How do I shoot a large festival like Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Festival, Glastonbury, ACL Fest, Rock Ness, V Fest? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Should I shoot in RAW? What are the benefits of RAW versus JPEG?

Sometimes things go wrong. What about utter failure? How have you failed when shooting a show? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Is Flickr your primary site for concert photography?

200 Quick Tips on Concert Photography.

Is there any benefit to joining an agency?

What's been your experience working with Getty, Retna, WireImage?

QUIT YOUR DAY JOB

How many of you are full time photographers and how many still have day jobs? 1

2

Did you go to photography or art school?
How do you make money doing this?

GET INSPIRED

Awesome concert photographers on Flickr.

Famous/historic concert photographers

INTERVIEWS WITH SOME GROUP MEMBERS

Chris Owyoung
Danny North [Warning, opens as PDF]
Daniel Boud
Originally posted at 1:09PM, 25 May 2007 PST ( permalink )
Kathryn Yu edited this topic 5 weeks ago.

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Fairytale Vegas  Pro User  says:

Thanks so much! This is really helpful.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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Lalitree  Pro User  says:

Great idea K!

Found a few more:

Should I shoot in RAW?
More Canon v. Nikon
First time in a photo pit?
It's my first time shooting a show, help!
Should I use flash? (more)
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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dreadfuldan  Pro User  says:

Very handy.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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bob_sanderson  Pro User  says:

Great idea.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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PaulvanDijk  Pro User  says:

nice! some good advice there, thanks. and...more please :)
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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Tyson Habein-YellowHouse Photo  Pro User  says:

if there is a way to make this a sticky topic (stays at top of board) then it would likely save some time.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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Laura | Fotografía is a group administrator Laura | Fotografía says:

great idea! Thanks for sharing the links. I will put this in the announcement area at the top... unfortunately there isn't a sticky option for the actual message section... flickr doesn't make it easy to keep the group organized on the admin end of things.
Originally posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )
Laura | Fotografía (a group admin) edited this topic 18 months ago.

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Thanks, guys.

I added some more links (thanks, Lalitree!), too.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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aaaphotosdotorg says:

maybe add my link of possibly helpful advice?

AAAphotos.org/faq.htm
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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Owain Richards Photography  Pro User  says:

Just thought I'd say thanks for this, this is a great idea. I'm going to stay up late reading through all this info tonight.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

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jameshamiltonphotography says:

but this cuts out all of the questions... :)
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

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Jl sarenas  Pro User  says:

why this is extremely convienient! thank you!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

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Minh Ngu  Pro User  says:

Fantastic links and info. . . . .
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

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solveigh says:

Sounds great!
I'm trying all this tonite...
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Added a few more links.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

...
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

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Chris | the other Chris  Pro User  says:

you'd figure flickr would add a code by now that would make posts like these sticky'd.
Originally posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )
Chris | the other Chris edited this topic 12 months ago.

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

We do have it on the front page in an admin note, but you're right, it's not at the top of the list or called out in any way on the group discussion pages...Oh, well.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

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TwoThumbsFresh  Pro User  says:

Hey, not sure if it's worthy of being in here - but I started a thread covering tips/moans to help bands, venues, security etc...

100 Top Tips for Bands, Venues, Security
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

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liveon35mm.com says:

Wow!!! Thanks a lot, very Helpful.

On my side, there are concert photography tips on any article I have been posting on liveon35mm

Ciao
Valerio
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

andreas fotos [deleted] says:

Nice of someone to share their tips.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kieran Ross  Pro User  says:

Should I be pleased my thread has made it into the FAQ?! Makes me feel like the idiot newb :p Anyway I have updated the link so it actually goes through to the right photos. As I had deleted the set with them in while I re-edited them (which has worked out great after all that advice)

Hopefully some people will gain some useful advice though, through my cock up :)
Originally posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )
Kieran Ross edited this topic 12 months ago.

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

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Mardagg | Litost.org  Pro User  says:

bump
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

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Chris | the other Chris  Pro User  says:

bump and congrats to your engagement!
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

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Chris | the other Chris  Pro User  says:

bumpity boo
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Thanks! :)
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kieran Ross  Pro User  says:

Bumped for great justice and all that.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

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PhotographN.com  Pro User  says:

here's a new one that I found:

howtobecomeaphotographerblog.com/

hope it's okay to post it here!
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

I'm trying to keep this post limited to discussions on Flickr or articles written by other people specifically about concert photography. That blog seems really new and generic so far.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

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Laura | Fotografía is a group administrator Laura | Fotografía says:

Top
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

...
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

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Rock Photo Star says:

Hi, Kathryn. Yes, howtobecomeaphotographerblog.com just started in Feb. However, I will be keeping it updated, currently about a post a week but will try to increase that.

Current posts are foundational and though seeming generic and obvious, as I mentioned, I would be a wealthy person if I got a dollar for every photographer, including concert photographer that didn't practice the basics I mentioned in looking like a professional.

Moreover, as soon as I figure out the software, I will be adding videos going over my gear for concert photography and answering other questions.

Thanks for the mention PhotographN.com
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

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Ramsey // www.shoottothrill.co.uk says:

Bump.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

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Bryan Kremkau | SkaPunkPhotos.com  Pro User  says:

bump
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

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Chris | the other Chris  Pro User  says:

bippity boppity boo.
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

...
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

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Mardagg | Litost.org  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

. .
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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letsmakeart  Pro User  says:

"howtobecomeaphotographerblog.com"

You are almost inspiring me to start

howtopickmemorableandusefuldomainnames.com
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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Mardagg | Litost.org  Pro User  says:

..
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

...
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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stellar112  Pro User  says:

thank you so much kathryn!!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

..
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

...
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

....
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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Mardagg | Litost.org  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 6 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.,.,.,
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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the Avangelist  Pro User  says:

I would love to find a blog written by somebody who actually uses Nikon Kit.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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dreadfuldan  Pro User  says:

Danny and Cybele use Nikon. I'm sure you could find many more too.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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ishotyourband  Pro User  says:

i think Todd uses nikon,, right?
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Todd | ishootshows.com is a group moderator Todd | ishootshows.com  Pro User  says:

Yes, I do actually use Nikon ;-)

The Gear Guide on my page lists all the toys.

Bryan of skapunkphoto just picked up a D300 recently, and I know Carsten of Front Rows Pits and Pavements shoots with a D3, as I do. Lots more out there, too, I'm sure.

Todd | www.ishootshows.com
Originally posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )
Todd | ishootshows.com edited this topic 5 months ago.

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Shotlivephoto  Pro User  says:

I shoot with a D2x and a D200. Moving to a D3 after the book project.
I recently have been using a Sony A700 and a Sony A200 for book purposes, but my main concert gear is mostly Nikon and has been since before digital.

Alan Hess
www.alanhessphotography.com
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.... ....
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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antzpantz  Pro User  says:

I was going to suggest putting this as a sticky, but there are two things:

1) It's already in the stickies.
2) No one really looks at stickies. :-(


So... good on you for keeping this up there. :-)
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

:)
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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macsfstop  Pro User  says:

wow. definitely a new favorite group. thanks for putting in so much time here to help us new folks ;)
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

You're welcome!
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Todd | ishootshows.com is a group moderator Todd | ishootshows.com  Pro User  says:

I shoot shows.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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liveon35mm.com says:

is it just me not understanding why all Kathryn messages are just dot and commas?
Originally posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )
Todd | ishootshows.com edited this topic 5 months ago.

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Todd | ishootshows.com is a group moderator Todd | ishootshows.com  Pro User  says:

She's writing in morse code.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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cadd  Pro User  says:

it's a secret code that only us elitists can decipher ;)
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Chad | justshootingconcerts.com  Pro User  says:

You don't understand what she's saying here liveon35mm?

I think her posts in here are borderline brilliant.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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StephenMcleod - burning the candle at both ends  Pro User  says:

"How do I shoot a large festival like Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, ACL Fest, Rock Ness, V-Fest? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4"

part 1 was a topic started by me.

I had an issue with Flickr admins which meant every group post I made has been deleted. You might wanna update it to remove that link, since Flickr have deleted the entire topic.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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cadd  Pro User  says:

we told you not to mess with the Scientologists, Stephen

laughs then realises that may have been why you got deleted, coughs into hand and walks away nervously
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Todd | ishootshows.com is a group moderator Todd | ishootshows.com  Pro User  says:

Thanks, Stephen, I just noticed it before reading this thread. It's taken care of.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Laura | Fotografía is a group administrator Laura | Fotografía says:

So.....why did flickr delete the topic? or is it super top secret and you're not allow to talk about it....
Originally posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )
Laura | Fotografía (a group admin) edited this topic 5 months ago.

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StephenMcleod - burning the candle at both ends  Pro User  says:

Longgg (and ridiculous) story:

In some topic that was full of nonsense and sillyness, I posted a link to "Greatest HDR Image ever" - which was a rickroll - ie, it took you to the video of Rick Astley singing "never gonna give you up" - you had to click the ok button like 40 times to close it.

It fitted with the tone of the thread, but someone objected - reported me, and some Flickr admin pressed the big red button deleting all of my posts.

I complained, and Flickr said I was right, and gave me a big sack of free stuff like longer pro account, free business cards, etc.

There have been rumours of it being done because I have lots of anti-Scientology protest photos, but that's just speculation, I'm sure...
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Laura | Fotografía is a group administrator Laura | Fotografía says:

weird.... although the rick roll bit was funny....don't try it here though, you've been warned...;o) we can all find him on youtube on our own lol
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Please read me!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

I am full of useful info!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

You can learn a lot from reading the FAQs!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Feel free to add new questions to existing threads!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

A lot of interesting topics have already been covered!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

The FAQs cover a variety of topics!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Take advantage of the collective knowledge of this group's members.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

There's lot of advice and tips for "newbies" and "experts" alike!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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gig-shots.com  Pro User  says:

Did you know if you delete your "bump" messages the topic stays bumped? ;o)
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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Roger Krueger  Pro User  says:

So I'm sitting here thinking I should tell them about the deleted-bump thing, and when I scroll to the bottom I see gig-shots beat me to it by a half-hour on a thread that's been being bumped for 10 months. Too funny.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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Kathryn Yu is a group moderator Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Nice to know. Thanks, guys.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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