A Welcome Note To Newbies

[Jakaleena]

I just wanted to say “WELCOME” to any of you who are new here to RetouchPro. I’m Jackie. Or just Jak, which is what people around here call me. I’m your Moderator and friendly tour guide for the Restoration, Retouching, and Manipulation section of the RP Forums.

I hope you’ll find, like I did, that this is a great place to hang out. There’s a lot to see here, and I consider it sort of like “The Best Amusement Park on the Internet.” Hey, what can I say? I’ve always been easily entertained!

I have some tips, tricks, and thoughts about the site that I wanted to pass along to you. This place is packed to the gills with all kinds of information, and I wouldn’t want you to get lost.

1. RetouchPro costs $$ to run and is funded entirely by voluntary donations from its members. If you find the site useful, please consider making a donation to help with the upkeep by clicking Support on the menu bar or contacting Doug directly.

2. I’m only one of several Moderators here at RP. Although I wouldn’t call myself an expert, I am happy to help you out in any way I can. When you click on Forums on the menu bar, you’ll see a list of people online at the bottom of the page. Moderators that are online are shown in bold type. The Great and Powerful OZ (Doug) is bold and italicized. If none of us are online, you can find out who we all are by looking at the moderator's column on the Forum main page, or clicking the 'forum leaders' link at the bottom of the Forum main page. If you’re ever lost, confused, or have a question, you can click my link and send me a Private Message asking for some help. There’s also a PM button at the bottom of every post anyone makes.

3. This place is a seemingly endless labyrinth of posts on a very wide variety of subjects. No Minotaurs, but an awful lot of really good stuff! Sometimes just the sheer amount of information available can be intimidating. If you’re looking for a particular subject and can’t find it, the first thing to do is perform a search. If you can’t find what you’re looking for – drop me a note and I’ll be happy to help you look. I spend a lot of time in these forums and may remember running across your subject in my travels. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, go to the appropriate forum and start a thread about it!

4. Find the "Click Here For Forum Tips" link at the bottom of one of Doug’s posts (or click HERE) and you’ll find a huge wealth of information that I couldn’t even begin to go into here. Also, visit the FAQ section on the menu bar

5. User CP, at the bottom of the menu panel, lets you change any of your preferences. It also lets you edit your buddy lists and turn off forum notifications. That’s where you’ll find the ability to add and modify your avatars, too. (Avatars are the little pictures below the member names).

6. A lot of times, the threads seem to sort of wander just like real life conversations. Try to keep in mind that if the thread is on one subject, and the conversation wanders off onto an entirely different subject, any question you ask about that subject may not have the best chance of being answered there just for the simple fact that someone who knows about flatbed scanners, for example, may not happen to wander through a thread on making your photos look like art. If you find yourself saying, “oh, btw, what about….,” you should start a new thread, in an appropriate place, with a clear title, in order to give yourself the best chance of getting a good answer.

7. I write the tuts that make the whole world sing
I write the tuts of love and special things
I write the tuts that make the young girls cry
I write the tuts, I write the tuts

Ok, really bad… But I do write tutorials. And I LIKE doing it. If there’s something you want to know how to do and can’t find instructions for, let me know. If I know how to do it, I’ll be happy to write a tut for you! If I don't, well heck, I'll stand there with you hollering for help until someone else writes one... Don't forget to check out the ones that are already written!

8. The most unusual (and appealing) thing about RP, IMHO, is that unlike so many places on the Internet, the people here are all NICE! We have some of the kindest, helpful, most thoughtful members I’ve ever seen. Egos are checked at the door, and respect and courtesy are highly valued here. We hope you’ll feel welcomed and that you’ll want to become a regular part of the RP family.


Well, that’s about it for my long list of things I wanted to say to you. The lights are sparkling and the Midway is calling… Grab some cotton candy and any food that comes on a stick. You don’t have to be “this tall” to get on the rides here, so climb aboard and have a BLAST!

[DJ Dubovsky]

Makes me wish I were a newbie. Ditto what Jak said.
DJ

[Flora]

Jak
I think that "this" is just fantastic!!!!
You really are an "inexhaustible fountain" of bright ideas and initiatives!!!!

DJ
... I think that everybody here learns something new every day.... so...we keep on being "newbies" one way or another....

[fugitive]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Flora
[B]Jak
You really are an "inexhaustible fountain" of bright ideas and initiatives!!!!



Flora: Does everyone know english as well as you?
Our president can't speak as well as you do.

greg

[Flora]

Greg


Thanks!!!! .... but I have to admit...sometimes I just "literally" translate Italian expressions....

[Jakaleena]

Thanks Flora, but actually I think it was Ed L and Greg Couch that came up with the idea. I just kind of adopted it. They're really the ones who deserve the credit for this.

[CCdesktop]

Dear Jak,
Thanks for your message on the antique photos. I do have access to plenty of antique venues here - suburb of Atlanta. I have been to 2 or 3 in the past week that didn't happen to have photos, but I will keep searching.

I really appreciate the people that participate in this site. It has been a great help to me. I started learning photo restoration a year ago..have made good progress to date. I'm trying to get out of general graphic design/prodution work and just do this one offering instead.

I've been visiting off and on since January. Hope to get to know you better. Thanks for the offer of help with projects and tutorials.

Barb Kessling
www.ccdesktop.com

[Jakaleena]

You're very welcome, Barb. I'm really glad you find it helpful!

[Aric]

Well, this is my second post. My first one was to be a reply but it ended up a snew string. So yes, ,I am definetly a newbie here. But I do think I am going to like it here. All day long I am retouching images, and now I can be in contact with others that are doing the same.

[DJ Dubovsky]

Aric,
Welcome to Retouch Pro. Glad you like it here. There's alot going on both in Photo Restoration, retouching and Artistic manipulation and just plain fun outside those interests.
DJ

[Aric]

I have only been here for a few hours and I am having three conversations, which in itself is nothing, but they are all about the business of retouching. I love this place.

[DJ Dubovsky]

Watch out, it can become an addiction. Then if you're here too often, they put you to work.
DJ

[summertimerules]

Hi...I finally was able to get registered. I love this place. I have been here for a few weeks now and learning SO MUCH!! I just love this place...I love learning new things and I love these challenges. This is my first post and hope to join all you graphic freaks in this "amusement park"!

I have done a few of the older challenges and have learned so much and just want to say thank you to all of you whom (is it whom?) have unknowingly educated me. And a special thanks to Doug Nelson for this great website! Thanks SO MUCH...hope to one day become a more active participator and to be able to unknowingly help someone else

[Jakaleena]

Hi Summer! Welcome to RP! I'm so glad you found us, and that you like it here!

[DJ Dubovsky]

Hey Summertimerules,
Welcome to Retouch Pro. Glad you decided to jump into the forum and let us get to know you. Look forward to seeing more of you in the forums and the challenge area. Don't forget the gallery too. Nice place to spotlight your work.
DJ

[Ed_L]

Hiya Summer,

You're one cool chick! Okay, now you know I've been peeking! Welcome aboard. Why don't you send in those challenges that you've finished?

Ed

[katie]

I am too a newbie to this site and in less than a week I am more than excited. Why? 'cause my hubby and I are branching out into photo restoration and we think it is great to find somewhere that we can get support and feedback on our work. Whilst it is only me that is a member so far I will be encouraging hubby to become a member too. Though I don't know how good he will be at the forums - not a typist I'm afraid. I may have to do all the talking.

Anyway in my very short time here I have noted there are some very nice people so I look forward to "meeting" you.

Kind regards
Katherine (Katie)
www.ptime.com.au

[DJ Dubovsky]

Hi Katie,
Welcome aboard. This is the perfect site for you and your husband if your aim is photo restoration or anything related. And you are right. We do seem to have attracted some pretty nice people here. They will critique with out discouraging you and give you so much good advice to help you get started. We range from beginners to advanced and all levels have something to offer. So don't be shy and basically just have a good time. If you get tired of talking photo restoration, hit the salon forum and unwind with any interests you may have. Hope to see you again soon.
DJ

[Ed_L]

Hello Katie,

You mean you and your husband can actually work together? Welcome aboard. Looking forward to seeing some of your efforts.

Ed

[katie]

Ed

Pretty scary eh that we can work together. We do have our off days though.

Still it is very good and often fun and definately challenging.

[summertimerules]

Thanks Ed, DJ and Jak for the warm welcome. I submitted my first challenge today, but I must have done something wrong because it's not really there.

I would like to submit the previous challenges Ed, but I have no description for them and I KNOW that is a big part of this wonderful site...

Thanks again for the welcome!

[c7m053]

Hello to everyone I am a new user wanting to learn I know nothing so PLEASE help whenever you can. My interest is retoration&retouching.

[DJ Dubovsky]

Welcome c7m053 to Retouch Pro. We're happy you joined in. If you have a problem or question, please just let us know and we will be glad to try and help you out. Also, don't be afraid to give advice, opinions etc. either. Even those who think they know nothing pick up some interesting facts and tips in their search for information. So don't be afraid to join in.
DJ

[jeaniesa]

Hi Joe, and welcome to RetouchPRO! You've certainly come to the right place! My knowledge has grown by leaps and bounds since I joined RP. I think you'll find everyone really friendly, so don't be shy about asking for help. There is a ton of information in these forums which you will learn a lot from, but remember that no thread is ever dead, so if you find that you have questions on anything already here, jump right in and ask!

Jeanie

[kelvin]

Hi All
been onRP for a while now love it to bits, I am in Cornwall in the United Kingdom do not see many members for the UK here "is there" shoul;d be more

Jak i kneel at you feet

[tassierose]

I have to say that this place is so welcoming, especially to newbies. I cant wait to get started trying some of the challenges so that I can learn some of the techniques for restoration. Ive done little other than use photoshop to resize and occassionally touch up a pic a little. Although I did have a go at restoring a picture of my aunts last week. I thought I did a reasonable job till I looked at some of the challenges here!! .

I look forward to learning from you all

Rose. (tassie)

[Iain H]

Hi
Just a few lines from another Brit newbie to say I have enjoyed the time on the site immensly and shall recommend it to any others of a similar ilk who might just be interested in the stuff on these pages
Iain H

[DJ Dubovsky]

Rose and Iain,
Welcome both of you to Retouch Pro.

Rose, I've been doing this for 5 years now and I'm still learning from this group.

Iain, it's nice to welcome another member from Britian. I think Kelvin will be happy to see you here too. There's a few members from England here and even a British moderator.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing more of you both in the future and if you have any questions just ask. We're happy to help out when we can.
DJ

[NiteOwl]

Jackie,

I am new to this site and would like to say that is the most informative, inspirational welcome I have ever seen! I was getting blasted pretty good at DPReview, and ran into a wonderful guy named Danny Raphael. Thus my presence here. You are correct in saying this site is very NICE, and you are also correct in saying it is unusual! You are all great, and I am excited to start getting more involved.

I have been working on digital manipulations since about november and I use PhotoDraw2000, [which Danny is helping me to correct...nice guy he is by the way. ] I never realized there was better software out there!

I love taking images with my digital and then playing with them and making something new or different. I always try to keep as much of my original photo intact as possible, this is why Danny sent me here, rather than Photo Art. I am waiting to get my hands on an older version of PS so I can do more more more...in the meantime, I am loving PD2000 and having a blast! I will keep checking in and seeing what is new and interesting.

BTW, you are also correct when saying this site is a lybrynth and hard to get a handle on, and the sheer immense amount of information can be overwhelming....I got to agree with that!

Again, I want to commend you on your welcome, and let you know that I as one, [amoung millions of course] but still one voice 'shouting' out, what an awesome WELCOME!

Thanks so much for the info and the intro.

Take care,
NiteOwl

[DJ Dubovsky]

Hey Welcome aboard NiteOwl!!

I'm partial to Michiganders being a misplaced one myself. Look forward to seeing more of you on Retouch Pro.

Yes, this sure is an unusual site but it's all due to the unique quality of members who join in here. It started out with a bunch of real nice people who respect each other and that respect seems to have carried on to all the new members who join. When you open up and share a part of yourself, it's a nice feeling to know someone isn't going to come along and blast you for it.
Jak is a prime example of why this site works so well. She's talented and loves to share her knowledge to help others. She's just one of so many on this site that make it what it is. I think you'll really like it here.
DJ