My final post to DP Reviews, and a tip of the hat to Big Joe

Fun with DP Reviews? Done with DP Reviews.

I Googled my name recently (something I'd suggest any photographer do, by the way...) and came on a thread here at DP Review, now deleted, where I was being accused of using the identities Pixel Vaughmutt, WalterSobchak, SamuelElliott, and some ID he calls "Leaky". I just want to say, pure and simple, I've never, since I've joined this forum in 2002, used any name but the name shown here, and for a very simple reason. I firmly believe that if you have something to say, stand up and say it, and don't hide behind a fake or anonymous identity.

It's called accountability.

Along with these accusations were also accusations of spamming, something I also abhor, and, although I will link to other work I've done, my measure of a good post is to make a contribution to the forum, create a discussion that stays on the page, and contribute to the community. One of the last threads I started had over 100 contributions. Every group I'm on has different levels of what they consider acceptable, and I work very hard to stay within those limits. Being associated with these other identities is, at the very least, an insult to every effort I've made on this group. (I will admit, my last post here, I think, was a link directly to my Lady Gaga Polaroid video on my H2H blog- I simply didn't see any way to post the vid here, and, gee. I thought it was funny.)

I'll accept, and live within the decisions of the moderator on this group, but don't think for a minute that I will not stand up for anything I've posted here, and that I feel I need to hide behind some fake identity. Google my name, Ted Dillard, if you want to know who I am, what I'm doing, what I've done and what I stand for.

The member who accused me has no basis for this accusation other than his suspicions and coincidences. He actually said to me "Do make sure you can actually prove something a comment is slander though, before making that accusation in a public forum." (sic) Apparently that's more important to him than making sure the slander is founded in fact. Of course, his own profile is linked to a website that hasn't been updated since 2002 and there's no information on who he is or what he does. He's effectively anonymous, and I consider his comments in that context. Worthless. His behavior in this matter would have got him banned from any other forum I participate in.

I joined this group a long time ago to try to make a contribution to the digital photography community. I've taught many classes, given many workshops and clinics, written 4 books, maintain my own site and work on the H2H site for the basic reason that I'd like to give back to something I love, Photography, and help others love it too. The pathetic level of trolling, sniping and simple ignorant and asinine behavior on the DPR forums is astounding, and these accusations are the lowest point I've seen. When some member with nothing more than vague allegations can assault my name and reputation with no sense of accountability, and this is accepted by the community, it's time to move on.

My very first post at DPR was this, about DNG files, and turned into the worst thread of trolling and sniping I've ever seen, anywhere. Here's that link.

I wish I could say it's gone up from there... didn't think it could get worse.

I will say I've gotten to know, and corresponded with several great people I've "met" here, and I'm thankful for that... but enough's enough.

Ted

...by the way, it'd sure be swell if Pixel Vaughmutt, WalterSobchak, Leaky and SamuelElliott stand up and speak for themselves. ...but that's probably too much to expect from this stand-up group.

I've got to add. I'm really active on ElMoto.net, an electric motorcycle enthusiast group, and it is simply astounding to me the level of civility there. It's also amazing how little they tolerate spamming, trolling and sniping- even simple lack of manners and professionalism, and don't forget this is a group of, essentially, hobbyists. After a few months of being in that community, the Photo forum community is, well, an embarrassment, and I have to ask why that is. What is it about photography that makes people think it's alright to act like asses?

badge of Honor

Dear ted w dillard,

This is notification that you have been temporarily banned from the dpreview.com forums

Nice to see Phil holding to form.



(hmmmm. you think he's noticed that h2hreviews has, in 5 months, got to a page rank of 5? oh, maybe and that we actually REVIEW products? and don't LIKE some even though they are sponsors? ...just sayin.)

My response:

My apologies... I thought the threads I was starting, such as the MFDB vs DSLR thread, were making a significant contribution to your discussions, at over 100 comments. I've been making a concerted effort to keep valuable discussion here, while adding additional information through links to my other work, but I'm sorry you feel this was "promoting" my site.

I'll refrain in the future. Is my signature also objectionable? I don't want that construed as promotion either...

Ted

Private messages from the forums...

I'm pretty active on most of the forums and groups, as you may know. DP Review, Luminous Landscapes, PhotoNet, the Adobe support forums, a couple of LinkedIn groups. For the most part, it generally resembles a fairly tame, and respectful discussion. Sometimes, it's more of a bar-room brawl.

This link was my first real post on DP Review, discussing DNG files. ...kind of lost interest after that. I posted link to a discussion about the IPA previously... and Luminous Landscape is always interesting, especially when Jeff Schewe goes off on someone (so far, not me).

I'd generally say that I get as much out of these as I put into them, and I always try to make some kind of constructive contribution. It does, however, get ugly sometimes, understandably. My sense of humor has always bit me in the butt occasionally, and I call things as I see them. Sometimes that doesn't go well. Imagine walking into Grand Central Station and walking up to a perfect stranger and making a joke about his tie. Ah well...

Anyway, as a caution to those out there joining in the fray, here's a sample of some of the private messages I've received. Fun stuff.


You just won't give up will you. It has now become personal and all bets are off.

I am like a pit bull and will come after you at any cost should you cross that line and believe me, you have only seen my nice side.

I have the ability and resources to stop you if need be, so keep this in mind. This is not a threat it is a promise.

Just remember I will be watching what you say and my Yale Law attorney who you seem to think has no clue about you and what you are up to, has no problem working you over if need be.

Remove the posting on * * * .com and confirm you will refrain from any other slanderous and untrue postings on the internet and I will drop it.

I can tell you my attorney has been sent all the information this morning. His name is * * * in New York and you can see his resume if you like at http://www.* * *

If you truly want to find peace in your life and stop this once and for all, call me or I can call you and lets see if we can come to a simple understanding.

I just came upon what I and my attorney consider slanderous comments you made on the http://www.* * * web site.

You have really stepped over the line with your rants and outrageous comments.


You gotta love it when it gets personal, too:

You are truly a troubled guy that has wasted my time and yours with this relentless banter.

Is that what you do now that you don't have a real job? (ed note: shhh... don't tell my boss, please.)

Are you so frustrated with the money you earn on the three books you published that I noticed no one on any site has reviewed? (ed note: a-HEM) Or is it the frustration that comes from your part time gig as a teacher in college? (ed note: ...it's called "Adjunct Professor")

You look a bit disheveled in your FB photo so I see that life must be dealing you a hard blow.

(awww, come on now, it's a picture of a sock monkey on FB... don't pick on the sock monkey.)




THIS one was actually my favorite- posted by someone who was a "friend", over my removing a controversial quote, his quote, from my website:

Look.. at this point, as far as I'm concerned...it's a simple proposition.. I simply asked you to provide the screenshot of the original version of your website that I need, and can no longer access.. because you have removed it.

I just figured that would be simpler.. and easier (and much less expensive) than my only other alternative; which is to subpoena both you and your publisher for a deposition. Make no mistake about it.. I will do that, if I have to.



Interestingly, and kind of like a big, disfunctional family, often through persistance and patience, and humor (from everybody involved), you emerge from a thread with a clear understanding, and respect, for "opponents" in a discussion, as here... a post on Lightstalkers about B/W conversion I saw at the outset of my research for B/W Pipeline. My biggest lesson learned from that one? Don't post when you're in a foul mood with no patience. Heh.

Probably the best advice I can give is to sit on the sidelines, read the posts, learn the audience and understand the forum culture before diving in... That, and of course, read Clay Shirky's book. At least watch his video, to understand the sociology of the internets. I think I've probably sold more of his books that my own.

Anyway, there's the ugly. There's plenty good and bad, but it's not for the timid. (...and it helps you sleep at night to have a badass lawyer for a personal friend... well, that, and a sock monkey.)