What has APUG given you?

[Laurent]

APUG brought me a bunch of new friends, energy to try new things (MF, LF...), courage to overcome my shyness and start to show pictures and get critiques...

I also got the great opportunity to have a fellow APUGer be my guide for a full day when I was in Las Vegas (thanks again for this, Dave !)

This is without counting the postcard and print exchanges, of course !

And I'm sure I forget most of what I got back from APUG !

 

[perkeleellinen]

The confidence to attempt printing in colour, the opportunity to buy/sell without worry, and the relief that I'm not the only person in the world spending hours in the dark.

 

[johnnywalker]

Comraderie(sp?). That's the main thing. Being able to shoot the breeze virtually with people who are of like mind when it comes to photography.

Sure, it doesn't help with my NAS, since everyone usually becomes a facilitator when I start thinking about purchasing another piece of gear, but, you gotta take everything, not just cherry pick things, I guess.

-J

Has to be "Cameradery".

Advice, help, ideas, see other's pictures, exchange pictures, news, "meeting" people online, buying & selling, information, the list goes on and on. Don't know what I'd do without my APUG hit.
The downside is the GAS all right. I don't think I'd have near as many cameras if it weren't for APUG.

 

[André E.C.]

APUG gave and gives me the possibility to expand my photographic horizons, to learn from incredible and knowledgeable people, no other place can give so much for so less in exchange.

Subscribe, help to maintain this unique source of knowledge, it's worth every penny and more, you can't get this kind of helpful and healthy enviroment anywhere.

Support the project, subscribe now!

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

APUG has given me:

1. Great friends, I think it's safe to say they will be life long friends.
2. A lust for experimentation.
3. Lith printing.
4. An approach that is much simpler, meaning I have shed a lot of cameras to focus on simplicity and intuitive shooting.
5. An opportunity to share some of the knowledge I have acquired, possibly helping others to create better pictures. That's almost the best part. We have to share our knowledge for it to survive.
6. Double checking what I read here against first source documentation and knowledge. A mantra, basically: "Don't believe everything you read on APUG or elsewhere. Make sure it works for you."

- Thomas

 

[arigram]

... has given me heartache.
Oh, also
APUG has affected my respiratory and olfactory functions since there is so much GAS around here.

 

[Dave in Kansas]

You can add me to the list that does not own a television set. Haven't had one in about 6 years and don't miss it.

APUG no doubt contributed to my GAS and as a result I have expanded my 35mm and medium format assets considerably, and much more than necessary. Only my 4x5 equipment has not increased as a result. Most important is reading and leaning about different films and developing methods, toning, and much, much more. Just tons of useful information here, and such knowledgeable people.

This is my favorite website.

Dave

 

[keithwms]

What APUG has given me is some truly great friends and I hope to make many more great friends in the future.

gene

Agreed.

 

[Vonder]

Swagger.

I adore being able to show my work to the uninitiated and see their jaws drop when my sub-fifty dollar camera produces better, noticably better, images than their $1000 DSLR. It's also made my own digital work much much better - I now know the craft of using light much much better.

It's been said that chess is sea from which a gnat may drink and an elephant may bathe, and APUG is an equally deep sea. You can get, and give, as much as you want.

 

[Moose38]

I'm still new here i'm not 100% yet committed. I'm still checking things out. I understand the subscription thing. But the big banner or notice that won't go away is kind of a slap in the face at the same time. I think you could get the point accross better with out making a potential newbie feel inferior.

 

[Sim2]

APUG to me is a place where even the *daftest* questions I might ask are not shot down in flames, no questions are asked as to why I'm still using this outdated stuff, no *must have* the latest gear to be any good - but sensible and knowledgeable advice on equipment when I have asked, inspirational pictures and people, a wealth of knowledge that I would hope to be able to contribute to (in time) rather than my usual aimless rambles.

An inspiring place to be and watch the world go by :munch: .

 

[Rick A]

An overwhelming desire to meet you all face to face. Some to thank and some to scold, and mostly to just be around people who understand me.

Rick

 

[Sean]

An amazing career! Lifelong friends who have such outstanding character I now feel there might be hope for humanity And there is the wealth of information in the forums. Unfortunately I haven't been able to take advantage of the forums lately because my darkroom is boxed up (trying to sell the house and move further south).

 

[36cm2]

An incredible amount of information for a relative newbie; a breadth and depth of experience I would have never found on my own locally; a place I can learn and laugh simultaneously; and my favorite place to be on the web without a doubt. Thanks to you all --- you are all legends.

 

[Dennis S]

A great place to buy quality equipment. When people here describe an item for sale you can bet that it is better than described, by someone who knows. You really have to watch the description of your purchases from craigslist, eBay, etc. It is also great for tips on purchasing quality products that a photographer needs for prints. The response is good even when you do ask silly questions (not me!)

 

[McFortner]

Enough courage and information to develop my own B/W film. GAS like nobody's business. Lots of new (older) cameras to drool over....

Michael