I HAVE TO GET THIS OFF MY CHEST

There's something that's bothering me about the online photography community that I want to get off my chest. I know I can't control how people behave but I think this is worth opening a discussion about.

Don't feed the trolls.

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Ted Forbes
The Art of Photography
2830 S. Hulen, Studio 133
Fort Worth, TX 76109
USA

My name is Ted Forbes and I make videos about photography. I’ve been making photographs most of my life and I have a tremendously deep passion for photography that I want to share with you on YouTube.

The Art of Photography is my channel and I produce photography videos to provide a 360 degree look into the world of making images. We all want to get better so lets do this together!

I make videos covering famous photographers, photography techniques, composition, the history of photography and much more.

I also have a strong community of photographers who watch the show and we frequently do social media challenges for photographers to submit their own work. I feature the best and most interesting on the show when we do these so come check it out and get involved!

[PeterMcKinnon]

Ultimately, people that troll, spread negativity, hate - it's all they have to contribute. These people don't know how else to join the discussion then to join in with whatever will get them attention. It's really to bad that the internet has created this vail of 'anonymity' that gives a sense of entitlement for people that choose to troll. Be the good and do you - You did JUST that with sharing wonderful advice to an aspiring photographer and I am sure he was over the moon with your thoughtful response. :)

[RoshanRavi]

Ted, just wanted to say this: You are one of the very few channels I watch and get inspired every time. The way you have stayed on point and not giving into the negative comments over all these years that i have followed you (4 years, i think) is just remarkable. I'll take your advice over anyone else in the photography community. Not just photography, I think your advice is relevant to any career one wants to pursue.

I am 36 years old. I made a career in UX Designing for 14 years and worked with some of the biggest brands in the world despite being a self-taught designer with no formal education in Design or Technology. I was doing accounting degree and decided not to pursue a career in accounting because my passion was in Design and Art. My parents also didn't have the money to send me to a design school which was expensive and difficult to get into at the time (it still is). Now I do training for designers and UX professionals for corporates. Because I followed my passion and quit the job I wasn't meant to. I can totally relate to what you are saying.

People will do anything to get views for their web pages and content these days. Even if that means unnecessarily sensationalizing content. Disagreements and calling names are easier ways to get noticed. Let them employ these cheap tricks all they want, but you have built an amazing community of creative people with this channel. And, I thank you for that and everything else you do, Ted.

[godeepmudmedia]

I believe giving the advice to follow your dreams is absolutely spot on. My daughter is looking into colleges she is interested in attending and I give her the same advice. Choose a degree program that is in line with your dreams. I always tell her to follow her dreams and to dream big.

[israelseguragonzalez]

As a counselor, all I can say is that your advice was a very good advice. I know people that don't follow their dreams and their vocation, follow the money, and when they are old, have a vocational crisis. For mental health, I completely agree with you. And, yes, we need to take seriously talking about this topics with kids. They need to be treated like human beings, not like puppies. Adultcentrism is bad for young people and for old people.

[TimRex]

I am almost fourteen and I took photos since I was little, and it is definitely a passion. My dream would be to become a filmmaker or photographer, and your advices and thoughts on that topic really helped me. I also believe that you can become whatever you want if you love what you are doing and you believe in it. Thanks Ted!

[tonyrobinson]

Ted, I'm 61 and have always loved photography although I'm rubbish at it, when I was 13 or 14 it was a big passion and the black plastic box that was my camera was always in my hands, but like I said I was rubbish at it, at 18 I became a fire fighter and for over 20 years that's what I did and I was good at it, I still took photographs because I loved photography but I was rubbish at it, now I'm 61 and I still love photography, I still take photos and I'm still rubbish at it but I don't care, photography gives me a link to my past, a contact with the family and friends and places and other random things I photographed over the years, no words any one could write or say would diminish the joy I get from photography, so keep doing what you do Ted, keep giving good advice to young and old alike, keep setting the challenge, keep setting the bar, keep the joy alive, and I'll keep taking rubbish photos.

[espressoeva]

Having more than twelve years of experience moderating several forums I can tell you that moderation is the best thing for keeping trolls at bay. Most moderators are bad at their job - they let the topic get out of control and then close it. That's so easy. But I used to help each original poster keep the topic on its tracks, no matter how silly the topic was. In result, more people were encouraged to open topics and discuss things they found interesting. And trolls were discouraged and left the forum leaving only kind and helping people.
To do this job successfully, it takes a person who is not conceited. And unfortunately many moderators are.
Youtube is similar. Not many channel owners do this but when you see someone's trolling, just don't give them that chance as a channel owner. You'll make your channel better for the majority of normal people.

[kaysha]

The internet comment section has become so toxic. Sometimes, I see something beautiful and the comment section makes me regret...
Too many fanboys, hateboys, insultboys, idea facists, etc...
I am online to learn, enjoy, help others, take and give back...
And I value those who are the same way and block the rest
❤

[OperationBlueprint]

Ted, I'm so grateful that I stumbled upon this community last year. Thank you for being a positive pioneering voice in photography. You might think you're old but you've got a young spirit. You're the only channel I have enabled the little notification bell on because I know that when I click I'm going to watch wonderfully informative and entertaining content because you're passionate about what you do. Thanks again, keep up the great work. 🌲

[derekjavaphotog]

Teaching at the community college level, I am in front of students who are really clawing at society seeking meaning and a way up. I ALWAYS tell them to follow their dreams.

Ted... you are an inspiration. Thoughtful and insightful. Thanks for getting that off your chest, and thanks even more for inspiring so many!

[robbmcdonough]

I was asked to speak at a middle school about being a photographer and when asked "what camera do you use"...I had to stop and remember I once asked that same question and was grateful when the person answered.

So when someone asks you that question...don't roll your eyes...smile and tell them the camera you use. Don't be a dick!

The internet has made it way too easy for some people to be dicks!

[simongroome]

I've never posted any comment on YouTube before, but feel I should now. I watched your video earlier today, and was most impressed with the advice you gave. I even mentioned the video to others for the sole reason that I thought your comments were concise and perfect for a 14 year old who you didn't personally know. Now I see this video, and just hope that you have got it "off your chest". Keep up the great work. I doubt many trolls could tell their art from their elbow.

[SirRoundsoundRecords]

dude.. you're alright but don't waste your game. Refocus on the positive; you're doing great, you've enlightened the kid with the photography virus and you've drawn a bigger crowd to enjoy the world of photography. Keep it up!

[vincentlepes]

I'm going to shake your hand one day.

[briansteeves]

Hi Ted.
You are absolutely correct when telling ANYONE to follow their dreams. I am a father and a grandfather and I've always told each of my children and grandchildren: "If you want to dance then dance."

I wrote a reply to that young person telling him to folllow his dreams and I included a note to his parents that they perhaps should reconsider their decision to not let their son buy the camera. I received a long 'thank you' from the young boy. I don't know if he has the camera or not.

Your honesty is refreshing.
Keep up the good work and I will keep watching.

Regards,
Brian

[joshuamartinstudios]

I used to get so angry with trolls that spread negativity. But now I've learned to smile and respond thoughtfully. Just as you said Ted, we don't know what baggage they are carrying. It is tough, be we should all take the high road when the opportunity shows itself. Thank you for your inspiration Ted, I consider you one of my mentors ever since I started photography 8 years ago.

[MrDioneu]

Hi Ted, from where I'm standing you've been doing a very honest and valuable job here. I have a saying that goes like: if advice were a sure thing, they'd be sold and not given. What you said to the youngster in question was, in my opinion, noble.
As far as trolls are concerned....well, you've got one (along with lots like him) running your country, right now.! In such dire times, art can help us cope with the gloom. Photography has a big part on that coping. People like you make it an even bigger part. Feels nice to know you're there, doing what you do. Thks a million.

[WZ]

Stay positive, and motivate others when possible, especially the younger generation.. I'm 52 and still try to follow my dream :)

[appelsmic]

Another quote for this situation, from the first paragraph of the Great Gatsby-
"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. 'Whenever you feel like criticizing any one, ” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.' "

[cheralynn]

I'm so grateful to have this channel and all the input you offer through it! I'm seeing photography with fresh eyes due to the intelligence, thoughtfulness, and intellectual insights you offer with your shows. I'm finding plenty of other people online as well who are sharing really beautiful works, answering questions and helping me learn. As for trolls, unfortunately they're abundant in all walks of life. My husband is a computer engineer and sees plenty of their comments at work and in forums too. I see it on a regular basis as a dog trainer. I think it comes down to a maturity problem more than anything. Some people run around with verbal scissors and don't play well with others. With people living on the net and in their heads more and more these days, the lack of real-life experience and face-to-face interactions with others is catching up with us as a society.