I’m sorry if my comment sounded critical, I meant no offense. I do like your blog and what you have written. If it weren’t written well and saying interesting things, I never would have read it all the way through to begin with

And as for the “magazine”: http://www.collectivelens.com

That’s why I fav and run

I seriously need to drop that habit though…

I love your insight and strive to be as elaborate as you are. Sometimes, I hate myself for just saying, “Nice shot!” Then again, when a photo looks that good, what more can you say?

Firstly I referenced the image because I see contacts as a connected web of inpisration. Often I’ve found contacts through other contacts that I’ve added. I belive that close contact should be maintained between you and your contacts. In turn, close contact will allow you to develop your technique with guidance from others who share similar interests and aspirations.

At no point have I mentioned the context of the professional photographer as I believe that flickr offers a different sense of interaction for such people – an area in which I have no experience. As you rightly point out, contact devlopment on a professional level is crucial in terms of survival later on down the track. I won’t deny that contacts made on flickr may eventuate in the rise of your career.

However. This post was written from a user perspective under the guise of a writing project for Epic Edits, as linked above. My “About” section states that this blog serves as my interaction with life through my photography and does not imply in any way that I wish to use my work in a professional sense. Checking my latest images on flickr will also reveal that all recent uploads are licenced under Creative Commons not for profit. Admittedly I may have needed to be more explicit about this.

The post was intended to be a slightly satirical piece in the vein of a Dr. Phil or Oprah plea, in that a frustrated amatuer photograper is looking for ways in which they can best use flickr to develop their photography. I have merely offered my singular opinion, and as with all aspects of life, including my advice regarding contacts, people are welcome to treat it as they please. I do stand behind my recomendations, as by adding thousands of contacts, interaction on a regular basis soon becomes a mammoth task that often gets passed up for other more enjoybale aspects of life. Not only that, the insipiring contacts often get swamped by the less insipiring.

I must disagree with you on one more point. Your photos on flickr don’t suck – I quite like the windmill and your bridge shots. At a later time I plan to visit your stream in more depth and give it the attention it deserves.

I’m also curious about the magazine. Any chance of more information?