Hi David
I think this is a good idea. I heavily participate in Facebook but mostly confine my participation to closed groups. There are closed groups for many photography interests. Some people willingly share their techniques, not bothered by the copying issue.
My point is that there is a huge group of people getting together on social media to intelligently share their art and their techniques. What is different about those groups than what we have here? Well, first of all it seems to me that the female participation is higher as a percentage in the FB groups. Why? Not sure but most of the groups do not allow critiquing. Perhaps thatās why or perhaps females are reluctant to join a group of very fine photographers like this one.
At any rate, there is a huge untapped group of people out there who like to share their photography , discuss it and share techniques. I do not think it would be wise to ignore these folks because they hang out on Facebook.
Now, I am well aware of the photo stealing problem on Facebook. You can take precautions. I limit size to 750 pixels on long and frequently put a watermark across the center of the photo ( yes Iām aware that some people can get rid of it but most either donāt know the technique or canāt be bothered). Itās a weighing issue like most things in life.
This brings me to a question: if you do Instagram how will participants photos be protected and what resolution will be used?
Regards to all
Kathy
Iād like to follow up on this because I think a post of mine might have influenced David and NPNs decision on this. lm responding strictly from my life experience , a millennial who has been self employed as a photographer and videographer for almost 10 years, but only really started dedicating my work towards Landscape in 2012.
First off - I dispise what Social Media has become. I have been on Facebook since 2006ish (my college was the one of the first ones to get it). I also was on MySpace (RIP) and Geocities (remember that?!). Iāve seen it grow from something that was truly groundbreaking into the mess it is today. Itās really a shame how it has been used to influence society in negative ways. But it is here to stay (unless a huge coronal mass ejection wipes out our planet) and actually can have a positive effect when used in a communal way (NPN is in some ways Social Mediaā¦)
I bring up the āmillennialā fact because most of the people been critical of social media (in many discussions) are an older generation than me. My generation and younger have had social media more ingrained I their lives and beginners are faced with an uphill battle right off the get go. Itās not as simple as itās used to be, and one has to āfeed the beastā to get seen.
For example - I got into landscape photography only a few years ago (Iāve been shooting concerts and events prior) so I missed the original NPN, Flickr, 500px and by the time I got into Instagram, the āalgorithmā had been changed. Fine Art printing and Stock Photography as a business has basically tanked and itās really been an uphill struggle trying to make it as a new photographer in the Landscape game. Everyone has a camera on their phone, and unless you have a half naked āWanderbabeā dawning a Patagonia beanie in your photo, itās dam near impossible to get any traction on social media.
I was excited to see NPN comeback and gladly jumped on board and paid my dues. But SM isnāt going anywhere and sticking out heads in the sand is not going to help anyone.
I would suggest a different means than just āsend me a photo for considerationā - that could get messy real fast. I think itās worth it to come up with a creative way to involve the NPN community (who want to be) in the selection of featured works. I do understand we would need to start getting some work out there so the bar should be pretty low. But I for one would enjoy a monthly or weekly contest of some sort, maybe with different categories specially for Social Media. (Or featuring the winners of weekly challenges ect)
I will also say itās sometimes pretty quiet over here at NPN and itās important to get the word out about what weāre all trying to do. We need to draw in more photographers that want to pay a premium, and I think cross promotion is the only way to make it in todayās world. Bottom line is - Social Media is the best way to do that. Itās not like we can stand on the corner with handbills in front of Trader Joeāsā¦
Anyways - with the new generation of NPN, I think itās vital to also tap into the new generation of photographers and get them to see the benefits of joining.
Just my .02
Hey @David_Kingham - is there still forward momentum on this topic?
Unfortunately itās been low on the priority list, but I like your ideas. Iāll shoot you a PM 
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This is a defitniately a hot top item for the group. I will post and make sure that I have been ātaggingā NPN in my posts to help get the word out about the network. @Jordan_Inglee I agree, by word of mouth, we can contribute to the success of NPN. I completely agree with David and the rules set up for the network and definitely would welcome more contributing photographers and members.
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A Thompson Gazelle from the Masai Mara. jerryaustin54.
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