The First Photograph Poster Banned!

[Asher Kelman]

Sometimes bad things happen!

It should save speculation to inform our community why we banned one person yesterday. We have never done this before as we had vowed at the outset to be and open forum where apart from having basic social rules, there was free speech and banning would be a last resort.

This has worked. We have banned over half of everyone who registered when our background checks indicated spamming, pornography, no interest in serious photography, Viagra or other drug sale, failure to clarify inconsistencies and so forth. This has been and continues to be a lot of work. However people who have a genuine interest in photography have no problem at all in joining OPF.

In a few rare instances a spammer got through and we simply removed them.

One of the unacceptable things in photography or any part of society is to present other people's work as if it is one's own. Well we had numerous activity concerning one person's posts and have invested a huge amount of effort in trying to get solid confirmation that gave us reasonable very minimal comfort concerning photographs posted by one individual. Eventually, this process was diverting so much energy that we had to ban this one person. However, if that person is a real photographer and backs up their identity, location employment so we can have total clarity, we will reverse our decision.

No one can be perfect; I'm not for sure. However, I can say we have given this one person a fair opportunity to explain particular images. If we misjudge the source of the images, that is done without malice.

I hope you understand how difficult such decisions are, but have to be made for practical if not ethical reasons.

Asher

[Dawid Loubser]

Asher, you are within your full rights to ban somebody who breaks the basic rules of the forum, no explanation needed! This forum is already exceptionally "open" as it is.

This community remains very valuable to me... thank you.

[Asher Kelman]

Thanks Dawid!

We just wanted to distinguish this rare event from the seemingly impulsive banning in response to unwanted speech that have happened elsewhere! :)

Asher

[Nicolas Claris]

I would simply like to add that Asher had the wisdom, before making this difficult decision, did exchange long PMs with some moderators … If ever he must be criticized (what does not seem to be the case!) we would be several to assume this decision …
Even if the leader is the leader!

[Eric Hiss]

Banning is clean. Banning is good.

[Nicolas Claris]

Banning is clean. Banning is good.

No Eric, unless your post is humor…

Banning is excluding. It is a very difficult decision in an open minded place as OPF.

[Rachel Foster]

Humor in such a case is difficult. Yet, when I read this post I had a thought that immediately tickled me seriously: "Thank goodness, no one will suspect that the banned person is me! One simply doesn't 'steal' the images I post!" (I may be the only one to find this funny, but I truly do!)

[Kathy Rappaport]

It seems in the world of Photography, more than elsewhere, we value our time and our efforts in our images and I would think that a photographer knowingly copying work of others as their own and then posting it would be a violation of copyright for OPF as well as for the OP who was banned.

That being said, ethics is very important in this world. We need to encourage and value honesty and integrity. Kudos for not allowing otherwise here.

[Asher Kelman]

Your support and understanding is appreciated. This is a real community when we have a common sense of fairness, respect and open attitudes even tolerence of harsh criticisms of one's photography.

The line is crossed very rarely and then someone might be really offended. We must even deal with that by humor and compromise.

In this case, we enforced strict standards and that's what we'll do in the future.

Asher

[janet Smith]

In this case, we enforced strict standards and that's what we'll do in the future

Well said Asher, it is the only stance that one can take in circumstances such as these......

[kombizz kashani]

Asher
I would appreciate your hard work in order to filter the spams and other none photography stuff from this site. I reckon you are within your full rights to ban any body who breaks the basic rules of this site.
Thank you for all of your efforts for this site.
Namaste'

[Michael Fontana]

Asher's:
>One of the unacceptable things in photography or any part of society is to present other people's work as if it is one's own.<

I completly agree on that one; it just requires a basic understanding of freedom!
Thanks for that clear sign!

[Steve Saunders]

I know how you feel Asher, banning a posting member isn't easy. At least you have given him/her a chance to clarify things if they want to.

[Asher Kelman]

Eric made a good point, banning suddenly is immediate and solves an issue. Taking pains to make allowances for English comprehension and community sensibility and netiquette adds more pain for us. We heavily screen members. Sometimes we are obviously not strict enough but ultimately pointless posters with no sense of the community will be banned. Our aim is to do this efficiently and fairly.

Posters should have a reason to posting related to photography and pick up social sensibilities. As Mike Spinak has pointed out a number of times, pictures should be posted to start a thread with context, purpose, approach, impression, technique and so forth, just sufficient for meaningful stimulating discussion.


Asher

[Rachel Foster]

Asher, I've just read the thread in question. My immediate response is to feel sad at the anxiety and pain this must have caused you. You are not one to do such things lightly or without good reason. Running a board like this is a lot of work; in fact, an enormous amount of work. The work, though, is a labor of love for you. You love teachiing, sharing, and photography. You are well-suited to this job. You should never have to exprience such unnecessary anguish. Anguish is a strong word, but I suspect it applies in this case.

My heart goes out to you, Asher, and I'm 100% in your corner.

With respect,


Rachel

[janet Smith]

Beautifully eolquent as always Rachel, well said, and I couldn't agree more.