NGS posting turns REAL UGLY ! What to do ? URGENT PSE

An hour or two ago, I posted a thread on a forthcoming National Geographic Traveler assignment that I'm really pleased about and it was so nice to get some very pleasant responses from folk at the Cafe.

Now for a REWIND... About two weeks ago, I did what I shouldn't have done. I posted a faintly political response to a thread over at the Olympus Forum at DP Review on the rights of photographers in the US. The thread author had indicated that she had had some trouble taking candids and had been questioned. Others have posted similar stories in recent times and I find it disturbing. In particular, I was disturbed about issues around the press in the wake of New Orleans and my response was a bit overly emotional, but on DPR emotions can run high sometimes.

In retrospect, my post was wrong in terms of posting it in that forum, and serves as a lesson that we need to be paranoid about what we say and to whom. It was however no different in content to similar postings in the same thread - you can read it all here http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=15351212 if you want and I trust that my freedom to express my view doesn't offend anyone, and I'm sorry in advance if it does.

BACK to present
I get this email a few minutes ago from one "john john" with the address [email protected]

It reads as follows : I am sure my connection at the NGS trustee's office will find your recent post interesting.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=15351212

I already sent them a PDF.

No need to thank me


Wow, there are some really spiteful people in the world ! I SINCERELY hope that this person is NOT a member of the Cafe, as I will have no option but to resign my membership if that is the case. I do feel deeply hurt and concerned about this.

I have replied to him as follows : So, what’s the big deal ? That post is nothing to be ashamed of, it’s not anti-anything except the right to the individual freedoms which your forefathers fought for. Or did you not learn that at school.

Perhaps you are too dumb to understand that; it’s certainly not anti-American, just anti the rights that people have lost to take the pictures that some of the great American photographers took in last few decades.

Besides, I’m sure that NGS has more intelligence than that in choosing photographers. Now listen up, why don’t you send them this mail as well.

Sad that society is full of creeps like you, I doubt anyone from the NGS would listen to someone with your addled brain.

And, furthermore, if you are not careful, I’ll have my US agent seek legal action against you once your email address has been traced.


Gosh, hope these kinds of ugly people and messages don't start affecting our forum.

What should I do if anything?

Peter B

 

Unfortunately, Mike, the ONLY place I posted about this forthcoming assignment was at the Cafe. Which means someone, probably a guest, could only have read it here, nowhere else.

Sad.

 

Thanks to everyone. I don't want this discussion to get political, cos then it can easily get ugly. I just really felt troubled by the response from who was obviously a Cafe guest, and was seeking advice. I'd hate to be judged on a simple viewpoint that was simplistic at the time. Having lived in South Africa where freedom has been crushed for decades and decades, I simply, as a working photographer felt that I would hate to see my freedom to express my craft limited. I'm sorry that these discussions can so easily overflow into politics, but these things are clearly quite sensitive right now, not only in the US but in many parts of the world.

I'd like to thank everyone who participated most sincerely for their advice. This discussion is NOT about politics but IS what to do when faced by a creep who could influence my working career.

Finally, it's a reminder to everyone, myself especially, then in such sensitive times, it may be prudent to keep some opinions to oneself, as I should have done at DPR.

Clearly, what one writes or says can have a wider influence and is not just lost in virtual space. This has been a real lesson to me, even if my feelings have been hurt somewhat, and perhaps I have hurt those of others.

It's sad but true to say that the issues that effect working photographers who are in the field of covering documentary and social issues will always attract attention as they are bound up with the issues of the day.

In future, I will keep such views well away from forums and debate them only with colleagues on a face to face basis.

Please let's not get this thread banned by getting into a political debate. Views on how to deal with creeps are most welcome, however!

Thanks all.

 

Oh my word - you are a genius

Chris, you are a genius...how do you manage to do these things ?

There are some really crazy people out there. I suppose in a virtual world we can all pretend to be anything we want and assume any identity that we choose. Just like I'm sure that some of the real "troll" posters who are anti Nikon at another well known forum have probably never done more than seen a camera through a shop window.

I'm truly amazed at your ability to find these things out. Basically I was up all last night trying to calm down and find out who this person was.

Well thanks, what a relief. I wish I could actually thank you in person - and yes - NO politics, EVER EVER in capital letters and in a 140 point ultra bold font.

Best

Peter

 

Gail, you are of course 100 percent right. I don't know why I (many of us) go there either.

And while I'm not a gearhead, I feel strong brand loyalty to Nikon. Why...well as I gaze over my much worn and loved Nikkormats and my F2 -- well, Nikon has been a part of my life for nearly 30 years. I think of all the places I've been and the images I've shot.

I really want Nikon to succeed in this new era and I feel an almost driving compulsion (which is in rational terms, madness) to do my part to correct all the misinformation that is perpetrated.

I suppose I worry that given the number of newbie and prospective consumers that visit DPR, some of the garbage that is posted may influence the perception of Nikon in the marketplace. Take for example, all the mis-information about the D2H, a camera which I got some of my best work from btw.

It wouldn't surprise me if manufacturers used these forums to their own marketing advantage using perhaps a guerilla approach.

But yes, getting involved at DPR is all madness.