We have a lot of enthusiastic Mentors and wannabe Mentees! Great stuff!
I think to start off with we should keep this as simple as possible! If we all find that it is really working well and everyone is keen we can build in all those specific elements and wishes that you all mentioned in the first thread. Who knows, if it really works out we could even ask Ross for a function to show which members are Mentors - rather like on Trip Advisor where there are location specialists. But one thing at a time...
Below is a list of people who have offered their services as Mentors (thanks so much!)
Anyone wishing to be mentored can go through the list, look at some of the Mentors' projects and contact them directly - asking them to be their Mentor. When doing this I would recommend you discuss your expectations/wishes both from a content point of view and a commitment/time point of view with your prospective Mentor. The Mentor can then commit or decline. Should the Mentor decline for whatever reason, don't be discouraged wannabe-mentees - just go and ask another Mentor. Once you have your Mentor stick with them (maybe for an agreed amount of time, which can always be extended if both parties are happy?) and build up a strong Mentor/Mentee relationship.
Personally I think it would be a good idea to just start off by asking for healthy and constructive critique on your shots. This will automatically lead on to "how to questions" which hopefully the Mentor will be able to answer. If your Mentor can't answer specific questions he might know another Mentor who can, or alternatively the Mentee can go back to the Mentor list and ask someone else (as a one off question).
Further down the line - one step at a time!
If we see that this turns out to be working for all concerned we can then set up a comprehensive Mentor Bank i.e. with listings about which equipment the Mentors use, what their areas of expertise are etc etc. I would be happy to organise this further down the line, but let's get started with healthy, helpful critique and questions and answers to/from the Mentors as they arise first. I will come back in say a month's time and ask everyone how it is panning out - then I will have a much better feel for if this is going to work; if the interest remains consistent and if the considerable time investment in organisation really makes sense.
A lot of those willing to be Mentors have said that they would also like to be Mentored - no problem - just go and ask one of the Mentors on the list.
Is that all OK?
So here are the volunteer Mentors (in no particular order):
Wow - already over 20 Mentors for you lucky Mentees to contact and I am sure the list will grow further.
Some house keeping points:
You want to contact a Mentor?
Please contact the person you would like to have as a Mentor directly on their project! That way you will be sure they get the message. You can duplicate your request here if you would like to.
So no one takes offence:
I have noticed in the past that some people take umbrage when they see a comment offering critique on someone's post (they seem to be offended on the Poster's behalf). It might be a good idea if the Mentors start or end their comments on their Mentee's posts with "Mentor's Critique" or "Requested Critique" or something like that.
Identifying yourself as a Mentor:
It would be good if the Mentors would add the information that they are a Mentor to their own project profiles. Here they could already outline their areas of expertise etc (until we set up - and in addition to - the comprehensive Mentor Bank). Perhaps also add a link to this thread so that anyone who doesn't know what it is all about can come and find out here.
Email Contact between Mentor/Mentee:
This is entirely up to the Mentor whether or not he/she would like to give out their email address. If yes, fine. If not, there is no reason that the contact cannot be shared on the projects. Tip - you can always go back and use an old posting as a commenting/contact sheet.
Would you like to offer your services as a Mentor?
Anyone reading this who would like to become a Mentor - the more the better - just contact me Linda @happysnap (I usually drop in there a couple of times a week) or @se7en (guaranteed every Monday). Don't fret if I don't answer immediately, I am not a daily poster this year, but I will get back to you.
I hope I haven't forgotten anyone - just give me a shout!
Remember - this is just the kick-off session - let's KEEP IT SIMPLE TO START WITH and grow with it! We can add as we go along and gain experience. It is impossible to please all the people all the time, but I hope this start-off version will motivate you and work out for you all.
Linda
After thought:
I'd love to know if and when, who teams up with who, so unless its a secret ;-), share your newly found Mentor teams with us here too...
@happysnap Thank you for organising this. I think it's a great idea. Since we are already following each other and I love your photography I would really appreciate it if you would consider mentoring me. I wouldn't necessarily expect you to comment on every shot, just some critique or suggested improvements where you think it is required.
@dh It would be my pleasure Delena! If it is OK with you I will kick off with my first humble critique tomorrow! We can also exchange some thoughts on time scale, details etc etc. Until then. Linda
Really think this is a good idea and hope I can help someone/some people. More than happy to swap an email address to help the mentoring process so don't be shy come on forward and I firmly believe we can all learn. 365 has been good to me and I think people have enjoyed the London Meets which are always good to put a face to a name.
@bsheppard Good question Beth! I will add this point to the housekeeping section above. My feeling would be - each Mentee can ask their prospective Mentor if they would be comfortable about sharing email addresses. So it is up to each individual Mentor.
@happysnap Excellent coordination! I probably should've added, when I first mentioned my photo club's mentoring offering, that I myself mentor people on composition, and teach a short session on it around town at various venues (libraries, other photo clubs, etc.). So you can add me to the list of mentors when convenient. If people want advice on how their Nikon or Canon cameras work I will be no help -- I happily shoot with Sony gear -- but as someone who has worked in publishing all her life and evaluates and selects images for publication on an almost daily basis, I have an eye for what makes a good photo. (Or so I'm told...)
@bsheppard people have made a comment on an old photo of mine . I have responded then deleted the comment with the email address on it. Having said that I have created an email address that is only used for my 365 contacts.
@kathyboyles Thank you Kathy. I will add you to the list. I suggested that the mentees contact the mentors directly on the mentor's project. But keep an eye on your notifications in case someone tries to contact you via this thread.
Linda, I must comment you on this excellent initiative - what a great way to share knowledge and learn and improve. And must say it is a superb list of mentors you have there - I interact with quite a few of them as friends on my project (including you) and there is so much they can offer - each worthy of admiration. Although I can offer few tips etc. to relative beginners, I still think I need a lot of "focused" learning myself. I am going to add myself as a "mentee" to your list.
Fabulous idea Linda, can you plese include me in the mailing list for further postings? Naughty peak from work so will check the menors this evening :)
@happysnap Hi Linda, I've been up to my ears with some other local projects that I give a hand with so I've only just seen this post... at 3.00am! I'm still very much a novice at this photo stuff and wouldn't dream of commenting on the artistic merit of anyone's work, but I have a good grasp, I think, of the technical aspects of photography, so if anyone wants/needs a hand with that, I would be willing to help.
Thank you for organizing this initiative. I am totally excited by the possibility of working with a mentor and would like to be added to future conversations about this.
Fantastic, thanks so much for this @happysnap, when I'm near my computer (on my silly phone at the moment) I'll be going through to see if anyone would like to be my mentor. This is awesome!
I would also like to ask if a mentor would like to choose me! Maybe theres something in my work they think could help me improve on. It's so hard choosing a mentor because all their work is amazing!
Linda, what a great service you've provided! I did agree to mentor a few who contacted me and wrote a very long note to suggest how we might do it as there are four of us in total (including me). The main thing that worries me as a mentor is that I don't feel like an expert, just a more experienced 365er based on a year and a half of experience -- a drop in the bucket compared to those on the site who are professionals, who do workshops, know photoshop and other processing programs well, understand the technology of cameras, lighting, etc. That said, having the list and knowing who we might go to if we get questions from our mentees is going to be very valuable! As this evolves, if there's a way to keep an updated thread of people with particular expertise, that could be very helpful. Too complicated for where we are starting out, but useful for the future.
If you're interested, here is the link to the photo thread where I suggested some ideas for "my" little mentoring group: http://365project.org/taffy/365/2014-06-03
@happysnap Linda, this is an amazing initiative and you have put so much work and thought into it, well done you and thank you so much. It is so fulfilling to mentor someone.
Happy mentoring:0)
@happysnap Thanks for all the hard work in arranging this. I am hoping to follow Taffy's @taffy group and learn along the way. I will also be watching out for others comments and critique on their shots which is what I do already - it always pays to read everyones input!!
I would like to repeat what Jackie said about perhaps a mentor picking me if they would like to. I can't pick as all the mentors are so amazing. If anyone feels they might like to mentor me that would be great. I have a Nikon D3100. Thanks Diane
Update, someone has kindly offered to be my mentor, thank you so much. I hope this works out for everyone, it is yet another sign of what a wonderful community 365 is!
@padlock Thank you for the offers of help Padlock - much appreciated! This time round it was just a question of thinking it out, taking the input on board and then typing it all out. But if the mentoring system really takes off as we hope it will and we set up a Mentor bank, I might well get back you on that offer of help!
Enjoy the experience, I see you are already set up with an enthusiastic mentee. Great stuff.
@vignouse Wow Richard, that is 365 commitment at 3am! Very happy to put you on the list of Mentors - I am sure you will offer great support. I always enjoy reading your well thought out comments on mine and other people's posts. Hope you enjoy the experience. I've only just started mentoring and already feel it is going to be very enriching for me too.
@taffy Hi Taffy, I completely understand about the putting yourself out there as an "expert" - it took some surmounting for me too. But you hit the nail on the head - it is not about being expert it is about being in a position to offer some tips and advice from the perspective of having some experience and knowledge in certain areas. This is invaluable for someone with less experience or just start out with photography. The fact that at least 3 have asked you to be their Mentor should also tell you a lot - people like your work and style and feel they could learn something from you - just perfect! Thanks for the link - I read it with delight - sounds like you and your team are all going to benefit from this and I hope you enjoy the exchange and the experience. Yes, totally agree, if this does turn out to be in demand then we really need to set up a solid Mentor bank with all the details of skill sets etc. Let's hope it goes that far. I will be keeping an eye on things and will ask you all for your feedback on the experience in about a months time. In the meantime enjoy and thanks for taking part.
@dianeburns@padders Hi Diane and Luke, if you really can't pick a mentor and you would like to "advertise" for one here then it might be a good idea to list all the mentors in your comment (their @ addresses) - that way they will see that they have been mentioned specifically in the thread via their notifications and you will have more chance of one of them approaching you. If you don't have luck that way, do rethink and approach some of them directly. Hope this helps.
@happysnap Linda, many thanks for setting this up! I just accepted 3 people to mentor, which is my personal limit (due to other projects). You may want to put a note beside my name since I won't be able to accept any other people ( at least during this first round). ;)
@kass Thanks for the feedback Kass. That is great news. Hope you all enjoy the experience and thanks for offering your services. Yeah, will put a note next to your name.
Hi Mentors - if you find you have reached your full capacity with the amount of Mentees you already have let me know and I will put a note next to your name on the list. This will mean that you don't have to keep turning down future requests. Thanks again for your willingness to offer your valuable support! Much appreciated.
Linda
@padlock Yes please, I would really appreciate that. I would really like to improve my photography so any comments or suggestions would be gratefully received. Thanks.
@happysnap Linda, no one has responded. I did put in my intro that I wanted someone with an ipad because I use a lot of apps and can help them with the challenges. I said any kind of camera but a beginner. I would like one mentee. Kathy
@kmrtn6 Hi Kylie. Here's where we are so far on the mentoring group, which also includes @PamKnowler -- why don't you read through and see if this fits what you are looking for. We're probably hitting capacity, but as long as each of us is responsible for commenting on one another's photos in a constructively critical way, and if we can agree on how we want to go about doing it, I think it can work with you joining it. http://365project.org/taffy/365/2014-06-03
@happysnap Hi - This is a brilliant idea of yours. Thank you again for all the work you've done to set it up. I've been contacted and am incredibly flattered. I'll let you know how it goes.
@jocasta That's great and you are welcome Joy. I thank you for the support! Yeah, always interested to hear how it is going. Hope you enjoy the experience. I am sure your Mentee will get a lot out of it. Actually, I am sure you will both get a lot out of it!
Hi @happysnap. Thanks for setting this up. A couple of people have contacted me which is very flattering and I'm very happy to help them as far as I can; I think we might try a kind of mutual critique thing and see how that works. I'm also going to contact someone myself to possibly mentor me. I think that's probably all I can manage at the moment. I'll let you know how it goes.
I am definitely at a point where I would appreciate some constructive criticism and direction. It really does help to have someone open your eyes to different possibilities. Great initiative @happysnap.
That being said I also feel that I could offer support and advice to beginner photographers to get them going on their project if anyone was interested.
@happysnap Linda, great idea and thanks for taking the time to organize this. As Taffy and others mentioned, I'm no expert but do have experience in some parts of photography being in 365 for over 3 years albeit with gaps. I'd be glad to be a mentor and would also be interested in getting critique from more experienced people here. I will be able to help beginners and I might have something to share in portraits and editing departments.
@rachelwithey OK Rachel, thanks for letting me know. I will put a note next to your name that you are fully booked for the time being. Thanks for the support on this. I hope you enjoy the experience!
Wow Linda thank you so much for starting this. I would love to have a Mentor for at least this month as I have decided to step outside my comfort zone (macro/close up of flowers) and do landscape photography, mainly around water. I also use a canon 60d that I have only had for a couple of months. I would also be happy to mentor someone new to photography who would like help with macro/close up of flowers. Please contact me if you can help me or I can help you.
Thank you Meredith. The best thing to do is look through the Mentor list and some of the Mentor's projects and see if there is someone in particular you would like to have as a Mentor and then contact them directly and ask. If you would like a Mentor to "find" you then perhaps add all the Mentor's user names (@ names) to your comment here and they will see that they have been mentioned in your comment and perhaps contact you.
Thank you for offering to mentor - I will add you to the list now. Hope you enjoy the experience.
Brilliant idea Linda - am off to look at the mentors now and see if I can find someone to help me out. Thanks for organising all of this, you have done a fab job.
@padlock can you offer to support as well, as per our last text on my page as I could do with a Canon user for extra guidance. I will give you my email if you agree - thanks
@happysnap Thank you so much for organising this. It is a large part of what the project is about - these great and experienced photographers sharing their knowledge and encouragement.
@callymazoo hi Cally not a problem for me. Email address is padlock365@hotmail.co.uk. Can I ask where is north of England !! Te he just being nosey presume it is further up than Watford Gap?
@happysnap I currently have picked up 4 which is brilliant. May be best to say full for the time being . Don't want to but common sense must prevail if I am to try and help.
@happysnap Hello! I've picked up 2 mentees just now and think that's probably my capacity at the moment but I'll give you a shout if something else changes and I can take on anyone else. Thanks again for organising all of this!
@mei_photography sounds great Mei! I am sure you will all get a lot out of it. I have noted that you are booked up for now on the list. Enjoy and I will look forward to hearing how you all get on. Thanks, Linda
@iqscotland Thankyou! I have added your name to the mentor list. Keep your eye on the comments here as some people search for a mentor that way. But hopefully someone will contact you directly.
@happysnap Linda, great idea and thank you for organising this. I'm so sad because you are fully booked at the moment. I love your photography and would love to be mentored by you
@padders@dianeburns@truechicknz@callymazoo
If you already don't would be useful if we all followed each other. We can then all see what is going on. Hope you agree and enjoy
@padlock@padders@dianeburns@truechicknz Happy to do that. Golly I am blown away by the talent on here. One of you I had been contemplating following anyway so great, and to see the work of the others whom I have not seen before. learnt from your lenses Luke and wish I had got them.
Hi @janim would you mind mentoring me? I really admire your photos, I would love to learn how you get your ideas and receive some honest feedback. my email address is andrewkruatgmail.com
@summerfield There isn't a list of mentees. If you would like to be mentored look through the projects of some of the mentors (listed above), choose one that appeals to you and then go and ask them directly on their project if they have capacity to mentor you. If they decline, for whatever reason, then move on to the next one and ask.
I will tag you in on future posts on this subject.
Hope this helps.
@trishaclancy Love your photos and your style and would really appreciate hearing your opinion on some of mine - Mentoring - if you are interested. Thank you :)
@happysnap Somehow I missed this awesome thread when it was originally posted. Thank you for your initiative and putting all of this together. I'll have to research the list of mentors as I would love to learn more and improve my skills as a photographer.
@lilbrituk If you would like to be mentored look through the projects of some of the mentors (listed above on the opening of this discussion), choose one that appeals to you and then go and ask them directly on their project if they have capacity to mentor you. If they decline, for whatever reason, then move on to the next one and ask.
@happysnap - Like Ashley, I too am enquiring if this mentoring project is still running. I would very much like to find somebody to support me and to push me.
Wow.. @happysnap First time I am seeing this thread & what a great idea! Thanks so much for setting this up and all the generous folks willing to give their time & thoughtfulness!
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
@janim @kmrtn6 @genealogygenie @padlock @frankhymus @sjoblues @newbank @barneyone @roseolivia @taffy @kamen088 @carlt @spock @soseema @dh @tstb @chewyteeth @nanderson @jasperc @jocasta @dianeburns @sansjuan @mikekutz @mej2011 @mzzhope @888rachel @jasonayer @frankhymus @kathyboyles @bsheppard @aliha @mei_photography @angelar
@sioux @swilde @rachelwithey @mei_photography @la_photographic @roseolivia @angelar @kass @padlock
@my_photofun
jlayer365@gmail.com
ANd facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/jasonayer
https://www.facebook.com/ayerphotography
https://www.facebook.com/p3project
I hope I can be of assistance, and think we can all learn from each other here on 365.
If you're interested, here is the link to the photo thread where I suggested some ideas for "my" little mentoring group: http://365project.org/taffy/365/2014-06-03
Happy mentoring:0)
Nice work
Update, someone has kindly offered to be my mentor, thank you so much. I hope this works out for everyone, it is yet another sign of what a wonderful community 365 is!
Enjoy the experience, I see you are already set up with an enthusiastic mentee. Great stuff.
Padlock @padlock
Frank @frankhymus
Rachel @roseolivia
Taffy @taffy
Mr. Spock @spock
Tineke @tstb
Jocasta @jocasta
Jenn @shutterbugger
Hope @mzzhope
Jason @jasonayer
Kathy @kathyboyles
Alison @aliha
Angela @angelar
Mei @mei_photography
Sue @swilde
Rachel @rachelwithey
Kass reply @kass
Linda @happysnap
Ryan @sullivar
Shannon @sjoblues
Karhy @kathyboyles
Richard @vignouse
Hi Mentors - if you find you have reached your full capacity with the amount of Mentees you already have let me know and I will put a note next to your name on the list. This will mean that you don't have to keep turning down future requests. Thanks again for your willingness to offer your valuable support! Much appreciated.
Linda
Hi
are you still interested in being a mentor and do you have a space?
That being said I also feel that I could offer support and advice to beginner photographers to get them going on their project if anyone was interested.
Thank you for offering to mentor - I will add you to the list now. Hope you enjoy the experience.
@happysnap Thank you so much for organising this. It is a large part of what the project is about - these great and experienced photographers sharing their knowledge and encouragement.
x
If you already don't would be useful if we all followed each other. We can then all see what is going on. Hope you agree and enjoy
I will tag you in on future posts on this subject.
Hope this helps.
@trishaclancy Love your photos and your style and would really appreciate hearing your opinion on some of mine - Mentoring - if you are interested. Thank you :)
Hope this helps.
@happysnap First time I am seeing this thread & what a great idea! Thanks so much for setting this up and all the generous folks willing to give their time & thoughtfulness!